13-CP/MAS NMR Examination of Some Australian Woods and Their Chemical and Biochemical Degradation Residues

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Abstract
Solid-state 13C-CP/MAS NMR has been used to obtain structural information on three Australian sapwoods (two hardwoods and one softwood), their residues after chemical treatment, and the frasses obtained after digestion by wood-eating termites and beetles. Whole wood spectra indicate substantial differences in both the lignin and hemicellulose components between the hardwoods and the softwood. Spectra of residues clearly show that the harsh chemical treatment causes significant structural changes in the wood components, especially the lignins. Finally, examination of the frasses demonstrates the much greater ability of termites to digest carbohydrates to the extent that frasses are largely the lignin component of the woods. These lignins, in contrast to chemically derived lignins, appear to be structurally unchanged compared with that of the parent woods.