Development of lignin degradation method utilizing organic electrolytic reaction and its use as a plant growth inhibitor

In this study, we developed an electrolytic reaction targeting the β-O-4 bond of lignin using inexpensive carbon electrodes and electrolytes. To verify the effectiveness of the electrolysis method for β-O-4 bonds, a simple lignin model with β-O-4 bonds similar to those of lignin was used to investigate the electrolysis conditions, analyze the degradation products, and clarify the degradation mechanism. The electrolysis experiments were then conducted using lignin samples derived from natural lignin in the same manner, and the obtained degradation products were analyzed to confirm the validity of the electrolysis method. We then conducted a plant growth test on kaiware daikon radish (radish radish radish) to investigate the effects of the degraded products on plant growth and confirm the functions and usefulness of the degraded products.