This study was conducted to evaluate the potential antioxidant activity of lignin obtained from black liquor, a hazardous waste
product generated during the extraction of palm oil. Antioxidant potential of the extracted lignin was evaluated by dissolving the
extracted samples in 2 different solvent systems, namely, 2-methoxy ethanol and DMSO. Results revealed high percent inhibition of
the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in the lignin sample dissolved in 2-methoxy ethanol over DMSO (concentration
range of 1–100 µg/ml). Lignin extracted in 2-methoxy ethanol exhibited higher inhibition percentage (at 50 µg/ml, 84.2%), whereas
a concentration of 100 µg/ml was found to be effective in the case of the DMSO solvent (69.8%). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
spectrometry revealed that the functional groups from the extracted lignin and commercial lignin were highly similar, indicating
the purity of the lignin extracted from black liquor. These results provide a strong basis for further applications of lignin in the
food industry and also illustrate an eco-friendly approach to utilize oil palm black liquor. To cite this article: R. Bhat et al., C. R.