The aim of this work was to characterize olive tree pruning lignin and to evaluate the
effect of the applied extraction conditions on the final lignin structure and properties.
With this purpose, olive tree pruning was subjected to three different treatments:
alkali fractionation, autohydrolysis and organosolv process. Lignin applications
depend primarily on the development of the production of sulfur-free high-quality
lignin. Most technical lignins – Kraft sulfur-containing lignin and lignosulfonate – are
not suitable for further conversion to value-added products (Percival Zhang 2011).