Cell Wall Analytics

The IBG-2 Plant Cell Wall and Carbohydrate Analytical lab is dedicated to Lignocellulose research. Our competence is carbohydrate/lignin composition and lignin structure analysis of lignocellulose and secondary xylem.

Cell Wall Analytics
Automated robotic sample preparation system for grinding and weighing plant samples in high throughput (iWall). A) Detailed picture of sample vessels for weighing; B) Sample arm; C) Mill module; D) Adaptors for small sample vessels (2ml).

Additionally, we perform fine detection of soluble sugars and starch in different lignocellulosic biomasses using conventional wet chemistry methods and analytical instrument setups. By using an automated robotic sample preparation system (iWall), several hundreds of different dry, lignocellulosic materials can be processed in one experiment. The instrumental backbone for the compositional cell wall analysis is high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC–PAD) for the sensitive determination of mono- and oligosaccharides. Other cell wall constituents as well as information on linkages, can be characterised by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). In addition, we are able to perform spectroscopic measurements using Raman-, near infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NIR/NMR) to reveal complex interactions within the cell wall materials.

Last Modified: 08.11.2022