Method for producing lignin degradation product

Abstract

The present invention relates to [1] a process for producing a lignin degradation product, including the following steps (1) to (3), and [2] a lignin degradation product produced by the process as described in the above [1]: Step (1): subjecting a lignocellulose raw material to enzymatic saccharification treatment to obtain a saccharification residue; Step (2): subjecting the saccharification residue obtained in the step (1) to heat treatment in a mixed solvent containing water and an organic solvent having a solubility in 20° C. water of not less than 90 g/L to obtain a heat treatment solution containing the lignin degradation product; and Step (3): subjecting the heat treatment solution obtained in the step (2) to solid-liquid separation to remove insoluble components from the heat treatment solution, thereby obtaining the lignin degradation product. The present invention provides a process for producing a novel lignin degradation product having a low degree of denaturation, a high solubility in solvents and a high versatility with a high yield.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.