Methyl esterification divergently affects the degradability of pectic uronosyls in nonlignified and lignified maize cell walls

Nonlignified cell walls from Zea mays (L.) cell suspensions were incubated with and without pectin methylesterase (PME) and a portion were artificially lignified to assess how methyl esters influence the release of pectic uronosyls and total sugars from cell walls by fungal enzymes. Treatment with PME reduced uronosyl concentrations from 97 to 92 mg/g, reduced uronosyl methylation from 57% to 21%, and increased Klason lignin concentrations in artificially lignified cell walls from 99 to 116 mg/g. Although PME treatment slightly enhanced uronosyl release from nonlignified cell walls, it reduced uronosyl release from artificially lignified cell walls by 55% after 4 h and by 7% after 72 h of enzymatic hydrolysis. Pectin hydrolysis in PME treated cell walls was probably impaired by enhanced benzyl ester cross-linking of uronosyls to lignin via quinone methide intermediates. Variations in uronosyl methylation had little effect on the overall release of total sugars from cell walls.     

镉安全水稻材料根系细胞壁果胶对镉的响应特征

【目的】研究镉(Cd)处理下水稻根系细胞壁果胶对Cd胁迫的响应,进一步深化Cd安全水稻材料根系细胞壁Cd的固持机制。【方法】以Cd安全水稻材料D62B为研究对象,普通材料Luhui17为对照进行水培试验。设4个Cd质量浓度处理：0 mg/L (CK)、0.5 mg/L (Cd0.5)、1.0 mg/L (Cd1)、2.0 mg/L (Cd2)。在水稻分蘖期采集根系样品,分析细胞壁多糖中果胶、半纤维1、半纤维2以及残渣部分的Cd含量,测定果胶糖醛酸含量、果胶酯化度、果胶甲酯酶(PME)活性、根系过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量以及细胞壁过氧化物酶(POD)活性,进而分析根系细胞壁果胶对Cd的响应特征。【结果】1) Cd胁迫下,D62B和Luhui17根系细胞壁果胶合成增加,根系细胞壁低酯化和高酯化果胶糖醛酸含量均表现为D62B高于Luhui17。Cd处理下D62B根系细胞壁低酯化和高酯化果胶糖醛酸含量较对照分别增加了13.21%～71.82%和22.10%～64.27%,Luhui17分别增加了24.14%～137.86%和13.12%～41.26%。...     

豌豆不同耐铝品种根尖细胞壁果胶及其甲基酯化度的差异

【目的】研究豌豆不同品种耐铝性和根尖根段耐铝性与果胶及其甲基酯化间的关系,为进一步揭示植物耐铝机理以及耐铝性状的遗传改良提供依据。【方法】以豌豆品种Hyogo和Alaska为试验材料,采用Hoagland培养方式,测定了不同品种不同根段果胶含量、 果胶甲基酯化度和果胶甲酯酶活性,研究了其差异及原因。【结果】在15和30 μmol/L铝浓度胁迫条件下,豌豆品种Alaska根相对伸长率均显著高于品种Hyogo,同时有根尖0~5 mm和5~10 mm段有更少的胼胝质生成和累积,在30 μmol/L浓度下不同根段间均达到显著差异,同时品种Hyogo根尖0~2.5 mm和2.5~5.0 mm段铝含量均显著高于品种Alaska,说明品种Alaska和品种Hyogo间存在耐铝性差异,其中品种Alaska耐铝性高于品种Hyogo,即品种Hyogo为铝敏感品种,品种Alaska是耐铝品种。比较两者不同根段(0~2.5 mm、 2.5~5.0 mm和5.0~10.0 mm)的铝含量与果胶含量、 果胶甲基酯化度、 PME活性间的关系,发现耐铝品种不同根段中的铝含量均小于敏感品种,并且在0~2.5 mm和2.5~5.0 mm段间达到显著性差异; 根尖不同根段果胶糖醛酸含量大小依次为0~2.5＞2.5~5.0＞5.0~10.0 mm,耐铝品种Alaska根尖细胞壁果胶和未甲酯化果胶含量均显著低于Hyogo,并且0~2.5 mm根段差异最大。根尖不同根段果胶甲基酯化度从根尖向上逐渐降低,并且耐铝品种Alaska高于铝敏感品种Hyogo,其中0~2.5 mm段间的差异达到显著水平;在对两个品种果胶甲基酯化酶(PME)活性进一步分析发现,PME活性大小依次为0~2.5＞2.5~5.0＞5.0~10.0 mm,两品种0~2.5 mm和2.5~5.0 mm根段间均达到显著差异。【结论】铝敏感品种Hyogo在0~2.5 mm和2.5~5.0 mm根段具有较高 PME活性和较低果胶甲基酯化程度。豌豆根尖果胶含量和甲基酯化度尤其是0~2.5 mm根段是豌豆耐铝性差异的重要原因;Alaska根尖细胞壁的果胶含量低和果胶甲基酯化度高(尤其是0~2.5 mm段)是其耐铝的重要机制。     

Extraction of green labeled pectins and pectic oligosaccharides from plant byproducts

Green labeled pectins were extracted by an environmentally friendly way using proteases and cellulases being able to act on proteins and cellulose present in cell walls. Pectins were isolated from different plant byproducts, i.e., chicory roots, citrus peel, cauliflower florets and leaves, endive, and sugar beet pulps. Enzymatic extraction was performed at 50 degrees C for 4 h, in order to fulfill the conditions required for microbiological safety of extracted products. High methoxy (HM) pectins of high molar mass were extracted with three different enzyme mixtures. These pectins were subsequently demethylated with two pectin methyl esterases (PMEs), either the fungal PME from Aspergillus aculeatus or the orange PME. It was further demonstrated that high molar mass low methoxy (LM) pectins could also be extracted directly from cell walls by adding the fungal PME to the mixture of protease and cellulase. Moreover, health benefit pectic oligosaccharides, the so-called modified hairy regions, were obtained after enzymatic treatment of the residue recovered after pectin extraction. The enzymatic method demonstrates that it is possible to convert vegetable byproducts into high-added value compounds, such as pectins and pectic oligosaccharides, and thus considerably reduce the amount of these residues generated by food industries.     

小麦根尖细胞壁对铝的吸附/解吸特性及其与耐铝性的关系

研究了耐铝性明显差异的2个小麦基因型西矮麦1号(耐性)和辐84系(敏感)根系对铝毒胁迫的反应与根尖细胞壁组分以及细胞壁对铝的吸附和解吸的关系。结果表明,30mol/L.AlCl3可迅速抑制小麦根系伸长,但对辐84系根系伸长的抑制更为明显,且小麦根系相对伸长率随着铝浓度的提高而急剧降低。在30mol/L.AlCl3处理24h后,西矮麦1号根系伸长的抑制率为33.3%,而辐84系根系伸长的抑制率高达70.9%。小麦距根尖0～10.mm根段的铝含量和细胞壁中果胶糖醛酸含量显著高于10～20.mm根段,且前者对铝的累积吸附量明显大于后者;在0～10.mm根段,敏感基因型果胶含量高于耐性基因型,其根尖含铝量及根尖细胞壁对铝的吸附量都要大于后者。采用1.0.mol/L.NH3.H2O对细胞壁预处理2.h降低果胶甲基酯化程度后,耐性和敏感基因型根尖细胞壁对铝的累积吸附量分别降低了17.1%和20.9%,但对铝的累积解吸率没有影响。由此可见,小麦根尖是铝毒的主要位点,细胞壁果胶含量和果胶甲基酯化程度可能是导致不同小麦基因型根尖细胞壁对铝吸附量、铝积累量的差异及其对铝毒胁迫反应的差异的重要原因。     

草酸处理对桂七芒果冷害及细胞壁代谢的影响

为探讨草酸处理对低温冷藏下芒果冷害及细胞壁代谢的影响,本试验以桂七芒果果实为试材,采用5 mmol·L^-1草酸溶液浸泡处理,以清水浸泡处理为对照,并于4℃贮藏,分析芒果的冷害指数、丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率、硬度、细胞壁物质含量、细胞壁代谢酶的变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,草酸处理显著降低了低温贮藏14 d后桂七芒果果实冷害指数、MDA含量、相对电导率、原果胶和纤维素含量,显著降低了低温贮藏28 d后果实的硬度;显著提高了低温贮藏14 d后果实水溶性果胶含量及多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)、果胶甲酯酶(PME)、纤维素酶(Cx)活性,显著提高了贮藏21 d后果实β-半乳糖苷酶(β-Gal)活性。综上所述,草酸处理能减轻桂七芒果冷害,维持采后果实细胞壁降解酶较高活性和水溶性果胶含量。本研究为揭示草酸减轻芒果果实冷害机制提供了依据,可为草酸应用于其他冷敏型果实的贮藏保鲜提供理论参考。     

Vacuum infusion of plant or fungal pectinmethylesterase and calcium affects the texture and structure of eggplant

The effect of vacuum infusion on eggplant quality of a commercial fungal (Aspergillus niger) and citrus pectinmethylesterase (PME) with calcium chloride (4000 ppm) was investigated after processing and during storage. Firmness of infused eggplants using fungal or citrus PME was significantly increased compared to controls (fresh noninfused and water-infused control) after processing and during storage for 7 days at 4 degrees C. Activity of fungal PME-infused eggplant increased almost 32 times, whereas activity of eggplant infused with Marsh grapefruit PME increased 2-fold. Degree of esterification of pectin of eggplants infused with fungal or citrus PME decreased slightly. Cryo-SEM showed that samples treated with fungal PME/ CaCl2 displayed more integrity among cells as compared with water-infused control. The change of pectin in the cell wall was visualized using monoclonal antibodies JIM5 (low-esterified pectin) and JIM7 (high-esterified pectin). JIM5 showed more binding than JIM7 with the cell walls of eggplant tissues from fungal PME/ CaCl2 treatment.     

Hydrolysis kinetics of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside oligomers from flaxseed

Flaxseed is the richest dietary source of the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and contains the largest amount of SDG oligomers, which are often hydrolyzed to break the ester linkages for the release of SDG and the glycosidic bonds for the release of secoisolariciresinol (SECO). The alkaline hydrolysis reaction kinetics of SDG oligomers from flaxseed and the acid hydrolysis process of SDG and other glucosides were investigated. For the kinetic modeling, a pseudo-first-order reaction was assumed. The results showed that the alkaline hydrolysis of SDG oligomers followed first-order reaction kinetics under mild alkaline hydrolytic conditions and that the concentration of sodium hydroxide had a strong influence on the activation energy of the alkaline hydrolysis of SDG oligomers. The results also indicated that the main acid hydrolysates of SDG included secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside (SMG), SECO, and anhydrosecoisolariciresinol (anhydro-SECO) and that the extent and the main hydrolysates of the acid hydrolysis reaction depended on the acid concentration, hydrolysis temperature, and time. In addition, the production and change of p-coumaric acid glucoside, ferulic acid glucoside and their methyl esters and p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and their methyl esters during the process of hydrolysis was also investigated.     

Esterified phenolics of the cell walls of chufa (Cyperus esculentusL. ) tubers and their role in texture

Chufas (Cyperus esculentus) are edible tubers that, like Chinese waterchestnut (CWC), are very crisp when raw and do not soften when cooked. The present study compares the mechanical properties of chufas with those of potato and CWC in relation to the carbohydrate and phenolic compositions of the cell walls. The cutting toughness of raw chufa was higher than that of raw CWC and potato; its value decreased on boiling, as also observed with CWC, but remained over twice that of raw potato. Chufa cell walls were rich in xylose, arabinose, glucose, uronic acid, and galactose, with minor quantities of mannose. The cell walls of the parenchyma exhibited a uniform pH-dependent autofluorescence indicating the presence of cinnamic acid derivatives. Analysis of these revealed that peeled tuber cell walls are rich in ferulic acid, whereas p-coumaric acid dominates the monomeric phenol fraction of the skin. Cell wall material from both skin and peeled tubers contains a significant amount of different diferulic acids ( approximately 20% of the wall ferulic acid), consisting mainly of the 8-O-4'-, 8-5'-, and 5-5'-dimers. These are potentially available to form thermally stable cross-links between polysaccharides within the wall and between cells. This may confer thermal stability of texture.     

脂肪酸甲酯生物柴油改善低硫柴油的润滑性能

生物柴油可作为改善低硫柴油润滑性能的天然添加剂。该文将豆蔻酸甲酯(C14:0)、棕榈酸甲酯(C16:0)、硬脂酸甲酯(C18:0)、油酸甲酯(C18:1)、亚油酸甲酯(C18:2)、亚麻酸甲酯(C18:3)、蓖麻醇酸甲酯(C18:1 OH)及蓖麻油甲酯和餐饮废油甲酯按照0.5%、1.0%、1.5%和3.0%的体积分数添加到低硫柴油中,在高频往复试验机(high-frequency reciprocating rig,HFRR)上进行润滑性能测试,探究脂肪酸甲酯的碳链长度、不饱和度及含羟基等结构特征对润滑性能的影响。结果表明,长碳链脂肪酸甲酯一般比短链润滑效果好;碳链长度为十八的脂肪酸酯中,不饱和程度即碳碳双键数目越高则润滑性能越好;而在相同碳链长度和不饱和度条件下,含羟基的蓖麻醇酸甲酯的润滑改善效果优于油酸甲酯。由多种脂肪酸酯构成的混合物生物柴油的润滑性能要优于某单一的纯脂肪酸甲酯。在低硫柴油中,当某饱和脂肪酸甲酯的体积分数比例达3.0%时,或不饱和酯的体积分数达到1.5%时,或生物柴油的体积分数达1.0%时,可使低硫柴油的润滑性能指标满足相关标准。研究脂肪酸甲酯的各种结构特征对其润滑性能的影响及作用机制,有助于筛选合适的生物柴油组分及其添加浓度作为低硫柴油的润滑添加剂。     

猕猴桃果实贮藏期间细胞壁多糖物质降解特性及组织结构差异分析

为了深入了解猕猴桃果实采后细胞壁多糖物质降解及组织结构变化与果实贮藏性的关系,本研究以红阳和华特猕猴桃果实为试材,对25和4℃贮藏期间的细胞壁多糖物质含量及果胶降解酶活性进行测定,并比较两品种果实在25℃贮藏期间的细胞显微结构和钙组分含量差异。结果表明,在25和4℃贮藏条件下,随着贮藏时间的延长,红阳和华特猕猴桃果实中半纤维素（HCL）、纤维素（CL）和共价结合型果胶（CSP）含量不断降低,水溶性果胶（WSP）含量不断上升,离子结合型果胶（ISP）含量相对稳定。红阳猕猴桃各细胞壁多糖组分含量变化速度较快。两品种猕猴桃果实硬度均与WSP含量呈显著负相关,与CSP含量呈显著正相关。果胶降解酶活性检测结果显示,25℃贮藏前期,红阳猕猴桃中果胶酸裂解酶（PL）和β-半乳糖苷酶（β-Gal）活性显著高于华特;贮藏中后期,红阳中果胶甲酯酶（PME）活性显著高于华特。4℃贮藏期间,红阳中PME活性仍显著高于华特;4℃贮藏前期,红阳中β-Gal活性与华特无显著差异,而PL活性低于华特。相关性分析表明,25℃贮藏期间,与红阳和华特果实软化显著相关的果胶降解酶分别是PME和PL;4℃贮藏期间,与华特果实软...     

Mode of de-esterification of alkaline and acidic pectin methyl esterases at different pH conditions

Highly esterified citrus pectin was de-esterified at pH 4.5 and 8.0 by a fungal pectin methyl esterase (PME) that was shown to have an acidic isoelectric pH (pI) and an acidic pH optimum and by a plant PME that was characterized by an alkaline pI and an alkaline pH optimum. Interchain and intrachain de-esterification patterns were studied by digestion of the pectin products with endo-polygalacturonase and subsequent analysis using size exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography. No effect of pH was observed on the de-esterification mode of either of the two enzymes. Acidic, fungal PME converted pectin according to a multiple-chain mechanism, with a limited degree of multiple attack at the intrachain level, both at pH 4.5 and at pH 8.0. A multiple-attack mechanism, with a high degree of multiple attack, was more appropriate to describe the action mode of alkaline, plant PME, both at pH 4.5 and at pH 8.0.     

Suberin structure in potato periderm: glycerol, long-chain monomers, and glyceryl and feruloyl dimers

Suberin in extractive-free potato periderm amounts to approximately 25% determined by NaOCH(3) methanolysis. Monomeric composition is characterized by glycerol (20% of monomers), long-chain alpha, omega-diacids, omega-hydroxyacids, alkanoic acids, and alkan-1-ols, with predominance of octadec-9-enodioic acid and 18-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid (39 and 15% of long-chain monomers, respectively). Aromatic hydroxycinnamyl monomers were also present (<1%). Partial depolymerization of potato periderm suberin using a Ca(OH)(2)-catalyzed methanolysis solubilized approximately 10% of suberin aliphatics. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of monomers, dimers, and trimers (87, 12, and 1% of identified compounds, respectively). A total of 26 dimers were identified by EIMS: monoacylglyceryl esters of alpha,omega-diacids, omega-hydroxyacids, and alkanoic acids (with predominance of the 1- and 2-isomers of the monoacylglyceryl ester of the octadec-9-enodioic acid), as well as feruloyl esters of omega-hydroxyacids and alkan-1-ols and a small quantity of a monoferuloylglycerol. Following a discussion of suberin macromolecular structure, it is proposed that in suberized cell walls, the polyaliphatic polymers have a three-dimensional development ensured by glycerol and exist independently from the associated polyaromatics.     

Enzymatic modification of pectin to increase its calcium sensitivity while preserving its molecular weight

A commercial high-methoxy citrus pectin was treated with a purified salt-independent pectin methylesterase (PME) isozyme isolated from Valencia orange peel to prepare a series of deesterified pectins. A series of alkali-deesterified pectins was also prepared at pH 10 under conditions permitting beta-elimination. Analysis of these pectins using high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with on-line multiangle laser light-scattering, differential viscometer, and refractive index (RI) detectors revealed no reduction in weight-average molecular weight (M(w); 150000) in the PME-treated pectin series, whereas a 16% reduction in intrinsic viscosity (IV) occurred below a degree of esterification (DE) of 47%. In contrast, alkali deesterification rapidly reduced both M(w) and IV to less than half of that observed for untreated pectin. PME treatment of a non-calcium-sensitive citrus pectin introduced calcium sensitivity with only a 6% reduction in the DE. Triad blocks of unesterified galacturonic acid were observed in (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of this calcium-sensitive pectin (CSP). These results demonstrate that the orange salt-independent PME isozyme utilizes a blockwise mode of action. This is the first report of the preparation of a CSP by PME treatment without significant loss of the pectin's M(w) due to depolymerization.     

Monovalent salt-induced gelation of enzymatically deesterified pectin

Pectin gels were induced by monovalent salts (0.2 M) concurrently with deesterification of high methoxy pectin using a salt-independent orange pectin methylesterase (PME). Constant pH was maintained during deesterification and gelation. If salt or PME was absent, the pectin did not form a gel. The gel strength was influenced by both pH and species of monovalent cation. At pH 5.0, the pectin gel induced by KCl was significantly stronger than the NaCl-induced gel. In contrast, a much stronger gel was produced in the presence of NaCl as compared to KCl at pH 7.0. LiCl did not induce pectin gelation at either pH. Molecular weights of pectins increased from 1.38 x 10(5) to 2.26 x 10(5) during NaCl-induced gelation at pH 7. One proposal to explain these pectin molecular weight changes is a hypothetical PME transacylation mechanism. However, these pectin molecular weight changes can also be explained by metastable aggregation of the enzymatically deesterified low methoxy pectin. We postulate that gelation was induced by a slow deesterification of pectin under conditions that would normally salt out (precipitate) low methoxy pectin in the absence of PME.     

Texture of cooked potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). 3. Preheating and the consequences for the texture and cell wall chemistry

Two potato cultivars representing extremes with regard to the texture of the cooked product were divided into subcategories based on size and dry matter (DM) content. The effects of the preheating temperature and time on both the instrumentally determined firmness and the sensory-perceived firmness were measured and compared. Increasing the preheating time at 60 degrees C followed by cooking resulted in greater force required to fracture the tissue, an increase in perceived firmness, and a less mashable product. A principal component analysis showed that with higher DM contents of the potato samples, preheating resulted in a larger force required to fracture the tissue and a firmer product. The changes in fracture force were not linearly related with the changes in perceived firmness. The effects of preheating on the pectin methylesterase (PME) activity, the enzyme assumed to be responsible for the firming effect upon preheating, showed that the activity of this enzyme remained rather constant during preheating at 60 degrees C for 1 h. Preheating at 78 degrees C for 10 min abolished virtually all PME activity. To obtain insight into the consequences of preheating and preheating followed by steam cooking on the yield and composition of the cell wall material (CWM) of potatoes, a cell wall isolation followed by a pectin fractionation study was performed. Attention was also paid to the consequences of the processing conditions applied on the chemical composition of the CWM and the sequentially extracted pectic fractions. Preheating resulted in an increase in yield of the CWM of cooked potatoes and, as a consequence, all of the sequentially extracted fractions, including the residue. Preheating did not have a pronounced effect on the composition of the pectin of the sequentially extracted fractions. This altogether strongly indicates that preheating causes a PME-based firming effect, resulting in an decrease in pectin degradation and, as a consequence, a larger yield of CWM. It seems reasonable to assume that this increase in amount of CWM results in a firmer texture. The contribution of starch-based degradation products to the texture after preheating can, however, not be excluded.     

Effect of storage on wall-bound phenolics in green asparagus

The cell walls of green asparagus spears have been analyzed for their phenolic and carbohydrate composition as modified by postharvest storage. Esterified phenolic components were released by sequential alkaline hydrolysis and identified and quantified by diode array HPLC. Significant quantities of ferulic acid (FA) and its derivatives were found to increase at least 3-fold during storage, particularly in walls from the lower parts of the stem, where accompanying changes in sugar composition were also observed. In fresh asparagus, >60% of the total FA was in the form of diferulic acid, and this increased to approximately 70% after 3 days of storage. The main FA dehydrodimers were 8-8-, 8-O-4-, and 8-5-diferulates. These have been detected in other monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, but as a smaller proportion of the total FA. The possible roles phenolic esters might have in relation to the mechanical, textural, and wound-response properties of asparagus spears are discussed.     

The role of root border cells in aluminum resistance of pea (Pisum sativum) grown in mist culture

Root border cells are considered to contribute to aluminum (Al) resistance by protecting the root apex from Al toxicity. In the present study, the responses of root apices of pea (Pisum sativum) to Al exposure in mist culture with border cells stripped off or not were compared. Inhibition of root elongation, induction of callose synthesis, and accumulation of Al were more pronounced in root apices stripped from border cells. Aluminum application led to higher Al concentrations in border cells than in root apices. The same trend was found for Al contents in cell walls of border cells compared to root apices. The analysis of cell‐wall pectin indicated that the concentrations of total sugars, uronic acids, and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) were higher in border cells than in root apices, especially when exposed to Al. Together, these results suggest that root border cells enhance the Al resistance of root apices by immobilizing Al in their cell‐wall pectin, thus protecting the root apex.     

THE IDENTIFICATION AND DETERMINATION OF GLUCURONIC AND GALACTURONIC ACIDS IN SCOTTISH SOILS AND SOIL FRACTIONS USING ION-EXCHANGE AND GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Two methods have been used for the identification and determination of uronic acids in soils and soil fractions. The uronic acids were released by hydrolysis with sulphuric acid. After partial purification by ion-exchange chromatography they were separated either by further ion-exchange or by gas-liquid chromatography of derivatives. The latter method is preferable for determination of the specific activities of uronic acids in soil tracer work. Both galacturonic and glucuronic acids were detected in the four Scottish soils examined, the galacturonic acid being present in slightly greater amounts in each soil. Mannuronic acid was not detected. The total amount of uronic acids found ranged from about 4 mg to 6 mg/g soil.     

Quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acids in wheat, rice, rye, and barley straws, maize stems, oil palm frond fiber, and fast-growing poplar wood.

A new method has been developed for the quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acids participating in ester or ether linkages to the cell wall polymers. The method is based on mild alkaline hydrolysis followed by acid hydrolysis or mild alkaline hydrolysis, which partially removed esterified phenolic acids, and high-temperature concentrated alkaline treatment, which cleaved both the ester and ether linkages. It was found that traditional mild alkaline hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis released only part of the ester- and ether-linked phenolic acids, respectively. Approximately half (44.0-47.9%) of the total ester-linked p-coumaric acid and 18.2-32.6% of the total esterified ferulic acid remained ester-linked to the mild alkali-soluble lignin polymers, and 55.0-72.0% of the total ether-linked p-coumaric acid and 37.5-53.8% of the total ether-linked ferulic acid remained ether-linked to the solubilized lignin molecules after the acid hydrolysis. To correct this, a second mild alkaline hydrolysis of the alkali-soluble lignin preparations and acid hydrolysis of the solubilized lignin fractions, obtained from the first acid hydrolysis of the cell wall materials, was investigated. On the basis of this new method, a majority of the cell wall p-coumaric acid (55.8-81.5%) was found to be ester-linked to cell wall components, mainly to lignin, and about half of the cell wall ferulic acid is etherified through its phenolic oxygen to the cell wall lignin component, whereas the remainder is esterified to the cell wall hemicelluloses and/or lignin in different plant materials.