Overview

• Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä isolated high-purity lignin from birch chips, wheat straw and oat husks using a simple water-based extraction that preserves phenolic content.
• In vitro assays in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories showed stronger antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 than against the seasonal human coronavirus HCoV-OC43.
• Transmission electron and confocal microscopy revealed lignin-induced aggregation of enterovirus particles and structural disruption of coronavirus envelopes.
• Lignin inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by damaging bacterial cell membranes and disrupting internal structures.
• Conducted with Spinnova Oy and CH Bioforce, the peer-reviewed study positions lignin as a sustainable antimicrobial for coatings, packaging and disinfectants pending scale-up and regulatory approval.