Monolignol

[1] The monolignols are derived from the amino acid phenylalanine via the phenylpropanoid pathway involving various enzymes.

[3] The difference between lignans and lignin is the number of monolignols they are composed of.

Lignans are typically dimers and therefore soluble and susceptible to biodegradation.

Lignin is a polymer with an inert nature that forms the structures of woody plants.

The ratio of the three monolignols as well as their linkages varies depending on the plant species.

Structures of the three commonly occurring monolignols