According to one aspect of the present method, a method for evaluation of lignin may comprise the steps of: providing lignin from a source, wherein the composition of lignin is unknown; analyzing the lignin by molecular spectroscopy methods and/or physical-chemical analysis; determining the composition of the lignin; and using the determination of the composition to predict at least one biobased product produced from the lignin. Within the method, a statistical analysis of the lignin may provide a prediction for one or more products produced and/or the yield of one or more products.