Several steps are employed for the production of lignin, to ensure better extraction. Pretreatment is one of the important steps in all biochemical conversion, including biomass feedstock, using different methods such as mechanical, thermal, physicochemical, chemical, and biological. Pretreatment can affect the feedstock in terms of structure and crystallinity, lignin modification, and changes in composition. Following the pretreatment, isolation of lignin is done using a few other methods including acid, alkali, organosolv, ionic liquid, and enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as physicochemical methods with significant yield and purity. The lignin extracted from biomass can be utilized in many other industries including fuel, medical, agricultural, and carbon-based materials. There is a lack of specific applications of lignin in Malaysia despite its huge potential in several main economic sectors. Ultimately, lignin should be effectively utilized to drive the value-chain of biomass valorization. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.