The performance of fungal xylan-degrading enzyme preparations in elemental chlorine-free bleaching for Eucalyptus pulp.
Cellulase-free xylan-degrading enzyme preparations from Acrophialophora nainiana, Humicola grisea var. thermoidea and two Trichoderma harzianum strains were used as bleaching agents for Eucalyptus kraft pulp, prior to a chlorine dioxide and alkaline bleaching sequence. In comparison to the control sequence (performed without xylanase pretreatment), the sequence incorporating enzyme treatment was more effective. Removal of residual lignin was indicated by a reduction in kappa number. Overall, enzyme preparations from T. harzianum were marginally more effective in reducing pulp viscosity and chlorine chemical consumption and improving the brightness of the kraft pulp. However, the highest reduction in pulp viscosity was mediated by the xylanase preparation from A. nainiana. Xylanase pretreatment compares very favorably with that of chemical pulping.
Medeiros
R G
RG
Laboratório de Enzimologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil CEP 70910-900.
Silva
F G
FG
Salles
B C
BC
Estelles
R S
RS
Filho
E X F
EX
D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000201:enzymology*; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D043325:Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; D014995:Xylosidases / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism
C076151:Kraft lignin; D008031:Lignin; D014995:Xylosidases; D043325:Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase