Combination of alkaline and enzymatic treatments as a process for upgrading sisal paper-grade pulp to dissolving-grade pulp

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 101; no. 19; pp. 7416 - 7423
• Main Authors: Ibarra, David, Köpcke, Viviana, Larsson, Per Tomas, Jääskeläinen, Anna-Stiina, Ek, Monica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agave - chemistry; Alkaline extraction; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Bleaching; Carbohydrates - analysis; Cellulase - metabolism; Cellulose; Chemistry; Dissolution; Dissolving-grade pulp; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases - metabolism; Enzymatic treatment; Enzyme engineering; Eucalyptus; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucans - chemistry; Jute; Kemi; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Molecular structure; Molecular Weight; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Non-wood fibers; Organic chemistry; Organisk kemi; Paper, paperboard, non wovens; Paper-grade pulp; Polymer chemistry; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymerkemi; Pulp manufacturing; Sisal; Sodium Hydroxide - pharmacology; Solubility; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Time Factors; Upgrading; Viscosity; Wood; Wood. Paper. Non wovens; Enzymatic treatment; Alkaline extraction; Paper-grade pulp; Dissolving-grade pulp; Non-wood fibers; Wood fiber; Extraction process; Paper pulp; Basic medium; Alkalinity; Sisal
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.04.050
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976

A sequence of treatments consisting of an initial xylanase treatment followed by cold alkaline extraction and a final endoglucanase treatment was investigated as a process for upgrading non-wood paper-grade pulps to dissolving-grade pulps for viscose production. Five commercial dried bleached non-wood soda/AQ paper pulps, from flax, hemp, sisal, abaca, and jute, were studied for this purpose. Commercial dried bleached eucalyptus dissolving pulp was used as reference sample. Sisal pulp showed the highest improvement in Fock’s reactivity, reaching levels nearly as high or even higher than that of eucalyptus dissolving pulp (65%), and a low hemicellulose content (3–4%) when was subjected to this sequence of treatments. The viscosity, however, decreased considerably. A uniform and narrow molecular weight distribution was observed by size exclusion chromatography. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Raman microspectroscopy revealed that the cellulose structure consisted of cellulose I.