Supramolecular Structure - A Key Parameter for Cellulose Biodegradation

Summary: Three different cellulosic substrata, like microcrystalline cellulose, cotton cellulose and spruce dissolving pulp, were chosen for biodegradation. The kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of these celluloses by Trichoderma reesei, has been investigated. The experiments proved the fact that both the morphological structure and the crystalline one are crucial to the process and the ratio of the reactions. In addition, in order to obtain the most accessible cellulose substratum it was studied the biodegradation of cellulose allomorphs of spruce dissolving pulp. The insoluble cellulose fraction remaining after enzymatic hydrolysis was examined by X-ray diffraction method and it was established the degree of crystallinity and the average crystallite size. The enzymatic degradation is also proved by the decrease in the degree of polymerization of hydrolyzed samples.