Cellulose nanofibers (CNF), which are three orders of magnitude smaller than the intact plant fiber cellulose, have unique properties combining lightweight, robust mechanical properties, and multi-functionality in a variety of advanced materials. However, there are still several problems in CNF production, including high energy consumption in the mechanical disintegration of cellulosic fibers, and the environmental risks of using hazardous chemicals and solvents. A possible solution is offered by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases, LPMOs, which have the potential to reduce energy requirements of refining and replace the chemical pretreatment during CNF production. In this work, we studied the ability of fungal LPMOs to induce delamination of softwood holocellulose fibers before mild mechanical treatment to produce CNF. For this purpose, we produced LPMOs from ascomycetous fungi Neurospora crassa, Thermothelomyces thermophilus and Thielavia terrestris. The activities of these LPMOs on the holocellulose fibers were characterized. The enzymatically produced CNFs were cast into films of which mechanical properties were studied as compared to CNFs produced without the enzyme treatment.

Enzyme-assisted preparation of nanocellulose from wood holocellulose fibers

2019 Spring National Meeting

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