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γ‐Ray‐induced degradation of lignocellulosic materials
Author(s) -
Han Y. W.,
Timpa J.,
Ciegler A.,
Courtney J.,
Curry W. F.,
Lambremont E. N.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260231111
Subject(s) - bagasse , cellulose , chemistry , sawdust , sugar , degradation (telecommunications) , solubilization , alkali metal , substrate (aquarium) , yield (engineering) , swelling , pulp and paper industry , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , materials science , biochemistry , telecommunications , computer science , engineering , oceanography , metallurgy , geology
Lignocellulosic plant materials were treated with various swelling agents and exposed to γ radiation from 60 Co or 137 Cs. At dosages of 50 Mrad or above, lignocellulosic materials were extensively degraded and solubilized in water. Addition of water, NaOH, or H 2 SO 4 to the substrate increased the degree of solubilization. Complete solubilization was achieved for samples of sugarcane bagasse, newspaper, cotton linters, cotton cloth, sawdust, and α‐cellulose powder. About 35% total sugar and 5% reducing sugar per dry weight of sugarcane bagasse could be obtained by this method. Most of the soluble carbohydrates seemed to be disaccharides or larger molecules and glucose degradation products. Solubilization of cellulose was dosage dependent and although the rate of solubilization was increased by adding alkali, released sugar was further decomposed by the alkali and by high dosage of radiation.