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Enzymatic Treatment of Mechanical Pulp Fibers for Improving Papermaking Properties
Author(s) -
Wong Ken K. Y.,
Richardson John D.,
Mansfield Shawn D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp000064d
Subject(s) - papermaking , pulp (tooth) , laccase , ultimate tensile strength , cellulase , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , tear resistance , lignin , composite material , materials science , enzyme , biochemistry , dentistry , organic chemistry , medicine , engineering
Abstract Three enzyme preparations (crude cellulase, laccase, and proteinase) were evaluated for their potential to improve the papermaking properties of mechanical pulp. After treating a long fibre‐rich fraction of the pulp with enzyme, the fibres were recombined with untreated fines for handsheet making and testing. None of the enzymes altered the retention of fines or the consolidation of the furnish mix during handsheet formation. All three enzymes increased tensile stiffness index, which is a measure of the initial resistance of the handsheets to strain. Only the laccase preparation, an enzyme that modifies pulp lignin, consistently increased fibre bonding to enhance other strength properties of the handsheets.