Home The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp

  • Feifei Song , Wenwen Guo , Yu Qu , Dayong Ding EMAIL logo and Lanfeng Hui ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: February 17, 2025
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Submit Manuscript Author Information
Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
From the journal Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Volume 40 Issue 2

Abstract

In this paper, X1 and X2 (two different xylanases), were employed to pretreat oxygen-delignified kraft softwood pulp. X2 could handle unwashed pulp, while X1 needed washed pulp. Subsequently, the effects of two xylanases on the physical properties, microstructure and fiber characteristics of pulp were investigated. Compared to the ECF bleached pulp (OD0EpD1), the brightness (86.9 %ISO), tensile index (28.4 N·m/g) and burst index (1.67 kPa·m2/g) of the ECF bleached pulp treated with X2 xylanase (9 U/g) increased by 2.4 %ISO, 4.8 % and 24.6 %. After X2 xylanase pretreatment, the fiber length of pulp decreased slightly, the content of fine fibers increased, and the water retention value increased. Due to the pretreatment of X2 xylanase, some non-fibrous components and chromophores in the pulp were removed, and the intrinsic viscosity and average molecular weight of the pulp were reduced. The crystallinity of cellulose decreases by 1 %, the fiber surface becomes rough, and voids are created, the specific surface area increases, and the average pore size increases. These findings suggest that enzyme pretreatment is a green and highly effective approach that not only significantly enhances pulping performance but also demonstrates excellent adaptability to complex processing environments and it streamlines the traditional pulping process effectively.

Keywords: xylanase; kraft softwood pulp; bioleaching; ECF; fine structure
Corresponding author: Dayong Ding and Lanfeng Hui, State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China; and China Light Industry Key Laboratory of Papermaking and Biorefinery, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China, E-mail: (D. Ding), (L. Hui)

Funding source: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project

Award Identifier / Grant number: 2023M731165

Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 32301528

Funding source: National Key Research and Development Program of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 2022YFC2105503

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFC2105503), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32301528) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project (2023M731165).

  7. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

References

Angural, S., Bala, I., Kumar, A., Kumar, D., Jassal, S., and Gupta, N. (2023). Bleach enhancement of mixed wood pulp by mixture of thermo-alkali-stable xylanase and mannanase derived through co-culturing of Alkalophilic. Bacillus. sp. NG-27 Bacillus. Nealsonii PN-11 7: e05673, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05673.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Beg, Q.K., Kapoor, M., Mahajan, L., and Hoondal, G.S. (2001). Microbial xylanases and their industrial applications: a review. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 56: 326–338, https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530100704.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Bhatnagar, A. (2023). TCF bleaching of eucalyptus tereticornis kraft pulps by milox process. Indian For. 149: 1250–1256, https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2023/v149i12/169852.Search in Google Scholar

Buchert, J., Carlsson, G., Viikari, L., and Ström, G. (1996). Surface characterization of unbleached kraft pulps by enzymatic peeling and ESCA. Holzforschung - Int. J. Biol. Chem. Phy. Tech. Wood. 50: 69–74, https://doi.org/10.1515/hfsg.1996.50.1.69.Search in Google Scholar

Chandra, R.P., Wu, J., and Saddler, J.N. (2019). The application of fiber quality analysis (FQA) and cellulose accessibility measurements to better elucidate the impact of fiber curls and kinks on the enzymatic hydrolysis of fibers. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 7: 8827–8833, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b00783.Search in Google Scholar

Chaurasia, S.K. and Bhardwaj, N.K. (2019). An ecofriendly and environmental benign pulp bleaching technique: a review. J. Carbohydr. Chem. 38: 87–108, https://doi.org/10.1080/07328303.2019.1581888.Search in Google Scholar

Chen, Y., Wan, J., Zhang, X., Ma, Y., and Wang, Y. (2012). Effect of beating on recycled properties of unbleached eucalyptus cellulose fiber. Carbohydr. Polym. 87: 730–736, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.08.051.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Chen, G., Wan, J., Ma, Y., and Wang, Y. (2021a). Characterization of fibers after xylanase and modified laccase-glutamate system biobleaching of old newsprint pulp. Nord. Pulp Pap Res. J. 36: 21–32, https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2020-0089.Search in Google Scholar

Chen, G., Dong, J., Wan, J., Ma, Y., and Wang, Y. (2021b). Fiber characterization of old corrugated container bleached pulp with laccase and glycine pretreatment. Biomass Convers. Biorefin. 13: 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01200-3.Search in Google Scholar

Choi, H.Y., Seok, Y., Choi, Y.H., Kim, M., and Yoo, J.C. (2016). Biochemical and thermodynamic characterization of a novel, low molecular weight xylanase from Bacillus methylotrophicus CSB40 isolated from traditional Korean food. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. Enzym. Eng. Biotechnol. 179: 126–142, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-016-1983-1.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Drake, M. (2024). A review of the traditional pulping methods and the recent improvements in the pulping processes. Biomass Convers. Biorefin.: 14, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01243-6.Search in Google Scholar

Gai, H., Sha, J., Lu, C., Qiu, W., Liu, J., and Liu, Y. (2023). High performance of paper strength and energy savings in occ pulp papermaking via mfc addition. Pap. Biomater. 8: 66–77, https://doi.org/10.26599/pbm.2023.9260010.Search in Google Scholar

Gulsoy, S.K. (2023). Comparison of kraft and ternary deep eutectic solvent pulping of Scots pine. Ind. Crops Prod. 206: 117596, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117596.Search in Google Scholar

Hong, S., Shen, X., Yuan, T., Yu, H., and Wang, F. (2023). Unlocking lignin’s potential with innovative des technology. Trends Chem. 5: 827–839, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trechm.2023.08.006.Search in Google Scholar

Jia, Q., Chen, J., Yang, G., Liu, K., Wang, Y., and Zhang, K. (2022). Effects of lipase and xylanase pretreatment on the structure and pulping properties of wheat straw. Polymers 14: 5129, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235129.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Johnson, A.M., Mottiar, Y., Ogawa, Y., Karaaslan, M.A., Zhang, H., Hua, Q., Mansfield, S D., and Renneckar, S. (2023). The formation of xylan hydrate crystals is affected by sidechain uronic acids but not by lignin. Cellulose 30: 8475–8494, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05422-2.Search in Google Scholar

Li, W., Q, L., and Lei, Y. (2022). Variations of sisal pulp polymer⁃ ization degree and fiber length in cooking and beating. China Pulp Pap. 41: 20–26, https://doi.org/10.11980/j.issn.0254-508X.2022.03.003.Search in Google Scholar

Liu, N., Qin, M., Gao, Y., Li, Z., Fu, Y., and Xu, Q. (2012). Pulp properties and fiber characteristics of xylanase-treated aspen apmp. Bioresources 7: 3367–3377, https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.7.3.3367-3377.Search in Google Scholar

Maalej, I., Guerfali, M., Romdhane, B.B., Gargouri, A., and Belghith, H. (2012). The effect of Talaromyces thermophilus cellulase-free xylanase and commercial laccase on lignocellulosic components during the bleaching of kraft pulp. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 75: 43–48, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.04.015.Search in Google Scholar

Malhotra, G. and Chapadgaonkar, S.S. (2023). Thermo-alkali stable bacterial xylanase for deinking of copier paper. J. Genet. Eng. Biotechnol. 21: 107, https://doi.org/10.1186/s43141-023-00563-0.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Maloney, T. and Paulapuro, H. (1999). The formation of pores in the cell wall. J. Pulp Pap. Sci. 25: 430–436, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(07)71634-X.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Matos, J.M.S., Evtuguin, D., Sousa, A.P.M., and Carvalho, MGVS. (2023). Effect of xylanase-assisted treatment of oxygen-delignified eucalypt kraft pulp on ECF bleaching. Forests 14: 396, https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020396.Search in Google Scholar

Nishimura, H., Kamiya, A., Nagata, T., Katahira, M., and Watanabe, T. (2018). Direct evidence for α ether linkage between lignin and carbohydrates in wood cell walls. Sci. Rep. 8: 6538, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24328-9.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Patel, K., Vaghamshi, N., Shah, K., Duggirala, S.M., Ghelani, A., Dudhagara, P., and Shyu, D.J.H. (2024). Synergistic use of thermostable laccase and xylanase in optimizing the pre-bleaching of kraft pulp. Catalysts 14: 1, https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14010001.Search in Google Scholar

Rahikainen, J., Mattila, O., Maloney, T., Lovikka, V., and Grnqvist, S. (2020). High consistency mechano-enzymatic pretreatment for kraft fibres: effect of treatment consistency on fibre properties. Cellulose 27: 5311–5322, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03123-8.Search in Google Scholar

Ramos, L.P., Filho, A.Z., Deschamps, F.C., and Saddler, J.N. (1999). The effect of Trichoderma cellulases on the fine structure of a bleached softwood kraft pulp. Enzym. Microb. Technol. 24: 371–380, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theochem.2005.04.009.Search in Google Scholar

Roncero, M.B., Torres, A.L., Colom, J.F., and Vidal, T. (2000). Effects of xylanase treatment on fiber morphology in totally chlorine free bleaching (TCF) of Eucalyptus pulp. Process Biochem. 36: 45–50, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0032-9592(00)00178-3.Search in Google Scholar

Saleem, M., Aslam, F., Akhtar, M.S., Tariq, M., and Rajoka, M.I. (2012). Characterization of a thermostable and alkaline xylanase from Bacillus sp. and its bleaching impact on wheat straw pulp. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 28: 513–522, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-011-0842-z.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Segal, L., Creely, J.J, Martin Jr, J.r, A, E., and Conrad, C.M. (1959). An empirical method for estimating the degree of crystallinity of native cellulose using the x-ray diffractometer. Text. Res. J. 29: 786–794, https://doi.org/10.1177/004051755902901003.Search in Google Scholar

Shah, A.K, Cooper, D., Adolphson, R., and Eriksson, K.E.L. (2000). Xylanase treatment of oxygenbleached hardwood kraft pulp at high temperature and high pH levels gives substantial savings in bleaching chemicals. J. Pulp Pap. Sci. 26: 8–11.Search in Google Scholar

Shen, X.J., Chen, T., Wang, H.M. (2019a). Structural and morphological transformations of lignin macromolecules during bio-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 8: 2130–2137, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05106.Search in Google Scholar

Shen, X.J., Chen, T., Wang, H.M., Mei, Q., Yue, F., Sun, S. (2019b). Structural and morphological transformations of lignin macromolecules during bio-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 8: 2130–2137, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05106.Search in Google Scholar

Shen, X., Zhang, C., Han, B., and Wang, F. (2022). Catalytic self-transfer hydrogenolysis of lignin with endogenous hydrogen: road to the carbon-neutral future. Chem. Soc. Rev. 51: 1608–1628, https://doi.org/10.1039/d1cs00908.Search in Google Scholar

Sluiter, J.B., Ruiz, R.O., Scarlata, C.J., Sluiter, A.D., and Templeton, D.W. (2010). Compositional analysis of lignocellulosic feedstocks. 1. review and description of methods. J. Agric. Food Chem. 58: 9043–9053, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf1008023.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Sousa, F.B., Rafael, N., Rafael, M., Barboza, A.P.M, Soares, J.S, Neves, B.R.A, Ive, S., Ado, J., and Malard, L.M. (2024). Disentangling doping and strain effects at defects of grown MoS2 monolayers with nano-optical spectroscopy. Nanoscale 16, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nr00837e.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Sun, Q., Wang, B., Huang, H., Ma, C.Y., Ma, Y., Shen, X., Cao, X., Sun, Z., Zhang, L., and Yuan, T.Q. (2024). Pressure-assisted hydrothermal pretreatment for biorefinery to enhance pulp production. Chem. Eng. J. 487: 150758, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.150758.Search in Google Scholar

Suurnäkki, A., Li, T.Q., Buchert, J., Tenkanen, M., Viikari, L., Vuorinen, T., and Ödberg, L. (1997). Effects of enzymatic removal of xylan and glucomannan on the pore size distribution of kraft fibres. Holzforschung - Int. J. Biol. Chem. Phy. Tech. Wood 51: 27–33, https://doi.org/10.1515/hfsg.1997.51.1.27.Search in Google Scholar

Vicuna, R., Escobar, F., Osses, M., and Jara, A. (1997). Bleaching of eucalyptus kraft pulpwith commercial xylanases. Biotechnol. Lett. 19: 575–578, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018353823847.10.1023/A:1018353823847Search in Google Scholar

Wang, J., Wan, J., Ma, Y., and Wang, Y. (2019a). Macroscopic and microscopic properties of fibers after enzymatic deinking of mixed office waste paper. Cellulose 26: 9863–9875, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02752-y.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, Z.K., Hong, S., and Wen, J. (2019b). Lewis acid-facilitated deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment for producing high-purity and antioxidative lignin. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 8: 1050–1057, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05846.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, J., Xu, H., and Zhong, W. (2022). Morphology, structure and property of high consistency mechano-enzymatic fibrillated cellulose: effect of treatment consistency of bamboo pulp fibers. Ind. Crops Prod. 188: 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-011-0842-z.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Wang, Z.K., Liu, Y., Zhong, J., Huan, W., Sheng, J., Xu, C., Chen, L., and Shen, X. (2023). A waste-free biorefinery pathway to the valorisation of Chinese hickory shell through alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment. Chem. Eng. J. 476: 146657, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.146657.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, B., Wang, J., Hu, Z., Zhu, A., Shen, X., Cao, X., Wen, J., and Yuan, T. (2024). Harnessing renewable lignocellulosic potential for sustainable wastewater purification. Research 7: 0347, https://doi.org/10.34133/research.03.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, J. (2003). Pulping and Paper making of mulberry stalk. China Pulp Paper.Search in Google Scholar

Wong, K.K.Y. and Saddler, J.N. (1991). Trichoderma xylanases, their properties and application. Crit. Rev. Biotechnol. 12: 413–435, https://doi.org/10.3109/07388559209114234.Search in Google Scholar

Xu, Q.H., Wang, Y.P., Qin, M.H., Fu, Y.J., Li, Z.Q., Zhang, F.S., and Li, J.H. (2011). Fiber surface characterization of old newsprint pulp deinked by combining hemicellulase with laccase-mediator system. Bioresour. Technol. 102: 6536–6540, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.03.051.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Yu, H., Liu, R., Shen, D., Wu, Z., and Huang, Y. (2008). Arrangement of cellulose microfibrils in the wheat straw cell wall. Carbohydr. Polym. 72: 122–127, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.07.035.Search in Google Scholar
Received: 2024-12-19
Accepted: 2025-01-28
Published Online: 2025-02-17
Published in Print: 2025-06-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2024-0092
Keywords for this article
xylanase; kraft softwood pulp; bioleaching; ECF; fine structure

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 18.11.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/npprj-2024-0092/html
Scroll to top button