Startseite A new strategy for biological enzyme bleaching: combined effects of laccase, xylanase, and mannanase in the bleaching of softwood kraft pulp – a synergistic effect of enzymes
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A new strategy for biological enzyme bleaching: combined effects of laccase, xylanase, and mannanase in the bleaching of softwood kraft pulp – a synergistic effect of enzymes

  • Wenwen Guo , Lanfeng Hui ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Feifei Song , Yu Qu , Qingshuo Wang , Yiyi Zhang , Jieting Xin und Tingting Zhang
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 13. Juni 2025
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Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
Aus der Zeitschrift Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Band 40 Heft 3

Abstract

Although highly efficient, conventional chemical bleaching is criticized for its high cost and environmental impact. In contrast, enzyme bleaching offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, especially in elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and total chlorine-free (TCF) processes. This study investigates the synergy of laccase, xylanase, and mannanase in the ECF bleaching of softwood kraft pulp, focusing on their effects on fiber morphology and bleaching performance. The results demonstrate that laccase effectively oxidizes lignin, enhancing pulp brightness, while xylanase and mannanase improve bleaching efficiency by breaking down hemicellulose. The addition of mannanase during the enzymatic treatment increased the pulp brightness by 1.58 %ISO, with almost no negative impact on physical properties. The synergistic effect of the three enzymes increased the pulp brightness by 5.37 %ISO, reaching a maximum brightness of 92.35 %ISO. Furthermore, mannanase treatment significantly reduces the consumption of chemicals, cutting laccase and violuric acid usage by 38 % or decreasing total chlorine dioxide use by 13.26 %, while maintaining the same brightness level. These findings highlight the potential of using laccase, xylanase, and mannanase for efficient and eco-friendly pulp bleaching, contributing to resource conservation and environmental benefits. This study provides valuable insights into the industrial application of enzyme-based bleaching for sustainable paper production.

Keywords: bleaching; laccase; xylanase; mannanase; sustainable development
Corresponding author: Lanfeng Hui, State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China; and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China, E-mail:

Funding source: the National Key Research and Development Program of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: No. 2022YFC2105503

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: Wenwen Guo: Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. Lanfeng Hui: Methodology, Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing – review & editing. Feifei Song: Methodology, Formal analysis. Yu Qu: Methodology, Investigation. Qingshuo Wang: Methodology. Yiyi Zhang: Investigation. Jieting Xin: Methodology, Conceptualization. Tingting Zhang: Conceptualization. Overall, all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFC2105503).

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

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Received: 2025-03-25
Accepted: 2025-05-29
Published Online: 2025-06-13
Published in Print: 2025-09-25

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. A new strategy for biological enzyme bleaching: combined effects of laccase, xylanase, and mannanase in the bleaching of softwood kraft pulp – a synergistic effect of enzymes
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Characterization of the low consistency pulp refining conducted by the plates with different bar-groove width ratios
  6. Paper Technology
  7. On the influence of macro-scale stress variations on the dynamic dewatering of water-saturated polymer fibre networks
  8. Effects of dispersion hydrophobized MgO nanoparticles in low polarity solvent on aged paper
  9. Preparation and properties of effective low-cost composite filler for bible paper
  10. Paper Physics
  11. Normal and shear delamination of paperboards
  12. Micro-CT analysis of creased and folded multilayer cardboard
  13. Paper Chemistry
  14. Preparation of MgO/CaCO3 nanocomposites and their deacidification properties for paper documents
  15. Effects of sequential plasma modification and alkali treatment applied to cellulose fibers on the properties of the paper
  16. Coating
  17. Production of nano silver and nano silica coated paper to be used in active packaging
  18. Insights into bibliometric review for natural coatings for paper-based food packaging: trends, perspectives, and future directions
  19. RSM optimization of spray-coating parameters to enhance paper strength using cellulose nanocrystals extracted from young coconut husks
  20. Chemical Technology/Modifications
  21. NSSC pulp treatment with the Fenton reaction: fiber modification for reduced energy consumption in papermaking
  22. Other
  23. Fenton degradation of biologically pre-treated pulp and paper effluent using zero-valent iron from commercial steel wool
  24. Corrigendum
  25. Corrigendum to: Preparation and synthesis of water-soluble chitosan derivative incorporated in ultrasonic-assistant wheat straw paper for antibacterial food-packaging
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2025-0017
Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel
bleaching; laccase; xylanase; mannanase; sustainable development

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. A new strategy for biological enzyme bleaching: combined effects of laccase, xylanase, and mannanase in the bleaching of softwood kraft pulp – a synergistic effect of enzymes
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Characterization of the low consistency pulp refining conducted by the plates with different bar-groove width ratios
  6. Paper Technology
  7. On the influence of macro-scale stress variations on the dynamic dewatering of water-saturated polymer fibre networks
  8. Effects of dispersion hydrophobized MgO nanoparticles in low polarity solvent on aged paper
  9. Preparation and properties of effective low-cost composite filler for bible paper
  10. Paper Physics
  11. Normal and shear delamination of paperboards
  12. Micro-CT analysis of creased and folded multilayer cardboard
  13. Paper Chemistry
  14. Preparation of MgO/CaCO3 nanocomposites and their deacidification properties for paper documents
  15. Effects of sequential plasma modification and alkali treatment applied to cellulose fibers on the properties of the paper
  16. Coating
  17. Production of nano silver and nano silica coated paper to be used in active packaging
  18. Insights into bibliometric review for natural coatings for paper-based food packaging: trends, perspectives, and future directions
  19. RSM optimization of spray-coating parameters to enhance paper strength using cellulose nanocrystals extracted from young coconut husks
  20. Chemical Technology/Modifications
  21. NSSC pulp treatment with the Fenton reaction: fiber modification for reduced energy consumption in papermaking
  22. Other
  23. Fenton degradation of biologically pre-treated pulp and paper effluent using zero-valent iron from commercial steel wool
  24. Corrigendum
  25. Corrigendum to: Preparation and synthesis of water-soluble chitosan derivative incorporated in ultrasonic-assistant wheat straw paper for antibacterial food-packaging
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