Potential of enzymes for wood debarking

The effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the energy consumption of wood debarking was studied on the laboratory scale using enzymes to degrade the cambial layer. The energy consumed in debarking spruce was decreased as much as 80% after pretreatment with pectinolytic enzymes. In addition to polygalacturonase activity, pectin lyase and xylanase activities were also present in the most efficient enzyme preparation. Due to the complex composition of the cambium and inner phloem, these and other enzymes that hydrolyze the various inner bark components are probably needed for efficient debarking.