The Beatability-aiding Effect of Aspergillus niger Crude Cellulase on Bleached Simao Pine Kraft Pulp and its Mechanism of Action

Bleached simao pine kraft pulp was treated with Aspergillus niger crude cellulase produced by submerged fermentation using the pulp as the carbon source. The effects of the cellulase on the pulp beatability and mechanical properties were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was performed to study the effect of cellulase treatment on the cellulose crystallinity index. The fiber morphology difference before and after treatment was also revealed by atomic force microscope observation. Compared to the control pulp, the beating time of the cellulase-treated pulp with the dosage of 7 u/g could be reduced from 360 s to 260 s under the same beating degree of 48oSR, which indicates a savings of about 28% beating energy consumption. The cellulase treatment had negative impacts on the pulp’s mechanical properties. The cellulase preferentially adsorbed on the fine surface. The cellulose amorphous region was easier to treat with cellulase than the crystalline region. Atomic force microscope images demonstrated that the primary wall of fibers was peeled off and the S1 layer of fibers came to the surface after the cellulase treatment.