Effects of aqueous sulfur dioxide on cellulose

Summary The reaction of aqueous sulfur dioxide with cellulose pulp and cotton linters was investigated to determine the effect of this lignocellulosic pretreatment method on the cellulosic portion. Sulfur dioxide treatment dramatically reduced the DP of the cellulose but did not affect its enzymatic digestibility, and did not decrystallize the cellulose as recently reported by Leeet al. (1979).Maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.