Effect of oxygen delignification on the rate and extent of enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material

In this study, we examined the effect of oxygen delignification on the rate and extent of enzymatic hydrolysis (using commercial cellulase and beta-glucosidase) of a number of lignocellulosic substrates, including kraft pulp (model substrate), pulp mill primary clarifier sludge (PCS) and steam-exploded Douglas fir chips. Oxygen delignification removed up to 67% of the lignin from softwood pulp and improved the rate of, and yield from, hydrolysis by up to 111% and 174%, respectively. Glucose yield varied linearly with fractional lignin removal. Oxygen delignification of primary clarifier sludge improved hydrolysis yield by up to 90%. However steam-exploded Douglas fir was very resistant to hydrolysis at low enzyme loading, and oxygen delignification decreased hydrolysis rate and yield.