Alkali process for enhancing susceptibility of autohydrolysed beech sawdust to enzymatic hydrolysis

Autohydrolysed beech sawdust has been treated with aqueous NaOH solution in a three-stage process to increase the susceptibility of cellulose to cellulolytic enzymes. This process consisted of neutralization of autohydrolysed wood, extraction of lignin and alkali treatment of residual solids with 1.5% aqueous NaOH solution at 135°C for 1 h. The cellulose in the residues was then hydrolysed with Novo (SP 122) and Fusarium sp. 27 cellulases see 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4]. The susceptibility of cellulose to cellulases was increased 2.3 to 2.7-fold.