Preparation of cross-linked cellulases and their application for the enzymatic production of glucose from municipal paper wastes

Hydrolysis of cellulosic wastes has been applied for environmental purposes and glucose production. An enzymatic process is proposed for such treatment of municipal cellulosic wastes, and the optimum conditions are described. It was found that different conditions should be applied for the treatment of soft or hard paper wastes, the most characteristic being pretreatment of wastes and temperature of the treatment process. Optimization of enzyme characteristics was also examined after stabilization of the enzymes by cross-linking. Endocellulase was better stabilized after cross-linking with EDAC whereas, exocellulase was better with glutaraldehyde. The application of cross-linked enzyme in the waste paper treatment process resulted in about a 25% increase of glucose liberation.