Abstract

Study of enzymatic hydrolysis of bacterial nanocellulose

Author(s): Michael Ioelovich

Bacterial nanocellulose is a subject of extensive research due to its promisingpotential applications inmedicine, veterinary and cosmetics. In this paper, effect of structural characteristics on enzymatic hydrolysis of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) andmicrocrystalline cellulose (MCC) has been studied.Despite the similardegree of crystallinityandlateral size of crystallites for both cellulose samples, a conversion degree ofBNCafter enzymatic hydrolysiswas considerably higher than ofMCC. Themain distinctive feature of the BNC sample is a high porosity and developedsurfaceofnanofibrils. As against, theMCCsample contains coarse low-porous particles that have a poorly developedsurface.Althoughdryingreduces theporosity of the samples, the dryBNCretains amuch higher pore volume and greater enzymatic hydrolysabilitythan the dryMCC.Due to highly porosity and developed surface, theBNC sample acquires a high accessibility to molecules of cellulolytic enzymes that promotes enzymatic hydrolysis of this sample both in never-dried and dry state.