Exploring the mechanism of high degree of delignification inhibits cellulose conversion efficiency

This study explored the mechanism that high degree of delignification (DD) inhibits enzymatic hydrolysis. Sample with DD of 86.22% achieved the highest cellulose conversion of 68.26%, and the cell wall exhibited defibrillation of macrofibrils and erosion of microfibrils during enzymatic hydrolysis. Cracks between microfibrils are formed within the cell wall, getting the largest specific surface area, which greatly enhanced cellulose conversion. However, high DD of 96.58% resulted in dramatic reduction of cellulose conversion to 56.60% which was evidenced to be the synergistic effect of internal cell wall collapse and microfibrils reaggregation. These ultrastructural changes dominated upon this condition and induced a more compact surface structure which significantly hinders the accessibility of cellulase. The CrI value increased after delignification but changed little with the increased DD, suggesting limited influence of DD on crystalline structure. The results indicate that certain amount of lignin retained may be essential to enhance cellulose conversion.