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Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Estimation of Crystalline Cellulose Content of Plant Biomass using the Updegraff Method
Published on: May 15, 2021
A study elucidating the relation between cellulose dissolution and crystallinity after cellulase treatment at
Prabhjot Kaur1,2, Nishi K Bhardwaj1, Jitender Sharma2
1Avantha Centre for Industrial Research and Development, Thapar Technology Campus, Patiala, 147 004 Punjab, India.
Cellulase treatment improves cellulose dissolution for viscose fiber production. Contrary to expectations, cellulose crystallinity did not correlate with improved reactivity at higher enzyme doses, suggesting a complex interaction.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Cellulose, the most abundant renewable resource, is crucial for manufacturing cellulosic fibers via the viscose process.
- Its crystalline structure and chain packing lead to poor solubility and reactivity, hindering applications.
- Cellulase treatment is a common method to enhance cellulose dissolution and reactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cellulase treatment dosage and cellulose dissolution.
- To explore the relationship between cellulose crystallinity and Fock reactivity in pulp for viscose application.
- To determine optimal cellulase treatment conditions for producing upgraded pulp.
Main Methods:
- Cellulose pulp was treated with varying doses of cellulase.
- Cellulose crystallinity was analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Fock reactivity and other viscose-related properties of the treated pulp were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Cellulase treatment improved pulp Fock reactivity and viscose-related properties.
- Contrary to previous findings, cellulose crystallinity did not show a negative correlation with Fock reactivity at higher cellulase doses.
- A complex mechanism, rather than a simple inverse relationship, appears to govern cellulose dissolution and crystallinity.
Conclusions:
- Cellulase treatment at 150 HCU/g yields upgraded pulp suitable for viscose applications.
- The interaction between cellulose dissolution and crystallinity is more complex than previously understood.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the intricate mechanisms involved in cellulase-mediated cellulose modification.
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