Hydrolysis of xylan by Aspergillus niger immobilized on non-woven fabrics

Aspergillus niger, which produces xylan-degrading enzymes, was immobilized on non-woven fabrics. The maximum xylan hydrolysis activity (15 U/cm3-support) and the highest stability were obtained when the fungus was immobilized on non-woven fabric made of silk. The enzymatic properties of the immobilized preparation were similar to those of the free enzyme. Ten times repeated batch hydrolysis of birch-wood xylan was done over a period of 450 h. Hydrolysis of different xylan substrates such as oat spelts and rice bran by the immobilized mycelia was also investigated.