Morphologic observation of cellulose microfibrils degraded by exo- and endocelluases

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Appl. Polym. Sci.: Appl. Polym. Symp.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6928266

Takai, M; Hayashi, J; Nisizawa, K; Kanda, T

The mode of cellulase action on various cellulose substrates has been examined from the morphologic point of view. The endocellulase action on native cellulose microfibrils of Valonia, cotton, and bacterial celluloses was much more severe than the action of exocellulase. Pronounced swelling and transverse cracks were observed in the SEM photographs, and considerable decreases in the DP (average degree of polymerization) were seen in the case of endocellulase action. In comparison with native celluloses, the SEM photographs of regenerated celluloses showed less clear-cut differences in the morphologic patterns caused by the exo- and endocellulases, in agreement with the slow decreases in DP. On the basis of SEM observations, it may be concluded that the enzymatic hydrolysis of native celluloses by the exo- and endocellulases developed in quite different morphologic patterns. This was substantiated by the time course patterns of reducing sugar production which suggested differences in the specificities of the two cellulases. With regenerated celluloses, no such differences between the exo- and endotreatments could be observed. The enzymatic hydrolysis appears to be a heterogeneous or topochemical reaction which is mainly controlled by the fine structure in cellulose fibers. 17 references, 16 figures.

• Research Organization: Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6928266
• Report Number(s): CONF-8205234-Vol.1
• Conference Information: Journal Name: J. Appl. Polym. Sci.: Appl. Polym. Symp.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALDEHYDES
ALGAE
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULASE
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COHERENT SCATTERING
COTTON
DECOMPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
ENZYMES
FUNGI
GLUCOSE
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HEXOSES
HYDROLASES
HYDROLYSIS
INFRARED SPECTRA
KINETICS
LYSIS
MICROORGANISMS
MICROSCOPY
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MONOSACCHARIDES
MORPHOLOGY
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYMERIZATION
POLYSACCHARIDES
REACTION KINETICS
SACCHARIDES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SCATTERING
SOLVOLYSIS
SPECTRA
TIME DEPENDENCE
X-RAY DIFFRACTION