(537c) Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulytic Fibers Enhanced by Cationic Polyelectrolytes

Manufacturing pulp, paper and related products produces a considerable amount of cellulosic sludge. Approximately 5.5 million dry tons of sludge are disposed of each year by the pulp and paper mills, valued as a huge loss. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic waste followed by anaerobic conversion to methane may provide a viable alternative to waste disposal methods such as incineration and landfilling. This is based on our recent finding that cationic polymers increase the enzymatic hydrolysis rate of two model substrates: cellulosic fiber and cornstarch. Preliminary findings show a 20% or greater increase in initial rate of hydrolysis for appropriate systems. At high concentration (1000 ppm) c-PAM is advantageous for cellulosic fiber, while lower concentration (100 ppm) more positively enhances cornstarch hydrolysis. This concept may result in a greater breakdown of cellulosic solid waste, which could be applicable to a variety of other systems where an enzyme is breaking down an insoluble substrate.