Enhancement of cellulase catalysis of wood pulp fiber by cationic polyelectrolytes

► Cationic polyacrylamides accelerate the enzymatic hydrolysis of bleached paper fiber and cornstarch. ► The fibers are initially attacked by the enzyme at the kinked regions, which makes the fiber length drop rapidly. ► Agitating the medium breaks up flocs created by the polymer. ► Delaying the addition of c-PAM until the fiber is shortened by the enzyme reduces floc formation. ► The proposed mechanism involves patching where the cationic c-PAM reduces the zeta potential of the fiber.