Promising ultrasonic irradiation pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis of Kenaf

Ultrasonic irradiation pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in Kenaf was examined. Two kinds of cellulase (from Aspergillus niger and from Trichoderma viride) were employed. An assay of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose was evaluated based on glucose production. Hydrolysis was enhanced by ultrasonic irradiation. The initial reaction rate and the kinetic parameters (Michaelis constant and maximum reaction rate) were determined by evaluating the reactivity of cellulase. The initial reaction rate increased in both cellulase species. The system employing A. niger increased more than that employing T. viride. The Michaelis constant decreased to a low value as a result of ultrasonic pretreatment. The amount of adsorbed cellulase onto Kenaf was increased by ultrasonic irradiation. The initial reaction rate increased with the increasing amount of adsorbed cellulase. Ultrasonication onto Kenaf is thus a promising pretreatment for accelerating the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose.