Anaerobic degradation of microcrystalline cellulose: Kinetics and micro-scale structure evolution

The degradation kinetics and micro-scale structure change of microcrystalline cellulose during anaerobic biodegradation were investigated. A modified Logistic model was established to properly describe the kinetics, which showed good fitness and wide applicability for cellulose degradation. A maximum degradation rate of 0.14 g L−1 h−1 was achieved after cultivating for 51.5 h. This result was in good agreement with the scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. Channels of 400–500 nm size started to occur on the crystalline surface of cellulose at around the inflexion time. Accordingly, the crystallinity significantly decreased at this point, indicating a degradation of the crystalline structure zones by anaerobic bacteria. This study offers direct morphological evidence and quantitative analysis of the biodegradation process of cellulose, and is beneficial to a better understanding of the cellulose degradation mechanism.

► Modified Logistic kinetic model of microcrystalline cellulose anaerobic degradation.
► Micro-scale structure evolution during degradation.
► Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis.
► Significant cellulose degradation at inflexion time of 51.5 h.