Effect of chemical and biological degumming on the adsorption of heavy metal by cellulose xanthogenates prepared from Eichhornia crassipes

► We compare alkali and two biological degumming effect on straw of Eichhornia crassipes. ► Bio-degumming of pectase and self-isolated A1 strain has weaker degumming effects. ► Pectase-degummed product has more irregular and porous surface structures. ► Pectase-degummed product has higher surface Mg and S contents. ► Bio-degumming products have similar adsorption performance as alkali degumming one.