• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 1999

Enzyme-aided bleaching of softwood and hardwood kraft pulps by a xylanase preparation from an alkalophilic fungus Cephalospotium sp. RYM-202 was studied. Maximal solubilization of Pulp xylan was obtained at 5$0^{\circ}C$ in both kraft pulps. The optimum pH of the enzyme for the hydrolysis of pulp xylan was 8.0 and more than 90% of the maximal activity was detected at 9.0. The positive effects of xylanase pretreatment on bleachability of softwood and hardwood kraft pulps were observed. The kappa number of softwood and hardwood kraft pulps was decreased by 3.7 and 2.0 units, respectively. The pulp fibre integrity was not significantly affected by xylanase pretreatment when the physical properties of handsheets made from xylanase-treated pulps were compared with those of handsheets from untreated pulps. These results indicate that the alkaline xylanase of Cephalospotium sp. RYM-202 is well suitable for application in enzymatic prebleaching of softwood and hardwood kraft pulps under the alkaline conditions.