An efficient endoglucanase and lipase enzyme consortium (ELEC) for deinking of old newspaper and ultrastructural analysis of deinked pulp

The pulp and paper industry is looking for eco-friendly solutions in the field of enzymatic deinking for ink removal from recycled paper or pulp. In the present study, the endoglucanase and lipase enzymes obtained from Thermomyces lanuginosus VAPS25 were used for enzymatic deinking of old newspapers. The synergistic action of enzyme consortium on deinking efficiency was measured for the eco-friendly deinking process. The data indicated that the endoglucanase and lipase enzyme consortium (ELEC) was more effective than the individual enzyme. The deinking efficiency of 38.6% and 42.7% ISO sheet brightness of newspaper was obtained using enzyme consortium. The hand-sheet strength properties were also evidently improved. Breaking length, tensile strength, and tear index were enhanced by 10.2%, 27.6%, and 8.1%, respectively. The ultrastructural analysis of the handmade sheets provided insights into enzymes’ action on pulp and paper. The enzymatically deinked pulp and paper, analyzed with the assistance of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, showed noteworthy transformation in chemical and surface structures. Using such an efficient enzyme consortium (ELEC) for deinking will help develop an eco-friendly process for waste paper recycling and its use in sustainable development of paper industry.