Controlled adsorption of cellulase onto pretreated corncob by pH adjustment

The effective recycling of cellulase requires an in-depth understanding of cellulase adsorption and desorption. In the present study, we examined the adsorption behaviors and stabilities of cellulase at different pH values. Acidic pH (<4.8) was found to favor adsorption, whereas neutral and alkaline pH (especially pH 7 and 10) favored desorption. The influence of pH on cellulase activity was temperature dependent. Under mild conditions (e.g., pH 7 and 25 °C), the effect of pH on cellulase activity was reversible, and the cellulase activity can return to almost 100% by adjusting the pH value to 4.8. However, under severe conditions (e.g. pH 10 and 50 °C), irreversible inactivation may take place. We also explored the roles of pH and temperature in cellulase adsorption kinetics and isotherms. At pH 4.8, temperature had no remarkable effect on the adsorption capacity of the cellulases onto substrate. However, at pH 7 and 10, high temperatures lead to more cellulase desorption. Only at pH 4.8 does cellulase adsorption well fit (R ² > 0.96) the pseudo-first-order kinetic and Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R ² > 0.99) models.