Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biodegradation of Waste Cellulose

  • Published:
Journal of Polymers and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Environmental issues such as the depletion of nonrenewable energy resources and pollution are very topical and would need more scientific attention in order to be addressed in a way beneficial to life. The extent of solid waste production is a global concern and development of its bioenergy potential can simultaneously address issues such as pollution control and renewable energy development. Various wastepaper materials, a major component of solid waste, have been treated with cellulase from Trichoderma viride to bioconvert its cellulose component into fermentable sugars that could be utilized as feedstock for bioproduct development. These paper materials exhibited different susceptibilities toward the cellulase and showed different sugarreleasing patterns when increasing amounts of each paper were treated with the enzyme. Bioconversion of paper with different enzyme concentrations and during various time intervals also resulted in nonsimilar sugar-releasing patterns. With all the paper materials, a general decline in efficiency was observed with increasing amounts of sugar produced during the different bioconversion variables investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. J. P. H. van Wyk (2001) Trends in Biotechnol. 19(5), 172–177.

    Google Scholar 

  2. C. E. Wyman, and B. J. Goodman (1993) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 39, 39–59.

    Google Scholar 

  3. P. Yu, et al. (1996) Resource, Conservation and Recycling 17, 47–56.

    Google Scholar 

  4. M. M. Nazhad et al. (1994) Enzyme Microb. Technol. 17, 74–86.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. M. Brown, and I. M. Saxena (1996) Trends in Plant Sciences 1(5), 149–156.

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. P. H. van Wyk (1999) Bioresour. Technol. 69, 269–273.

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. P. H. van Wyk (1999) Biomass & Bioenergy 16, 239–242.

    Google Scholar 

  8. G. L. Miller (1959) Anal. Chem. 31, 426–428.

    Google Scholar 

  9. O. H. Lowry (1951) J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265–275.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. P. H. van Wyk, and M. Mogale (1998) Aust. Biotech. 8(6), 457–359.

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. I. Rajoka, and K. A. Malik (1997) Bioresour. Technol. 59, 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  12. J. C. Agunwamba (1998) Environ. Manag. 22, 849–856.

    Google Scholar 

  13. K. H. Jones (1994) Solid Waste Technologies 8, 28–39.

    Google Scholar 

  14. W. Jefferson et al. (1991) Energy and the Environment in the 21st Century MIT Press, Cambridge, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Brosseau and M. Heitz (1994) Atmos. Environ. 28, 285–293.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa), South Africa, 0204

    J. P. H. van Wyk & M. Mohulatsi

Authors
  1. J. P. H. van Wyk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Mohulatsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. P. H. van Wyk.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Wyk, J.P.H., Mohulatsi, M. Biodegradation of Waste Cellulose. Journal of Polymers and the Environment 11, 23–28 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023883428359

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023883428359

Search

Navigation