EFFECT TO TWEEN 80 ON THE ENZYMATIC BLEACHING OF UNBLEACHED HARDWOOD KRAFT PULP BY XYALANSE

Abstract

The effect of non-ionic surfactant, Tween 80 was tested on the activity of xylanase enzyme in the enzymatic bleaching of the unbleached hardwood kraft pulp. Various surfactants of different ionic nature were tested on the activity of xylanase. The activity of the enzyme increased with the increase in concentration of Tween 80. Further the effect of enzyme dose loading and the reaction time was also studied with a constant concentration of the surfactant. The results suggest that xylanase enzyme can be used advantageously with non-ionic surfactant to enhance its activity and as well as in various process of the pulp and paper industry. The findings of the study also suggest that the incubation of xylanase with the surfactants prior to the enzyme treatment may lead to the higher working efficiencies from the enzyme. It was also noted that the pre-treated xylanase had higher bleaching efficiencies and also slightly improved the properties of the pulp and strength properties of the handsheets.