A series of experiments was conducted to assess the level of enzyme pr
esent in both pulp and filtrate after each step of a conventional blea
ching sequence with xylanase prebleaching. Two types of assays, xylana
se activity using the DNS method and radiolabelling, were used to trac
e the fate of a xylanse from Streptomyces lividans, from its addition
at the brownstock stage through to the end of the bleaching sequence.
Results showed that the majority of the enzymatic activity disappeared
from the pulp after the first caustic extraction, and no activity was
detected after the first chlorine dioxide stage. In contrast, radiola
belled enzyme was still detected after the second caustic extraction,
but had completely disappeared again after the final chlorine dioxide
stage.