Structural changes in hemp fibers as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis withmixed enzyme systems

Hemp fabric is hydrolyzed with cellulase, hemicellulase/cellulase, and cell ulase plus additional beta-glucosidase. The effect of the admixture of hemi cellulase and beta-glucosidase is evaluated in terms of hydrolysis rate and product properties. The influence of mechanical action during the treatmen t is also taken into account. Treated samples are characterized by weight l oss per incubation time, tensile strength, crystallinity, accessibility, an d pore structure. The admixture of hemicellulase and beta-glucosidase produ ces only minor effects without mechanical action on the hydrolysis rats, bu t mechanical action applied during the treatment dramatically increases wei ght loss. While crystallinity changes upon hydrolysis are insignificant, th e pore structure is strongly influenced by the choice of enzyme system. Hem icellulase seems to promote the formation of smaller pores, while cellobias e forms larger pores.