Biomechanical pulping of bagasse with the white rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Pleurotus ostreatus

It has been demonstrated for the first time that a strong biochemical pulp can be produced from bagasse by pretreatment with C. subverispora. The pret reatment of depithed bagasse with C. subvermispora prior to mechanical refi ning resulted in better strength properties and reduced energy usage compar ed to pretreatment with P. ostreatus. Previous investigations have demonstr ated that it is not possible to produce a biomechanical pulp with P. chryso sporium. The drawbacks of the biomechanical pulping are a minor yield loss and a reduction in brightness. It was also show that corn steep liquor is a good alternative nutrient solution for the biological treatment of sugar c ane bagasse with C. subvermispora when producing biochemical pulps.