Degradation and modification of cellulose acetates by biological systems

Puls, J., Altaner, C. and Saake, B. (2004) Degradation and modification of cellulose acetates by biological systems. Macromolecular Symposia, 208(1), pp. 239-254. (doi: 10.1002/masy.200450409)

Abstract

A survey is given on recent findings in the enzymology of cellulose acetate degradation. Acetyl esterases have been identified as the principal enzymes, initiating cellulose acetate degradation as a prerequisite for endoglucanase-catalyzed cellulose acetate depolymerisation. Acetyl esterases are provided by nature to deacetylate naturally occurring partly acetylated polysaccharides, i.e. xylan and chitin. Accordingly they are not designed to attack high DS cellulose acetate. Under these circumstances acetyl esterases require a pretreatment of cellulose acetate, leading to some reduction in DS, in case highly substituted material should be degraded. One of these treatments is composting under the conditions of which a partial deacetylation may occur under the action of heat and high pH, facilitating the accessibility for acetyl esterases. However from the present knowledge it cannot be excluded that certain microbial specialists exist, being capable to degrade high DS cellulose acetate.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Altaner, Dr Clemens
• Authors: Puls, J., Altaner, C., and Saake, B.
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry; University Centres > Glasgow Materials Research Initiative
• Journal Name: Macromolecular Symposia
• Publisher: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
• ISSN: 1022-1360
• ISSN (Online): 1521-3900