Effect of particle size on the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

The effect of particle size on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose has been investigated. The average size of microcrystalline cotton cellulose has been reduced to submicron scale by using a media mill. The milled products were further subjected to hydrolysis using cellulase. High cellulose concentration (7%) appeared to retard the size reduction and resulted in greater particles and smaller specific surface areas than those at low concentration (3%) with the same milling time. Initial rate method was employed to explore the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. The production rate of cellobiose was increased at least 5-folds due to the size reduction. The yield of glucose was also significantly increased depending upon the ratio of enzyme to substrate. A high glucose yield (60%) was obtained in 10-h hydrolysis when the average particle size was in submicron scale.