Separation of lignocresol from eucalyptus lignocresol-cellulase complex using organic solvents

A functional lignin-based material, lignocresol, was synthesized from eucalyptus wood meal by using phase separation treatment with p-cresol and 72% sulfuric acid. Lignocresol physically adsorbs Trichoderma reesei cellulase and functions as an immobilized cellulase. Lignocresol-immobilized cellulase was treated with acetone or ethanol to separate the enzyme and its support. Most lignocresol was dissolved in organic solvents and then precipitated in diethyl ether. The recovery yield of lignocresol using acetone was 85% and that using ethanol was 72%, with very low or negligible residual cellulase. Lignocresol is an innovative recyclable enzyme support that can be easily separated using only organic solvents after deactivation of the immobilized enzyme.