Application of enzymes in producing bleached pulp from wheat straw

Crude enzymes produced by different strains were used in the production of bleached wheat straw pulp. Pre-treatment with enzymes from Penicillium A10 and Aspergillus L22 at a xylanase dosage of 4 IU/g prior to pulping decreased pulp kappa number by 6.29% and 12.07% respectively as compared to the control. High cellulase activity in crude enzymes has a negative influence on pulping. Xylanase pre-bleaching reduced chlorine charge by 20–30%, or increased final brightness by approximately 4–5% ISO, and improved the pulp strength properties. Xylanase could substitute for alkali extraction in CEH sequence, and be used for treating chemical-bleached pulp, which resulted in higher strength properties for bleached pulp. Modification of bleached pulp with enzymes of 3 IU/g (on xylanase) increased pulp brightness and breaking length by 3–6% ISO and 160–790 m respectively, and decreased post color number and beating degree of pulp by 29–36% and 2.5–5.5 °SR respectively, as compared to the original pulp.