Effect of gamma-irradiation of natural cellulosic materials on effectiveness of their subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis

The effect of γ-irradiation on the reactivity (initial hydrolysis rate and glucose yield) of cellulosic materials (cotton linter and bagasse) subjected to hydrolysis by cellulases are discussed. At doses below 0.5 MGy reactivity of cellulosic materials decreased due to the decreasing surface area of cellulose associated with radiation-induced crosslinking was 5 times higher than for untreated cellulosic materials). The increase of reactivity is of glucopyranosic rings, which provides for the enhanced solubility and lower crystallinity of cellulose