Six Factors to Be Aware of in Order to Get Better Effects of Cellulase

Cellulase is a protein that can decompose cellulose into oligosaccharides or monosaccharides. It is not a monomeric enzyme, but a synergistic multi-component enzyme system. And it is a complex enzyme composed mainly of exoglucanases.

Cellulase is currently widely utilized in paper, food, feed, and other industries, and is an important category in industrial enzymes. This kind of enzymes is the third-largest industrial enzyme in the global market after amylase and protease. Cellulose biomass hydrolase is a promising method for the production of sugars that can be used as a feedstock for a variety of value-added products.

Cellulases can be used in many fields, such as commercial food processing. They are also widely used in non-food industries including textiling and household cleaning. There is a long history of cellulases used in the pulp and paper industry for various purposes. More and more commonly, cellulases are used for pharmaceutical research.

For a better effect of cellulases, people have found out 6 factors that affect cellulases in applications:

1. Immobilization of cellulases

Cellulase is a protein and very unstable, and its structure is easily destroyed. By using physical or chemical methods, cellulase can be combined with the water-insoluble macromolecule carrier or embedded inside it so that cellulase can dissolve in the water or in the semi permeable membrane of the microcapsule for the decrease of fluidity and the increase of stability, thereby to enhance the efficiency of cellulase.

2. Environmental pH

Due to the properties of protein, the structure of cellulase is easily destroyed if it is in an overly acidic or alkaline environment. Therefore, it must be in a suitable pH environment (usually pH3-6) during the process of using cellulose so as to make the most of the role of cellulase.

3. Environmental temperature

Temperature has two effects on the rate of enzymatic reaction: on the one hand, when the temperature rises in a certain range, the reaction speed will accelerate; on the other hand, the zymoprotein will gradually degenerate with the temperature rising, the reaction speed will decrease beyond a certain range, which will eventually lead to the inactivation of cellulase. So we must pay attention to controlling the reaction temperature when using cellulase.

4. The concentration of cellulase in the environment

The principle of enzymatic reaction of cellulase is identical with chemical reaction. Firstly, with the increase of the concentration of cellulase in the reaction environment, the reaction rate will gradually accelerate. However, the cellulase should first form the intermediate complex in the reaction process, and then react further. Therefore, with the increase of cellulase, the contact area between cellulase and substrate will gradually decrease, which will lead to the inability of cellulose. So if cellulase is overly added to the reaction environment, the catalytic efficiency of cellulase will be inhibited.

5. Carbohydrate that plays a protective role for cellulase

Sucrose, glucose, maltose, trehalose and other carbohydrates can protect cellulose at room temperature. The method of adding protectant is the simplest and easiest way to stabilize enzymes, but it will accelerate the inactivation of enzymes at high temperature. Glucan has no protective effect on cellulase at room temperature, but it has obvious protective effect at high temperature.

6. Inhibitors and activators

Cellulase is a protein with activity itself. Therefore, some heavy metal ions, trace elements and other substances can inhibit the activity of cellulase. On the contrary, some sodium ions can increase the activity of cellulase. So attention should be paid to the existence of inhibitors or activators in the environment when using cellulase.

All in all, the function of cellulase is not only affected by the cellulase strain and its own quality, but also by the environment. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of cellulose, good production techniques and methods of use are more important than the quality of the cellulase itself. Creative Enzymes has always been committed to this field, providing people with quality enzyme products and services.

Creative Enzymes is a remarkable supplier and manufacturer in the Enzymology field. If you want to learn more information about Creative Enzymes, please visit us at https://www.creative-enzymes.com