The Enzymatic Treatment The Enzymatic Treatment The Complete Remedy of Enzyme Treatment

The enzymatic treatment is an environmental friendly and very specific technique used nowadays in the development of natural fiber/polymer composites. The process consists in using enzymes for selectively removing hydrophilic pectin, lignin, and hemicellulosic components from the fibers, reducing the natural cellulosic fibers' hydrophilicity.The principal enzymes applied in this catalytic process (enzymatic hydrolysis) are hydrolases and oxidoreductases. The hydrolases include amylases, cellulases, proteases, pectinases, and lipases/esterases. From the class of the oxidoreductases the tyrosinase, laccase, or peroxidase was already studied for polymer modification. Enzymatic catalysis differs from chemical catalysis due to the higher velocity of the reaction; the more delicate conditions of action (temperatures below 100 C, atmospheric pressure, and pH of 4-8); and the higher specificity of the reaction. It was observed in several research works that the enzymatic treatment facilitates better fiber-matrix adhesion and improved mechanical properties of the composites. Grab your copy and get the information inside the book