Differences in bleaching responses from fungal- versus bacterial-derived enzymes

Abstract

Several mills in North America have been successful in using xylanase enzymes expressed from Trichoderma reesei (a fungus) as part of their bleaching sequence for many years. These mills process hardwood and softwood species, with and without oxygen delignification. These mills also use three-, four-, and five-stage bleaching sequences. North American mills tend to report increased pulp brightness ceilings and decreased bleaching costs as benefits associated with the application of enzymes in the bleaching process. Laboratory testing suggests that eucalyptus pulp is highly susceptible to fungal- and bacterial-derived enzyme bleaching and should result in significant cost savings in South American mills. At least four different mills in South America have attempted to perform enzyme bleaching trials using bacterial-derived enzymes. Each of these mill trials resulted in significantly increased operating costs and/or unsustainable operating conditions. More recently, one of these South American mills performed a short trial using a commercially available, fungal-derived enzyme. This trial was technically successful. This report attempts to determine why the South American mill experiences with bacterial-derived enzymes have been poor, while North American mills and the one South American mill trial have had good results with fungal-derived enzymes. Operating conditions and trial goals for the North and South American mills also were examined.