Effect of xylanase treatment on properties of alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp from poplar (Populus nigra) wood

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of xylanase enzyme obtained from Trichoderma viride on APMP pulp from Populus nigra wood. Treatment temperature, time, enzyme dosage and pulp consistency were varied. The results demonstrated that treating by xylanase has considerable effects on pulp. Paper brightness improved in average 2.5% ISO and the highest gain was 4.5%. Also, using enzyme resulted in enhancement of tear and burst indices. Breaking length of paper from enzyme treated pulp was increased to 4098 meters. Further treatment by xylanase reduced the pulp yield by 2.78% as compared to sample without enzyme treatment. The impact of other treatment such as washing by distilled water and alkaline extraction revealed that these treatments did not have significantly effect on the results of enzyme treatment. The optimum temperature, time, enzyme dosage and pulp consistency were 40-50° C, 70 minutes, 10 U/g of oven dried pulp and 10% respectively.