Effect of fungal pre-treatment of poplar chips on its paper brightness reversion

Unbleached Kraft pulp made from poplar chips, Pre-treated by Trametes versicolor in 1, 2 and 3 weeks (Bio-Kraft pulp), was used as raw material in this study. Mentioned pulp after each step of bleaching, in ECF method at DED sequence, characterized in the lignin content, and effective groups on the brightness reversion (Carbonyl, carboxyl and Hexenuronic acid). In order to evaluation of brightness reversion, 60 g/m2 standard handsheets made from above pulps treated in thermal and UV ageing and then measured its brightness. Results showed that by increasing in pre-treatment time, in all bleached treatments, lignin content increased excluding D1 step in 3-weeks pre-treatment; Carbonyl groups was the lowest content in 1-week pre-treatment (third step) and 2-weeks pre-treatment (first step) and carboxyl groups and hexenuronic acid decreased after 3 step sequence bleaching. Effect of thermal pre-treatment ageing on brightness reversion considerably more than UV treatment. Also, paper from pre-treated chips in 1 and 2 weeks had minimum brightness reversion and paper from 3-weeks fungal pre-treatment chips had maximum brightness reversion due to more carbonyl and Hex-A. In this respect, 2-weeks pre-treatment time confirmed for fungal pre-treatment.