Hydrolytic degradation of cellulosic fibers

These treatments are usually made using diluted solutions of NaOH (1-10%) at low or high temperature and concentrated NaOH solutions over 10% only at low temperatures. NH OH and anhydrous NH (gas or liquid) are also used to activate the organic materials, particularly in cases where increased hydrolytic degradation is concentrated upon. In cases of isolation of cellulose nanofibers, treatments with peroxide alkaline solution, peroxide alkaline-hydrochloric acid, 5 wt% potassium hydroxide and 18 wt% potassiimi hydroxide generate cellulose fibers with average diameters between 3 nm to 5 nm [30]. 

Despite of their lack in hydrolytic activity, the CBDs of the cellulases CenA and Cex from C. fimi have been found to be capable of disrupting cotton fibers and releasing small particles from the substrate (Kilburn et al., 1993 Din et al., 1994a). This disruptive effect does not seem to be a general characteristic of CBM, since it was only found with CBD from cellulose from a Penicillium sp. (Gao et al., 2001). Anyhow, a synergism with the catalytic module and enhanced degradation capacity were reported (Din et al., 1994a). 

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