Crystallinity and Particle size

Crystallinity is due to H-bonding between cellulose polymers of lignocellulosic biomass which differs from feedstock to feedstock. The purpose of the pretreatments prior to enzymatic hydrolysis is not only to remove lignin, but also to decrease crystallinity. Reducing the crystallinity of lignocellulosic biomass, sometimes requires the reduction in particle size with associated cost. Since the smaller particle size has more surface area, more effective removal of lignin may occur creating greater H-bond interactions within the pretreatment solvent (Puri 1984). The enzymatic hydrolysis rate is affected by the available surface area. In addition, the complete hydrolysis is a function of surface area per unit of initial pore size volume. The large surface area of a small particle results in better enzymatic sugar yields compared to small surface areas of a large particle. Most of the cellulase enzymes including endoglucanase, exoglucanase and P-glucosidase have molecular weights in the range of 30-170 KDa. Increased pore size of lignocellulosic biomass becomes crucial during the enzymatic hydrolysis (Mooney et al. 1998).