Influence of single gummy component removal/retention on the physicochemical properties of fibrilia fiber and the reaction behavior of the other components in the degumming process

Abstract

Although many degumming methods for fibrilia fiber have been established, the reaction priority of the gums and the influence of single gummy component removal/retention on the fiber property and the reaction behavior of the other components remain unclear. This study analyzed the above issues by the observing the change of fiber in microbial-mechanical ‘enzyme peeling’ and gas phase ozone treatment. Results showed that pectin removal could increase the fiber density significantly (∼60.3%) but would not cause damage to the fiber tenacity. The 2.5–4.5% pectin in untreated fiber could strongly restrict the removal of lignin and hemicellulose. Lignin had less influence on fiber density than pectin. The detailed composition of hemicellulose had a significant effect on fiber tenacity: the retention of xylan and mannan caused damage and benefit, respectively, to fiber tenacity. After the removal of 90.0% pectin and 23.0% hemicellulose, a deep delignification rate (>70.0%) could be obtained. The delignification rate of 70.0–80.0% was beneficial for the density decreasing and tenacity increasing of the fiber, while a delignification rate over 80.0% would cause the collapse of the cellulose structure and thus damage the fiber property.