Study of enzymatic digestion of cellulose by small angle neutron scattering

Biomacromolecules. 2010 Feb 8;11(2):357-68. doi: 10.1021/bm9008952.

Abstract

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to study the structure of Avicel (FD100) microcrystalline cellulose during enzymatic digestion. Digestions were performed in either of two modes: a static, quiescent mode or a dynamic mode using a stirred suspension recycled through a flow cell. The scattering pattern for as-received Avicel in D(2)O buffer is comprised of a low Q power law region resulting from the surface fractal character of the microcrystalline fibers and a high Q roll-off due to scattering from water-filled nanopores with radii approximately 20 A. For digestions in the dynamic mode the high Q roll-off decreased in magnitude within approximately 1 h after addition of enzymes, whereas in the static digestions no change was observed in the high Q roll-off, even after 60 h. These results indicate that only with significant agitation does enzyme digestion affect the structure of the nanopores.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Cellulose / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Assays / methods*
  • Neutron Diffraction / methods*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Scattering, Small Angle*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Cellulose