Improvement in the bleaching of kraft pulp with xylanase from Penicillium crustosum FP 11 isolated from the Atlantic forest

Xylanase produced from the newly isolated Penicillium crustosum FP 11 and its potential in the prebleaching of kraft pulp were evaluated using a statistical approach. A Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was carried out to select the significant variables of the medium, these being NaNO3, KH2PO4, MgSO4, KCl, Fe-2(SO4)(3), yeast extract, corn stover, and initial pH, in a liquid culture under static conditions for 6 d at 28 degrees C. Statistical analysis with a central composite design and response surface methodology showed that 0.15% (w/v) KH2PO4, 2% (w/v) corn stover, and an initial pH of 6.0 provided the best conditions for xylanase production. Furthermore, xylanase from P. crustosum FP 11 was effective in the bleaching of Eucalyptus kraft pulp, with a significant kappa efficiency of 35.04%. Therefore, the newly isolated P. crustosum FP 11 from the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil showed two advantages: xylanase production with agricultural residue (corn stover) as a carbon source and an improvement in the bleaching of kraft pulp. Environmental pollution could thus be minimized because of a reduction in the use of chlorine as a bleaching agent.