Xylanase enzyme production from Bacillus australimaris P5 for prebleaching of bamboo (Bambusa tulda) pulp

Production of Xylanase from a potential bacterial strain Bacillus australimaris P5 and its characterization have been studied. The different parameters of enzyme production were optimized and a xylanase titre of 104 U/ml was obtained. The extracted xylanase was applied on unbleached bamboo pulp @ 10 U/g, maintaining temp at 60 degrees C, pH at 8, time 2 h and the pulp consistency at 10% which was found suitable for pre bleaching of bamboo unbleached pulp. Xylanase prebleaching decreased the pulp kappa no by 29.5% and improved ISO brightness by 11.4%. Pre-treatment also improved the physical properties of pulps and reduced the requirement of bleaching chemicals in subsequent bleaching steps. Variations in pulp cellulose crystallinity were measured by X-ray diffraction analysis. Scanning Electron Micrographs of cellulose fibre revealed the changes in the morphology and surface property in enzyme treated pulp fibers.