초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Production of Xylanase from a potential bacterial strain <I>Bacillus australimaris</I> 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 °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.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Isolation and extraction of xylanase enzyme from bacterial strain, <I>Bacillus australimaris</I> P5. </LI> <LI> Application of xylanase as prebleaching agent in bleaching of bamboo pulp. </LI> <LI> Comparative study of the final bamboo pulp with enzyme treatment and without enzyme treatment. </LI> </UL> </P>