The Effect of Cellulase on the Degree of Polymerization of Cellulose and Hydrocellulose

Abstract

On acid hydrolysis of cotton, the degree of polymerization (DP) of the insoluble residue falls rapidly to a low level (leveling off DP). Continued hydrolysis results in further losses in weight, but the DP, and the micelle dimensions, remain unchanged. Immergut and Rånby [6] suggest that individual micelles at the leveling off DP disap pear in entirety; i.e., further action of acid yields soluble fragments only. The present investigation was undertaken to compare the action of enzymes on the micelles with that of acids. The study was broadened by the inclusion of hydrocelluloses from cottons treated in various ways, and further extended to include the parent materials from which the hydrocelluloses were prepared.