NIR FT-Raman study of biomass (Triticum aestivum) treated with cellulase

Multicomponent cellulase and purified endoglucanase were assayed and used to treat biomass (Triticum aestivum). In this work we present FT-Raman spectra of enzymatic treated samples of biomass. Changes in structure and properties of the biomass caused by enzymatic treatment depend on the composition and the type of enzyme, as well as the treatment conditions. The lignin content of the biomass was most reduced in enzymatic treatment. Due to endoglucanase containing less xylanase activity than multicomponent cellulase, the samples modified with endoglucanase have a higher content of hemicellulose and lignin. The crystallinity of cellulose in the biomass increases during enzymatic treatment, as determined by FT-Raman analysis. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.