Abstract
The effects of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of cellulase on adsorption onto and desorption from two substrates were studied. Cellulase was modified with amphiphilic copolymers made of polyoxyalkylene glycol alkylallylether and maleic acid anhydride. The polyoxyalkylene glycol (PAG) consists of ethylene oxide (ED) and propylene oxide (PO), with an EO to PAG ratio ranging from 0 to 100%. A copolymer with a high concentration of EO is more hydrophilic. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of modified cellulase were varied the degree of modification and the type of copolymer. As the hydrophilic property of a modified cellulase increases, the conversion of substrate increases while the quantity of adsorbed enzyme decreases. Cellulase modification with amphiphilic copolymer is very useful for controlling cellulase adsorption onto and desorption from a substrate and can improve the saccharification reaction.
