The invention relates to the chemical industry, namely to the production method of cellulose from all types of plant cellulose-containing raw material. The method includes raw material impregnation and hydrolysis in a hydrolysis solution, cellulose filtration, washing with water, filtration and drying, accompanied with the use of cycles that include heating of the material to a temperature of 115° C. or less, high-speed impulse action of vacuum with a pressure change in the range up to 5 mm Hg for a time of less than 10 seconds, followed by exposure under vacuum and vacuum relief.

Both solution of nitric or sulphuric acids, their mixture and alkaline solution can be used as hydrolysis solution.

Technical result of the claimed method consists in. reducing the duration of the cellulose hydrolysis process, reducing the temperature of the processes while obtaining the required chemical and structural homogeneity of the cellulose.

A method of digesting lignocellulosic material includes the steps of providing the lignocellulosic material and a caustic composition having a pH of at least about 10. The caustic composition includes water, an alkaline- or alkaline earth-metal hydroxide, and up to about 1 percent by weight based on a total weight of the composition of a branched digestion additive. The branched digestion additive has the structure: wherein A is at least one alkyleneoxy group and each alkyleneoxy group has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 0 or 1, B is a branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 8 to 15 carbon atoms, X is H or B-0-(A).sub.m, and each m is independently an average value from 3 to 30, and wherein the caustic composition has a Draves Wetting Time of less than 100 seconds as determined using ASTM D2281. ##STR00001##

A method of digesting lignocellulosic material includes the steps of providing the lignocellulosic material and a caustic composition having a pH of at least about 10. The caustic composition includes water, an alkaline- or alkaline earth-metal hydroxide, and up to about 1 percent by weight based on a total weight of the composition of a branched digestion additive. The branched digestion additive has the structure: wherein A is at least one alkyleneoxy group and each alkyleneoxy group has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 0 or 1, B is a branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 8 to 15 carbon atoms, X is H or B-0-(A).sub.m, and each m is independently an average value from 3 to 30, and wherein the caustic composition has a Draves Wetting Time of less than 100 seconds as determined using ASTM D2281. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to an improved method and device for treating biomass in which thermally treated biomass is discharged from a pressurized reactor and introduced into a blow tank and then a flash tank, wherein the absolute pressure in the blow tank is maintained above atmospheric pressure and the absolute pressure in the flash tank is maintained below atmospheric pressure. The slurry of biomass separated in the flash tank is then enzymatically treated. The heat from the thermally treated biomass is recovered from the latent heat of a vaporous aqueous stream withdrawn from the blow tank.

The patent application relates to isolated polypeptides that specifically cleave non-glycosidic ether bonds between lignins or derivatives thereof and saccharides, and to cDNAs encoding the polypeptides. The patent application also relates to nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors and host cells comprising the cDNAs, as well as methods of producing and using the isolated polypeptides for treating pulp and biomass to increase soluble saccharide yield and enrich lignin fractions.

A process for individualizing (separating) trichome fibers from a trichome source, such as a leaf and/or a stem, and more particularly to a process for individualizing (separating) trichome fibers from a trichome source utilizing a chemical separation process are provided.

A process for individualizing (separating) trichome fibers from a trichome source, such as a leaf and/or a stem, and more particularly to a process for individualizing (separating) trichome fibers from a trichome source utilizing a chemical separation process are provided.

The present invention relates to a method of treating biomass, comprising providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; contacting the biomass feedstock in a mixture, which is formed by the biomass, water and an alkaline agent, with an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature; and continuing the contacting of the biomass feedstock with the oxidizing agent until a notable part of the lignin is solubilised. The step of providing the biomass feedstock comprises contacting a biomass raw-material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in an aqueous phase with an alkaline agent; continuing the contacting of the biomass with the alkaline agent until a significant portion of the hemicellulose is dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide a modified biomass; recovering the modified biomass; optionally opening the structure of the modified biomass by mechanical treatment; and using the modified biomass as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock. Treating the biomass provides hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fractions that have a multitude of applications in the bioeconomy.

The present invention relates to novel polypeptides, or fragments of polypeptides, genes encoding them and means for producing said polypeptides. In detail the invention relates to polypeptides having esterase, suberinase and/or cutinase activity at low pH. This invention relates also to compositions containing the polypeptides and methods of using the polypeptides.

Methods for reducing the effects of wetlapping, drying, and hornification of pulp fibers and consequently increasing the pulp drainage and strength properties in the final product (i.e., paper) are provided. The method which has been developed creates a “value-added” product by the wastepaper supplier or at the pulp and/or deinking (recycled paper) mill—a wastepaper load/bale, wet pulp stock or wet lap, or dried pulp treated with or impregnated with enzymes that enhance the quality of the pulp or paper product when it is repulped and processed at the paper mill.