Fungal Enzymes to Replace Chemicals in Paper Industry
- Researchers in Brazil have developed a method to produce a thermostable enzyme from a fungus that could serve as a sustainable alternative to toxic chemicals used in the...
- The study was conducted by a team from the University of São Paulo (USP) and São Paulo State University (UNESP).
- The researchers introduced xylanase, an enzyme sourced from the soil fungus Aspergillus caespitosus.
Researchers in Brazil have developed a method to produce a thermostable enzyme from a fungus that could serve as a sustainable alternative to toxic chemicals used in the paper industry. This development focuses on the bleaching process of cellulose pulp, which traditionally relies on hazardous oxidizing agents.
The study was conducted by a team from the University of São Paulo (USP) and São Paulo State University (UNESP). Their findings, supported by FAPESP, were published in the journal Bio Resources on April 8, 2026.
The Role of Fungal Xylanase
The researchers introduced xylanase, an enzyme sourced from the soil fungus Aspergillus caespitosus. This specific fungus was first identified in the United States in 1944 and was later isolated at USP in 2001.
Xylanase is critical for degrading xylan, which is a type of hemicellulose found in the cell walls of plants, including eucalyptus. Because xylan is a key component of plant cell walls, the enzyme can be utilized effectively in the production of paper and pulp.
A significant aspect of this discovery is the method of production. The enzyme is cultivated using agricultural residues, specifically common byproducts such as wheat bran and sugarcane bagasse. This approach converts underutilized waste into a biotechnological resource, aligning with the principles of a circular bioeconomy.
Addressing Environmental and Public Health Risks
The primary goal of the research is to reduce the industry’s reliance on chlorine-based bleaching agents, such as chlorine dioxide. While these chemicals are effective for bleaching cellulose pulp, they present substantial risks to human health and the environment.
Chlorine-based oxidizers are known to generate significant environmental hazards, including the contamination of wastewater. These processes emit harmful gases into the atmosphere, which pose direct risks to ecosystems and human health.
By replacing these deleterious chemicals with a fungal enzyme, the production process becomes a non-polluting alternative, mitigating the release of toxic substances into the air and water systems.
Industrial Advantages and Stability
Beyond its eco-friendly profile, the enzyme produced from Aspergillus caespitosus offers technical advantages over other known fungal enzymes. The researchers noted that this specific enzyme exhibits greater thermal stability than many other fungal enzymes described in existing scientific literature.
Thermal stability is a critical factor for industrial application, as it allows the enzyme to remain effective under the temperature conditions often required in large-scale manufacturing. This characteristic expands the potential for the enzyme to be integrated into current paper industry workflows.
The Brazilian team suggests that this method provides a more sustainable path forward for the industry. According to the report from Agência FAPESP, the results show good potential for application
in reducing the use of toxic chemicals during the bleaching of cellulose pulp.
Summary of Key Findings
- Source Organism: The enzyme xylanase is derived from the soil fungus Aspergillus caespitosus.
- Sustainable Production: The fungus is cultivated on agricultural waste, such as sugarcane bagasse and wheat bran.
- Health Impact: The enzyme offers a way to replace toxic chlorine-based bleaching agents that contaminate wastewater and the atmosphere.
- Technical Edge: The enzyme demonstrates exceptional thermal stability compared to other fungal enzymes in scientific literature.
- Application: It is used for the bleaching of cellulose pulp, a critical step in paper manufacturing.