The waste paper has now more useful than paper mache display and paper cups, among others, after the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers discovered it could potentially be effectively used for the production of enzymes by Trichoderma longiflorum.
Cellulase, according to a Phys.org report, is commonly used in food, textile washing, biofuel, medicine, agricultural waste treatment, and animal feed. It accounts for the third-largest share of the industrial enzyme market of the world behind amylase and protease,
Nonetheless, the high production cost of enzyme stays a major challenge for its additional industrial applications.
Waste paper, on the other hand, a recyclable waste resource, has a high potential for industry because of its richness in cellulose, cost-efficiency, and high abundance.
Consequently, producing cellulose and xylanase through the use of waste paper decreases the cost of production of enzymes and achieves the efficient use of waste paper resources.
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T. Longiflorum
In their study, Efficient utilization of waste paper as an inductive feedstock for simultaneous production of cellulase and xylanase by Trichoderma longiflorum, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, the researchers used waste office paper, magazine paper, corrugated board, and tissue paper for the production of enzymes by T. longiflorum LC-M4, a mutant produced by heavy ion irradiation.
By examining waste paper's structural characterization, the study authors showed that cellulose is the primary main component in various waste paper resources, and the fillers like calcium carbonate can provide nutrient elements for bacterial growth, not to mention enzyme synthesis.
The researchers also found that the highest filter paper activities were attained through the use of waste office paper and corrugated board, respectively.
Furthermore, the maximum β-glucosidase and xylanase activities, according to this report, were acquired from corrugated board substrates.
Corrugated Board for Enzyme Production
To improve the enzyme activities further, the study investigator used the corrugated board as a source of mixed carbon with wheat bran.
Higher β-glucosidase activities were achieved, which were substantially increased by 56.86 percent when compared with the corrugated board as a single source of carbon.
The findings confirmed that the corrugated board, mixed with wheat bran, has great application potential as a source of carbon for the production of enzymes.
Furthermore, these results from the study showed the possibility of using waste paper as a source of inductive carbon for enzyme production, which greatly benefits both the environment and the economy.
Waste Paper Recycling
Aside from cellulase production, waste paper can be useful at home, too. This is possible through paper recycling, which, according to Recycling.com, is the circular process of turning old waste paper into a new one. Paper is an all-natural and recyclable resource made of wood fibers.
Paper bow, newspaper basket, paper bag, and bookmark are among the things one can make out of paper waste.
According to the Ecoideaz blog site, almost 93 percent of the paper used is derived from trees. To produce a kilogram of paper, more than 320 liters of water are used, while a sheet of A4 bond paper takes a maximum of 10 liters of water.
To meet this continuously rising demand for paper, trees are being cut quickly, and the world is now faced with serious consequences of deforestation.
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