Reduction of inhibitory effects on cellulose degradation with pectinase treatment in potato residue

Cellulose conversion is the major step for the comprehensive utilization of potato residues. In potato residues, pectin is present in high amounts and tightly interlinked with cellulose, has an inhibitory effect on cellulose degradation, of which mechanism remain unclear. This study investigated inhibitory effects of pectin on the hydrolysis efficiency of cellulose in potato residue. The results showed that the soluble pectin had no significant inhibition and adsorption effect on cellulase activity, while the insoluble pectin had ineffective adsorption on cellulose. Moreover, insoluble pectin, attached to the surface of cellulose, showed an apparent physical barrier effect on the enzyme acting on the substrate. Pectinase addition efficiently degraded the insoluble pectin attached to the substrate surface and reduced the ineffective adsorption and physical barrier. After 5 U/g pectinase treatment, the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was improved by 30.68 %. Our study provides a promising approach for improving the utilization of potato residues.