High yield of reducing sugar from enzymolysis of cellulose in supercritical carbon dioxide system

High concentration of reducing sugar from enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose is the key for utilization of cellulose nowadays. Here, in-situ homogeneous enzymolysis of cellulose in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) system by using cellulase modified with dextran (Cell-DEX) could resolve the above question. Cell-DEX can effectively hydrolyze cellulose in SC-CO2 system, and the yield of reducing sugar reaches 242 mg/g cellulose. At the same time, the effects of the modified site, molecular weight of modifier and degree of substitution, stability of Cell-DEX were discussed. Then the enzymolysis of corn straw was also studied in this system and the efficiency has been greatly improved. Therefore, it is an effective way to use cellulose sustainably. •High concentration reducing sugar from enzymolysis of cellulose is important.•Cell-DEX(R) can effectively enzymatic hydrolyze cellulose in SC-CO2 system.•The yield of reducing sugar reaches 242 mg/g cellulose by Cell-DEX(R).•The high concentration reducing sugar solution can be easily obtained.•The Cell-DEX(R) is of excellent stability.