Using polyvinylpyrrolidone to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocelluloses by reducing the cellulase non-productive adsorption on lignin

[Display omitted] •PVP could greatly enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocelluloses.•The adsorption layer of PVP8000 on lignin was more stable than that of PEG4600.•Lignin adsorbed PVP8000 was more hydrophilic than that adsorbed PEG4600.•PVP8000 reduced 73.1% of the cellulase non-productive adsorption on lignin. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is an antifouling polymer to resist the adsorption of protein on solid surface. Effects of PVP on the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated lignocelluloses and its mechanism were studied. Adding 1g/L of PVP8000, the enzymatic digestibility of eucalyptus pretreated by dilute acid (Eu-DA) was increased from 28.9% to 73.4%, which is stronger than the classic additives, such as PEG, Tween and bovine serum albumin. Compared with PEG4600, the adsorption of PVP8000 on lignin was larger, and the adsorption layer was more stable and hydrophilic. Therefore, PVP8000 reduced 73.1% of the cellulase non-productive adsorption on lignin and enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocelluloses greatly.