Degradation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic substrates using a chelator-mediated Fenton reaction

The involvement of catechol and hydroxamate chelators, along with hydrogen peroxide and Fe3+, in the degradation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic substrates was examined with the purpose of improving our current knowledge of the non‐enzymatic mechanisms involved in wood biodegradation by fungi. It could be demonstrated that a catechol chelator‐mediated Fenton reaction not only clearly degraded hemicellulosic substrates but also significantly accelerated and increased the effectiveness of degradation reactions. On the other hand, when a hydroxamate chelator‐mediated Fenton reaction was used, an inhibitory effect was observed. When cellulosic substrates underwent a chelator‐mediated Fenton reaction, no significant difference in degradation was observed between catechol and hydroxamate chelator‐mediated reactions. However, a catechol‐mediated reaction did accelerate the degradation of cellulosic substrates at the beginning of reactions. In addition, it was observed that with a chelator‐mediated Fenton reaction, oxidation of cellulose proceeds depolymerization. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry