Xylanase-assisted TCF bleaching of Eulaliopsis binata pulp

The chlorine-containing bleaching chemicals are completely replaced with other oxidative chemicals in total chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching. Moreover, the xylanase pretreatment of pulp improves the efficiency of oxidative chemicals during TCF bleaching. Brightness of E. binata ethanol-soda pulp increased by 2.5 and 1.4% (ISO) with A. flavus ARC-12 and S. commune ARC-11 xylanases pretreatment of pulp respectively compared to control (without xylanase treatment). The xylanases from both fungal strains improved the pulp viscosity significantly compared to control. Tear index of xylanase treated pulp increased by 3.67 and 3.25% by A. flavus ARC-12 and S. commune ARC-11 xylanases respectively compared to control while burst index remained almost same. There is no generation of AOX and polychlorinated dioxins as well as furans during TCF bleaching while optical and strength properties of pulp were comparable to ECF bleaching process.