Microscopic analysis of kraft fibres after treatment with carbohydrate-degrading enzymes

The treatment of radiata pine kraft pulp fibres with carbohydrate-degrading enzymes resulted in substantial changes to pulp and handsheet properties, without corresponding dramatic change in fibre surface and wall features. In most cases sample preparation procedures had more effect on surface features than did enzyme treatment. Fibre wall features such as fibrillation, microcompressions, striations and delaminations were also more affected by PFI refining than by enzyme treatment. No consistent relationship could be discerned between the microscopic features and the strength properties of enzyme-treated pulps.