Researchers describe wood cellulose structures, opening paths for new enzymes

In the UK, a team of international experts, has described the detailed structure of cellulose fibres in wood. Decade old research outlined the structure of crystalline cellulose.  The new research focused on disordered cellulose.

University of Nottingham biophysicist, Dr Anwesha Fernandes states, “Our experiments with spruce wood cellulose showed that although the cellulose fibres were bundled together their surfaces were more accessible than previously thought. In fact some of the surface area was of a type to which enzymes are known to bind. The findings will help in the development of enzyme-based technology for making biofuels.”