Kinetic analyses by Kaar and Holtzapple [18] of Tween effects during enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover have indicated an “effector” role of Tween in the enzymatic process.
A more detailed mechanism explaining the effector role of Tween was not presented. However, the present results support an explanation where the central role of surfactants is on enzyme–substrate interactions. In conversion of soluble cellulose substrates (CMC) (Table 2), it was shown that surfactant had no effect on the rate of hydrolysis.
Thus, we can conclude, at least for endo activity, that surfactants have no effect on the catalytic mechanism of the cellulolytic enzymes.