Tubular cellulose/starch gel composite as food enzyme storehouse
The objective of this study was to produce a composite biocatalyst, based on porous cellulosic material,
produced after wood sawdust delignification (tubular cellulose; TC) and starch gel (SG), for the development
of bioprocesses related to enzyme applications. The composite biocatalyst was studied by Scanning
Electron Microscopy to observe the SG deposition in the TC pores, and porosimetry analysis to determine
the average pore diameter and surface area. The deposition of SG into the TC tubes provided a TC/SG composite
with reduced pore sizes. X-ray powder diffractometry showed a decrease of crystallinity with
increased SG ratio in the composite. The composite was used as an insoluble carrier for entrapment of
the dairy enzyme rennin, leading to the production of an active biocatalyst for milk coagulation (initiation
of milk clotting at about 20 min and full coagulation at about 200 min), creating perspectives for
several applications in food enzyme research and technology.