Optimization of biobleaching of paper pulp in an expanded bed bioreactor with immobilized alkali stable xylanase by using response surface methodology.

Purified alkali stable xylanase from Aspergillus fischeri was immobilized on polystyrene beads using diazotization method. An expanded bed bioreactor was developed with these immobilized beads to biobleach the paper pulp in continuous mode. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the biobleaching conditions. Temperature (degrees C), flow rate of pulp (ml/min) and concentration of the pulp (%) were selected as variables in this study. Optimal conditions for biobleaching process were reaction temperature 60 degrees C, flow rate of 2 ml/min and 5% (w/v) of pulp. The kappa number reduced from 66 in the unbleached pulp to 20 (reduction of 87%). This system proves to be a better option for the conventional chlorine based pulp bleaching.