Kinetics and rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in supercritical carbon dioxide

Experiments were carried out on the application of supercritical fluid to the hydrolysis of cellulose by the enzyme, cellulase. The stability of cellulase was sustained at the pressures of up to 160 atm for 90 min at 50 ‡C in supercritical carbon dioxide. In the hydrolysis of cellulose the glucose yield was 100% at supercritical condition. Kinetic constants of hydrolysis at supercritical condition were increased as compared to those at atmospheric condition. The hydrolysis reaction was found competitively inhibited by glucose at supercritical condition.