Abstract: A method for characterizing the interaction force between lignin and cellulase is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparing a lignin solution, then dropwise adding the solution onto a silicon wafer, repeatedly spin-coating with a spin coater, and vacuum-drying the prepared lignin film; (2) modifying an AFM probe coated with a gold film on the surface with HS-PEG-COOH and then activating the carboxyl group, immersing the AFM probe after the carboxyl group activation in a PBS solution of cellulase for incubation, and after the modification is completed, placing the washed AFM probe in a PBS buffer solution for storage for later use; (3) testing the lignin-cellulase interaction force by using an AFM instrument in a liquid phase environment.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the interaction force between lignin and cellulase is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparation of lignin film: preparing a lignin solution, then dropwise adding the solution onto a silicon wafer, repeatedly spin-coating with a spin coater, and vacuum-drying the prepared lignin film; (2) AFM probe modification: modifying an AFM probe coated with a gold film on the surface with HS-PEG-COOH and then activating the carboxyl group, immersing the AFM probe after the carboxyl group activation in a PBS solution of cellulase for incubation, and after the modification is completed, placing the washed AFM probe in a PBS buffer solution for storage for later use; (3) testing the lignin-cellulase interaction force by using an AFM instrument in a liquid phase environment. AFM is used to quantitatively characterize the interaction between the cellulase and lignin in a liquid environment.

Abstract: A method of producing an alcohol from lignocellulosic biomass is provided wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated with an alkaline mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate, i.e., green liquor, prior to enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Pretreatment with the green liquor increases the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis. Both the alcohol produced from the fermentation and the lignin that dissolves into the green liquor during pretreatment can also be used as fuels.