Enzyme-triggered self-cultured bacteria retting for natural fiber

Abstract

A process for retting biomass includes contacting an enzyme solution with the biomass, degrading at least a portion of the pectin in the biomass using the enzyme to release monomers, proliferating bacteria using the monomers as a feedstock, and separating the cellulosic fibers after degrading at least the portion of the pectin to produce natural fibers. The enzyme solution comprises an enzyme, and the biomass comprises pectin and cellulosic fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for retting biomass, the process comprising:
 contacting an enzyme solution with the biomass, wherein the enzyme solution comprises an enzyme, and wherein the biomass comprises pectin and cellulosic fibers;   degrading at least a portion of the pectin in the biomass using the enzyme to release monomers;   proliferating bacteria using the monomers as a feedstock; and   separating the cellulosic fibers after degrading at least the portion of the pectin to produce natural fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme in the enzyme solution has a concentration between 0.05-2% w/v. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme comprises pectinase. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme breaks down the pectin through a mechanism including at least one of protopectinase, polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, and pectinesterase, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises wood, bamboo, flax, jute, hemp, ramie, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprises Bacillaceae. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 expressing the enzyme from  Aspergillus niger.      
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 expressing a second enzyme from the bacteria; and   breaking down the biomass using the second enzyme.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the enzyme and the second enzyme are the same. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein proliferating the bacteria occurs at a pH between 4-5. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein separating the cellulosic fibers comprises mechanically separating the cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collecting a retting solution after proliferating the bacteria; and   reusing the retting solution in a subsequent retting process.   
     
     
         13 . A process for retting biomass, the process comprising:
 contacting biomass with a bacterial solution, wherein the biomass comprises pectin and cellulosic fibers, wherein the bacterial solution comprises at least one culture of bacteria;   expressing an enzyme from the bacteria;   degrading at least a portion of the pectin in the biomass using the enzyme to release monomers;   proliferating the bacteria using the monomers as a feedstock; and   separating the cellulosic fibers after degrading at least het portion of the pectin to produce natural fibers.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the enzyme comprises pectinase. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the enzyme breaks down the pectin through a mechanism including at least one of protopectinase, polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, and pectinesterase, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the biomass comprises wood, bamboo, flax, jute, hemp, ramie, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the bacteria comprises Bacillaceae. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein proliferating the bacteria occurs at a pH between 4-5. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein separating the cellulosic fibers comprises mechanically separating the cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 collecting a retting solution after proliferating the bacteria; and   reusing the retting solution in a subsequent retting process.