Enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble cellulose derivatives as measured by changes in viscosity.

Observation of changes in fluidity is presented as a method for following the enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble cellulose derivatives. The activity of different cell-free enzyme preparations may be compared by this method, providing certain precautions are observed. In general, results obtained by use of the fluidity method are similar to those obtained using the reducing sugar technique, indicating that the same enzyme system is measured by the two methods. Changes in the DP of the substratum may be followed within certain limits of molecular size. Results indicate that a random splitting of CMC occurs during enzymatic hydrolysis, with a concomitant decrease in intrinsic viscosity and an increase in reducing sugars. Certain inadequacies of the cellulose-cellobiose-glucose theory, together with more recent findings, have led to the postulation of an alternate explanation of the mechanism of cellulose hydrolysis.