GAMMA-RAY-INDUCED DEGRADATION OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS

Lignocellulosic plant materials were treated with various swelling agents and exposed to γ radiation from 60Co or 137Cs. At dosages of 50 Mrad or above, lignocellulosic materials were extensively degraded and solubilized in water. Addition of water, NaOH, or H2SO4 to the substrate increased the degree of solubilization. Complete solubilization was achieved for samples of sugarcane bagasse, newspaper, cotton linters, cotton cloth, sawdust, and α-cellulose powder. About 35% total sugar and 5% reducing sugar per dry weight of sugarcane bagasse could be obtained by this method. Most of the soluble carbohydrates seemed to be disaccharides or larger molecules and glucose degradation products. Solubilization of cellulose was dosage dependent and although the rate of solubilization was increased by adding alkali, released sugar was further decomposed by the alkali and by high dosage of radiation. © 1981 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.