B-glucosidase utilizes cellobiose from the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose via cellulase kinetics to produce glucose. The product formation of glucose is rate determining in
the production of bioethanol from wood pulp. The rate of hydrolysis of cellobiose as a function of temperature is given below:
Temperature (°C) Rate of Reaction (mmol(m*.s)
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.31
30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.66
40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.20
60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.33
(a) Calculate the activation energy for the reaction.
(b) How does the reactivity of the system compare at 55°C over 25°C?
(c) The deactivation of the enzyme follows the kinetics:
k d = 2.25 x 10 27 e -41630/RT
R- Gas constant [cal/mol.K]
T- Temperature [K]
What is the half-life of the enzyme at 55°C as opposed to 25 °C?
