| The enzymes LPMOs (lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases) are crucially involved in the degradation of cellulose, as they are able to modify cellulose even in higher ordered domains. This property is a key contributor to the hydrolysis of cellulosic substrates in nature. So far, less research has been done on how to use these modifications by LMPOs for targeted control of properties on cellulosic substrates. In the FunEnzFibers project, the modifications to cellulose have now been analyzed in a very targeted manner for the first time. In the process, the structures oxidized by LPMOs were measured directly via group-specific fluorescence labeling. The penetration depth of the enzymatic modification into the fiber could be visualized by stepwise dissolution of the cellulosic fiber. In this process, the exfoliated areas are analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, among other methods. The project also developed a new method for specifically detecting oxidations at the reducing end of cellulose. The modification achieved by LMPOs is of great interest here, as it allows special anchor groups to be introduced into cellulosic substrates of different types. |