Cellulose enzymatic availability in waste refuse

[en] This work presents an original method for testing the biological reactivity of cellulose. This test specifically targets one of the limiting steps of cellulose bioconversion into biogas, i.e. the cellulose hydrolysis. From this point of view, enzymes-mediated hydrolysis has been performed to evaluate cellulose bioavailability in refuse samples from different layers of an old landfill. The relationship between the cellulose enzymatic accessibility and the lignin contents has also been studied. Similarly, the correlation between cellulose, lignin and humic acid contents has been investigated. On the other hand, moisture content in landfills is considered as one of the most important factors that favours methanogenesis. In this respect, the influence of moisture content on cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis has also been evaluated.