Abstract:
This study focused on investigating the physicochemical characteristics of the ramie bio-degumming microbial community RDMC and systematically elucidated the evaluation of RDMC degumming performance on ramie and its underlying mechanisms. The core mechanism involved the substrate carbon source induction effect, which activated the dynamic metabolic mechanism of microbial community proliferation-microbial enzyme secretion-enzyme-mediated gum metabolism, effectively decomposed high-molecular-weight gum into low-molecular-weight soluble substances. Biochemical monitoring of the RDMC microbial community included dynamic pH measurements, quantification of free proteins, and enzyme activity assays (pectinase,
β-galactosidase, xylanase, and cellulase). Physical property assessments covered degumming efficiency, residual gum ratio, mass loss rate, and bundle fiber tensile strength. Morphological observations combined macroscopic monitoring of changes in ramie surface with SEM characterization of fiber microstructure, supplemented by FTIR analysis of chemical group evolution. Microbiome studies utilized metagenomic sequencing for systematic analysis of RDMC microbial community composition, with functional annotation based on the CAZy database to elucidate the degradation of pectin and hemicellulose, representative lignin components in ramie. The results showed that the physical and chemical parameters of the reaction solution during degumming were as follows: the pH value was maintained between 7.93 and 8.80, and the peak free protein concentration reached 235.26 μg/mL. The activities of the key enzymes are as follows: xylanase up to 28 U, galactosidase up to 33 U, pectinase up to 30 U, and cellulase up to 32 U. After 7 days of degumming, total fiber mass loss reached 22%, degumming efficiency was 64.5%, and residual gum content decreased to 10.78%. The bundled fiber tensile strength was 6.505 cN/dtex, significantly higher than that of the 10-day degumming group (4.101 cN/dtex). This indicated that moderate degumming effectively balanced gum removal with mechanical property processing. Macro analysis showed that RDMC-treated ramie fibers exhibited reduced surface roughness and improved smoothness. Microscopic results showed improved fiber dispersion, enhanced surface uniformity, and a clearer, distinguishable structure. FTIR analysis revealed that the transmittance at key wavelengths and the intensity of absorption peaks were weakened in the degummed samples, consistent with the gradual removal of lipids, waxes, water-soluble substances, pectin, and hemicellulose during the degumming process. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that the dominant phylum in the RDMC community was Pseudomonadota (97.05%). CAZy annotation identified pectin and hemicellulose degradation pathways, which were structurally complex and required the synergistic action of multiple hydrolases, including pectinase, methylesterase, galactosidase, endoglucanases, glucosidases, mannanases, and arabinogalactanase Through hydrolysis and synergistic action, these enzymes broke down high-molecular-weight gelatinous substances into low-viscosity fragments, facilitating fiber release. This study provided a theoretical reference for the microbial-enzyme synergistic mechanism and a practical framework for green processes in the development of ramie bio-degumming technology, offering dual-drive value for promoting the sustainable development of natural fiber resources.