Method for the hydrolysis of extra-cellular marine mucilage

摘要

This invention concerns a method by which extra-cellular marine mucilage can be hydrolyzed. According to the method, the mucilage, which is withdrawn from the sea surface, and then mechanically concentrated, is first treated with a lipase enzyme, which hydrolyzes the fats, and then after having brought the pH to around 5, is treated with a cellulase enzyme, which hydrolyzes the matrix of the mucilage, formed principally of polysaccharides. Finally, it is neutralized at a pH greater than 9.2, together with a previous possible denaturation of the cellulase enzyme, and then the mass is discharged into the sea, where it is attacked by micro-organisms present in the marine waters.