植物通过光合作用生产的纤维素及其伴生物，是人类取之不尽用之不竭的最丰富的天然资源。如何把它们转化为人类所需要的各种有用物品，特别是转化为食物，将是今后十分重要的研究课题。

天然纤维素是不溶性的、结构十分致密的物质，尤以木屑的结构更为复杂，欲将其中的纤维素分解糖化是非常困难的。不论用酶水解或用稀酸水解方法，都得对木屑进行预处理，使之成为易起反应的状态才行。

The effect of γ-ray pre-irradiation on enzymatic hydrolytical reaction of cellulose was investigated. The enzymatic hydrolysis of waste saw dust by cellulase was accelerated by pre-irradiation. Its yield of reducing sugar was increased with radiation dose. The relationship between the yeild and radiation dose was shown as a function of time of hydrolysis. Chemical analysis of irradiated saw dust showed that the

α

-cellulose of higher molecular weight was degradated completely to products of lower molecular weight. By determination of polymerization degree of irradiated cotton

it was shown that molecular weight of cellulose was decreasing rapidly after total dose reaching 10

6

rad. It could be concluded that the pre-irradiation treatment of cellulose waste has a significant accelerating effect on its afterward enzymatic hydrolytical reaction. This might be attributed to reduction of molecular weight and increase of solubility of cellulose.