ABSTRACT
Pitch deposits have negative effects on product quality, machine performance and production line profitability during pulp and paper manufacture. As traditional pitch control technology cannot provide satisfactory solutions in the pitch deposits, the enzymatic treatment has been rapidly developed for its high efficiency and pollution-free property. In this review, the chemical composition and present form of the pitch in pulp is first introduced, followed by a description of the pitch control enzymes. The emphasis is on the current research on enzymatic solutions to pitch problems, including the reaction mechanism, technology, and the present main problems of lipase, sterol esterases, laccase and lipoxygenase. Finally, the technology prospects in this field are proposed.