[BrokeDown]

It is most often claimed that the main reason for paper degradation in old books is due to acid hydrolysis of cellulose.  If cellulose were able to be broken down that easily via acid hydrolysis, then why can't humans and many other animals break down cellulose (acid in the stomach)?  Is it possible conservationists have missed a key step involved in the degradation of paper?  Is it more likely that an enzyme, either from bacteria or fungi on paper, is needed first before acid hydrolysis of paper can occur at an appreciative rate?

[Borek]

We are talking about hydrolysis taking tens of years, so not that fast.