Identifying an appropriate parameter to elucidate effects of lignin on enzymatic hydrolysis is essential to understand the interactions between enzymes and lignin. Contrasting effects of hardwood organosolv lignin (EOL-SG) and softwood organosolv lignin (EOL-LP) on enzymatic hydrolysis were observed. The addition of EOL-SG (8 g/L) significantly improved the 72 h hydrolysis yields of organosolv pretreated sweetgum (OPSG) and loblolly pine (OPLP) from 49.3% to 68.6% and from 41.2% to 60.8%, respectively. In contrast, the addition of EOL-LP decreased the 72 h hydrolysis yields of OPSG and OPLP to 42.0% and 38.1%, respectively. A strong correlation between the distribution coefficients of cellulase enzymes on lignins and the changes of hydrolysis yields indicated that the inhibitory or stimulatory effects of organosolv lignins on enzymatic hydrolysis were governed by the distribution coefficients (R). The different R values probably were related to the electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bondings between enzymes and lignin. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.