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Xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) is the name given to a class of enzymes which degrade the linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose, thus breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants.
As such, it plays a major role in the digestive system of herbivorous micro-organisms (mammals, conversely, do not produce xylanase). Additionally, xylanases are present in fungi for the degradation of plant matter into usable nutrients.
Commercial applications for xylanase include the chlorine-free bleaching of wood pulp prior to the papermaking process, and the increased digestibility of silage (in this aspect, it is also used for fermentative composting). (Gulzar, Production and partial purification of Xylanase fromTrichoderma longibrachiatum. Published in international conference on biotechnology and neurosciences. CUSAT , 2004.P33).
Additionally, it is the key ingredient in the dough conditioners s500 and us500 manufactured by Puratos. These enzymes are used to improve the dough's workability and absorption of water. [2]
In the future, xylanase may be used for the production of biofuel from unusable plant material [3].
References
- ^ William V Dashek (1997). Methods in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-9480-5. p. 313 Google Print reference "Xylans can by hydrolyzed by beta-xylanase"
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