- Xylanase
Xylanase (EC number|3.2.1.8) is the name given to a class of
enzyme s which degrade the linearpolysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan intoxylose ref|xylose_breakdown, thus breaking downhemicellulose , 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-organism s (mammal s, conversely, do not produce xylanase). Additionally, xylanases are present infungi for the degradation of plant matter into usable nutrients.Commercial applications for xylanase include the
chlorine -freebleaching of wood pulp prior to thepapermaking process, and the increased digestibility ofsilage (in this aspect, it is also used for fermentativecompost ing).(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. [http://www.puratos.us/products_solutions/bakery/enzymes/default.aspx]
In the future, xylanase may be used for the production of
biofuel from unusable plant material [http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2005/051129.htm] .References
* cite book|title=Methods in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology|author=William V Dashek|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-8493-9480-5|publisher=CRC Press p. 313 [http://print.google.com/print?id=UyV-tHNLjKUC&pg=PA313&lpg=PA313&dq=Xylanase&sig=T1nnVlpBZhrHGbatqxsHBgpClj8 Google Print reference] "Xylans can by hydrolyzed by beta-xylanase"
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