Xylanase is an enzyme that breaks down hemicellulose in plant cell walls, with applications in food, paper, agriculture, and human health. Different types of xylanases are used for specific conditions and applications. Xylanase is used to improve wheat dough, animal feed, and fruit juice clarity. It is also being investigated for breaking down agricultural residues into usable fractions. Xylanase is used in papermaking as an alternative to chlorine.
Xylanase is a class of enzymes produced by microorganisms to break down a component of plant cell walls known as hemicellulose. Xylan is a polymer of glucose molecules and a major component of hemicellulose, which helps hold cell walls together. Therefore, the action of a xylanase enzyme helps to break down the cell walls of plants. This activity has applications in the food and paper manufacturing industries, along with uses in agriculture and for human health.
There are several different types of xylanases produced by different microorganisms. These enzymes act under different conditions, such as at different pH levels and temperatures. There is a lot of biochemical engineering work done with xylanases, to determine the optimal enzyme for a particular application. Genetically modified mushrooms are often the source of xylanase used in commercial applications.
Xylan is a gummy, slimy substance that is sometimes called wood gum. It can make fruit juices look cloudy. Xylanase is sometimes used in conjunction with other cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectinase and cellulase, to clarify the juice so that it is clear.
Wheat has a lot of xylan, which affects the consistency of the wheat dough. One of the main applications of xylanase is to improve the quality of the dough. For example, water absorption, stability and workability can be improved with the use of this enzyme. Also, fermentation for alcohol production uses xylanase to release the gummy material, so it can be fermented.
This type of enzyme is also used to improve grains and other plant-based materials used as animal feed. In combination with other cell wall-degrading enzymes, it helps break down cell walls. This facilitates the digestion of the animals. An example of the benefits includes increased milk production per dairy cow.
The same principle is used with xylanase in preparations designed to aid the human digestive system. Combinations of various enzymes that break down plant materials are sold to be taken as supplements. Specific microbial enzymes that act over a wide pH range are chosen, in the hope that they will retain activity in the harsh environment of the stomach. It is not clear whether these enzymes survive digestion by the natural enzymes in the stomach.
Xylan is of interest as a renewable resource, as it is a large component of agricultural residues, such as straw, which could be used as a source of biomass. For such a process to be successful, the plant cell wall must be broken down into smaller, usable fractions. Various xylanases are being investigated to help degrade cell walls on an industrial scale.
Another use for xylanase is in the papermaking industry. It is used as an alternative to chlorine in the bleaching of wood pulp. This stage occurs before the paper is made and reduces the amount of chemicals used in the process.
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