What is it?
Xylanase from Trichoderma viride is an enzyme specifically produced by the filamentous fungus Trichoderma viride. This fungus is known for being a highly efficient producer of various hydrolytic enzymes.
Function: Xylanase breaks down xylan, a major component of hemicellulose. Hemicellulose, along with cellulose and lignin, is a key polymer in plant cell walls. Xylanase catalyzes the hydrolysis of xylan into smaller sugars like xylose and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS).
Why Trichoderma viride? This particular microbial source is favored in industry because it:
Produces high yields of the enzyme.
Often produces a cocktail of enzymes (including other hemicellulases and cellulases) that work synergistically.
Is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food and feed processes.
Primary Applications and Uses
The ability to break down tough plant fibers makes this enzyme immensely valuable across several multi-billion dollar industries.
1. Pulp and Paper Industry (Bleaching) - A Major Application
This is one of the most significant industrial applications.
Process: In the kraft pulping process, lignin and hemicellulose are removed to separate cellulose fibers. Residual xylan and lignin cause the pulp to be brown.
Role of Xylanase: The enzyme selectively hydrolyzes the reprecipitated xylan on the surface of the cellulose fibers. This breakdown opens up the pulp structure and makes it easier for bleaching chemicals (like chlorine dioxide) to remove the remaining lignin.
Benefits:
Reduced Bleaching Chemical Use: Can reduce chlorine-based chemical usage by 20-40%.
Environmental Impact: Significantly reduces the release of toxic, chlorinated organic compounds (AOX) in wastewater.
Improved Pulp Quality: Results in a brighter, higher-quality pulp.
2. Animal Feed Industry
This is another huge market for xylanase.
Problem: Feeds for monogastric animals (poultry, swine) contain high levels of cereals like wheat, barley, and rye. These grains are rich in non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) like xylan, which are anti-nutritional.
They increase the viscosity of gut contents, trapping nutrients and preventing absorption.
They lead to wetter droppings and poorer hygiene.
Role of Xylanase: Added to feed as a supplement, it breaks down xylan, reducing gut viscosity.
Benefits:
Improved Feed Efficiency: Enhances the digestion and absorption of proteins, starches, and fats.
Increased Growth Performance: Animals gain more weight from the same amount of feed.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Drier, more solid manure is easier to manage and reduces ammonia emissions.
3. Food and Beverage Industry
Baking: Added to dough to break down hemicellulose in wheat flour.
Benefits: Improves dough handling, elasticity, and machinability. Increases loaf volume and creates a softer, finer crumb structure. Reduces dough stickiness.
Juice Clarification: Used in the production of fruit and vegetable juices (e.g., apple, pear, carrot).
Production of Prebiotics: Xylanase is used to produce xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) from xylan-rich agricultural waste (e.g., corn cobs, bran).
4. Biofuel Production (Biorefining)
Process: In the production of second-generation biofuels (like cellulosic ethanol), the goal is to convert the entire plant biomass (e.g., straw, bagasse, wood chips) into fermentable sugars.
Role of Xylanase: It is a crucial component of enzyme cocktails designed to break down hemicellulose. It works alongside cellulases (which break down cellulose) to release pentose sugars (like xylose) that yeast can ferment into ethanol.
Benefit: Maximizes the sugar yield from low-value biomass, improving the economic viability of biofuels.
5. Other Applications
Textile Industry: Used in the bioscouring of textiles (like cotton) to remove hemicellulose and other impurities for softer, more absorbent fabrics.
Production of dissolving pulp: For making products like rayon and cellophane.
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