Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXIV, Issue 2
Written by Aglaia POPA (BURLACU), Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING, Călina Petruța CORNEA, Maria Mihaela ZUGRAVU (MICUȚI)
Lignocellulose is a resource for renewable organic matter. Between the three main components, hemicellulose is the second most abundant natural polymer on earth, its main constituent being xylan. Acetyl xylan esterases are accessory enzymes involved in biodegradation of xylan, releasing acetic acid from side chains of xylan backbone. After the action of these enzymes, other lignocellulases are able to act on their specific substrate. The main microbial sources for acetyl xylan esterase include Penicillium sp., Thermoanarobacterium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Streptomyces sp., Phanerochaete sp., Bacillus sp., Trichoderma sp. etc. Screening methods for identification of acetyl xylan esterase microorganisms requires specific substrate for this enzyme such as acetylated xylan or xylooligosaccharides, α and β- naphthyl acetate or p-nitrophenyl acetate. The importance of these enzymes is given by their role in various applications such as biofuel production, pulp and paper biobleaching or food and feed.
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