Enzymy rozkładające ksylan - charakterystyka i zastosowanie w biotechnologii

Xylans as compounds of plant lignocellulosics seem to be a very useful feedstock for an effective utilization in biotechnology. This is due to their abundance and renewability as well as the possibility of producing various chemical by-products, fuels, fodder and food products from this source. On the other hand, an enzymatic removal of xylans from cellulosic pulps and coffee extracts by xylanases is very important for the production of high quality paper and coffee. This review article presents new trends in the investigations on plant xylans and their enzymatic hydrolysis by xylanases of different origin. Special attention has been paid to catalytic properties of different enzymes of xylanolytic complex, to their synergistic interactions, and to the mechanisms of their regulation, as well as molecular structure of the genes encoding particular enzymes. Most promising prospects for the practical applications of xylanases are also discussed.