Chapter 5 - Sources, production, and classification of xylanases

Abstract

Xylanases are produced by different sources which include marine and terrestrial bacteria, rumen bacteria, fungi, marine algae, protozoa, snails, crustaceans, insects, terrestrial plants, and their seeds. However, filamentous fungi are particularly interesting producers of xylanases from an industrial point of view so far. Xylanases may be industrially produced in submerged liquid culture or on a solid substrate. Most xylanase manufacturers produce these enzymes using submerged fermentation technique. Endoxylanases are found in families 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 26, and 43. Endoxylanases from families 10 (formerly known as F) and 11 (formerly known as G) have been described. Family F/10 endoxylanases are high molecular weight enzymes structurally composed of a cellulose-binding domain and a catalytic domain connected by a linker peptide. Family G/11 endoxylanases contain low molecular weight enzymes.