Production, purification, and characterization of a major Penicillium glabrum xylanase using Brewer's spent grain as substrate

Clustered surface amino acid residues modulate the acid stability of GH10 xylanase in fungi

Acidic xylanases are widely used in industries such as biofuels, animal feeding, and fruit juice clarification due to their tolerance to acidic environments. However, the factors controlling their acid stability, especially in GH10 xylanases, are only partially understood. In this study, we identified a series of thermostable GH10 xylanases with optimal temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 °C, and among these, five enzymes (Xyn10C, Xyn10RE, Xyn10TC, Xyn10BS, and Xyn10PC) exhibited remarkable stability at pH 2.0. Our statistical analysis highlighted several factors contributing to the acid stability of GH10 xylanases, including electrostatic repulsion, π-π stacking, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and Van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, through mutagenesis studies, we uncovered that acid stability is influenced by a complex interplay of amino acid residues. The key amino acid sites determining the acid stability of GH10 xylanases were thus elucidated, mainly concentrated in two surface regions behind the enzyme active center. Notably, the critical residues associated with acid stability markedly enhanced Xyn10RE's thermostability by more than sixfold, indicating a potential acid-thermal interplay in GH10 xylanases. This study not only reported a series of valuable genes but also provided a range of modification targets for enhancing the acid stability of GH10 xylanases. KEY POINTS: • Five acid stable and thermostable GH10 xylanases were reported. • The key amino acid sites, mainly forming two enriched surface regions behind the enzyme active center, were identified responsible for acid stability of GH10 xylanases. • The finding revealed interactive amino acid sites, offering a pathway for synergistic enhancement of both acid stability and thermostability in GH10 xylanase modifications.

A Glycosyl Hydrolase 30 Family Xylanase from the Rumen Metagenome and Its Effects on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Wheat Straw

The challenge of wheat straw as a ruminant feed is its low ruminal digestibility. This study investigated the impact of a xylanase called RuXyn, derived from the rumen metagenome of beef cattle, on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of wheat straw. RuXyn encoded 505 amino acids and was categorized within subfamily 8 of the glycosyl hydrolase 30 family. RuXyn was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and displayed its highest level of activity at pH 6.0 and 40 °C. RuXyn primarily hydrolyzed xylan, while it did not show any noticeable activity towards other substrates, including carboxymethylcellulose and Avicel. At concentrations of 5 mM, Mn2+ and dithiothreitol significantly enhanced RuXyn's activity by 73% and 20%, respectively. RuXyn's activity was almost or completely inactivated in the presence of Cu2+, even at low concentrations. The main hydrolysis products of corncob xylan by RuXyn were xylopentose, xylotriose, and xylotetraose. RuXyn hydrolyzed wheat straw and rice straw more effectively than it did other agricultural by-products. A remarkable synergistic effect was observed between RuXyn and a cellulase cocktail on wheat straw hydrolysis. Supplementation with RuXyn increased dry matter digestibility; acetate, propionate, valerate, and total volatile fatty acid yields; NH3-N concentration, and total bacterial number during in vitro fermentation of wheat straw relative to the control. RuXyn's inactivity at 60 °C and 70 °C was remedied by mutating proline 151 to phenylalanine and aspartic acid 204 to leucine, boosting activity to 20.3% and 21.8% of the maximum activity at the respective temperatures. As an exogenous enzyme preparation, RuXyn exhibits considerable potential to improve ruminal digestion and the utilization of wheat straw in ruminants. As far as we know, this is the first study on a GH30 xylanase promoting the ruminal fermentation of agricultural straws. The findings demonstrate that the utilization of RuXyn can significantly enhance the ruminal digestibility of wheat straw by approximately 10 percentage points. This outcome signifies the emergence of a novel and highly efficient enzyme preparation that holds promise for the effective utilization of wheat straw, a by-product of crop production, in ruminants.

Xylanase Production by Solid-State Fermentation for the Extraction of Xylooligosaccharides from Soybean Hulls§

Research background

The development of a novel process for the production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) based on the 4R concept is made possible by the integration of numerous techniques, especially enzymatic modification together with the physical pretreatment of renewable materials. This study aims to integrate the use of agricultural wastes for the production of xylanase by a new strain of Penicillium sp. and value-added products, XOS.

Experimental approach

For the production of xylanase, a solid-state fermentation was performed using wheat bran as substrate. To obtain the most active crude extract of xylanase, the time frame of cultivation was first adjusted. Then, the downstream process for xylanase purification was developed by combining different membrane separation units with size exclusion chromatography. Further characterisation included determination of the optimal pH and temperature, determination of the molecular mass of the purified xylanase and analysis of kinetic parameters. Subsequently, the hydrolytic ability of the partially purified xylanase in the hydrolysis of alkali-extracted hemicellulose from soybean hulls was investigated.

Results and conclusions

Our results show that Penicillium rubens produced extracellular xylanase at a yield of 21 U/g during solid-state fermentation. Using two ultrafiltration membranes of 10 and 3 kDa in combination with size exclusion chromatography, a yield of 49 % and 13-fold purification of xylanase was achieved. The purified xylanase (35 kDa) cleaved linear bonds β-(1→4) in beechwood xylan at a maximum rate of 0.64 μmol/(min·mg) and a Michaelis constant of 44 mg/mL. At pH=6 and 45 °C, the purified xylanase showed its maximum activity. The xylanase produced showed a high ability to hydrolyse the hemicellulose fraction isolated from soybean hulls, as confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. In the hydrothermally pretreated hemicellulose hydrolysate, the content of XOS with different degrees of polymerisation was detected, while in the non-pretreated hemicellulose hydrolysate, the content of xylotriose and glucose was confirmed.

Novelty and scientific contribution

Future research focusing on the creation of new enzymatic pathways for use in processes to convert renewable materials into value-added products can draw on our findings.

Isolation, morphological identification, and xylanase characteristics of anaerobic gut fungi Neocallimastix from Anatolian wild goat

This study shows the morphological identification of anaerobic fungal strains isolated from fecal samples of goats inhabiting Turkey and the effects of various metal ions and chemicals on extracellular xylanase production. Three different anaerobic gut fungi isolated from wild goats in Turkey were identified as Neocallimastix spp. xylanase, cellulase, and lichenase production were tested in culture supernatants, and the maximum-specific activities were found as 560.42 ± 9.39, 159.70 ± 3.88, and 157.36 ± 3.83 (μmol/min/mg protein), respectively. While the optimum temperature range of exo-xylanases was found as 40-50°C, their optimum pH range was determined as 6.0-6.5. Xylanase activity decreased in metal ions and other chemical reactants based on dose. The metal ion that significantly inhibited xylanase activity was Fe⁺³ . It was found that the ferric ions inhibited xylanase activity in all three anaerobic gut fungi by 30%-90% depending on molarity. On the contrary, the 1 mM concentrations of the Mn⁺² , Ba⁺² , Co⁺² , Cu⁺² , Sn⁺² , and Mg⁺² metal ions and the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and β-mercaptoethanol reagents had a positive effect at rates in the range of 3%-92%. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that anaerobic gut fungus has very stable fibrolytic enzymes that need to be separated, as well and the existence of a unique resource for industrial applications.

Penicillium polonicum a new isolate obtained from Cerrado soil as a source of carbohydrate-active enzymes produced in response to sugarcane bagasse

Penicillium species have been studied as producers of plant cell wall degrading enzymes to deconstruct agricultural residues and to be applied in industrial processes. Natural environments containing decaying plant matter are ideal places for isolating fungal strains with cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. In the present study, Cerrado soil samples were used as source of filamentous fungi able to degrade xylan and cellulose. Penicillium was the most abundant genus among the obtained xylan and carboxymethylcellulose degraders. Penicillium polonicum was one of the best enzyme producers in agar-plate assays. In addition, it secretes CMCase, Avicelase, pectinase, mannanase, and xylanase during growth in liquid media containing sugarcane bagasse as carbon source. The highest value for endo-β-1,4-xylanase activity was obtained after 4 days of growth. Xyl PP, a 20 kDa endo-β-1,4-xylanase, was purified and partially characterized. The purified enzyme presented the remarkable feature of being resistant to the lignin-derived phenolic compounds, p-coumaric and trans-ferulic acids. This feature calls for its further use in bioprocesses that use lignocellulose as feedstock. Furthermore, future work should explore its structural features which may contribute to the understanding of the relationship between its structure and resistance to phenolic compounds.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03405-x.

Cultivable Fungal Endophytes in Roots, Rhizomes and Leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile along the Coast of Sicily, Italy

The presence of endophytic fungi in the roots, rhizomes, and leaves of Posidonia oceanica was evaluated in different localities of the Sicilian coast. Samples of roots, rhizomes, and leaves were submitted to isolation techniques, and the obtained fungal colonies were identified by morphological and molecular (rRNA sequencing) analysis. Fungal endophytes occurred mainly in roots and occasionally in rhizomes and leaves. Lulwoana sp. was the most frequent of the isolated taxa, suggesting a strong interaction with the host. In addition, eight other fungal taxa were isolated. In particular, fungi of the genus Ochroconis and family Xylariaceae were identified as endophytes in healthy plants at all sampling stations, whereas Penicillium glabrum was isolated at only one sampling station. Thus, several organs, especially roots of Posidonia oceanica, harbor endophytic fungi, potentially involved in supporting the living host as ascertained for terrestrial plants.

Use of Wheat Straw for Value-Added Product Xylanase by Penicillium chrysogenum Strain A3 DSM105774

The present work highlights the valorization of the bulky recalcitrant lignocellulose byproduct wheat straw (WS) for the enhanced production of value-added xylanase by the locally sourced novel Penicillium chrysogenum strain A3 DSM105774 for the first time. The optimized production of xylanase by submerged state of fermentation of WS was achieved using a three-step statistical and sequential approach: one factor at a time (OFAT), Plackett–Burman design (PBD), and Box Behnken design (BBD). Incubation temperature (30 °C), WS, and ammonium sulphate were the key determinants prompting xylanase production; inferred from OFAT. The WS concentration (%(w/v)), yeast extract concentration (%(w/v)), and initial pH of the production medium imposed significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on the produced xylanase, realized from PBD. The predicted levels of WS concentration, initial pH of the production medium, and yeast extract concentration provoking the ultimate xylanase levels (53.7 U/mL) with an 8.95-fold enhancement, localized by the estimated ridge of the steepest ascent of the ridge analysis path, were 3.8% (w/v), 5.1, and 0.098% (w/v), respectively; 94.7% lab validation. The current data underpin the up-scaling of xylanase production using this eco-friendly, cheap, and robust methodology for the valorization of WS into the value-added product xylanase.

Paecilomyces variotii xylanase production, purification and characterization with antioxidant xylo-oligosaccharides production

Paecilomyces variotii xylanase was, produced in stirred tank bioreactor with yield of 760 U/mL and purified using 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation and ultra-filtration causing 3.29-fold purification with 34.47% activity recovery. The enzyme purity was analyzed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirming its monomeric nature as single band at 32 KDa. Zymography showed xylan hydrolysis activity at the same band. The purified enzyme had optimum activity at 60 °C and pH 5.0. The pH stability range was 5-9 and the temperature stability was up 70 °C. Fe²⁺and Fe³⁺ exhibited inhibition of xylanase enzyme while Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ stimulated its activity. Mercaptoethanol stimulated its activity; however, Na₂-EDTA and SDS inhibited its activity. The purified xylanase could hydrolyze beechwood xylan but not carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), avicel or soluble starch. Paecilomyces variotii xylanase K_m and V_max for beechwood were determined to be 3.33 mg/mL and 5555 U/mg, respectively. The produced xylanase enzyme applied on beech xylan resulted in different types of XOS. The antioxidant activity of xylo-oligosaccharides increased from 15.22 to 70.57% when the extract concentration was increased from 0.1 to 1.5 mg/mL. The enzyme characteristics and kinetic parameters indicated its high efficiency in the hydrolysis of xylan and its potential effectiveness in lignocellulosic hydrolysis and other industrial application. It also suggests the potential of xylanase enzyme for production of XOS from biomass which are useful in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Pilot scale production of recombinant hemicellulases and their saccharification potential

Synergistic saccharification ability of hemicellulases (endo-xylanase and β-xylosidase) was evaluated in this study for the bioethanol production from plant biomass. Endo-xylanase and β-xylosidase genes from Bacillus licheniformis were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Maximum endo-xylanase production was obtained at 200 rpm agitation speed, air supply rate 2.0 vvm, 70% volume of the medium, 20% dissolved oxygen level and with 3% inoculum size. The optimal conditions for maximum production of recombinant β-xylosidase enzyme at pilot scale were 200 rpm agitation speed, 25% dissolved oxygen level, 2.5 vvm aeration rate, 70% volume of the medium with 2% inoculum size. Furthermore, the saccharification potential of these recombinant enzymes was checked for the production of xylose sugar by bioconversion of plant biomass by optimizing individually as well as synergistically by optimizing various parameters. Maximum saccharification (93%) of plant biomass was observed when both enzymes were used at a time with 8% sugarcane bagasse as a substrate and 200 units of each enzyme after incubation of 6 hr at 50 °C and 120 rpm. The results obtained in this study suggested these recombinant hemicellulases as potential candidates for the conversion of complex agricultural residues into simple sugars for ultimate use in the biofuel industry.

Autodisplay of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Clostridium cellulovorans in Escherichia coli for xylans degradation

The goal of this work was the autodisplay of the endo β-1,4-xylanase (XynA) from Clostridium cellulovorans in Escherichia coli using the AIDA system to carry out whole-cell biocatalysis and hydrolysate xylans. For this, pAIDA-xynA vector containing a synthetic xynA gene was fused to the signal peptide of the toxin subunit B Vibro cholere (ctxB) and the auto-transporter of the synthetic aida gene, which encodes for the connector peptide and β-barrel of the auto-transporter (AT-AIDA). E. coli TOP10 cells were transformed and the biocatalyst was characterized using beechwood xylans as substrate. Optimal operational conditions were temperature of 55 °C and pH 6.5, and the Michaelis-Menten catalytic constants V_max and K_m were 149 U/g_DCW and 6.01 mg/mL, respectively. Xylanase activity was inhibited by Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Hg²⁺ as well as EDTA, detergents, and organic acids, and improved by Ca²⁺, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. Ca²⁺ ion strongly enhanced the xylanolytic activity up to 2.4-fold when 5 mM CaCl₂ were added. Also, Ca²⁺ improved enzyme stability at 60 and 70 °C. Results suggest that pAIDA-xynA vector has the ability to express functional xylanase to perform whole-cell biocatalysis in order to hydrolysate xylans from hemicellulose feedstock.

Production of Mycophenolic Acid by a Newly Isolated Indigenous Penicillium glabrum

Soil-occupant fungi produce a variety of mycotoxins as secondary metabolites, one of which is mycophenolic acid (MPA), an antibiotic and immunosuppressive agent. MPA is mainly produced by several species of Penicillium, especially Penicillium brevicompactum. Here, we present the first report of MPA production by a local strain belonging to Penicillium glabrum species. We screened ascomycete cultures isolated from moldy food and fruits, as well as soils, collected from different parts of Iran. MPA production of one hundred and forty Penicillium isolates was analyzed using HPLC. Three MPA producer isolates were identified, among which the most producer was subjected to further characterization, based on morphological and microscopic analysis, as well as molecular approach (ITS, rDNA and beta-tubulin gene sequences). The results revealed that the best MPA producer belongs to P. glabrum IBRC-M 30518, and can produce 1079 mg/L MPA in Czapek-Dox medium.

Recent advances in biotechnological valorization of brewers' spent grain

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant by-product of beer-brewing. BSG is rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and therefore it is conventionally used as low-cost animal feed. On the other hand, alternative utilization of BSG has gained increased attention during recent years due to technological progress in its processing and the emergence of the concept of circular economy. The valorization of BSG through biotechnological approaches is environmentally friendly and sustainable. This review was focused on recent advancements in the conversion of BSG into value-added products, including bioenergy (ethanol, butanol, hydrogen, biodiesel, and biogas), organic acids, enzymes, xylitol, oligosaccharides, and single cell protein, via biotechnological approaches. In addition, the potential applications of BSG as immobilization matrices in bioprocesses have been reviewed.

A novel acid-tolerant β-xylanase from Scytalidium candidum 3C for the synthesis of o-nitrophenyl xylooligosaccharides

Endo-β-xylanases are hemicellulases involved in the conversion of xylans in plant biomass. Here, we report a novel acidophilic β-xylanase (ScXynA) with high transglycosylation abilities that was isolated from the filamentous fungus Scytalidium candidum 3C. ScXynA was identified as a glycoside hydrolase family 10 (GH10) dimeric protein, with a molecular weight of 38 ± 5 kDa per subunit. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of different xylans under acidic conditions and was stable in the pH range 2.6-4.5. The kinetic parameters of ScXynA were determined in hydrolysis reactions with p-nitrophenyl-β-d-cellobioside (pNP-β-Cel) and p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylobioside (pNP-β-Xyl₂ ), and k_cat /K_m was found to be 0.43 ± 0.02 (s·mM)^-1 and 57 ± 3 (s·mM)^-1 , respectively. In the catalysis of the transglycosylation o-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylobioside (oNP-β-Xyl₂ ) acted both as a donor and an acceptor, resulting in the efficient production of o-nitrophenyl xylooligosaccharides, with a degree of polymerization of 3-10 and o-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylotetraose (oNP-β-Xyl₄ ) as the major product (18.5% yield). The modeled ScXynA structure showed a favorable position for ligand entry and o-nitrophenyl group accommodation in the relatively open -3 subsite, while the cleavage site was covered with an extended loop. These structural features provide favorable conditions for transglycosylation with oNP-β-Xyl₂ . The acidophilic properties and high transglycosylation activity make ScXynA a suitable choice for various biotechnological applications, including the synthesis of valuable xylooligosaccharides.

Cloning, expression and characterization of C. crescentus xynA2 gene and application of Xylanase II in the deconstruction of plant biomass

Biotechnology offers innovative alternatives for industrial bioprocesses mainly because it uses enzymes that biodegrade the hemicellulose releasing fermentable sugars. Caulobacter crescentus (C. crescentus) has seven genes responsible for xylanolytic cleavage, 5 to β-xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) and 2 for endoxylanases, like xynA2 (CCNA_03137) that encodes Xylanase II (EC 3.2.1.8) of the glycohydrolases-GH10 group. The xynA2 gene was amplified by PCR, cloned into the pTrcHisA vector e efficiently overexpressed in E. coli providing a His-tag fusion protein. Recombinant xylanase (XynA2) was purified by affinity chromatography using a nickel sepharose column and exhibited a single 43 kDa band on SDS-PAGE gel. XynA2 showed an optimum alkaline pH (8) and stability at alkaline pH for 24 h. Although C. crescentus is mesophilic, XynA2 has optimum temperature of 60 °C and is thermo-resistance at 65 °C. XynA maintains 66% of the enzymatic activity at high temperatures (90 °C) without being denatured.The enzyme displayed a xylanolitic activity free of cellulase to xylan from beechwood and it was not inhibited in the presence of 50 μmol mL^-1 of xylose. In addition, dithiothreitol (DTT) induced XynA2 activity, as it improved its kinetic parameters by lowering the K_M (5.78 μmol mL^-1) and increasing the K_Cat/K_M ratio (1.63 U s^-1). Finally, C. crescentus XynA2 efficiently hydrolyzed corn straw with high release of reducing sugars that can be applied in different branches of the industry.

Production, characteristics, and biotechnological applications of microbial xylanases

Microbial xylanases have gathered great attention due to their biotechnological potential at industrial scale for many processes. A variety of lignocellulosic materials, such as sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, rice bran, wheat straw, wheat bran, corn cob, and ragi bran, are used for xylanase production which also solved the great issue of solid waste management. Both solid-state and submerged fermentation have been used for xylanase production controlled by various physical and nutritional parameters. Majority of xylanases have optimum pH in the range of 4.0-9.0 with optimum temperature at 30-60 °C. For biochemical, molecular studies and also for successful application in industries, purification and characterization of xylanase have been carried out using various appropriate techniques. Cloning and genetic engineering are used for commercial-level production of xylanase, to meet specific economic viability and industrial needs. Microbial xylanases are used in various biotechnological applications like biofuel production, pulp and paper industry, baking and brewing industry, food and feed industry, and deinking of waste paper. This review describes production, characteristics, and biotechnological applications of microbial xylanases.

A detailed overview of xylanases: an emerging biomolecule for current and future prospective

Xylan is the second most abundant naturally occurring renewable polysaccharide available on earth. It is a complex heteropolysaccharide consisting of different monosaccharides such as l-arabinose, d-galactose, d-mannoses and organic acids such as acetic acid, ferulic acid, glucuronic acid interwoven together with help of glycosidic and ester bonds. The breakdown of xylan is restricted due to its heterogeneous nature and it can be overcome by xylanases which are capable of cleaving the heterogeneous β-1,4-glycoside linkage. Xylanases are abundantly present in nature (e.g., molluscs, insects and microorganisms) and several microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae are used extensively for its production. Microbial xylanases show varying substrate specificities and biochemical properties which makes it suitable for various applications in industrial and biotechnological sectors. The suitability of xylanases for its application in food and feed, paper and pulp, textile, pharmaceuticals, and lignocellulosic biorefinery has led to an increase in demand of xylanases globally. The present review gives an insight of using microbial xylanases as an “Emerging Green Tool” along with its current status and future prospective.

Structural and functional characterisation of xylanase purified from Penicillium chrysogenum produced in response to raw agricultural waste

Commercial interest in plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDE) is motivated by their potential for energy or bioproduct generation that reduced dependency on non-renewable (fossil-derived) feedstock. Therefore, underlying work analysed the Penicillium chrysogenum isolate for PCWDE production by employing different biomass as a carbon source. Among the produced enzymes, three xylanase isoforms were observed in the culture filtrate containing sugarcane bagasse. Xylanase (PcX1) presenting 35 kDa molecular mass was purified by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. Unfolding was probed and analysed using fluorescence, circular dichroism and enzyme assay methods. Secondary structure contents were estimated by circular dichroism 45% α-helix and 10% β-sheet, consistent with the 3D structure predicted by homology. PcX1 optimally active at pH 5.0 and 30 °C, presenting t_1/2 19 h at 30 °C and 6 h at 40 °C. Thermodynamic parameters/melting temperature 51.4 °C confirmed the PcX1 stability at pH 5.0. PcX1 have a higher affinity for oat spelt xylan, K_M 1.2 mg·mL^-1, in comparison to birchwood xylan K_M 29.86 mg·mL^-1, activity was inhibited by Cu⁺² and activated by Zn⁺². PcX1 exhibited significant tolerance for vanillin, trans-ferulic acid, ρ-coumaric acid, syringaldehyde and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, activity slightly inhibited (17%) by gallic and tannic acid.

A Review on Bioconversion of Agro-Industrial Wastes to Industrially Important Enzymes

Agro-industrial waste is highly nutritious in nature and facilitates microbial growth. Most agricultural wastes are lignocellulosic in nature; a large fraction of it is composed of carbohydrates. Agricultural residues can thus be used for the production of various value-added products, such as industrially important enzymes. Agro-industrial wastes, such as sugar cane bagasse, corn cob and rice bran, have been widely investigated via different fermentation strategies for the production of enzymes. Solid-state fermentation holds much potential compared with submerged fermentation methods for the utilization of agro-based wastes for enzyme production. This is because the physical⁻chemical nature of many lignocellulosic substrates naturally lends itself to solid phase culture, and thereby represents a means to reap the acknowledged potential of this fermentation method. Recent studies have shown that pretreatment technologies can greatly enhance enzyme yields by several fold. This article gives an overview of how agricultural waste can be productively harnessed as a raw material for fermentation. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of studies conducted in the production of different commercially important enzymes using lignocellulosic food waste has been provided.

Molecular structure and catalytic mechanism of fungal family G acidophilic xylanases

Industrial applications of xylanases have made this enzyme an important subject of applied research work. Function of this particular enzyme is to degrade or hydrolyze the plentiful polysaccharide xylan, an important component of hemicellulose. It mainly cleaves the backbone of xylan that is made up of a number of xylose residues connected with β-1,4-glycosidic linkages. Fungi with mycelia are regarded as the best producer of xylanases. These varied xylanases not only differ in their sizes and shapes but also differ in their physicochemical properties. Depending on the optimum pH in which they work best, they have been classified into (1) acidophilic xylanases active at low pH or acidic pH range, (2) alkaliphilic xylanases that are active at high or alkaline pH range and (3) neutral xylanases having pH optima in the neutral range between pH 5 and 7. Other researchers have classified the xylanases also on the basis of their structural properties, kinetic parameters, etc. This review discusses the molecular structures of some acidophilic xylanases and the molecular basis of low pH optima observed for their activities. It also discusses their unique catalytic mechanism and actual role of the catalytic residues found in them. Apart from these, the review also discusses different applications of these acidophilic xylanases in different industries. The article concludes with brief suggestions about how these acidophilic xylanases can be created employing the techniques of genetic engineering and concepts of synthetic evolution, using the traits of the known acidophilic xylanases discussed in the review.

GH11 xylanase from Aspergillus tamarii Kita: Purification by one-step chromatography and xylooligosaccharides hydrolysis monitored in real-time by mass spectrometry

The present study describes the one-step purification and biochemical characterization of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Aspergillus tamarii Kita. Extracellular xylanase was purified to homogeneity 7.43-fold through CM-cellulose. Enzyme molecular weight and pI were estimated to be 19.5kDa and 8.5, respectively. The highest activity of the xylanase was obtained at 60°C and it was active over a broad pH range (4.0-9.0), with maximal activity at pH 5.5. The enzyme was thermostable at 50°C, retaining more than 70% of its initial activity for 480min. The K_0.5 and V_max values on beechwood xylan were 8.13mg/mL and 1,330.20μmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. The ions Ba²⁺ and Ni²⁺, and the compounds β-mercaptoethanol and DTT enhanced xylanase activity, while the heavy metals (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺) strongly inhibited the enzyme, at 5mM. Enzymatic hydrolysis of xylooligosaccharides monitored in real-time by mass spectrometer showed that the shortest xylooligosaccharide more efficiently hydrolyzed by A. tamarii Kita xylanase corresponded to xylopentaose. In agreement, HPLC analyzes did not detect xylopentaose among the hydrolysis products of xylan. Therefore, this novel GH11 endo-xylanase displays a series of physicochemical properties favorable to its application in the food, feed, pharmaceutical and paper industries.

Bioprocessing of wheat bran for the production of lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktail by Cotylidia pannosa under submerged conditions

Characterization and production of efficient lignocellulytic enzyme cocktails for biomass conversion is the need for biofuel industry. The present investigation reports the modeling and optimization studies of lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktail production by Cotylidia pannosa under submerged conditions. The predominant enzyme activities of cellulase, xylanase and laccase were produced in the cocktail through submerged conditions using wheat bran as a substrate. A central composite design approach was utilized to model the production process using temperature, pH, incubation time and agitation as input variables with the goal of optimizing the output variables namely cellulase, xylanase and laccase activities. The effect of individual, square and interaction terms on cellulase, xylanase and laccase activities were depicted through the non-linear regression equations with significant R(2) and P-values. An optimized value of 20 U/ml, 17 U/ml and 13 U/ml of cellulase, xylanase and laccase activities, respectively, were obtained with a media pH of 5.0 in 77 h at 31C, 140 rpm using wheatbran as a substrate. Overall, the present study introduces a fungal strain, capable of producing lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktail for subsequent applications in biofuel industry.

Purification, characterization, gene cloning and expression of GH-10 xylanase (Penicillium citrinum isolate HZN13)

An extracellular thermostable xylanase (Xyl-IIb) produced by Penicillium citrinum isolate HZN13 was purified to homogeneity using DEAE-Sepharose, Sephadex G-100 and Bio-Gel P-60 chromatography with specific activity of 6272.7 U/mg and 19.6-fold purification. The purification revealed the occurrence of multiple forms of xylanases (Xyl-I, Xyl-IIa, Xyl-IIb and Xyl-III). The molecular mass of highly purified Xyl-IIb was ~31 kDa with SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was cellulase-free, thermostable (55–75 °C) and acidophilic (3.5–5.0). It was activated by Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, DTT and β-mercaptoethanol, whereas inhibited by Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺ and p-CMB. Purified Xyl-IIb exhibited highest specificity toward birchwood and oat spelts xylan. Kinetics of Xyl-IIb revealed a K_m of 10 mg/ml and 16.7 mg/ml and V_max of 9523g and 15,873 U/mg with birchwood and oat spelts xylan, respectively, indicating high affinity toward birchwood xylan. The xylanase (Xyl-IIb) belongs to glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 10 based on conserved regions. Xylanase-encoding gene (xynB) consists of 1501 bp with an open reading frame of 264 bp which was predicted to encode a protein having 87 amino acids and shared homology with endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (xynB) gene from Penicillium citrinum. Cloned xynB gene was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) with xylanase activity (80 U/mg) and confirmed to be GH-10 Xyl-IIa based on molecular mass (~40 kDa). These properties of xylanase make it promising for their applications in biofuel industries.

The functional properties of a xyloglucanase (GH12) of Aspergillus terreus expressed in Aspergillus nidulans may increase performance of biomass degradation

Filamentous fungi are attractive hosts for heterologous protein expression due to their capacity to secrete large amounts of enzymes into the extracellular medium. Xyloglucanases, which specifically hydrolyze xyloglucan, have been recently applied in lignocellulosic biomass degradation and conversion in many other industrial processes. In this context, this work aimed to clone, express, and determine the functional properties of a recombinant xyloglucanase (AtXEG12) from Aspergillus terreus, and also its solid-state (SSF) and submerged (SmF) fermentation in bioreactors. The purified AtXEG12 showed optimum pH and temperature of 5.5 and 65 °C, respectively, demonstrating to be 90 % stable after 24 h of incubation at 50 °C. AtXEG12 activity increased in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (65 %) and Zn⁺² (45 %), while Cu⁺² and Ag⁺ ions drastically decreased its activity. A substrate assay showed, for the first time for this enzyme's family, xylanase activity. The enzyme exhibited high specificity for tamarind xyloglucan (K _M 1.2 mg mL^-1) and V _max of 17.4 μmol min^-1 mg^-1 of protein. The capillary zone electrophoresis analysis revealed that AtXEG12 is an endo-xyloglucanase. The heterologous xyloglucanase secretion was greater than the production by wild-type A. terreus cultivated in SmF. On the other hand, AtXEG12 activity reached by SSF was sevenfold higher than values achieved by SmF, showing that the expression of recombinant enzymes can be significantly improved by cultivation under SSF.

Cloning, Purification and Characterization of a Highly Thermostable Amylase Gene of Thermotoga petrophila into Escherichia coli

A putative α-amylase gene of Thermotoga petrophila was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using pET-21a (+), as an expression vector. The growth conditions were optimized for maximal expression of the α-amylase using various parameters, such as pH, temperature, time of induction and addition of an inducer. The optimum temperature and pH for the maximum expression of α-amylase were 22 °C and 7.0 pH units, respectively. Purification of the recombinant enzyme was carried out by heat treatment method, followed by ion exchange chromatography with 34.6-fold purification having specific activity of 126.31 U mg(-1) and a recovery of 56.25%. Molecular weight of the purified α-amylase, 70 kDa, was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme was stable at 100 °C temperature and at pH of 7.0. The enzyme activity was increased in the presence of metal ions especially Ca(+2) and decreased in the presence of EDTA indicating that the α-amylase was a metalloenzyme. However, addition of 1% Tween 20, Tween 80 and β-mercaptoethanol constrained the enzyme activity to 87, 96 and 89%, respectively. No considerable effect of organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, acetone and n-butanol) was observed on enzyme activity. With soluble starch as a substrate, the enzyme activity under optimized conditions was 73.8 U mg(-1). The α-amylase enzyme was active to hydrolyse starch forming maltose.

Concommitant adaptation of a GH11 xylanase by directed evolution to create an alkali-tolerant/thermophilic enzyme

As part of an ongoing directed evolution program, the catalytic performance of the Xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis (XynA), which presents temperature and pH optima of 50°C and 6.0, respectively, has been enhanced to create a highly thermostable and alkali-tolerant enzyme. A library of random XynA mutants generated by error-prone polymerase chain reaction was screened by halo formation on agar containing xylan at pH 8.0. Two mutants showing higher catalytic activity at elevated pH in relation to the wild-type XynA were selected, and pooled with a further 5 XynA variants selected by screening thermostable XynA obtained from a previous directed evolution study for activity at alkaline pH. This pool of variants was used as a template for a further round of error-prone polymerase chain reaction and DNase fragment shuffling, with screening at pH 12.0 at 55°C. Selected mutants were subjected to further DNase shuffling, and a final round of screening at pH 12.0 and 80°C. A XynA variant containing eight mutations was isolated (Q7H/G13R/S22P/S31Y/T44A/I51V/I107L/S179C) that presented a temperature optimum of 80°C, a 3-fold increase in the specific activity compared with the wild-type enzyme at pH 8.0, and a 50% loss of activity (t50) of 60 min at 80°C (wild type <2 min). This directed evolution strategy therefore allows the concomitant adaption of increased thermostability and alkali tolerance of an endo-xylanase.