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The Use Of Xylans And Xylanases Has Grown Remarkably

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In recent years, the biotechnological use of xylans and xylanases has grown remarkably (Aristidou and Pentillä 2000; Subramaniyan and Prema 2002; Beg et al., 2001; Techapun et al., 2003). The end-products of xylan degradation of considerable importance in commercial applications are furfural and xylitol (Parajó et al., 1998). Xylan can be converted to β-D-xylopyranosyl and its oligosaccharides via two types of hydrolysis: acid or enzymatic. Acid hydrolysis is often preferred because it is faster, but it is accompanied by the formation of toxic compounds that may hinder subsequent microbial fermentation. Furthermore, in the long run, it can lead to corrosion of the metallic equipment that comes in contact with the acid. Recently, some industrial companies have shown interest in the development of efficient enzymatic processes to be used instead of acid hydrolysis in the treatment of material containing hemicellulose. Commercial xylanases are industrially produced, for example, in Japan, Finland, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Canada and the USA. The microorganisms used to obtain these enzymes are Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma sp. and Humicola insolens. Nevertheless, commercial xylanases can also be obtained from bacteria. Xylanase began to be used in the 1980s: initially in the preparation of animal feed and later in the food, textile and paper industries. Currently, xylanase and cellulase, together with pectinases, account for 20% of the world enzyme market.

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