Microbial Xylanases: A short review.

Microbial xylanases are enzymes produced by microorganisms to catalyze hydrolysis of xylan which itself is a hemicellulosic polysaccharide found abundantly in the plant cell wall. On the basis of their action microbial xylanases exist in two types i.e. endo-xylanases and exo-xylanases, each of them uniquely act on xylan to yield xylo-oligosaccharides or xylose. There are many sources of xylanases like microorganisms, plants, and animals but among them microorganisms has been of utmost importance and attention since the enzyme produced by them have greater stability to meet the demand of industry and economy. Bacteria and fungi are two major groups of microorganisms that are main sources for the production of enzyme. The xylanases can be produced by two main processes both through submerged and solid state fermentation and between two processes latter is more advantageous over the other as it is more economical and yield less effluent with high productivity and efficiency. The microbial xylanases has gained attention due to its application in industries and can be applied in various sectors such as pharmaceutical, food, chemical and paper industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]