Xylan-degrading enzymes can be used in a variety of industrial applications to break down plant biomass. They catalyze the hydrolysis of xylan, one of the most abundant renewable polysaccharides found in agricultural waste streams and residues. Potential applications of these enzymes include improving food processing in industries like cereal, juice, and baking; aiding biofuel production; and assisting pulp and paper processing by breaking down waste. Many agricultural byproducts like corn fiber, rice bran, and potato pulp contain xylan and could be broken down for higher value uses with xylan-degrading enzymes.

1. Xylan-Degrading Enzymes: Application Prospects Ifendu Nnanna, Ph.D. AgResources Development Group, LLC http://www.adgintl.com

5. XYLAN-DEGRADING ENZYMES Enzyme Type EC Code Synonym Main chain cleaving enzymes 1,4-  -D-xylan xylanohydrolase EC 3.2.1.8 Endoxylanase 1,4-  -D-xylan xylohydrolase EC 3.2.1.37  -xylosidase (exo) Side chain cleaving enzymes  -L-arabinofuranosidase EC 3.2.1.55 Arabinosidase Acetyl esterase EC 3.1.1.6 Acetyl esterase Acteyl xylan esterase (?) Acetyl xylan esterase  -(4-O-methyl)-D-glucuronidase EC 3.2.1.  -glucuronidase Feruloyl esterase (?) Ferulic acid esterase

6. MODE OF ACTION XYLAN-DEGRADING ENZYMES --4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1-- Ac=acetyl group; Xyl = xylose; Ara f =L-arabinofuranose; MeGlcA = 4-O-methyl-D-glucuronic acid; FA = ferulic acid. [ Adapted from Biely (1985), Trends in Biotechnol 3 : 286 ]  (a)  -L-arabinofuranosidase (b)  -glucuronidase 3 Ac 3 1  Ara f 3 1  Ara f 5 FA 2 Ac 2 1  MeGlcA Acetyl xylan esterase (b) Ferulic acid esterase Xyl  1- 4Xyl  1  -xylosidase Endoxylanase Acetyl xylan esterase (a)