Screening and optimization of the production of xylanase enzyme from streptomycetes

Abstract

Xylan is recognized as the primary constituent of plant hemicelluloses and holds potential as asuitable initial material for synthesizing a range of artificial compounds and mixtures. Followingcellulose, xylan ranks as the second most abundant polysaccharide found in the naturalenvironment. The extraction of xylooligosaccharides from heteroxylans is achieved through bothchemical and enzymatic approaches, with the latter method offering several advantages such asprecision, substitution pattern and linkage type specificity, reaction manipulation, and elevatedreaction rates. Xylanase is an innate enzyme present in organisms and fungi, falling under thecategory of pentosanases—an enzyme group used for breaking down plant cell wall matricesthrough xylan hydrolysis into xylose. Consequently, this inherent characteristic of the xylanaseenzyme has bestowed it with commercial significance. Xylanases, classified as glucosidases (Oglycoside hydrolases, EC 3.2.1.x), facilitate the endo hydrolysis of 1,4-β-D-glycosidic bonds withinxylan molecules. Among the most noteworthy xylanolytic microorganisms are Aspergilli,Trichoderma, streptomycetes, Bacilli, and others. In this investigation, twenty-one streptomyceteisolates were obtained from various locations across Egypt and subjected to quantitative screeningfor xylanase production. The most potent isolate, Streptomyces (C5), was isolated from the Cairoregion. Xylan and sodium nitrate were identified as effective carbon and nitrogen sources,respectively. The optimal pH for xylanase activity was determined to be 7, with an idealtemperature of 30°C, and an incubation period of seven days.