Methods to Determine Xylanolytic Activity

Xylanases are enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of 1,4-β-D-xylosidic linkages in xylan. In the present chapter several techniques concerning xylanase activity are discussed, specially those involving qualitative and quantitative assays, which are powerful tools used in screening, selection and enzyme production by xylanolytic microorganisms. This chapter also presents methodologies for enzyme characterization including optimum of pH and temperature, and detection of xylanases through the use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Keywords: Xylan, xylooligosaccharides, xylanases, xylosidases, qualitative assays, quantitative assays, Congo red, RBB-xylan, enzymatic activity, DNS, dinitrosalicylic acid, ρ-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside, effect of temperature and pH, effect of metal ion, zymogram, D-xylose, β-1, 4-xylosidic linkage, β-1, 4- endoxylanase, endoxylanase.