Biotechnological Potential of Lignocellulosic Biomass as Substrates for Fungal Xylanases and Its Bioconversion into Useful Products: A Review
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Date
2024-01
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Abstract
Lignocellulose, the most abundant and renewable plant resource, is a complex of polymers
mainly composed of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicelluloses) and an aromatic polymer (lignin).
Utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass for biotechnological applications has increased over the past
few years. Xylan is the second most abundant carbohydrate in plant cell walls, and structurally,
it is a heteropolysaccharide with a backbone composed of β-1,4-d-xylopyranosyl units connected
with glycosidic bonds. Xylanases degrade this complex structure of xylan and can be produced by
various microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and yeasts. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most
economical substrate for the production of fungal xylanases. The bioconversion of lignocellulosic
biomass to industrially important products, i.e., xylooligosaccharides and biofuels, is possible via
the application of xylanases. These enzymes also play a key role in enhancing the nutrition of food
and feed and the bio-bleaching of paper and kraft pulp. However, the demand for more potent
and efficient xylanases with high activity has increased, which is fulfilled by involving recombinant
DNA technology. Hence, in this review, we thoroughly discussed the biotechnological potential of
lignocellulosic biomass for the production of fungal xylanases, their purification, molecular strategies
for improving their efficiency, and their utilisation for the production of valuable products and in
other industrial processes.