Cellulase Cellulase
is an enzyme complex which breaks down cellulose to beta-glucose. It is produced
mainly by symbiotic bacteria in the ruminating chambers of herbivores. Aside from
ruminants, most animals (including humans) do not produce cellulase, and are therefore
unable to use most of the energy contained in plant material
Cellulase
refers to a family of enzymes which act in concert to hydrolyze cellulose. Cellulases
are widely distributed throughout the biosphere and are most manifest in fungal
and microbial organisms.
Cellulase Types &
Action
 Three
general types of enzymes make up the cellulase enzyme complex. Endocellulase breaks
internal bonds to disrupt the crystalline structure of cellulose and expose individual
cellulase polysaccharide chains. Exocellulase cleaves 2-4 units from the ends
of the exposed chains produced by endocellulase, resulting in the tetrasaccharides
or disaccharide such as cellobiose. Cellobiase or beta-glucosidase hydrolyses
the endocellulase product into individual monosaccharides.
Within the above
types there are also progressive and non-progressive types. Progressive cellulase
will continue to interact with a single polysacchaide strand, non-progressive
cellulase will interact once then disengage and engage another polysacchaide strand
Endocellulases:
These are capable of hydrolyzing the ß(1-4) bonds randomly along the cellulose
chain.
Source:Trichoderma reesei,T viride, Aspergillus niger
Exocellulases:
These enzymes cleave off glucose molecule from one end of the cellulose strand.
Source:Trichoderma reesei It
has been found that enzyme preparations containing only endocellulases have little
effect on native cellulose. On the other hand those containing both endo and exocellulases
will cause significant degradation of native cellulose. Thus, the endo and exocellulases
appear to work in a synergestic or cooperative manner on native cellulose. Exo-Cellobiohydrolase:
It hydrolyzes ß(1-4) bonds in cellulose to release cellobiose from the non
reducing end of the chains
Source: Trichoderma reesei, T. viride
Cellobiase:
it hydrolyzes the ß(1-4) bonds in cellobiose,giving two molecules of glucose.
Source:
Aspergillus niger,T. viride,S.cerevisae
Trichoderma reesei has an extensively
studied cellulase enzyme complex. This complex converts crystalline, amorphous,
and chemically derived celluloses quantitatively to glucose. The vital characteristics
of this cellulase complex are: - The
system is multienzymatic;
- At
least three enzyme components are both physically and chemically distinct; and
- All
three components play essential roles in the hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose.
Applications
of Cellulase
- Cellulase
digests fiber. It helps remedy digestive problems such as malabsorption.
- Cellulase
is a very important enzyme because the human body cannot produce it on its own.
- Cellulase
helps in the breakdown of plant walls (cellulose), and increases the overall efficiency
of binding excess cholesterol and toxins in the intestines for removal.
- Cellulase
may be beneficial for food and environmental allergies, drug withdrawal, cell
detox, colon cleaning and pain syndromes, Candida(yeast infections), gas, bloating,
acute food allergies, facial pain or paralysis.
- Cellulase
is used for commercial food processing in coffee.
- It
performs hydrolysis of cellulose during drying of beans
- Cellulase
is used in the fermentation of biomass into biofuels, although this process is
relatively experimental at present.
- Cellulase
is used as a treatment for Phytobezoars, a form of cellulose bezoar found in the
human stomach.
- Cellulase
is used in animal healthcare as a feed supplement for better FCR and Milk yeild
Inhancer in Poultry and Cattle industry.
- Cellulase
is used in textile industry as a fading agent.
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