Purification of xylanase from Kretzschmaria zonata with potential interest in the production of xylooligosaccharides

Xylanases are widely applied for different biotechnological purposes, especially to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS), prebiotics for the food industry. The fungus Kretzschmaria zonata produced xylanase after growth on corncob. The partial purification of the enzyme was performed through a Q‐Sepharose anion exchange column. Enzyme purity was performed with electrophoresis gel and xylanolytic activity was confirmed through a zymogram. Xylanase was biochemically characterized and applied for XOS production using 2% of beechwood xylan. The partially purified xylanase showed a higher activity at pH 5.0 and 50°C, being stable at pH values from 4 to 8. It was inhibited in the presence of CuSO4 and sodium dodecyl sulfate, and it showed higher affinity for beechwood xylan as a substrate. The xylanase was able to hydrolyze beechwood xylan, resulting mainly in xylobiose and xylotriose, which have potential for applications in the food industry as prebiotics. Novelty Impact Statement The fungus Kretzschmaria zonata produced xylanase after growth on corncob and this enzyme was able to hydrolyze xylan mainly producing xylobiose and xylotriose, promising alternatives of xylooligosaccharides to be used as prebiotics by the food industry.