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Microbial xylanases that are thermostable, active at alkaline pH and cellulase-free are generally preferred for biobleaching of paper pulp. We screened obligate and facultative marine fungi for xylanase activity with these desirable traits. Several fungal isolates obtained from marine habitats showed alkaline xylanase activity. The crude enzyme from NIOCC isolate 3 (Aspergillus niger), with high xylanase activity, cellulase-free and unique properties containing 580 U l(-1) xylanase, could bring about bleaching of sugarcane bagasse pulp by a 60 min treatment at 55 degrees C, resulting in a decrease of ten kappa numbers and a 30% reduction in consumption of chlorine during bleaching. The culture filtrate showed peaks of xylanase activity at pH 3.5 and pH 8.5. When assayed at pH 3.5, optimum activity was detected at 50 degrees C, with a second peak of activity at 90 degrees C. When assayed at pH 8.5, optimum activity was seen at 80 degrees C. The crude enzyme was thermostable at 55 degrees C for at least 4 h and retained about 60% activity. Gel filtration of the 50-80% ammonium sulphate-precipitated fraction of the crude culture filtrate separated into two peaks of xylanase with specific activities of 393 and 2,457 U (mg protein)(-1). The two peaks showing xylanase activity had molecular masses of 13 and 18 kDa. Zymogram analysis of xylanase of crude culture filtrate as well as the 50-80% ammonium sulphate-precipitated fraction showed two distinct xylanase activity bands on native PAGE. The crude culture filtrate also showed moderate activities of beta-xylosidase and alpha- l-arabinofuranosidase, which could act synergistically with xylanase in attacking xylan. This is the first report showing the potential application of crude culture filtrate of a marine fungal isolate possessing thermostable, cellulase-free alkaline xylanase activity in biobleaching of paper pulp.

A haloalkalophilic Staphylococcus sp. SG-13 produced an alkalistable xylanase in wheat bran medium. A 12-fold purification was achieved by using standard purification techniques. The purified xylanase exhibited a dual pH optima of 7.5 and 9.2. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 50 degrees C. The enzyme was stable at 50 degrees C for more than 4 h. The xylanase exhibited Km and Vmax values of 4 mg ml-1, 90 micromol min-1 per mg for birchwood xylan and 7 mg ml-1, 55 micromol min-1 per mg for oatspelt xylan, respectively. The substrate binding affinity of xylanase was more for oatspelt xylan but birchwood xylan was hydrolysed more rapidly. The xylanase activity was stimulated by Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and dithiothreitol up to 60% and was strongly inhibited in the presence of Co2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, phenyl methane sulphonyl fluoride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and acetic anhydride up to 100%. The xylanase dose of 1.8 U g-1 moisture free pulp, exhibited bleach boosting of kraft pulps optimally at pH 9.5-10.0 and 50 degrees C after 4 h of reaction time. Pretreatment of pulp with xylanase and its subsequent treatment with 8% hypochlorite, reduced the kappa number by 30%, enhanced the brightness and viscosity by 11% and 1.8%, respectively, and improved the paper properties such as tensile strength and burst factor up to 10% and 17%, respectively.

Xylanases are used mainly in the pulp and paper industries for the pretreatment of Kraft pulp prior to bleaching to minimize use of chlorine, the conventional bleaching agent. This application has great potential as an environmentally safe method. Hydrolysis by xylanases of relocated and reprecipitated xylan on the surface of cellulose fibres formed during Kraft cooking facilitates the removal of lignin by increasing permeability to oxidising agents. Most of the xylanases reported in the literature contained significant cellulolytic activity, which make them less suitable for pulp and paper industries. The need for large quantities of xylanases which would be stable at higher temperatures and pH values and free of cellulase activity has necessitated a search for novel enzymes. We have isolated and characterised several xylanase-producing cultures, one of which (an alkalophilic Bacillus SSP-34) produced more than 100 IU ml(-1) of xylanase activity. The SSP-34 xylanases have optimum activity at 50 degrees C in a pH range 6-8, with only small amounts of cellulolytic activity (CMCase (0.4 IU ml(-1), pH 7), FPase (0.2 IU ml(-1), pH 7) and no activity at pH 9).