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Submitted to: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2006 Publication Date: 5/12/2006 Citation: Wong, D. Feruloyl esterase - a key enzyme in biomass degradation. 2005. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 133:87-112. Interpretive Summary: Biodegradation of plant cell wall involves a cascade of reactions that are mediated by complex systems of enzymes. A key enzyme that plays a critical role in the process is ferulic acid esterase. This manuscript is to review the current knowledge on the occurrence, properties, structures, functions, mechanisms, interactions, and applications of ferulic acid esterase. A better understanding of this enzyme is important in high efficiency bioconversion of plant biomass to value-added chemicals. It may also have implications in the development of new products for food and medicine uses. Technical Abstract: Feruloyl esterase forms a part of the enzyme complex that acts collectively and synergistic to completely hydrolyze xylan to its monomers. Feruloyl esterase has found potential uses in a wide variety of applications of interest to the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries. This review describes the enzymology of the enzyme involved in xylan degradation. The occurrence of the enzyme in various microorganisms, and its physiochemical properties are presented. The nature of the enzyme substrates and products, the role of synergistic interactions with xylanases and other accessory enzymes, as well as the sequence-structure relating to the reation mechanism of these enzymes, are emphasized. |
