Xylanases are enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of 1,4-β-D-xylosidic
linkages in xylan. In the present chapter several techniques concerning xylanase activity
are discussed, specially those involving qualitative and quantitative assays, which are
powerful tools used in screening, selection and enzyme production by xylanolytic
microorganisms. This chapter also presents methodologies for enzyme characterization
including optimum of pH and temperature, and detection of xylanases through the use
of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Keywords: Xylan, xylooligosaccharides, xylanases, xylosidases, qualitative
assays, quantitative assays, Congo red, RBB-xylan, enzymatic activity, DNS,
dinitrosalicylic acid, ρ-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside, effect of temperature and
pH, effect of metal ion, zymogram, D-xylose, β-1, 4-xylosidic linkage, β-1, 4-
endoxylanase, endoxylanase.
