The enzyme tannase (E.C.3.1.1.20), also known as tannin acyl hydrolase, is a
hydrolytic enzyme that acts on tannins. Tannase is an inducible enzyme that catalyses
the breakdown of ester linkages in hydrolysable tannins such as tannic acid resulting in
the production of gallic acid and glucose.Most of this enzyme has been to produce gallic
acid, which is used in the production of trimethoprim and synthesis of esters such as
propyl gallate, an antioxidant used in food industry. The enzyme is also applied in the
processing of beer and clarification of juices, instantaneous teas processing and
treatment of wastewater contaminated with phenolic compounds. The tannase activity
determination is extremely important in several areas, mainly in the food industry
analysis.
Keywords: Tannase, tannin hydrolase, tannin, gallic esters, gallic acid, food
industry, antioxidant juices, teas, beer, pharmaceutical, methylgallate,
ethylgallate, n-propylgallate, isoamylgallate, antimalarial drug, propyl gallate.
