United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Douglas B Jordan

Michael A Cotta

Christopher A Dunlap

Terence R Whitehead

Xin Liang Li

Xylose-containing plant material may be hydrolyzed to xylose using a &#x3b2;-D-xylosidase which exhibits unexpectedly high activity. The enzyme has a kvalue for catalysis of approximately 185 secfor 1,4-&#x3b2;-D-xylobiose (X2) when measured at a pH of 5.3 and a temperature of 25&#xb0; C.; this is at least 10-fold greater than reported for other xylosidases at 25&#xb0; C. and their optimal pH. The enzyme also has an isoelectric point of approximately 4.4. When reacted at a pH between about 4.5 and about 7.7, the &#x3b2;-D-xylosidase exhibits surprisingly high activity for hydrolyzing xylose-containing plant materials to xylose. The xylose released from plant materials may then be converted to other secondary products such as ethanol by fermentation or other reaction. This &#x3b2;-D-xylosidase may be used alone or in combination with other hydrolytic or xylanolytic enzymes for treatment of lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic plant materials or plant material hydrolysates or xylooligosaccharides.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Douglas B Jordan