Induction, properties and application of xylanase activity from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum S2 fungus

Extracellular xylanase activity was produced in a submerged culture by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum S2 fungus, on wheat bran as an inducing substrate. The enzyme was partially purified and biochemically characterized. The optimum pH and temperature for the activity were 5.5 and 65C, respectively. The xylanase was stable over a pH range of 4.0-9.0 and retained more than 75% of its activity after incubation for 24 h without substrate. The enzyme was stable at 50C and 60C for 80 min of incubation at pH 5.0, while the half-life was 20 min at 70C. The novel xylanase activity was useful as an aid in orange juice clarification. The clarification was observed with concomitant production of reducing sugars (0.350 mg/mL from juice) after 24 h of incubation of juice with the xylanase. Xylanase aided juice clarification, which resulted in a 27% decrease in insoluble materials.