Purification and characterization of a low molecular weight endoxylanase from solid-state cultures of alkali-tolerant Aspergillus fischeri

A low molecular weight, alkaline-stable endoxylanase (XylB) was purified to homogeneity from solid-state culture of Aspergillus fischeri Fxn1. XylB had a molecular mass of 13 kDa which is the lowest of reported xylanases. Optimal activity was at pH 6 and 55 degrees C. XylB was stable from pH 4.5 to 10 and up to 60 degrees C. It was non-glycosylated. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values of XylB on birch wood xylan were 0.53 mg ml(-1) and 0.2 mmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. The activity of XylB was not inhibited by Cd2+, Zn2+, Co2+, EDTA, iodoacetamide, beta-mercaptoethanol and acetic anhydride but strongly inhibited by 10 mm of N-bromosuccinimide, Hg2+, Pb2+ and p-hydroxymercuric benzoate. XylB is an endoxylanase since it hydrolysed xylan resulting the formation of xylo-oligomers but not of xylose residues.