Mannanases: microbial sources, production, properties and potential biotechnological applications

Mannans are the major constituents of the hemicellulose fraction in softwoods and show widespread distribution in plant tissues. The major mannan-degrading enzymes are beta-mannanases, beta-mannosidases and beta-glucosidases. In addition to these, other enzymes such as alpha-galactosidases and acetyl mannan esterases, are required to remove the side chain substituents. The mannanases are known to be produced by a variety of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, plants and animals. Microbial mannanases are mainly extracellular and can act in wide range of pH and temperature because of which they have found applications in pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, food, feed, oil and textile industries. This review summarizes the studies on mannanases reported in recent years in terms of important microbial sources, production conditions, enzyme properties, heterologous expression and potential industrial applications.