Hemicellulase supplement to improve the energy efficiency of hemicellulose-containing animal feed

Abstract

Soil microorganisms are obtained that produce a hemicellulase which is particularly useful in increasing the available energy content of hemicellulosic foodstuffs. These microorganisms can be cultured per se or can be used as sources of genetic information with which to engineer other microorganisms to produce the enzyme. Thus, commercially useful quantities of native or recombinant hemicellulase can be produced with cultures consisting essentially of microorganisms that produce the enzyme. The hemicellulase can then be employed in a feed composition containing complex carbohydrates which the enzyme degrades, enhancing the nutritional value of the composition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDifferent enzymes are categorized as a specific type of hemicellulase--a glucanase, a xylanase or a mannanase, for example--based on an ability to catalyze the hydrolysis of heteropolysaccharides composed of glucan, xylan or mannan, respectively. It is known that enzymes that effect hydrolysis of mannans, such as a galactan or a glucomannan, are produced by various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, and that they also occur in some animals and in numerous plants. Among the microorganisms that produce such mannanases are species of Aeromonas, Aspergillus, Streptomyces, Rhodococcus and Bacillus. See 160 METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY Part A, Sect. II (1988).Hemicellulases have been employed commercially in the processing of coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tea and cereals. The primary advantage gained by using a hemicellulase in this regard is a reduction in solution viscosity which allows for more inexpensive processing of food products. Thus, hemicellulases are...

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