Mannanase is an enzyme that breaks down the plant polymer mannan. Mannanases are produced by bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. They are important in the brewing industry and in the production of biofuels.
Mannanases hydrolyze the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in mannan polymers. This releases oligosaccharides and monosaccharides, which can be used as carbon sources by microorganisms. Mannanases are classified as GH Family 5 enzymes.
GH Family 5 enzymes are found in a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Most GH5 enzymes are endo-β-mannanases, which cleave internal β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in mannan polymers. However, some GH5 enzymes are exo-β-mannanases, which cleave terminal β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in mannan polysaccharides (e.g., pectin).
Mannanases have potential applications in the food industry (e.g., baking and brewing) and in the production of biofuels (e.g., ethanol from cellulose). However, their main industrial use is currently in the degradation of plant cell wall materials (e.g., wheat straw) to increase their digestibility for livestock feed