Abstract

Filamentous fungi have been investigated as producer of xylanases with relevant characteristics for application in different industrial sectors, such as bakery, beverage, biofuel, textile, animal feed, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper. Thus, this review will focus on biochemical properties and industrial use of thermostable xylanases produced by different filamentous fungi, as well as mechanisms of adaptation of thermophilic organisms to tolerate in high-temperature environments. These enzymatic properties of thermal and pH stability are crucial, especially in processes such as the manufacture of animal feed, pulp and paper industry. Reports on changes in enzyme structure, such as site-directed mutagenesis, insertion or substitution of amino acids, addition of disulfide bonds in the alpha helix or beta-sheet structure for improving the thermal stability will also be reported. However, strains of Thermomyces lanuginosus has been described as good producers of thermostable xylanases, as well as promising enzymes, because it does not require any change in structure to increase the tolerance to high temperatures.

Key words: Hemicellulase, thermostability, Thermomyces.