Xylanolytic Enzymes describes the enzyme structure and its interaction with plant cell walls, the properties and production of different enzymes and their application, and the knowledge gathered on the hydrolysis mechanism of hemicellulose. The knowledge gathered about the hydrolysis mechanism of the hemicelluloses, especially xylans, has greatly promoted the rapid application of these enzymes in new areas.

Recently there has been much industrial interest in xylan and its hydrolytic enzymatic complex, as a supplement and for the manufacturing of food, drinks, textiles, pulps and paper, and ethanol; and in xylitol production as a fermentation substrate for the production of enzymes. This book describes xylan as a major component of plant hemicelluloses.