Polysaccharide Degrading Biocatalysts (Foundations and Frontiers in Enzymology)

The transformation of polysaccharides into valuable compounds for health and industry requires the careful application of enzyme protocols and controlled biocatalysis.
Polysaccharide-Degrading Biocatalysts provides a thorough grounding in these biocatalytic processes and their growing role in the depolymerization of polysaccharides, empowering researchers to discover and develop new enzyme-based approaches across pharmaceuticals, fuels, and food engineering. Here, over a dozen leading experts offer a close examination of structural polysaccharides, genetic modification of polysaccharides, polysaccharide degradation routes, pretreatments for enzymatic hydrolysis, hemicellulose-degrading enzymes, biomass valorization processes, oligosaccharide production, and enzyme immobilization for the hydrolysis of polysaccharides, among other topics and related research protocols. A final chapter considers perspectives and challenges in an evolving, carbohydrate-based economy. Describes the role of enzymes in the degradation of polysaccharides to obtain building blocks for biochemical processes Covers new tools for enzymatic evolution, research protocols, and process strategies contributing to large-scale applications Explores the use of polysaccharide hydrolysis products in the areas of pharmaceuticals, fuels, and food engineering Features chapter contributions from international experts