Beta-glucanase

Other names: beta-glucanase

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Beta-glucanase, or also beta-glucanase, is an enzyme that breaks down beta-glucans into smaller polysaccharide molecules, which are carbohydrate polymers. Beta-glucans are one of the main components of the cell wall of many species of yeast, fungi and some bacteria, and so beta-glucanase plays a key role in many biological processes. The enzyme is used industrially in many fields because of its abilities.

One of the most common applications of beta-glucanase is in the food industry. It is mainly used in the production of beer and bread. In the brewing industry, this enzyme is used to break down beta-glucans contained in barley, which can cause haze in beer and problems in the filtration of malt. In the baking industry, beta-glucanase is used to improve the structure and texture of bread. Furthermore, this enzyme is useful in the animal feed industry, where it improves nutrient absorption in animals by breaking down beta-glucans in their feed. It is also used in the textile and pharmaceutical industries for the production of drugs and food supplements. The enzyme is also used in the biotechnology industry for the production of bioethanol.