Process for Enzymatic Production of Xylooligosaccharides from the Xylan of Corn Cobs

Abstract

Prebiotics are fast emerging as health-promoting supplements. The study aimed to sculpture xylan from the corn cobs followed by xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production by enzymatic process. Application of 16% NaOH with steam enabled almost 90% recovery of original xylan contents. Commercial xylanase was used to hydrolyze xylan into XOS such as xylobiose (X2) and xylotriose (X3). Response surface modeling (RSM) was adopted to minimize xylose and maximize X2 and X3. According to RSM analysis, maximum X2 yield (1.208 mg/mL) was obtained at pH 5.97, temperature 41.22C, enzyme dose 7.28 U for 17.31 h of hydrolysis. However, highest (0.715 mg/mL) X3 production was recorded at pH 5.91, temperature 40.87C, enzyme dose of 5.83 U for 16.59 h of incubation. Application of NaOH (16%) coupled with steam enabled corn cobs to release 90% of original xylan that could be enzymatically converted into prebiotics such as XOS. Practical Applications Apprehension against modern therapeutic agents coupled with increased health-care cost has encouraged the people to look for plant sourced bioactive compounds such as prebiotic to maintain gut health and well-being. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) occupy significant niche because its production principally depend on renewable agricultural wastes or by-products. As xylan has multiple applications, the present process of xylan extraction could have greater significance as it is able to extract approximately 90% of original xylan. Application of commercial xylanase over corn cobs xylan leads to the production of XOS comprising of xylobiose and xylotriose. Adoption of enzymatic process for XOS production from the corn cobs xylan has diverse magnitude: one way it will dispose the wastes and other way benefit human population through prebiotic effects.