Characterization of a New Xylanase Found in the Rumen Metagenome and Its Effects on the Hydrolysis of Wheat.

Wheat is the main ingredient of poultry diet, but its xylan has an adverse impact on poultry production. A novel xylanase from beef cattle rumen metagenome () and its effect on the wheat hydrolysis were investigated in the present study. The coded for 377 amino acids and exhibited low identity (<40%) to previously reported proteins. The was heterologously expressed in and showed maximum activity at pH 6.0 and 40 °C. The activity of could be increased by 79.8 and 36.0% in the presence of Ca and Tween 20, respectively. The soluble xylan and insoluble xylan in wheat could be effectively degraded by and xylooligosaccharides produced accounting for more than 80% of the products. This study demonstrates that has substantial potential to improve the application of wheat in poultry production by degrading wheat xylan and the accompanying xylooligosaccharides produced.