Thermo-alkali-stable xylanase of a novel polyextremophilic Bacillus halodurans TSEV1 and its application in biobleaching

► A 7.35-fold higher thermo-alkali-stable xylanase production was achieved by a novel Bacillus halodurans strain. ► 14.6% reduction in kappa number due to pre-bleaching of paper pulp with xylanase. ► 5.6% ISO enhancement in the brightness of hand sheets due to pre-bleaching pulp with xylanase.