Overexpression of a Paenibacillus campinasensis xylanase in Bacillus megaterium and its applications to biobleaching of cotton stalk pulp and saccharification of recycled paper sludge

► A Paenibacillus campinasensis xylanase gene was overexpressed in Bacillus megaterium. ► The recombinant strain produced 2.1-fold higher xylanase activity than the wild type. ► XynG1-1R can reduce chlorine consumption by 50% in biobleaching of cotton stalk pulp. ► Saccharification efficiency of recycled paper sludge was enhanced by XynG1-1R.