Enzymic production of feruloyl xylo-oligosaccharides from corn cobs by a family 10 xylanase from Thermoascus aurantiacus

Feruloyl xylo-oligosaccharides (FeXOSs) were obtained from corn cobs (CCs) by treatment with a Thermoascus aurantiacus family 10-β-d-endoxylanase. CCs subjected to a sonication (ST-CC) or an autoclave treatment in order to enhance enzymic access and FeXOS production. Enzymic FeXOS production was increased by CCs thermal treatment up to 3.5 times. The kinetic parameters KE and Vmax, describing enzyme-dependent production rates of FeXOSs from CCs, were estimated at 130±20 nM and 290±10 nM h−1, respectively. The reaction parameters affecting the FeXOS production, such as substrate concentration, enzyme loading and reaction time, have been investigated. The maximum FeXOS production was observed after 24 h incubation of 100 g L−1 AT-CC with 570 nM xylanase. The obtained yield was 12 μmol of FeXOSs per gram of CC.