Research review paperProduction, properties, and applications of endo-β-mannanases

•Production, purification, heterologous expression and biochemical characteristics of endo-β-mannanases•The molecular and structural features of endo-β-mannanases responsible for its activity and thermal stability•The use of rational design and genetic engineering approaches for improving endo-β-mannanases•Biotechnological applications of endo-β-mannanases

The present review provides up-to-date information on the occurrence and methodologies used for producing and purifying endo-β-mannanases and a comprehensive comparison of their biochemical properties. The amalgamation of biochemical, molecular and structural biology approaches which have been used for understanding endo-β-mannanase families, catalytic mechanism, substrate binding, non-catalytic modules, trans-glycosylation, and multi-functional enzyme complexes has been given critical attention. A separate section entailing the state-of-the-art about thermostable endo-β-mannanases, which has emerged as an exciting field of both basic and applied research, is also deliberated. The remarkable progress made by endo-β-mannanases in various industrial sectors like food, feed, detergents, biofuel and oil drilling is also emphasized.