β-xylosidase (ec3.2.1.37) exists in plants, bacteria, fungi and other organisms. It is the key enzyme to
catalyze the degradation of xylanase hemicellulose. Xylose can be used as a carbon source for microbial
fermentation. In addition, β-xylosidase can also be used as a biological bleaching agent in papermaking
industry, which is more environmentally friendly than the traditional bleaching method and has a wide
range of application value.
β-xylosidase catalyzes p-nitrophenol-β-D-xyloside to produce p-nitrophenol. P-nitrophenol has a
characteristic absorption peak at 405 nm. The increase rate of light absorption at 405 nm can be measured
to calculate the activity of β-xylosidase.
Required material
Scales, low temperature centrifuge, spectrophotometer/microplate reader, micro glass cuvette/96 well flat-
bottom plate, mortar/homogenizer, water bath and distilled water.
