Microbial feruloyl esterases acting on plant cell wall polymers represent key tools for degradation of plant cell wall. In this work, we carefully describe the microbial production, purification and partial characterization of feruloyl esterase in a culture medium of Aspergillus awamori strain IFO4033 from the crude hemicellulose preparation of wheat straw and corn-cobs. Feruloyl esterase was extracted using centrifugation and dialysis and then purified by ion exchange chromatography and ultra filtration to homogeneity which was checked by SDS-PAGE and IEF-PAGE. The protein content and activity of the enzyme were measured in each step of extraction and purification. The biomass was determined by dry weight method. pH and temperature optima of feruloyl esterase enzyme were also determined. The effects of culturing time, carbon and nitrogen sources on the enzyme production were systematically investigated. Also, we examine the enzyme activity under different storage conditions. In addition, we mentioned in this work about the chemical, thermal stability and thermokinetic studies of native and activated Aspergillus awamori feruloyl esterases. Finally, we will present the crystallographic structure of feruloyl esterases produced by Aspergillus awamori IFO4033 and the structure of the enzyme-product complex.

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