Sustainable Production and Characterization of a Novel β-1,3-1,4-Glucanase from Aspergillus niger CCUG33991 for Enhanced Animal Feed and Nutraceutical Applications

With global demands for sustainable food systems intensifying, cost-effective enzyme production offers transformative solutions for the animal feed industry. β-1,3-1,4-Glucanase from Aspergillus niger CCUG33991 was purified 12.3-fold with a 20.3% yield using ammonium sulfate precipitation and size exclusion chromatography. This 39 kDa enzyme, with an isoelectric point of 4.5, exhibits optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 50°C, with robust stability at low pH and temperatures below 40°C. Kinetic studies revealed a Km of 5.1 mg/ml and Vm of 52.1 µmol/min/mg. The enzyme’s sensitivity to Mn²⁺ ions and its ability to modify cereal structures enhance its potential to improve feed digestibility and address sanitary issues in poultry. Utilizing wheat bran in solid-state fermentation, this study presents a sustainable, scalable approach with applications in animal nutrition, brewing, and emerging fields like microbiome engineering and nutraceuticals.