Xylose Dehydrogenase Immobilized on Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles for Bioconversion of Xylose to Xylonic Acid.

d-Xylonic acid (XA), derived from pentose sugar xylose, is a multifunctional high-value chemical with a wide range of applications in the fields of medicines, food, agriculture and is a valuable chemical reagent for the synthesis of other useful commodity chemicals. In the bacterial system, xylose dehydrogenase (XDH) catalyzes the oxidation of d-xylose into d-xylonolactone, consuming NAD or NADP as a cofactor. The d-xylonolactone then undergoes auto-oxidation into d-xylonic acid.

An overview of the metabolically engineered strains and innovative processes used for the value addition of biomass derived xylose to xylitol and xylonic acid.

Xylose, the most abundant pentose sugar of the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic biomass, has to be utilized rationally for the commercial viability of biorefineries. An effective pre-treatment strategy for the release of xylose from the biomass and an appropriate microbe of the status of an Industrial strain for the utilization of this pentose sugar are key challenges which need special attention for the economic success of the biomass value addition to chemicals. Xylitol and xylonic acid, the alcohol and acid derivatives of xylose are highly demanded commodity chemicals globally with plenty of applications in the food and pharma industries.