Hemicellulase

Hemicellulase is a type of enzyme that degrades the plant cell wall polymer hemicellulose. This polymer helps to cross-link the plant cell wall components to give the walls rigidity. Hemicellulase is used commercially in baking products and in various other food preparation technologies. This type of enzyme is also produced by microorganisms that live in the human digestive tract and degrade dietary hemicellulose, which humans are incapable of digesting. It is taken by some as a supplement to aid in digestion.
See also :

• Digestive Enzymes

Health Benefits and uses of Hemicellulase are

• May Reduce Candida : Some research suggests that an increase in this enzyme can help prevent and reduce yeast infestations such as Candida. This is perhaps related to the fact that the cell wall of candida is composed of hemicellulose. Again, as hemicellulase digests hemicellulose, it may help in reducing Candida.
• Better Digestive Capacity with Aging : Taking digestive enzymes such as hemicellulase can counteract the net loss of enzymes that occurs with aging, whether due to a loss in pancreatic production of enzymes or a change in beneficial flora in the gut. Research supports this. In Japan, scientists have confirmed that intestinal enzyme output showed a gradual decrease with age. Individuals 65 years and older were tested, and women, in particular, were found to have the sharpest declines in enzyme health.
• Improves Overall Health : Animal studies suggest that supplementing with hemicellulase in feedings helps not only increase nutrient digestibility but also betters performance and boosts food conversion ratio. [2] One 2005 study published in the Animal Science Journal found that hemicellulase could boost overall health. Hemicellulase enzyme supplements were given to chickens, and their subsequent nutrient utilization, performance and digestion capacities were analyzed. It was found that the animals given enzymes grew faster, had decreased abdominal fat and energy content of the diet was improved by the mixed enzyme. Ash-retention (related to the processing of free radicals and the alkalinity in the body) was increased by adding hemicellulase to the diet. This offers proof that hemicellulase has a synergistic effect on the performance and health in animals. More research on humans is needed within the scientific realm.

References

• Ishibashi T, Matsumoto S, Harada H, Ochi K, Tanaka J, Seno T, Oka H, Miyake H, Kimura I. [Aging and exocrine pancreatic function evaluated by the recently standardized secretin test]. Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 1991 Sep;28(5):599-605. Japanese.
• Monica Parvu. Research on the action of bacterial hemicellulase on the barley-based diets used in poultry feeding (PDF). Institute of Biology and Animal Nutrition. 1996 April.
• Tetsuo Kunieda. Identification of genes responsible for hereditary diseases in Japanese beef cattle. Animal Science Journal. 2005 November 19. vol.76 issue 6, pages 525-610 DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2005.00300.x.