Review Article

Enzymes in Food Processing: A Condensed Overview on Strategies for Better Biocatalysts

Table 1

An overview of enzymes used in food and feed processing (adapted from [10, 12, 13, 68]).

ClassEnzymeRole

OxidoreductasesGlucose oxidaseDough strengthening
LaccasesClarification of juices, flavor enhancer (beer)
LipoxygenaseDough strengthening, bread whitening

TransferasesCyclodextrinCyclodextrin production
Glycosyltransferase
FructosyltransferaseSynthesis of fructose oligomers
TransglutaminaseModification of viscoelastic properties, dough processing, meat processing

HydrolasesAmylasesStarch liquefaction and sachcarification
Increasing shelf life and improving quality by retaining moist, elastic and soft nature
Bread softness and volume, flour adjustment, ensuring uniform yeast fermentation
Juice treatment, low calorie beer
GalactosidaseViscosity reduction in lupins and grain legumes used in animal feed, enhanced digestibility
GlucanaseViscosity reduction in barley and oats used in animal feed, enhanced digestibility
GlucoamylaseSaccharification
InvertaseSucrose hydrolysis, production of invert sugar syrup
LactaseLactose hydrolysis, whey hydrolysis
LipaseCheese flavor, in-situ emulsification for dough conditioning, support for lipid digestion in young animals, synthesis of aromatic molecules
Proteases (namely, chymosin, papain)Protein hydrolysis, milk clotting, low-allergenic infant-food formulation, enhanced digestibility and utilization, flavor improvement in milk and cheese, meat tenderizer, prevention of chill haze formation in brewing
PectinaseMash treatment, juice clarification
PeptidaseHydrolysis of proteins (namely, soy, gluten) for savoury flavors, cheese ripening
PhospholipaseIn-situ emulsification for dough conditioning
PhytasesRelease of phosphate from phytate, enhanced digestibility
PullulanaseSaccharification
XylanasesViscosity reduction, enhanced digestibility, dough conditioning

LyasesAcetolactate decarboxylaseBeer maturation

IsomerasesXylose (Glucose) isomeraseGlucose isomerization to fructose