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Cellulase

Cellulase

Aid Overall Health / Cleanse/Digestion

The human body cannot digest cellulose, although it is needed for cells. This is where cellulase comes in. Cellulase helps the body digest cellulose.

Cellulase is incorporated into many foods and drinks so you may be getting enough of it in your diet. But if you’re not, you might want to consider taking a cellulase supplement.

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Summary

Cellulase is Found Mainly in Nature Microorganisms like protozoan, bacteria and fungi make cellulase. It can also be found in termites and other such creatures. Some herbivores have cellulase in their digestive system so they can digest the cellulose in plants. Microorganisms that surv... more

Cellulase is Found Mainly in Nature

Microorganisms like protozoan, bacteria and fungi make cellulase. It can also be found in termites and other such creatures.

Some herbivores have cellulase in their digestive system so they can digest the cellulose in plants. Microorganisms that survive off of cellulose live in the herbivores that don’t have cellulase in them. These microorganisms help to digest the cellulose.

It’s possible to cultivate cellulase. The enzyme it is made from is Trichoderma viride, a non-toxic fungus. It is cultured to release the cellulase, which is then purified.

Cellulase and Cellulose

First observed in 1838, cellulose is a beta-glucose polymer that is found in all plants. This polymer is present in every part of plants from flower to roots.

The purest form of cellulose is found in cotton and with lignin (chemical compounds) and hemicellulose, a weaker form of cellulose.

Cellulose is an important component of cell walls. It’s bonded together with hydrogen and works with a matrix of carbohydrates to form strong cell walls. These walls protect the cells’ interiors.

The nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen in cellulose give plants their energy through photosynthesis.

The main function of cellulase is to break down cellulose.

Cellulase and the Need for Carbohydrates

According to LifeClinic.com, our bodies need energy and one type of nutrients that we get it from is carbohydrates. There are three kinds of carbohydrates: sugar, starch and cellulose. The first two probably sound familiar because humans have no problem digesting them.

As stated above, humans cannot digest cellulose. This means we can’t take advantage of this carbohydrate source unless we supplement our diets with cellulase.

Cellulase Needed in Animals

Cellulose is the most abundant source of nutrition on earth because it’s in every plant. Unfortunately, most animals cannot digest it.

As a result, cellulose just acts as fiber, clearing your intestines of matter that isn’t useful and overall aiding in digestion. Not being able to use the nutrients in cellulose is a waste of natural resources.

If humans could utilize the oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen in cellulose, it could be a great energy source. Adding cellulase to the diets of both animals and humans can allow them to absorb the nutrients in cellulose.

Cellulase Breaks Down Cellulose

Consisting of three enzymes, endocelluase, exocellulase and cellobiase, cellulase is actually an enzyme complex. Each enzyme has a role in digesting cellulose.

Endocelluase breaks up the cellulose bonds so the cellulose molecules are smaller. Exocellulase then takes two units of glucose from these molecules.

This produces cellobiose, a type of sugar. Finally, cellobiase (beta-glucosidase) breaks the cellobiose down even more into glucose, which the body can use for energy.

Cellulase Supplements

There are many cellulase supplements on the market. You can find them online or in local stores.

In addition to allowing you to harness the energy found in cellulose, cellulase supplements can help clear the fiber from your intestines that didn’t make it out. This left over fiber is one of the causes of cancer.

Another benefit of taking cellulase supplements can only be seen on a microscopic level. Just as cellulose fortifies the cell walls in plants, if properly digested it can strengthen the cell membranes in animals. Animal cells don’t have walls.

Cellulase in Industry Production

Cellulase isn’t just used for digestion of cellulose. It can be added to materials to make certain products. It is added to detergent and fabric softener.

Putting cellulase in animal food can make the food more nutritious because the cellulase brakes down nutrients that would normally pass through digestive system unabsorbed. Cellulase is also used to make wine.

Cellulase Conclusions

Cellulase is needed to digest cellulose and use its nutrients. Since humans don’t naturally produce cellulase, we need to get it from the food we eat.

Cellulase is also used as an ingredient for manufacturers who make anything from wine to paper.

There is research being done on the potential uses and benefits of cellulase, but information is currently hard to find. If you want to know more about cellulase, you can make your search easier by using the free supplement finder on this site.

Other

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  • Other Names
  • Uses
None Known
Digestion
Helps Body Digest Cellulose