Carbohydrate-active enzymes

Carbohydrate-active enzymes are specialized proteins that build, break down, or modify complex sugars and fibers found in plants and other organisms. They play essential roles in processes like digestion, plant growth, and recycling of organic material. These enzymes include types such as glycoside hydrolases (which break down sugars), glycosyltransferases (which assemble sugars), and others that modify carbohydrate structures. Understanding these enzymes helps in fields like biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine, as they enable the development of biofuels, improve crop processing, and aid in disease research related to carbohydrate metabolism.