Elucidation of biochemical attributes and enzymatic activity of agarase from Saccharophagus degradans 2–40

Saccharophagus degradans 2–40 exhibits agarolytic activity, effectively degrading agar into galactose. Both endo- and exo-agarase, as well as neoagarobiose hydrolase (NABH), play important roles in agar saccharification for the production of monosugars. This study characterizes a novel agarase enzyme from S. degradans 2–40, a marine bacterium renowned for its exceptional polysaccharide-degrading capabilities. We hypothesized that this strain would harbor an efficient and robust agarase with desirable properties for saccharification processes. Following isolation and purification, the agarase underwent biochemical analysis, revealing optimal activity at moderate temperatures and a broad pH range. Furthermore, the fusion of Aga50D with NABH enhanced the catalytic efficiency from 1.873 ± 0.22 (mg/mL)⁻¹s⁻¹ to 4.826 ± 0.19 (mg/mL)⁻¹s⁻¹. In contrast to chemical hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment using agarase offers a more selective, eco-friendly, and high-yield alternative, minimizing by-product formation and preserving functional sugar moieties. The enzyme's ability to produce neoagarobiose (NA2) as its primary product, without any intermediates, makes it an attractive biocatalyst for the production of bioactive oligosaccharides. This study highlights the potential of S. degradans 2–40 as a valuable source of enzymes for industrial biotechnology applications, particularly in the sustainable conversion of marine biomass into high-value products.