α-Xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.177) is a xylan-degrading hydrolase found in microorganisms and other organisms. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of non-reducing terminal α-D-xylose residues, releasing α-D-xylose.
Assay principle: In soil, α-xylosidase catalyzes the reaction of p-nitrophenyl-α-D-xyloside to produce p-nitrophenol (PNP), which exhibits a characteristic absorption peak at 405 nm. The soil α-xylosidase activity is calculated by measuring the rate of increase in absorbance at 405 nm.