Colonic bacterial β-mannanase (β-mannanase)

Colonic bacterial β-mannanase is a glycoside hydrolase enzyme produced by certain gut bacteria (including Bacteroides, Bacillus, etc.) that hydrolyzes β-mannan linkages in plant polysaccharides such as konjac glucomannan (KGM). In pharmaceutical colon-targeted drug delivery systems, KGM/KOGC polymer coatings are engineered to remain intact through the upper gastrointestinal tract and degrade specifically in the colon, where bacterial β-mannanase is present. Upon reaching the colon, β-mannanase enzymatically cleaves the β-mannan backbone of the coating, leading to selective drug release at the target site for local or systemic therapy. This mechanism exploits microbiota-dependent enzymatic activity for site- and time-specific activation of drug delivery, minimizing premature drug release and enhancing efficacy for diseases affecting the colon.

Other names

Beta-mannanaseβ-mannanaseColon bacterial β-mannanaseMannan endo-1,4-β-mannosidase

Hydrolysis of β-mannan backbone in konjac glucomannan or related polysaccharide coatings. Enzymatic degradation of matrix allows release of encapsulated drug specifically in the colon, where bacterial β-mannanase is present in high abundance but absent in upper GI tract.