Producing a xylanase enzyme of superior performance in the bleaching of pulp. More specifically, a modified xylanase of Family 11 that shows improved thermophilicity, alkalophilicity, and thermostability as compared to the natural xylanase. The modified xylanases contain any of three types of modifications: (1) changing amino acids 10, 27, and 29 of Trichoderma reesei xylanase II or the corresponding amino acids of another Family 11 xylanase, where these amino acids are changed to histidine, methionine, and leucine, respectively; (2) substitution of amino acids in the N-terminal region with amino acids from another xylanase enzyme. In a preferred embodiment, substitution of the natural Bacillus circulans or Trichoderma reesei xylanase with a short sequence of amino acids from Thermomonospora fusca xylanase yielded chimeric xylanases with higher thermophilicity and alkalophilicity; (3) an extension upstream of the N-terminus of up to 10 amino acids. In a preferred embodiment, extension of the N-terminus of the xylanase with the tripeptide glycine-arginine-arginine improved its performance.
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