Cellulase
Japanese: セルラーゼ（セルロース分解酵素）
An enzyme that breaks down cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. By disrupting cell walls, it makes internal nutrients more accessible.
Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose, the structural component of plant cell walls. Humans lack cellulase in their digestive systems and cannot break down cellulose—what we call dietary fiber.
Koji mold and certain bacteria secrete cellulase, disrupting plant tissue walls and exposing internal nutrients. In miso and soy sauce brewing, cellulase breaking down soybean cell walls enables protease and amylase to efficiently access the proteins and starches inside.
A behind-the-scenes enzyme, yet without cellulase, other enzymes cannot do their work. It is the enzyme that 'opens the door.' In bioethanol production, cellulase is also attracting attention as the key to converting plant biomass into sugars.