Abstract: Alginate lyases can catalyze the degradation of alginate, a complex copolymer of L-guluronate and its C5 epimer D-mannuronate, with β-elimination mechanism and yield alginate oligosaccharides. Alginate oligosaccharide has many kinds of biological activities, such as promoting growth, enhancing resistance in plant and bacteriostasis, so that they have attracted more and more people′s attention. In this paper some research progress in the classification, structure, function, enzymatic properties of alginate lyase and the application of alginate oligosaccharides were reviewed. It will provide a theoretical basis for its application in industrial production.

Key words: alginate, alginate lyase, alginate oligosaccharides