# Topics and Trends in Most Cited Enzyme Production and Characterization Papers, Class of 2026

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/enzyme-production-and-characterization/2026*

## What topics and trends defined most-cited Enzyme Production and Characterization research in the Class of 2026?

Lignocellulosic biomass, agricultural residues, and rational enzyme design define the Class of 2026 enzyme production cohort. Cellulase discovery, cellulose-degrading bacteria, and alkaline pretreatment rose sharply from the Class of 2025, reflecting accelerated research into sustainable biocatalysis, computational protein engineering, and lignocellulosic biorefining.

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Field | Enzyme Production and Characterization |
| Cohort label | Class of 2026 (2024 publications) |
| Papers analyzed | 4,359 |
| Papers ranked | 20 |
| Top topics in ranked papers | Lignocellulosic biomass, Agricultural residues, Cellulase, Biorefinery, Rational design |
| Publication window | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Research articles; reviews excluded |
| Citation window | 18 months post-publication |
| 18m citation range | 21–128 |
| Data source | OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026 |
| License | CC BY 4.0 |

## Rankings

| Rank | Title | Authors | Corresponding authors | Affiliation | Journal | 18m citations | DOI |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| 1 | Global marine microbial diversity and its potential in bioprospecting | Jianwei Chen, Yangyang Jia, Ying Sun, Kun Liu, Changhao Zhou, Chuan Liu, Denghui Li, Guilin Liu, Chengsong Zhang, Tao Yang, Lei Huang, Yunyun Zhuang, Dazhi Wang, Dayou Xu, Qiaoling Zhong, Yang Guo, Anduo Li, Inge Seim, Ling Jiang, Lushan Wang, Simon Ming Yuen Lee, Yujing Liu, Dantong Wang, Guoqiang Zhang, Shanshan Liu, Xiaofeng Wei, Zhen Yue, Shanmin Zheng, Xuechun Shen, Sen Wang, Chen Qi, Jing Chen, Chen Ye, Fang Zhao, Jun Wang, Jie Fan, Baitao Li, Jiahui Sun, Xiaodong Jia, Zhangyong Xia, He Zhang, Junnian Liu, Yue Zheng, Xin Liu, Jian Wang, Huanming Yang, Karsten Kristiansen, Xun Xu, Thomas Mock, Shengying Li, Wenwei Zhang, Guangyi Fan | Ying Sun, Thomas Möck, Shengying Li, Wenwei Zhang, Guangyi Fan | BGI Research, China | Nature | 128 | 10.1038/s41586-024-07891-2 |
| 2 | Engineering thermostability of industrial enzymes for enhanced application performance | Kangjie Xu, Haoran Fu, Qiming Chen, Ruoxi Sun, Ruosong Li, Xinyi Zhao, Jingwen Zhou, Xinglong Wang | Jingwen Zhou, Xinglong Wang | Jiangnan University, China | International Journal of Biological Macromolecules | 65 | 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139067 |
| 3 | A bifunctional endolytic alginate lyase with two different lyase catalytic domains from Vibrio sp. H204 | Chune Peng, Qingbin Wang, Wei Xu, Xinkun Wang, Qianqian Zheng, Xiaohui Liang, Xiaodan Dong, Fuchuan Li, Lizeng Peng | Xiaodan Dong, Fuchuan Li, Lizeng Peng | Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China | Frontiers in Microbiology | 44 | 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1509599 |
| 4 | Inhibition of α-amylase digestion by a Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenol starch complex revealed via multi-spectroscopic and molecular dynamics analyses | Suwen Liu, Fanna Meng, Shuo Guo, Meng Yuan, Hao Wang, Xuedong Chang | Suwen Liu | Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, China | International Journal of Biological Macromolecules | 42 | 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129573 |
| 5 | Evolution-guided engineering of <i>trans</i> -acyltransferase polyketide synthases | Mathijs F J Mabesoone, Stefan Leopold-Messer, Hannah A Minas, Clara Chepkirui, Pornsuda Chawengrum, Silke Reiter, Roy A Meoded, Sarah Wolf, Ferdinand Genz, Nancy Magnus, Birgit Piechulla, Allison S Walker, Jörn Piel | Mathijs F. J. Mabesoone, Stefan Leopold‐Messer, Hannah A. Minas, Jörn Piel | Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Switzerland | Science | 39 | 10.1126/science.adj7621 |
| 6 | Comparative genomic analysis of Planctomycetota potential for polysaccharide degradation identifies biotechnologically relevant microbes | Dominika Klimek, Malte Herold, Magdalena Calusinska | Dominika Klimek | Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg | BMC Genomics | 34 | 10.1186/s12864-024-10413-z |
| 7 | Genome-wide analysis of wheat xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family revealed TaXTH17 involved in abiotic stress responses | Huihui Bi, Zeliang Liu, Shanshan Liu, Wenchen Qiao, Kunpu Zhang, Minghui Zhao, Daowen Wang | Minghui Zhao, Daowen Wang | Henan Agricultural University, China | BMC Plant Biology | 30 | 10.1186/s12870-024-05370-4 |
| 8 | Green immobilization: Enhancing enzyme stability and reusability on eco-friendly support | Vesen Atiroğlu, Atheer Atiroğlu, Ahmed Atiroğlu, Ali Sultan Al-Hajri, Mahmut Özacar | Vesen Atiroğlu, Atheer Atiroğlu, Ahmed Atiroğlu | Sakarya University, Turkey | Food Chemistry | 28 | 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138978 |
| 9 | Coupling protein scaffold and biosilicification: A sustainable and recyclable approach for d-mannitol production via one-step purification and immobilization of multienzymes | Wei Liu, Yuanping Deng, Ying Li, Li Yang, Liying Zhu, Ling Jiang | Liying Zhu, Ling Jiang | Nanjing Tech University, China | International Journal of Biological Macromolecules | 28 | 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132196 |
| 10 | Physiochemical characterization and ameliorative effect of rice resistant starch modified by heat-stable α-amylase and glucoamylase on the gut microbial community in T2DM mice | Jianing Ren, Jing Dai, Yue Chen, Zhenzhen Wang, Ruyi Sha, Jianwei Mao | Ruyi Sha | Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China | Food & Function | 25 | 10.1039/d3fo05456j |
| 11 | De novo 2′-fucosyllactose biosynthesis using glucose as the sole carbon source by multiple engineered Bacillus subtilis | Quanwei Zhang, Xianhao Xu, Wei Zhang, Ziyang Huang, Yaokang Wu, Yanfeng Liu, Jianghua Li, Guocheng Du, Xueqin Lv, Long Liu | Yanfeng Liu, Long Liu | Jiangnan University, China | Metabolic Engineering | 25 | 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.12.004 |
| 12 | Cellulase production under solid-state fermentation by Aspergillus sp. IN5: Parameter optimization and application | Antika Boondaeng, Jureeporn Keabpimai, Chanaporn Trakunjae, Pilanee Vaithanomsat, Preeyanuch Srichola, Nanthavut Niyomvong | Nanthavut Niyomvong | Kasetsart University, Thailand | Heliyon | 24 | 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26601 |
| 13 | Optimizing the Conditions of Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse for Bioethanol Production | Lingru Ruan, Haifeng Wu, Shiya Wu, Lifei Zhou, Shangxin Wu, Changhua Shang | Changhua Shang | Guangxi Normal University, China | ACS Omega | 24 | 10.1021/acsomega.4c02485 |
| 14 | Unravelling the potential of sugarcane bagasse: An eco-friendly and inexpensive agro-industrial waste for the production of valuable products using pretreatment processes for sustainable bio-economy | Ajay Kamboj, Pardeep Kumar Sadh, Babli Yadav, Annu Kumari, Ravinder Kumar, Surekha, Baljeet Singh Saharan, Basanti Brar, Dharmender Kumar, Chhaya Goyal, Joginder Singh Duhan | Joginder Singh Duhan | Chaudhary Devi Lal University, India | Journal of environmental chemical engineering | 24 | 10.1016/j.jece.2024.114461 |
| 15 | Fabrication of mung bean protein-sugar beet pectin hydrogels by duo-induction of heating and laccase: Gelling properties and delivery of riboflavin | Yutong Guo, Li Liang, Xiaoyu Yang | Li Liang, Xiaoyu Yang | Northeast Agricultural University, China | Food Hydrocolloids | 23 | 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110690 |
| 16 | In-depth recognition of mixed surfactants maintaining the enzymatic activity of cellulases through stabilization of their spatial structures | Qiangqiang Liu, Meysam Madadi, Salauddin Al Azad, Chihe Sun, Ezhen Zhang, Junshu Yan, Abdolreza Samimi, Fubao Sun | Chihe Sun, Fubao Sun | Jiangnan University, China | Bioresource Technology | 23 | 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131756 |
| 17 | Structural insights into the catalytic selectivity of glycosyltransferase SgUGT94-289-3 towards mogrosides | Shengrong Cui, Shumeng Zhang, Ning Wang, Xiaodong Su, Zuliang Luo, Xiaojun Ma, Mei Li | Zuliang Luo, Xiaojun Ma, Mei Li | Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China | Nature Communications | 22 | 10.1038/s41467-024-50662-w |
| 18 | Thermophilic biocatalysts for one-step conversion of citrus waste into lactic acid | Martina Aulitto, Alberto Alfano, Emanuela Maresca, Roberto Avolio, Maria Emanuela Errico, Gennaro Gentile, Flora Cozzolino, Maria Monti, Annachiara Pirozzi, Francesco Donsì, Donatella Cimini, Chiara Schiraldi, Patrizia Contursi | Donatella Cimini, Patrizia Contursi | University of Naples Federico II, Italy | Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology | 22 | 10.1007/s00253-023-12904-7 |
| 19 | Comparative genomic analysis of thermophilic fungi reveals convergent evolutionary adaptations and gene losses | Andrei S Steindorff, Maria Victoria Aguilar-Pontes, Aaron J Robinson, Bill Andreopoulos, Kurt LaButti, Alan Kuo, Stephen Mondo, Robert Riley, Robert Otillar, Sajeet Haridas, Anna Lipzen, Jane Grimwood, Jeremy Schmutz, Alicia Clum, Ian D Reid, Marie-Claude Moisan, Gregory Butler, Thi Truc Minh Nguyen, Ken Dewar, Gavin Conant, Elodie Drula, Bernard Henrissat, Colleen Hansel, Steven Singer, Miriam I Hutchinson, Ronald P de Vries, Donald O Natvig, Amy J Powell, Adrian Tsang, Igor V Grigoriev | Igor V. Grigoriev | US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, United States | Communications Biology | 22 | 10.1038/s42003-024-06681-w |
| 20 | New insights into adlay seed bran polysaccharides: Effects of enzyme-assisted Aspergillus niger solid-state fermentation on its structural features, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and prebiotic activity | Xiuping Wan, Juxiang Wang, Shengyan Zhang, Xuemei Zhang, Xin Shi, Guangjing Chen | Guangjing Chen | Guiyang University, China | International Journal of Biological Macromolecules | 21 | 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138101 |

## Topic trends

### What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The informative word cloud across the top-cited enzyme production and characterization papers reveals a research landscape centered on biomass valorization, computational protein design, and bioprocess optimization. Lignocellulosic biomass leads at 6 of 50 top papers (normalized frequency 0.12), closely followed by agricultural residues (5 papers, 0.10), illustrating a strong field-wide focus on converting renewable plant waste into valuable biochemicals. Computational and structural approaches are prominent, with molecular dynamics simulations appearing in 5 papers (0.10) and rational design in 3 papers (0.06) to enhance enzyme thermostability and catalytic efficiency. Bioprocess engineering is heavily represented through solid-state fermentation (5 papers, 0.10) and submerged fermentation (3 papers, 0.06), frequently paired with response surface methodology (4 papers, 0.08) for yield optimization. Specific enzymatic systems anchor the corpus, including cellulases (4 papers, 0.08), cellulose-degrading bacteria (4 papers, 0.08), and endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (3 papers, 0.06). In addition, chemical pretreatments such as alkaline pretreatment (3 papers, 0.06) and dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment (3 papers, 0.06) highlight integrated biorefinery pipelines aimed at overcoming biomass recalcitrance for industrial enzyme applications.

*Leading research themes*

### How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing normalized concept frequencies between the Class of 2025 (2023 publications) and Class of 2026 (2024 publications) reveals significant thematic shifts toward enzymatic biomass conversion and computer-aided enzyme engineering. Cellulase exhibited the largest gain (+0.08 normalized frequency; 0 versus 4 papers), tied with cellulose-degrading bacteria (+0.08; 0 versus 4 papers), underscoring a rapid expansion in functional cellulolytic microbial screening. Lignocellulosic biomass saw substantial growth (+0.06; 3 versus 6 papers), alongside chemical pretreatment strategies including alkaline pretreatment (+0.06; 0 versus 3 papers) and dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment (+0.04; 1 versus 3 papers). Specific catalytic enzymes also gained traction, led by endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (+0.06; 0 versus 3 papers). Emerging methodologies including computer-aided protein design (+0.04), Bacillus subtilis host expression (+0.04), and gut microbiota modulation (+0.04) entered the top-cited tier. Conversely, solid-state fermentation experienced a slight relative decline (−0.02; 6 versus 5 papers), though it remains a top process method overall. Core analytical baselines such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and carbohydrate-active enzymes held steady, reflecting an evolving focus from descriptive microbial profiling toward targeted enzymatic engineering.

*How topics shifted year over year*

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Enzyme Production and Characterization Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/enzyme-production-and-characterization/2026. Accessed 2026-07-24.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
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