Xylanase

An enzyme that breaks down the non-starch components of complex carbohydrates. These are used in animal feed and added to cereal-based diets to the efficiency of carbohydrate breakdown. Also used in the pulp and paper industry to cut and remove hemicelluloses from fibers.

X-ray crystallography

Study of the molecular structure of crystalline compounds through X-ray diffraction techniques. When an X-ray beam bombards a crystal, the atomic structure of the crystal causes the beam to scatter in a specific pattern.

Vitamins

A group of essential micronutrients.

Vaccines

A preparation that contains an antigen consisting of whole disease-causing organisms (killed or weakened), or parts of such organisms, and is used to provide immunity against the disease that the organisms cause. Vaccine preparations can be natural, synthetic or derived by recombinant DNA technology.