The invention provides a thermal tolerant mannanase that is a member of
the glycoside hydrolase family. The invention further discloses this
mannanase as ManA. ManA has been isolated and characterized from
Acidothermus cellulolyticus. The invention further provides recombinant
forms of the identified ManA. Methods of making ManA polypeptides,
including fusions, variants, and derivatives, are also disclosed. Methods
of using mannanase A, including for the processing of food and for use in
food stuffs as bulking agents and the like, are also disclosed.