Systems and Methods for Production and Use of Fungal Glycosyl Hydrolases

Abstract

Compositions comprising glycosyl hydrolase enzymes are provided, as are methods for their use to depolymerize hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and pectin in biomass in order to produce products such as simple sugars. The enzymes, isolated from Aspergillus nidulans and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, were characterized, and synergistic mixtures of the enzymes were produced and used to generate simple sugars from biomass without the need to pretreat the biomass before digestion. The enzyme blends generally comprise two or more enzymes, which may be from the same fungus or from two different fungi, and are used for efficient and cost effective complete degradation of lignocelluloses. Applications of this technology include biofuel production.