Identification of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes using metagenomic approaches

Abstract

Composting units which handle lignocellulosic residues are suitable sources of novel and promising lignocellulose-degrading enzymes such as cellulases, xylanases and amylases. These enzymes have practical application in many industries where lignocellulose is converted into several added-value bioproducts. However, the effective conversion of lignocellulose by a sustainable process is currently incomplete. Therefore, there is a need to find novel and robust catalysts to overcome this fact. Function- and sequence-based metagenomic approaches were used to identify novel lignocellulose-degrading enzymes with interesting industrial applications.