Microbial bioprospecting for lignocellulose degradation at a unique Greek environment.

Bacterial systems have gained wide attention for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass, due to their high functional diversity and adaptability. To achieve the full microbial exploitation of lignocellulosic residues and the cost-effective production of bioproducts within a biorefinery, multiple metabolic pathways and enzymes of various specificities are required. In this work, highly diverse aerobic, mesophilic bacteria enriched from Keri Lake, a pristine marsh of increased biomass degradation and natural underground oil leaks, were explored for their metabolic versatility and enzymatic potential towards lignocellulosic substrates.

Characterization of the Highly Efficient Acid-Stable Xylanase and β-Xylosidase System from the Fungus ATHUM 8891 ( ATHUM 8891).

Two novel xylanolytic enzymes, a xylanase and a β-xylosidase, were simultaneously isolated and characterized from the extracellular medium of ATHUM 8891 (anamorph ATHUM 8891), grown on Brewer's Spent Grain as a sole carbon source. They represent the first pair of characterized xylanolytic enzymes of the genus and the first extensively characterized xylanolytic enzymes of the family . In contrast to other xylanolytic enzymes isolated from the same family, both enzymes are characterized by exceptional thermostability and stability at low pH values, in addition to activity optima at temperatures around 65 °C and acidic pH values.