Acetyl xylan esterases in fungal cellulolytic systems

Abstract
Xylan of several tree and other plant species is acetylated, and the enzymology of its degradation is unknown. The present study shows that enzymes liberating acetic acid from an acetylated xylan occur in several fungal cellulolytic systems. Consequently, an additional step will have to be considered in current concepts for the degradation of hemicellulose by xylanases and xylosidases.