The Current Biotechnological Status and Potential of Plant and Algal Biomass Degrading/Modifying Enzymes from Ascomycete Fungi

Abstract

Ascomycete fungi have a long history of use in biotechnology, in particular with respect to the production of enzymes and metabolites. A well-developed area is the production of enzymes to degrade or modify plant-based polymers, in particular polysaccharides. However, recent insights due to the availability of genome sequences have revealed a much larger potential in these fungi that was previously assumed. Several studies have made use of this information, but many more opportunities await to be exploited. In contrast, enzymatic degradation or modification of algal polysaccharides has received much less attention and is only recently becoming a booming research field. In this chapter, we will review the current knowledge on enzymes from ascomycete fungi involved in degradation and modification of plant and algal polysaccharides. In addition, we will discuss the potential of omics-based studies to further advance this field and increase the efficiency of obtaining valuable products from algal and plant biomass.