The comparative genomics of different microorganisms is also commonly used for the screening of several candidates of interest in a short period of time. This strategy Venetoclax cost permits the genome analysis of a determined microorganism for evaluation of its proteome [16] and [17]. Recombinant technology may always

be used to improve enzymatic production, in homologous and heterologous systems, and several methods have been developed to increase recombinant protein production in fungi [18] (Figure 2). Numerous microorganisms are involved in the production of cellulases and hemicellulases, and most are filamentous fungi including Trichoderma spp. and Aspergillus spp., native or genetically modified [19] and [20••]. However, Trichoderma generally lacks β-glucosidase activity IWR-1 and Aspergillus is one of the fungi genera

most studied for production of this enzyme [21]. Thus, many studies have reported blending enzymes from these two microorganisms as a method to maximize conversion of lignocellulose to monosaccharide sugars. Recently, some studies have concentrated efforts on isolation of cellulases and hemicellulases from plant pathogenic fungi. These microorganisms produce hydrolases for plant cell wall degradation and fast invasion [22]. Therefore, some works have reported the utilization of these fungi in production of enzymes for biomass saccharification. Fungi such as Pycnoporus sanguineus [23•], Chrysoporthe cubensis Diflunisal [24•] and [25•] and Fusarium verticillioides [20••] and [26•], presented great potential for plant biomass saccharification, specially alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse. It is already known that enzyme extracts obtained from a single microorganism are not so efficient in biomass hydrolysis, mainly because of the misbalance of enzymes. Normally cocktails have different enzymes in an adequate proportion so they are specific to individual pretreated biomass compositions. Furthermore, enzymes

need to present stability for temperature and pH ranges, resistance to product inhibition, synergism in actuation and high catalytic activity. Blending of individual enzymes and complementing crude enzyme extracts shows promise, since it can result in synergistic effects to improve biomass saccharification efficiency [25•]. Co-cultivation has often been performed to obtain improved lignocellulose hydrolysis. This technique consists in the cultivation of more than one compatible fungal species that secret hydrolytic enzymes and results in better degradation of the substrate [27]. Another alternative is enzymatic production on-site [28] and [29•]. In this case the enzymes do not need to be highly concentrated, and furthermore no accessory enzyme activity is lost in intense concentration/purification processes, which contributes to reduce the process costs.