Bioconversion of cellulose-containing raw material. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose (review)

Lignocellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth. The hydrolysis of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars is a prerequisite for its successful use as a substrate for the large-scale production of value-added industrial products. Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose is carried out by cellulases, hemicellulases, and ligninases in synergy or individually. The review describes the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Information on solid-phase and submerged microorganisms fermentation used to obtain cellulases was given. Methods for increasing the level of production and activity of cellulases were characterized. The industrial application of cellulases, including for the production of bioethanol, was described.