Screening for cellulases with industrial value and their use in biomass conversion

Cellulose is an easily renewable and highly occurring resource. To take advantage of this great potential, there is a constant need of new cellulose degrading enzymes. In industrial applications enzymes have to function under extreme conditions like high temperature, very acidic or basic pH and different solvents. Cellulases have a huge area of application, for example the textile and food industry as well as the generation of bioethanol as an alternative energy source. They have the ability to yield a great energetic potential, but there is still a lack of economical technologies to conquer the stability of the cellulose structure. Via metagenomic research and well-directed screening, it is possible to detect new cellulases, which are active under tough industrial conditions.