Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enzymatically degrading a polysaccharide, such as cellulose, comprising contacting the polysaccharide with one or more lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), in which the enzymatic degradation is carried out in the presence of at least one reducing agent, and hydrogen peroxide or a means which generates hydrogen peroxide in which the level of hydrogen peroxide is controlled to enhance and maintain the activity of the LPMO. The invention also extends to the additional use of hydrolytic enzymes such as hydrolases (e.g. cellulases, chitinases and/or ß-glucosidases) to increase the level or extent of degradation and to fermentation of the resulting sugars to generate an organic substance such as an alcohol, preferably ethanol, which may be used as a biofuel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of degrading or hydrolyzing a polysaccharide, preferably cellulose or chitin, comprising contacting said polysaccharide with one or more oxidohydrolytic enzymes, preferably a CBM33 family protein (preferably CBP21) or a GH61 family protein, wherein said degradation or hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of at least one reducing agent and at least one divalent metal ion. A method of producing an organic substance comprising said method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of degrading or hydrolyzing a polysaccharide, preferably cellulose or chitin, comprising contacting said polysaccharide with one or more oxidohydrolytic enzymes, preferably a CBM33 family protein (preferably CBP21) or a GH61 family protein, wherein said degradation or hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of at least one reducing agent and at least one divalent metal ion. A method of producing an organic substance comprising said method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enhancing chitin degradation or weakening the structure of a chitin substrate comprising exposing chitin to a non-hydrolytic chitin binding protein (CBP). The invention further provides a method of enhancing chitin degradation comprising exposing chitin to a non-hydrolytic CBP and a chitin hydrolase. Compositions, including fungicides, comprising non-hydrolytic CBPs and transgenic plants comprising exogenous nucleic acid molecules encoding a non-hydrolytic CBP are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enhancing chitin degradation or weakening the structure of a chitin substrate comprising exposing chitin to a non-hydrolytic chitin binding protein (CBP). The invention further provides a method of enhancing chitin degradation comprising exposing chitin to a non-hydrolytic CBP and a chitin hydrolase. Compositions, including fungicides, comprising non-hydrolytic CBPs and transgenic plants comprising exogenous nucleic acid molecules encoding a non-hydrolytic CBP are also provided.