In the production of cellulose-ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass, the development of cost-effective, but highly efficient saccharifying enzymes (cellulases/hemicellulases) which act on the celluloses and hemi-celluloses of the biomass, remains an active area of research. Saccharification converts celluloses/hemicelluloses into the ethanol-fermentable sugars, glucose and xylose. A very common source of saccharifying enzymes is the fungus, Trichoderma reesei. Recently, other enzyme sources are also being explored. Scientists from the Biomass Technology Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, Hiroshima, Japan) compared the saccharification performance of enzymes from Trichoderma reesei and Acremonium cellulolyticus. The saccharification performances were tested on three ligncellulosic feedstocks: eucalyptus, Douglas fir and rice straw. The scientists found that culture supernatants from A. cellulolyticus had higher specific cellulose activity and higher glucose yields compared to T. reesei. However, T. reesei enzymes had a superior xylan-hydrolyzing activity (can produce more xylose) than those derived from A. cellulolyticus. Details of the research results can be accessed in the open access journal, Biotechnology for Biofuels (URL above)..