The coordinated action of glucuronoyl esterase and α-glucuronidase promotes the disassembly of lignin–carbohydrate complexes

Glucuronoxylans represent a significant fraction of woody biomass, and its decomposition is complicated by the presence of lignin–carbohydrate complexes (LCCs). Herein, LCCs from birchwood were used to investigate the potential coordinated action of a glucuronoyl esterase (TtCE15A) and two α-glucuronidases (SdeAgu115A and AxyAgu115A). When supplementing α-glucuronidase with equimolar quantities of TtCE15A, total MeGlcpA released after 72 h by SdeAgu115A and AxyAgu115A increased from 52% to 67%, and 61% to 95%, respectively. Based on the combined TtCE15A and AxyAgu115A activities, ~ 34% of MeGlcpA in the extracted birchwood glucuronoxylan was occupied as LCCs. Notably, insoluble LCC fractions reduced soluble α-glucuronidase concentrations by up to 70%, whereas reduction in soluble TtCE15A was less than 30%, indicating different tendencies to adsorb onto the LCC substrate.