Abstract: Enzymatic hydrolysis is a key step in the production of bioethanol and other chemicals from lignocellulosic materials. Due to the complex components and inhomogeneous structure of lignocellulosic substrates, completely hydrolysis of lignocellulose carbohydrates into fermentable sugars requires different cellulases and hemicellulases. Relatively low hydrolytic efficiency and the high costs of enzyme are often considered to be the major bottlenecks on the commercialization of lignocellulosic ethanol. Thus, efficient enzymatic hydrolysis is of great importance to improve the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials, lower enzyme dosages, and consequently drop the cost. In this paper, structure of lignocelluloses, cellulases and hemicellulases, factors affecting enzymatic hydrolysis including substrate, product, enzyme properties, and surfactant, have been reviewed. The recent trends and perspectives of future development are highlighted, as well.

Key words: lignocellulosic materials, enzymatic hydrolysis, cellulase, hemicellulase