Critical cellulase and hemicellulase activities for hydrolysis of ionic liquid pretreated biomass

► Critical enzymes hydrolysis of ionic liquid pretreated biomass were indentified. ► Endoglucanase, β-glucosidase, endoxylanase, and β-xylosidase were critical. ► Endoxylanase can be significant for xylan and glucan hydrolysis. ► Addition of acetyl xylan esterase improves xylan hydrolysis for poplar. ► The statistical significance of enzyme activities was determined.