Influence of organic co-solvents on the activity and substrate specificity of feruloyl esterases

► Feruloyl esterases are becoming important in the optimised breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass. ► Certain co-solvents at concentrations of 20-30% do not diminish the FAE hydrolytic activity. ► In some instances, increased activity was detected in the presence of co-solvent. ► The effect of DMSO and acetone varied for each esterase-substrate couple. ► The de-acetylating activity of FAEs was improved by up to 50% in DMSO mixtures.