Xylan as limiting factor in enzymatic hydrolysis of nanocellulose

► Fibrillated cellulose with varying xylan content was hydrolysed with enzymes. ► Xylanase pre-hydrolysis removed the easily accessible and less bound xylan fraction. ► Crystalline cellulose was poorly hydrolysed in substrates with original xylan content. ► Enzymes acted efficiently and simultaneously in substrates with reduced xylan content.