Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic biopolymer-degrading genes and enzymes from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods

A method of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxyhutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan, glucan, galactan, or mannan decorating groups, the method comprising:

• placing a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 287 in fluid contact with a polysaccharide, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycoside, xylan, glucan, galactan, or mannan decorating group;
• wherein the polypeptide has an enzymatic activity as an esterase.