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, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups, the method comprising:

• placing a polypeptide at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 304 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 carboxylesterase.