Cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes play a vital role in biomass valorization as they can hydrolyze cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, enabling eco-friendly carbohydrate utilization. This study aimed to analyze research on the production of cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes using fungal strains. In this review, scientific articles were searched using keywords related to cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes and the utilization of agro-industrial waste. Priority was given to information from peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2024. The primary findings highlight the high costs associated with enzyme production, which can be partly reduced by employing low-cost carbon sources like lignocellulosic biomass. Optimization processes were also identified as critical to enhancing efficiency by reducing fermentation times, lowering energy demands for temperature control, and minimizing the use of salts or other additives in the culture medium. Researchers have approached these optimizations using traditional one-factor-at-a-time methods and statistical tools such as response surface methodologies, suggesting practical routes to improve process sustainability.

The sugarcane industry plays a crucial economic role worldwide, with sucrose and ethanol as its main products. However, its processing generates large volumes of by-products—such as bagasse, molasses, vinasse, and straw—that contain valuable components for biotechnological valorization. This review integrates approximately 100 original research articles published in JCR-indexed journals between 2015 and 2025, of which over 50% focus specifically on sugarcane-derived agroindustrial residues. The biotechnological approaches discussed include submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, enzymatic biocatalysis, and anaerobic digestion, highlighting their potential for the production of biofuels, enzymes, and high-value bioproducts. In addition to identifying current advances, this review addresses key technical challenges such as (i) the need for efficient pretreatment to release fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass; (ii) the compositional variability of by-products like vinasse and molasses; (iii) the generation of metabolic inhibitors—such as furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural—during thermochemical processes; and (iv) the high costs related to inputs like hydrolytic enzymes. Special attention is given to detoxification strategies for inhibitory compounds and to the integration of multifunctional processes to improve overall system efficiency. The final section outlines emerging trends (2024–2025) such as the use of CRISPR-engineered microbial consortia, advanced pretreatments, and immobilization systems to enhance the productivity and sustainability of bioprocesses. In conclusion, the valorization of sugarcane by-products through biotechnology not only contributes to waste reduction but also supports circular economy principles and the development of sustainable production models.

El género de hongos filamentosos Neurospora tuvo su primer reporte en el año 1843 como un contaminante persistente en panaderías francesas, desde entonces, ha evolucionado de ser una plaga para convertirse en un organismo modelo fundamental para la ciencia. Su relevancia inició en los años 40 con los trabajos de Beadle y Tatum, quienes realizaron estudios con Neurospora crassa para establecer la relación resumida en “un gen, una proteína”, revolucionando la genética y la bioquímica, al punto de ser acreedores al premio nobel de Fisiología o Medicina en 1958. Además, estudios posteriores revelaron su papel en la comprensión de los ritmos circadianos, identificando mecanismos moleculares conservados en eucariotas, como los bucles de retroalimentación entre proteínas reguladoras. En biotecnología, la investigación con Neurospora ha tenido aportaciones por su capacidad para producir enzimas hidrolíticas (celulasas, xilanasas, amilasas) con capacidad para degradar la biomasa vegetal, ofreciendo alternativas para la producción de biocombustibles y compuestos industriales. Así mismo, han existido estudios enfocados en la fermentación de residuos agrícolas para mejorar su valor nutricional, destacando aplicaciones en alimentación sostenible. Con un ciclo de vida corto, una mayor complejidad en comparación a las levaduras y facilidad en su manejo, Neurospora sigue siendo una herramienta versátil en investigación. Su historia ejemplifica cómo un organismo que fue considerado un problema se convirtió en un aliado científico multidisciplinario, con potencial continuo para la innovación en sostenibilidad y biotecnología.