Small enzymes with esterase activities from two thermophilic fungi, Emericella nidulans and Talaromyces emersonii

Extracellular esterase activities in Emericella nidulans and Talaromyces emersonii are attributed to small enzymes with molecular weights less than 10 kDa (microenzymes). A 1.6 kDa esterase accounted for most of the esterase activity observed in both organisms and one of them also contained a 4.1 kDa microenzyme with weaker esterase activity. These esterases were growth-associated and active towards fluorescein dibutyrate and -naphthyl acetate as well as tributyrin.