Xtreme Xylanase is an enzyme that helps a microbe to thrive in hot, acidic waters in Yellowstone National Park, and it may enable U.S. industry to economically produce fuels and chemicals from biomass – helping achieve the Bush Administration goal of replacing 75 percent of oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. This enzyme is highly acid- and thermo-stable xylanase enzyme from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius a microbe originating in Yellowstone National Park. It is capable of efficiently converting the hemicelluloses and cellulose components of biomass into energy rich sugars. These sugars are building blocks used in place of petroleum to make fuels and high-value chemicals.