Mono and dual cultures of four white-rot basidiomycete species were evaluated for cellulase and xylanase activity under submerged fermentation conditions. Co-cultivation of Pycnoporus coccineus or Trametes hirsuta with Schizophyllum commune displayed antagonistic interactions resulting in the decrease of endoglucanase and total cellulase activities. In contrast, increases in cellulase and xylanase activity were revealed through the compatible interactions of Irpex lacteus with S. commune. Cocultivation conditions were optimized for maximum enzyme production by I. lacteus and S. commune, the best producers of cellulase/ xylanase and b-glucosidase, respectively. An optimized medium for the target enzyme production by the mixed culture was established in a laboratory fermenter yielding 7 U/ mL total cellulase, 142 U/ mL endoglucanase, 104 U/ mL xylanase, and 5.2 U/ mL b-glucosidase. The dual culture approach resulted in an enzymatic mixture with 11% improved lignocellulose saccharification potential compared to enzymes from a monoculture of I. lacteus. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.