Compositions and methods for biomass conversion are provided. Compositions comprise novel enzyme mixtures that can be used directly on lignocellulose substrate. Methods involve converting lignocellulosic biomass to free sugars and small oligosaccharides with enzymes that break down lignocellulose. Novel combinations of enzymes are provided that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass. Also provided are methods to identify enzymes, strains producing enzymes, or genes that encode enzymes capable of degrading lignocellulosic material to generate sugars.