Expression and characterization of α-L-arabinofuranosidase derived from Aspergillus awamori and its enzymatic degradation of corn byproducts with xylanase

•α-L-arabinofuranosidase AF from A. awamori was expressed in P.pastoris.•After codon and vector optimization, enzyme activity efficiently increased.•AF had high synergistic effect with xylanase to degrade corn by-products.•AF could saccharify agricultural residues into valuable products.