Abstract: A method of making butanol from at least one fermentable carbon source that overcomes the issues of toxicity resulting in an increase in the effective titer, the effective rate, and the effective yield of butanol production by fermentation utilizing a recombinant microbial host wherein the butanol is extracted into specific organic extractants during fermentation.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein. Specifically disclosed herein are the use of coenzyme B12-independent butanediol dehydratases that catalyzes the substrate to product conversion of 2,3-butanediol to 2-butanone in the process of producing 2-butanol and 2-butanone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process using, for example, an ethanol production plant which has been reversibly-retrofitted for butanol production, that is, the ethanol production plant may be converted for butanol production, but can also revert to an ethanol production. The present invention also relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process in a butanol production plant that may be converted to ethanol production plant.

Abstract: Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by increasing activity of the cell wall integrity pathway. Yeast with increased expression of SLT2p, a mitogen activated protein kinase of the MAPK module of the cell wall integrity pathway had increased tolerance to isobutanol. These yeast may be used for improved butanol production.

Abstract: Yeast cells with reduced activity of certain enzymes involved in branched chain amino acid biosynthesis in yeast mitochondria are described. Target enzymes include threonine deaminase, isopropylmalate synthase, and optionally branched chain amino acid transaminase.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast cells comprising a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding Amn1 and a heterologous gene encoding Amn1. Also provided are recombinant yeast cells comprising a heterologous gene encoding Amn1 and an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing isobutanol comprising providing the recombinant yeast cells described herein and culturing the recombinant yeast cells under conditions wherein isobutanol is produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing alcohol esters during a fermentation by providing alcohol-producing microorganisms which further comprise an engineered polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having lipase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to suitable candidate alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes for production of lower alkyl alcohols including isobutanol. The invention also relates to recombinant host cells that comprise such ADH enzymes and methods for producing lower alkyl alcohols in the same.

Abstract: Diols produced in fermentation are processed in broth by esterification of the product diol with a carboxylic acid (e.g., fatty acid) and a catalyst (e.g., lipase) capable of esterifying the product diol, such as 1,3-propanediol, with the carboxylic acid to form the diol esters. The diol esters can be extracted from the broth, and the product diol recovered from the diol esters. The carboxylic acid can also serve as an extractant for removal of the diol esters from the fermentation medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing alcohol esters during a fermentation by providing alcohol-producing microorganisms which further comprise an engineered polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having lipase activity.

Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.

Abstract: A high flux in conversion of pyruvate to acetolactate was achieved in yeast through expression of acetolactate synthase in the cytosol in conjunction with reduction in pyruvate decarboxylase activity. Additional manipulations to improve flux to acetolactate are reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and reduced glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Production of compounds having acetolactate as an upstream intermediate benefit from the increased conversion of pruvate to acetolactate in the described strains.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing alcohol esters during a fermentation by providing alcohol-producing microorganisms which further comprise an engineered polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having lipase activity.

Abstract: A method for producing a gasoline blend having a high concentration of a butanol isomer and having good cold start and warm-up driveability performance.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for adjusting a fermentation medium to reduce the activity of one or more carboxylic acids. The processes comprise (a) providing a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, (b) contacting the recombinant microorganism with a fermentation medium whereby butanol is produced and wherein the fermentation medium comprises one or more carboxylic acids, and (c) adjusting the fermentation medium to reduce the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids. Also provided are processes for reducing the activity of one or more carboxylic acids in a feed. The processes comprise (a) providing a feed from a fermentation vessel, wherein the feed comprises a composition produced by a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the composition comprises butanol, water, and one or more carboxylic acids; and (b) adjusting the feed, wherein adjusting the feed reduces the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Compositions of oxygenated gasolines are disclosed that have reduced vapor pressure compared to those containing a single oxygenate and no RVP reducing compound. Such compositions can be formed at a refinery or at a terminal. Methods of reducing vapor pressure of an oxygenated gasoline are disclosed and methods of reducing vapor pressure constraints upon a refinery in the production of oxygenated gasoline are disclosed. Fundamental properties of RVP reducing compounds are disclosed including IR spectrum analysis. Processes and methods for blending and distributing these fuels are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.

Abstract: Diols produced in fermentation are processed in broth by esterification of the product diol with a carboxylic acid (e.g., fatty acid) and a catalyst (e.g., lipase) capable of esterifying the product diol, such as 1,3-propanediol, with the carboxylic acid to form the diol esters. The diol esters can be extracted from the broth, and the product diol recovered from the diol esters. The carboxylic acid can also serve as an extractant for removal of the diol esters from the fermentation medium.

Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.

Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.