Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is condensed to recover a mixed condensate. An entrainer is added to at least one appropriate process stream or vessel such that the mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases to provide for recovery of the butanol.

Abstract: Biologically-produced isobutanol as a component in fuel compositions provides a valuable mechanism for introducing renewable components to fuel compositions and, at the same time, provides for reduced environmental impact of the fuel composition if it were to contaminate a given environmental area.

Abstract: The invention relates to suitable candidate 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: Methods for the fermentative production of isobutanol is provided by the fermentative growth of a recombinant microorganism expressing a highly active ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzyme in addition to other enzymes required for conversion of glucose to isobutanol.

Abstract: Ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes have been identified that provide high effectiveness in vivo as a step in an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway in bacteria and in yeast. These KARIs are members of a clade identified through molecular phylogenetic analysis called the SLSL Clade.

Abstract: Bacteria that are not natural butanol producers were found to have increased tolerance to butanol when the saturated fatty acids content in bacterial cell membrane was increased. Methods for increasing the concentration of saturated fatty acids in the membranes of bacteria that are not natural butanol produces are described whereby tolerance of the bacterial cell to butanol is increased. Saturated fatty acids concentration in the bacterial cell membrane increased upon exogenously feeding saturated fatty acids to cells. Bacterial strains useful for production of butanol are described herein having modified unsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one osmolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the osmolyte concentration of the basal fermentation medium and of an optional fermentable carbon source. The osmolyte may comprise a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, glycerol, sugarcane juice, molasses, polyethylene glycol, dextran, high fructose corn syrup, corn mash, starch, cellulose, and combinations thereof. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.

Abstract: An engineering method was developed to allow genetic modification and isolation of lactic acid bacteria cells that lack lactate dehydrogenase and acetolactate decarboxylase activities. In cells with these modifications and an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway, improved production of isobutanol was observed.

Abstract: Crabtree positive yeast cells that have endogenous expressed pyruvate decarboxylase genes inactivated and an engineered biosynthetic pathway utilizing pyruvate were found to have improved growth and product yield when glucose repression was reduced. These cells were able to grow in media containing a high glucose concentration.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed by extraction into a water-immiscible extractant composition comprising a first solvent and a second solvent, is provided. The first solvent is selected from the group consisting of C12 to C22 fatty alcohols, C12 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C12 to C22 fatty acids, C12 to C22 fatty aldehydes, C12 to C22 fatty amides and mixtures thereof. The second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C7 to C11 alcohols, C7 to C11carboxylic acids, esters of C7 to C11 carboxylic acids, C7 to C11 aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. Also provided is a method for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of isobutanol is provided by the fermentative growth of a recombinant microorganism expressing a highly active ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzyme in addition to other enzymes required for conversion of glucose to isobutanol.

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: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

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: Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by decreasing activity of Pdr5p encoded by an endogenous PDR5 gene. A deletion mutation of the PDR5 gene led to improved growth yield in the presence of butanol.

Abstract: Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by increasing activity of the high osmolarity/glycerol response pathway. Yeast with increased expression of PBS2p, a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase of the MAPK module of the high osmolarity/glycerol response pathway may be used for improved butanol production.