Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass derived from guayule plants comprising: subjecting said biomass to a biological pretreatment in the presence of at least one ligninolytic fungus obtaining a liquid phase comprising sugars and a first solid residue: subjecting said first solid residue to hydrolysis in the presence of at least one diluted inorganic acid obtaining a first hydrolysate comprising sugars and a second solid residue; subjecting said second solid residue to enzymatic hydrolysis obtaining a second hydrolysate comprising sugars and a third solid residue. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as sources of carbon in fermentation processes for producing alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), lipids, diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), or in chemical synthesis processes for producing other intermediates or chemical products (e.g., furfural). Said alcohols and lipids can be advantageously used in turn in the production of biofuels (e.g.

Abstract: A process for the production of lipids from biomass derived from guayule plants comprising: obtaining a hydrolysate comprising 5 carbon atom (C5) sugars from biomass derived from guayule plants, said 5 carbon atom (C5) sugars being present in said hydrolysate in a quantity greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably ranging from 85% by weight to 99% by weight, with respect to the total weight of said hydrolysate; feeding said hydrolysate to a fermentation device in the presence of at least one oleaginous yeast to obtain a fermentation broth; at the end of fermentation, subjecting said fermentation broth to separation obtaining an aqueous suspension of oleaginous cellular biomass comprising lipids and an aqueous phase. The lipids thus obtained can be advantageously used in the production of biofuel such as, for example, biodiesel or green diesel that can be used as such, or in mixtures with other fuels, for automotive transport.

Abstract: A process for the production of lipids from biomass derived from guayule plants comprising: obtaining a hydrolysate comprising 5 carbon atom (C5) sugars from biomass derived from guayule plants, said 5 carbon atom (C5) sugars being present in said hydrolysate in a quantity greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably ranging from 85% by weight to 99% by weight, with respect to the total weight of said hydrolysate; feeding said hydrolysate to a fermentation device in the presence of at least one oleaginous yeast to obtain a fermentation broth; at the end of fermentation, subjecting said fermentation broth to separation obtaining an aqueous suspension of oleaginous cellular biomass comprising lipids and an aqueous phase. The lipids thus obtained can be advantageously used in the production of biofuel such as, for example, biodiesel or green diesel that can be used as such, or in mixtures with other fuels, for automotive transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilizing every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argnetatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches from the leaves of said plant with a mechanical treatment; treating the leaves to produce waxes and essential oils, and a fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting from the stem and branches a liquid phase, so forming a first solid woody residue, indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilising every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches (3) from the leaves (2) of said plant with a mechanical treatment (1); treating the leaves (100) to produce waxes and essential oils (102), and a fraction (101) containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting (200) from the stem and branches a liquid phase (4), so forming a first solid woody residue (5), indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue (5) to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the solubilization of material containing scleroglucan and/or xanthan gum which comprises putting the above material in contact with an aqueous solution comprising an enzyme selected from a cellulase from Trichoderma reesei and/or a glucosidase from Aspergillus Niger.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of aromatic urethanes consisting in reacting organic carbonates with aromatic amines in reactors operating in continuous, feeding a total quantity of aromatic amines in a percentage, with respect to the weight of the total mixture, ranging from 4 to 30, and maintening a low concentration of amine in the reactor.

Abstract: Diricinoleylphosphatidylcholine (I) in an optically active form is obtained with good yields and a high purity by means of a process which comprises: a) esterifying the terminal carboxylic group of ricinoleic acid (III) with an alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms to give the corresponding ester having formula (IV); b) protecting the hydroxylic group of the ester of ricinoleic acid (IV) with a protecting group removable under bland operating conditions and isolating the ester of ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (V) is protected; c) hydrolyzing the ester of ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (V) is protected and isolating the ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (VI) is protected; d) acylating L-&agr;-glycerophosphatidylcholine (II) with an imidazolic or triazolic derivative of the compound having formula (VI) and isolating the diricinoleylphosphatidylcholine of which the hydroxylic group (VII) is protected; e) removing the protecting group from the hydroxylic group of

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hydroxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons by direct oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising:iron, administered as inorganic salt;iron ligand, consisting of carboxylic acids of ether-aromatic compounds containing nitrogen, in particular pyrazin-2-carboxylic acid and derivatives;acidifying agent, especially trifluoracetic acid, and a solvent system comprising an organic phase consisting of a substrate and acetonitrile and an aqueous phase containing the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hydroxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons by direct oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising:iron, administered as an inorganic salt;a carboxylic acid of an aromatic compound containing nitrogen, in particular a pyrazin-2-carboxylic acid or derivative;acidifying agent, especially trifluoracetic acid, and a solvent system comprising an organic phase consisting of a substrate and acetonitrile and an aqueous phase containing the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified materials based on polyacrylonitrile having amidic groups on their surface. The modification gives the material greater hydrophilic characteristics improving its comfort properties. In addition, it permits the polyacrylonitrile to be dyed also with acidic dyes thus making it possible for it to be used for the preparation of yarns mixed with natural fibres, such as wool for example. The process for their production involves treatment of the material with enzymes of the nitrile hydratasis class obtained from Brevibacterium imperiale.

Abstract: 7-amino-cephalosporanic acids having the formula ##STR1## are obtained by submitting compounds having the following formula to enzymatic conversion: ##STR2## wherein R represents H, OH, O--CO--R", R" being an alkyl radical with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 represents a carboxylic group. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a microorganism selected from the Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Achromobacter genera, or in the presence of an enzyme, either free or immobilized, derived therefrom.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of the optical isomers of alphayl- or alpha-aryloxy- carboxylic acids by means of the stereoselective hydrolysis of racemic alkyl esters of the above acids in the presence of bacteria or their enzymes, selected from the species Brevibacterium, Bacteridium, Micrococcus, and Bacillus.

Abstract: The enzymatic preparation of cephalosporanic derivatives, or their salts, ving the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is --CO--COOH or --COOH, R.sub.1 is H, OH, or --O--CO--R" and R" is an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, is carried out by the oxidative deamination of compounds, or their salts, having the formula: ##STR2## with an oxidase D-Aminoacid enzyme derived from Rhodotorula glutinis NCIMB 40412. The enzyme can be in a free or immobilized form.

Abstract: Continuous biotechnological preparation of optical isomer S(+) of 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propionic acid consisting in the reaction of a racemic (R,S) ester of 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propionic acid having melting point below 50.degree. C. of formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 =a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, tetrahydropyranyl , tetrahydrofuranyl radicals and--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --R.sub.2 group, whereinn=2-15 andR.sub.2 =a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, with the Lipase obtained from Candida Cylindracea, at temperatures ranging from 20.degree.-60.degree. C. and at a pH ranging from 5 to 8, by feeding said ester in a continuous way into a bioreactor containing said Lipase immobilized on a porous carrier selected from adsorbent resins of the polyacrylester type having a porosity ranging from 50 to 1000 .ANG. and a granulometry ranging from 1 to 0.01 mm.