Abstract: A full continuous-flow preparation method of L-carnitine, including: mixing chlorine gas and a diketene solution via a first micromixer followed by transportation to a first microchannel reactor for continuous chlorination and esterification reaction to obtain 4-chloroacetoacetate; feeding the 4-chloroacetoacetate and a reductase to a second micromixer and a second microchannel reactor in sequence for continuous catalytic reaction to obtain (R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate; simultaneously transporting the (R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate and a trimethylamine solution to a third micromixer and a third microchannel reactor for continuous substitution and hydrolysis reaction; and subjecting the reaction mixture to desalination and concentration to obtain the L-carnitine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enhancing continuous directional high-value biological conversion of an urban wet garbage open system. The method includes wet garbage crushing, low-energy consumption hydrolysis, continuous conversion of organic components of wet garbage into short-chain fatty acid, continuous directional conversion of other components of short-chain fatty acid into acetic acid, separation and microbial reflux of acetic acid, and the like.

Abstract: Provided are aqueous fermentation feedstocks comprising glucose monomers at a concentration of less than 50 gram/Liter (g/L) of the total feedstock, water-soluble dextrose oligomers at a concentration in a range between 50 g/L and 300 g/L of the total feedstock; and water. Further provided are methods of production thereof and uses thereof in the production of single cell protein and/or ethanol.

Abstract: Biocatalytic conversion systems and methods of producing and using same that have improved yields are disclosed. The systems and methods involve co-fermentation of sugars and gaseous substrates for alcohol, ketone, and/or organic acid production. The systems and methods may include biocatalytically converting at least one sugar substrate into at least one of alcohol, at least one ketone, and/or at least one organic acid. The systems and methods may further include biocatalytically converting gases that comprise CO2 and H2 to at least one alcohol and/or at least one organic acid, thereby adding extra revenue to biorefineries.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and uses thereof in methods for treating an inflammatory disease, disorder or condition in a subject, in particular an inflammatory disease, disorder or condition of the digestive tract such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or colorectal cancer. The invention also relates to probiotic compositions and the use of the compositions for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter system inducing expression of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) and a method of biologically producing 3-HP using the same. To improve production of 3-HP in a biological manner, continuous synthesis of new enzymes having enzyme activity is necessary. As a result of screening 3-HP reactive transcription regulators and 3-HP reactive promoters from several microorganisms including Pseudomonas denitrificans, it was confirmed that the transcriptions regulations and promoters are composed of LysR proteins and particular gene nucleotide sequences binding to the LysR proteins. Therefore, the 3-HP inducible system is expected to be effectively used to regulate 3-HP metabolic pathways.

Abstract: Provided are a recombinant yeast producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) and a method for producing 3-HP using the same, more particularly, a recombinant yeast producing 3-HP, comprising an exogenous AADH gene; an endogenous or exogenous ACC gene; an exogenous MCR gene; and an exogenous HPDH gene, and producing 3-HP through [Pyruvate Acetaldehyde?Acetyl-CoA Malonyl-CoA Malonate semialdehyde 3-HP] biosynthesis pathway, and a method for producing 3-HP using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing n-butyric acid by using poly-3-hydroxybutyrate. The method comprises following steps: placing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate in a closure means, passing hydrogen into the closure means to eliminate air after making an initial hydrogen pressure be 2 to 6 MPa, carrying out an agitation at 190 to 240° C. for reaction for 6 to 36 hours to obtain n-butyric acid. The preparation method provided by the present invention does not require a catalyst or a reaction solvent, and converts poly-3-hydroxybutyrate into n-butyric acid by a one-step reaction under a hydrogen atmosphere. The conversion rate of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate is 100%, the yield of n-butyric acid reaches up to 97%, the purity of n-butyric acid in all obtained liquid products reaches up to 98%, and no additional subsequent separation process is needed to the target product n-butyric acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell which has been genetically modified so as to be capable of producing more 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid or more polyhydroxyalkanoates containing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid monomer units than its wild type, characterized in that 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid or polyhydroxyalkanoates containing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid monomer units are produced via acetoacetyl-coenzyme A as intermediate and 3-hydroxybutyryl-coenzyme A as precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. According to the method, at least one polyacrylic acid ester is provided and incubated with at least one enzyme selected from enzymes (EC 3.1) acting on ester bindings, until the ester groups contained in the polyacrylic acid ester are partially or fully hydrolytically split, and optionally the modified polymer obtained thereby is isolated. The invention also relates to the enzymes used and mutants thereof, nucleic acids coding for the enzymes, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, micro-organisms comprising the vectors, and the use of the enzymes, the vectors or the micro-organisms for carrying out a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. The present application also relates to polymer reaction products that can be obtained by the method, and methods for producing esterases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing high purity 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from an aqueous medium, such as a fermentation broth, are described. Aqueous 3-HP solution can be purified by flash evaporation wherein the 3-HP is vaporized at an elevated temperature without conversion to acrylic acid. This process can be integrated with downstream processes for producing other chemical and consumer products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fed-batch culture method comprising a step of fed-batch-feeding a carbon source base and a base in such a manner that the pH level can be maintained at a level suitable for the growth of microorganisms for fermentation of a carbon source. The present invention also provides a method for preparing organic acids using the fed-batch culture method. The present invention fed-batch-feeds a neutralizing agent such as ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate or alkali metal-containing weak base, and a carbon source substrate in preparing organic acids by microorganism fermentation. Thus, a pH level suitable for the survival of microorganisms for carbon source fermentation can be maintained, and the speed of injecting the carbon source base which is the source material can be appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the low energy, anaerobic bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol by contact with microorganisms in a deep, tank fermentation system with high conversion efficiency of both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Gas feed to the reactor is injected using a motive liquid to form a stable dispersion of microbubbles thereby reducing energy costs, and a portion of the off-gases from the reactor are recycled to (i) achieve a conversion of the total moles of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gas substrate to oxygenated organic compound of at least about 80 percent and (ii) attenuate the risk of carbon monoxide inhibition of the microorganism used for the bioconversion.

Abstract: The present invention provides various combinations of genetic modifications to a transformed host cell that provide increase conversion of carbon to a chemical product. The present invention also provides methods of fermentation and methods of making various chemical products.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fermentation process for the production of an organic acid salt including the steps of fermenting a microorganism in a fermentation medium in a fermentation reactor to form a fermentation broth having an organic acid salt, wherein part of the organic acid salt is present in the solid state and part of the organic acid salt is dissolved in the fermentation broth; withdrawing at least part of the fermentation broth from the fermentation reactor, providing the broth to a hydrocyclone, and withdrawing a top effluent and a bottom effluent from the hydrocyclone; providing the bottom effluent from the hydocyclone to a solid/liquid separation step, to form a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, providing at least 30 vol.% of the total of the top effluent from the hydrocyclone and the liquid fraction from the solid-liquid separation step to the fermentation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to GH61 polypeptide variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass comprising subjecting biomass to microbial digestion to produce volatile fatty acids and/or solvents followed by wet oxidation to reduce biosolid volume while retaining or increasing the concentration of the volatile fatty acids and/or solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for oxidizing an alkane, comprising contacting the alkane with a type alkB oxidoreductase and using a type alkB oxidoreductase to prepare a mixture of oxidation products of an alkane, wherein the ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol in the oxidation products is preferably greater than 1:1.

Abstract: Processes for starting up of anaerobic, deep tank fermentation systems to anaerobically bioconvert hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds and for steady operation of such fermentation systems. In the processes injectors use a motive liquid to introduce gas substrate as a stable gas-in liquid dispersion into the deep tank fermentation reactor where at least one of: (i) adjusting the gas to liquid flow ratio through an injector, (ii) changing the rate of liquid flow through an injector, and (iii) adjusting the carbon monoxide mole fraction in the gas feed by admixture with at least one other gas, wherein the mass transfer of carbon monoxide to an aqueous menstruum in the reactor is controlled to obtain the robust growth of the microorganism and/or continued conversion of gas substrate while maintaining the carbon monoxide concentration below that amount which is unduly adverse to the microorganism.

Abstract: Method of cell culture, comprising adding a redox active compound with a redox potential of between ?0.116 to ?0.253 to a culture capable of forming hydrogen via a hydrogenase so that the redox potential is diverted from hydrogen to form a longer chain acids, e.g., butryic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent cellobiohydrolase II. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material using an enzyme composition in the presence of a reducing agent. The present invention also provides methods for producing a fermentation product and methods of fermenting a cellulosic material using an enzyme composition in the presence of a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic modifications in eukaryotic host cells that have been transformed to express a xylose isomerase that confers on the host cell the ability to isomerize xylose to xylulose. These genetic modifications are aimed at improving the efficiency of xylose metabolism and include, e.g., reduction of nonspecific aldose reductase activity, increased xylulose kinase activity and increased flux of the pentose phosphate pathway. The modified host cells of the invention are suitable for the production of a wide variety of fermentation products, including ethanol, in fermentation processes in which a source of xylose or a source of xylose and glucose are used as carbon source.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a soft biomass decomposition method, a production method for a target substance from soft biomass, and an enzyme or group of enzymes for decomposing soft biomass. Provided is a soft biomass decomposition method, including a step of bringing an enzyme selected from specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase into contact with soft biomass such as bagasse and rice straw. Also provided is a production method for a target substance from soft biomass by incorporating the soft biomass decomposition method as a step. Further provided is an enzyme or group of enzymes for decomposing soft biomass selected from specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and polypeptides for detoxifying aldehydes associated with industrial fermentations. In particular, a heat-stable, NADPH- and iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase was cloned from Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E and displayed activity against a number of aldehydes including inhibitory compounds that are produced during the dilute-acid pretreatment process of lignocellulosic biomass before fermentation to biofuels. Methods to use the microorganisms and polypeptides of the invention for improved conversion of bio mass to biofuel are provided as well as use of the enzyme in metabolic engineering strategies for producing longer-chain alcohols from sugars using thermophilic, fermentative microorganisms.

Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microorganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.

Abstract: Processes are described for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, comprising fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent for lignin (such as ethanol), a hydrolysis catalyst (such as sulfur dioxide), and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to produce hemicellulosic monomers; saccharifying the cellulose-rich solids to produce glucose; recovering the hemicellulosic monomers and the glucose, separately or in a combined stream, as fermentable sugars; and fermenting the fermentable sugars to a fermentation product having a higher normal boiling point than water. Process integration of mass and/or energy is disclosed in many specific embodiments. The fermentation product may include an organic acid, an alcohol, a diol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid. The method can include culturing a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid producing microbial organism expressing at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount and culturing under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity, catalytic domains and cellulose binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel beta-alanine/alpha ketoglutarate aminotransferase nucleic acid and protein sequences having increased biological activity. Also provided are cells containing such enzymes, as well as methods of their use, for example to produce malonyl semialdehyde and downstream products thereof, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for on-farm processing a biomass feedstock into a useful industrial chemicals includes the steps of (a) delignifying the biomass feedstock to produce a delignified biomass, (b) subjecting the delignified biomass to cellulase production, (c) subjecting the delignified biomass with attached cellulase to simultaneous cellulolytic and solventogenic reactions to produce useful industrial chemicals (d) collecting and separating the useful industrial chemical from the fermentation broth and (e) collecting the fermentation residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid. The method can include culturing a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid producing microbial organism expressing at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount and culturing under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of biotransforming a carbohydrate of a raw material into a chemical, by cultivating Lactobacillus diolivorans in the presence of the raw material to produce a chemical substance, and isolating the chemical substance in the purified form, and the use of L. diolivorans in one of a series of biotransformation methods, wherein carbohydrates from at least two different carbohydrate sources of low purity are transformed into chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant filamentous fungal host cells producing cellulolytic enzyme compositions and methods of producing and using the compositions.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A biologically pure isolate of a selected bacterium derived from Clostridium autoethanogenum is described which has improved efficiency in the production of ethanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates comprising carbon monoxide. The bacterium can produce ethanol and acetate at an ethanol to acetate ratio of at least 1.0 and has a productivity of at least 1.2 g of ethanol/l of fermentation broth per day. The bacterium is also characterized in that it has substantially no ability to sporulate.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, methods are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganisms that convert a carbon source to propionate. The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms that carry out the conversion, as well as methods for producing propionate by culturing the microorganisms.

Abstract: Organic acid-producing microorganisms and methods of using same. The organic acid-producing microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate AcsA activity or AcsA homolog activity. The modifications increase tolerance of the microorganisms to such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, and others. Further modifications to the microorganisms increase production of such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others. Methods of producing such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others with the modified microorganisms are provided. Methods of using acsA or homologs thereof as counter-selectable markers are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to Managed Ecosystem Fermentation (MEF) which is a continuous microbial process utilizing a managed ecosystem approach employing dozens to thousands of species of microorganisms, occurring in a controlled artificial environment and consuming organic materials without benefit of sterilization. The process of utilizing this fermentation for the consumption of organic materials on a continuous basis is within the scope of this disclosed subject matter. The process of separating chemicals as industrial chemicals from this fermentation on a continuous basis is within the scope of this disclosed subject matter. The process of separating biomass useful as high protein animal feed or fertilizer from this fermentation on a continuous (or semi-continuous) basis is within the scope of this disclosed subject matter.

Abstract: Organic acid-producing microorganisms and methods of using same. The organic acid-producing microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate AcsA activity or AcsA homolog activity. The modifications increase tolerance of the microorganisms to such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, and others. Further modifications to the microorganisms increase production of such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others. Methods of producing such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others with the modified microorganisms are provided. Methods of using acsA or homologs thereof as counter-selectable markers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having xylanase activity, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding domains. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding domains.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the production of n-propanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use symbiotic co-cultures operating in a membrane supported bioreactor for the production of n-propanol from syngas.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for the production of propanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use symbiotic co-cultures for the production of propanol from syngas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of aqueous solutions of hyperpolarized carboxylic organic acids ready for use in in-vivo MR diagnostic imaging, and the use of the corresponding anhydrides or esters as glass-forming agents.