Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of degrading or converting biomass material enriched with hemicellulosic material into fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention provides four keto acid transporter encoding sequences selected from 6611 protein coding sequences of Yarrowia lipolytica CLIB122 database. Also provided are recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica strains overexpressing the keto acid transporters, which have increased extracellular secretion of ?-ketoglutarate. The present invention can be used to increase extracellular levels of ?-ketoglutarate during the fermentation process and lower downstream purification cost for ?-ketoglutarate production.

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 method of sterilizing a separation membrane module using water vapor includes: a liquid supplying step of supplying a liquid having a boiling point of 80° C. or higher at atmospheric pressure to a secondary side of the separation membrane module such that a filling ratio of the liquid in a space surrounded by a filtration portion of a separation membrane is 70% or more, the filtration portion being used for filtration; a liquid sealing step of isolating the secondary side of the separation membrane module such that the filling ratio of the liquid supplied to the secondary side in the liquid supplying step is 70% or more; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the separation membrane module by supplying water vapor to a primary side of the separation membrane module while the secondary side of the separation membrane module is isolated.

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 isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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 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 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 invention provides spray-dried preparations of microbes and methods of using those microbes.

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 invention relates to fungal strains having at least one genetic modification which leads to a reduction of the activity of at least one fungal carboxylic acid transporter and to a method for producing or using said fungal strains.

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

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: 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 invention relates to alpha-amylase 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: 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 invention relates to methods for the production of chemical compounds, particularly but not exclusively ethanol, by microbial fermentation. Also described are genetically modified micro-organisms capable of using carbon monoxide to produce one or more products, particularly but not exclusively ethanol as a main product, and producing a reduced amount or substantially no 2,3-butanediol and/or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods of degrading or converting cellulosic material into fermentable sugars using dithionite. Also described are improved methods of fermentation in the presence of dithionite.

Abstract: A target substance can be produced by culturing a bacterium having an ability to produce 2-ketoglutaric acid or a derivative thereof, and an ability to produce xylonic acid from xylose, which is imparted with xylonate dehydratase activity, 2-keto-3-deoxyxylonate dehydratase activity and 2-ketoglutaric semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity, or in which these activities are enhanced, in a medium containing xylose as a carbon source to produce and accumulate the target substance in the medium, and collecting the target substance from the medium.

Abstract: A process for producing efficiently glutamic acid derivatives (including salts thereof) such as monatin is described. This process entails converting a substituted ?-keto acid of formula (1) into a glutamic acid derivative of formula (2) in the presence of an enzyme catalyzing conversion of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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 methods of saccharifying the trash (leaf) fraction of sugar cane using enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing efficiently glutamic acid derivatives (including salts thereof) such as monatin by converting a substituted ?-keto acid of formula (1) into a glutamic acid derivative of formula (2) in the presence of an enzyme catalyzing conversion of the same.

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

Abstract: Strains of cyanobacteria that produce high levels of alpha ketoglutarate (AKG) and pyruvate are disclosed herein. Methods of culturing these cyanobacteria to produce AKG or pyruvate and recover AKG or pyruvate from the culture are also described herein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides that function as ethylene-forming enzymes and their use in the production of ethylene are further disclosed herein. These nucleic acids may be expressed in hosts such as cyanobacteria, which in turn may be cultured to produce ethylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cell comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a sulfur-containing compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also provides 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 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 relates to a novel thermostable gluconate dehydratase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus, a coding sequence, and an expression system. The gluconate dehydratase has a molecular weight of about 320,000 to 380,000 daltons as the native protein, and about 40,000 to 50,000 daltons as the monomer protein, and catalyzes the dehydration reaction of aldonic acids to 2-keto-3-deoxy derivatives at temperatures of less than 120° C. The gluconate dehydratase can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and thereby used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other industries.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing succinic acid in which a microorganism having a succinic acid-producing ability is allowed to react with a sugar, the method being characterized in that the ratio of the oxygen transfer rate to the succinic acid production rate (mmol-O2/mol-SA) is 0.1 to 240 and that the doubling time of the microorganism during the reaction is not shorter than 40 hours.

Abstract: A fermentation process includes contacting a carbohydrate source with a microorganism in an aqueous fermentation broth to form a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water. The fermentation process is carried out at a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure and at least at the value where the reaction medium is at its boiling point at the fermentation temperature. Water is evaporated and removed from the reactor during the fermentation in an amount which is at least 20% of the volume of liquid present in the reactor at the start of the fermentation. A fermentation process at reduced pressure while removing a substantial amount of water removes a surplus of water in the system, ensures removal of reaction heat, and may lead to improved fermentation quality.

Abstract: 4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxaloacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing alpha-ketopimelic acid, comprising converting 2-hydroxyheptanedioic acid into alpha-ketopimelic acid, which conversion is catalysed using a biocatalyst. Further, the invention relates to a heterologous cell, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme having catalytic activity in the conversion of 2-hydroxyheptanedioic acid into alpha-ketopimelic acid. Further, the invention relates to the use of a heterologous cell according to the invention in the preparation of caprolactam, diaminohexane or adipic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing alpha-ketopimelic acid, comprising converting alpha-ketoglutaric acid into alpha-ketoadipic acid and converting alpha-ketoadipic acid into alpha-ketopimelic acid, wherein at least one of these conversions is carried out using a heterologous biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a heterologous cell, comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding one or more heterologous enzymes capable of catalysing at least one reaction step in the preparation of alpha-ketopimelic acid from alpha-ketoglutaric acid.

Abstract: 4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxaloacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas.

Abstract: A process for producing high yields of enantioselective amino acids and chiral amines by reacting a keto acid or ketone and an amino acid donor in the presence of a transaminase biocatalyst to produce a keto acid by-product and an amino acid or amine product. Further reacting the keto acid by-product with a peroxide to increase the yield of additional amino acid or amine product.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, in which the liquor has been subjected to a temperature of at least 50° C., wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer selected from natural polymers and modified natural polymers having a high anionic charge such that the equivalent weight is below 300, and synthetic polymers formed from at least 50% by weight anionic monomer units.

Abstract: 4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxalacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of degrading plant biomass, and microorganisms and polypeptides used in such methods, hi certain embodiments, the methods include growing Anaerocellum thermophilum on a substrate that comprises plant biomass under conditions effective for the A. thermophilum to convert at least a portion of the plant biomass to a water soluble product or a water insoluble product, hi some cases, the method can further include one or more steps to further process the water soluble product or a water insoluble product to produce, for example, a biofuel or commodity chemical. In another aspect, microorganisms that include at least one A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotide are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of transferring one or more A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides to a recipient microorganism. A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of hydrolysis of wet fiber and a method for preparing ethanol. Generally, an agricultural plant material, such as corn hulls, distiller's dried grains, or spent germ, is treated to at least partially hydrolyze the fiber. The process may include a maceration step followed by a shearing operation in the presence of steam to yield a treated product, in which, in many embodiments, saccharides will be released and unbound from fibrous portions of the agricultural product. In some embodiments, the process includes macerating the material to provide a slurry having a solids content of at least 10 percent and jet cooking the slurry. A mixture of saccharides prepared in this fashion may be fermented to yield ethanol and/or biochemicals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated genetically modified microorganism in which the gene IDH1 and at least one of the genes SDH2 and DIC1 are under the control of a first promoter that is repressed to a growth culture medium by means of a cultivation additive and is active in the absence of the cultivation additive. The genes that are part of the group comprising “PYC1, ACS1, CIT1, ACO1, ICL1, MSL1, and CIT2, optionally also MDH3” are constitutively active. The invention further relates to uses of such a microorganism, especially for producing succinic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermostable gluconate dehydratase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus, a coding sequence, and an expression system. The gluconate dehydratase has a molecular weight of about 320,000 to 380,000 daltons as the native protein, and about 40,000 to 50,000 daltons as the monomer protein, and catalyzes the dehydration reaction of aldonic acids to 2-keto-3-deoxy derivatives at temperatures of less than 120° C. The gluconate dehydratase can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and thereby used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other industries.

Abstract: The invention provides spray-dried preparations of microbes and methods of using those microbes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C) and/or 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (hereinafter also referred to as 2-KGA). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to modified proteins and polynucleotides encoding said modified proteins as well as to modified microorganisms, wherein the modification has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of Vitamin C and/or 2-KGA in said microorganisms. Also included are processes of using the modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms.

Abstract: An acidic substance having a carboxyl group is produced by culturing in a medium a microorganism which has been modified to enhance expression of the ybjL gene, and collecting the acidic substance having a carboxyl group from the medium.