Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to the use of a glucoamylase in combination with a phytase in starch processing to reduce the levels of phytic acid in end-products.

Abstract: The present invention comprises pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock with acid at a pH between about 2.0 and about 3.5 to produce a composition comprising an acid pretreated feedstock. The acid pretreated feedstock is then enzymatically hydrolyzed with cellulases and ?-glucosidase. The glucose is fermented by microorganisms to produce a fermentation broth comprising the fermentation product, followed by recovery of the fermentation product. The steps of enzymatically hydrolyzing and fermenting are conducted at a pH below about 4.0.

Abstract: A modified microorganism having enhanced xylose utilization, an expression vector for constructing the modified microorganism, and a method of producing a chemical using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active alcohols of the formula Ia or Ib in which R1,R2 are alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups which may in turn be substituted one or more times by alkyl, halogen, SH, SR2, OH, OR2, NO2, CN, CO, COOR2, NR2R3 or NR2R3R4+X, where R2, R3 and R4 are independently of one another H or a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy radical, and X?is a counter ion, with the proviso that R1 is not equal to R2, by reducing the corresponding ketone, where the reduction is carried out with a dehydrogenase having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4, or with a polypeptide sequence in which up to 25% of the amino acid residues are altered by comparison with SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4 by deletion, insertion, substitution or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.

Abstract: In one embodiment the instant invention generally pertains to a method for producing glucose for fermentation. The method comprises first treating a biomass comprising a lignocellulosic material with a mixture comprising SO2 and steam at reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition mixture comprising cellulose suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. Specifically, the temperature, residence time, and SO2 concentration may be selected by calculating a crystallinity index (CrI) of the biomass and using the calculated crystallinity index as an indicator of enzymatic hydrolysis rate. In this manner cellulose may be enzymatically hydrolyzed glucose for aerobic or anaerobic fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for converting CO by microbial fermentation to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. More particularly the invention relates to a method for producing one or more products from a CO comprising substrate, the method comprising a natural gas reforming step for producing a syngas stream, and converting at least a portion of CO from the syngas stream to one or more products including ethanol.

Abstract: Strict anaerobic thermophilic bacterium belonging to the group of Thermoanaerobacter italicus subsp. marato subsp. nov. and mutants and derivatives thereof. The bacterium is particularly suitable for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, lactic acid, acetic acid and hydrogen from lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95 % content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Provided is a modified Family 1 carbohydrate binding module (CBM) comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more of positions 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 24, 29, 31, 33, and 37, said position determined from alignment of a Family 1 CBM amino acid sequence with SEQ ID NO: 30, and exhibiting from about 50% to about 99.9% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 30. Also provided are modified glycosidase enzymes comprising the modified Family 1 CBM, genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes for expressing the modified Family 1 CBM or modified glycosidase enzyme. The modified Family 1 CBM confers reduced lignin binding and/or increased hydrolysing activity in the presence of lignin to the modified glycosidase enzyme, which may be used in a process for hydrolysing cellulose or hemicellulose in the presence of lignin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of pantothenate compounds as a non-genetic switch for the production of heterologous acetyl-CoA derived (HACD) compounds in microbial host cells. The invention provides genetically modified microorganisms that are more stable when stored and initially cultured under reduced pantothenate concentrations, cell culture media having reduced concentrations of pantothenate compounds, and methods of producing HACD compounds using the cell culture media and the genetically engineered microorganisms of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a method of producing an erythro- or threo-2-amino-3-hydroxypropionic acid ester, and so forth. The present invention relates to: a method of asymmetrically reducing an N-2-amino-3-oxopropionic acid ester by allowing cells of a microorganism to act thereon; a polypeptide having an activity of asymmetrically reducing a carbonyl compound to give an optically active alcohol, which is isolated from a microorganism belonging to genus Brevundimonas; a DNA coding for the polypeptide; and a transformant producing the polypeptide. The invention also relates to a method of producing an optically active alcohol by reducing a carbonyl compound with the help of the polypeptide or the transformant.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one of more sulfide (hydrosulfide) salt and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.

Abstract: The present application provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to glucose, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and processes for producing glucose from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.

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 invention relates to biological processes for producing one or more desired products, including alcohols such as ethanol and butanol. The processes comprise carrying out first and second fermentations of substrates in first and second bioreactors, wherein each fermentation produces one or more desired products and/or one or more by-products that can be utilized in the other fermentation. A product and/or by-product of the first fermentation is introduced to the second bioreactor during the fermentation, and a product and/or by-product of the second fermentation is introduced to the first bioreactor during the fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: A sugar mixture comprising: monosaccharides; oligosaccharides in a ratio ?0.06 to total saccharides; disaccharides in a ratio to total saccharides ?0.05; pentose in a ratio to total saccharides ?0.05; at least one alpha-bonded di-glucose; and at least one beta-bonded di-glucose. Also disclosed are methods to make and/or use such mixtures.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel yeast strains intended for alcohol production. The present invention also relates to yeasts obtained by cultures of said yeast strains and use thereof for producing alcohol, in particular in a toxic fermentation medium. Another object of the invention relates to a method of selecting yeast strains that are resistant to a toxic fermentation medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications. Some embodiments relate to a method of producing ethanol using the cell wall degradative systems of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. In one aspect, the invention provides delayed release compositions comprising a desired ingredient coated by a latex polymer coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutants with cyclase activity and use thereof in a method for biocatalytic cyclization of terpenes, such as in particular for the production of isopulegol by cyclization of citronellal; a method for the preparation of menthol and methods for the biocatalytic conversion of further compounds with structural motifs similar to terpene.

Abstract: A method for the production water insoluble reactive lignin having low sulfur content and lignosulfonates from lignocellulosic material in a batch or continuous process. Lignocellulosic material is fractionated to produce water insoluble native lignin and lignosulfonates in various ratios, while preserving the cellulose and hydrolyzed hemicelluloses using water, ethanol and sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated method for the processing of palm fruit bunches to oil and other products. The method comprises inter alia separating palm fruit carrying bunches into fruits and lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, processing the fruits to form palm oil, and at least one lignocellulosic processing coproduct; generating an aqueous stream; producing a non-oil, non-alcohol, non-fatty acid ester third product from the oil, the lignocellulosic processing coproduct, the aqueous stream or from a combination thereof; processing at least a portion of the lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, lignocellulosic processing coproduct or a combination thereof into a fourth product and optionally producing at least one fifth conversion product from the fourth product; and using at least a portion of the fourth product or a product of its conversion or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprising the following steps: preparing a medium comprising fermentation waste generated in an alcohol production process; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated. More specifically, the preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprises the following steps: fermenting hexoses from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses to produce an ethanol fermentation broth; separating and purifying the ethanol fermentation broth; preparing a medium comprising the fermentation waste produced in the separation and purification step; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of a diol form represented by the formula (2), which includes filtering a culture fluid obtained by microbial conversion using a compound represented by the following formula (1a) and/or formula (1b) as a substrate, using a filter having an aperture size of 10 to 100 ?m; washing the residue on the filter with water or a solvent having an SP value outside the range of 8.3 to 20 (cal/cm3)1/2; subsequently dissolving the obtained cake in a solvent having an SP value of 8.3 to 20 (cal/cm3)1/2; and then filtering or centrifuging the solution. According to the present invention, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalen-2-ol, which is useful as an intermediate for the production of 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan, can be efficiently produced at high purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Burkholderia multivorans, an amidase produced from the same, and a method for optical resolution of a racemic mixture using the same, and more particularly to a strain Burkholderia multivorans LG 31-3, an amidase having stereoselective substrate specificity, and a method for optical resolution of a racemic mixture using the same. The amidase produced from the novel Burkholderia multivorans LG 31-3 (KCTC 10920BP) according to the present invention can be useful to produce single enantiomer at a high optical purity since the racemic mixture may be easily optically resolved under enzyme reaction conditions of room temperature and normal pressure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method of preparation of a strain of evolved micro-organisms for the production of 1,2-propanediol by the metabolism of a simple carbon source, which method comprises the growth under selection pressure in an appropriate growth medium containing a simple carbon source of an initial bacterial strain that has undergone the deletion of the gene tpiA and the deletion of at least one gene involved in the conversion of methylglyoxal (propanal) into lactate, in order to cause, in said initial strain, the evolution of one or more genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway from DHAP to methylglyoxal and then to 1,2-propanediol towards evolved genes that possess an improved “1,2-propanediol synthase activity”, the resulting strain or strains of evolved micro-organisms possessing an improved “1,2-propanediol synthase activity” then being selected and isolated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase 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: A method for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts from power boiler woody biomass extract containing hemicelluloses, with or without combining extract from wood prior to Kraft cooking. The process is integrated with the host Kraft pulp mill plant process to minimize the heat loss from extracting hemicelluloses and the energy used in the process.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia and optionally an additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin without loss of hemicellulose. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: A biorefinery process to fractionate lignocellulosic materials into cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin using a pretreatment with mixture of alcohol, sulfur dioxide and water. Further treatment with enzymes, micro-organisms, and optionally bisulfite ion, are used to convert intermediate products to alcohol and lignin derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention relates to isolated enzymes useful in reducing a fatty acyl-CoA to a corresponding fatty alcohol in a single biosynthetic step, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides for isolated or recombinant enzymes capable of reducing a fatty acyl-CoA to a fatty alcohol. In still another embodiment, the invention provides for isolated or recombinant polynucleotides encoding an enzyme capable of reducing a fatty acyl-CoA to a fatty alcohol. In other embodiments, the invention provides for methods of making or using enzymes capable of reducing fatty acyl-CoA to a fatty alcohol, and methods of making using polynucleotides that encode the enzymes.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating multi-purpose H2-dense fuel for isolating contaminants and storing energy. In one aspect, a method of producing a renewable multi-purpose biomaterial for isolating a hazardous contaminant from an environment and storing energy includes dissociating biomass waste using a thermochemical reaction to produce at least one of hydrocarbon and alcohol by applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source. The method includes dissociating the at least one of hydrocarbon and alcohol to generate carbon and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide emitted from an industrial process is harvested and reacted with the hydrogen to generate the hydrogen-dense fuel. A hazardous contaminant is dissolved in the hydrogen-dense fuel operating as a solvent to generate a liquid mixture that isolates the hazardous contaminant from the environment. The hazardous contaminant includes at least one of a carbon donor and a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transformed Yarrowia lipolytica comprising an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having sucrose invertase activity. Also disclosed are methods of using the transformed Y. lipolytica.

Abstract: In a method of making theanine, glutaminase is derived from microbes of one or more of Bacillus, mold and yeast is caused to act on glutamine and ethylamine derivative.

Abstract: The invention concerns the production of cholesterol in organisms of the Fungi kingdom. More particularly, the invention concerns genetically modified Fungus independently producing cholesterol from a simple carbon source. The invention also concerns the use of the inventive Fungus for producing non-marked and marked cholesterol.

Abstract: Presently provided are variant glucoamylases displaying altered properties, such as improved thermostability and/or specific activity. Also disclosed are DNA sequences coding for the variants, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequence, enzyme compositions, and methods of using the variants in various applications.

Abstract: This invention provides microbial organisms, particularly yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica, that have one or more disrupted genes. The gene disruption(s) may yield improved production of fatty acyl-CoA derivatives.

Abstract: Provided herein is a multi-phase, gas-lift bioreactor device for digestion and production of biogas or biofuel from organic material, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by pretreating the biomass prior to hydrolysis and fermentation. In the pretreatment, the biomass is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a dilute acid with concentration of up to 10 wt % producing a predigested stream containing an aqueous liquor that contains at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass that contains celluloses and lignin; separating at least a portion of the aqueous liquor from the residual biomass providing an aqueous liquor stream and a pre-digested biomass stream; then contacting the pre-digested biomass stream with a cooking liquor containing at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof and water. A process that allows for higher recovery of carbohydrates and thereby increased yields is provided.

Abstract: An alcohol fermentation process and composition that includes production of alcohol esters by esterification of product alcohol in a fermentation medium with a carboxylic acid (e.g., fatty acid) and a catalyst (e.g., lipase) capable of esterifying the product alcohol, such as butanol, with the carboxylic acid to form the alcohol esters. The alcohol esters can be extracted from the fermentation medium, and the product alcohol recovered from the alcohol esters. The carboxylic acid can also serve as an extractant for removal of the alcohol esters from the fermentation medium.