Abstract: A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway that includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. A method for producing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol includes culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway. The pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Abstract: A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method comprising a) fermenting biomass to produce a fermentation broth; b) separating the fermentation broth into a liquid stream and a solid or slurry stream; c) passing the liquid stream through a reverse osmosis membrane to obtain a permeate and a retentate; and d) concentrating the retentate. Herein disclosed is a method comprising a) fermenting biomass in a first fermentor to produce a first fermentation broth; b) separating the first fermentation broth into a first liquid stream and a first solid or slurry stream; c) introducing the first solid or slurry stream into a second fermentor to produce a second fermentation broth, wherein the second fermentor comprises a lower fermentation products concentration than the first fermentor; d) separating the second fermentation broth into a second liquid stream and a second solid or slurry stream; and e) passing the second liquid stream through a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: A process for the production of an optically enriched tertiary alcohol of the formula (2a) or (2b), by reacting an epoxide of the formula (1) with a nucleophilic agent Nu in the presence of halohydrin dehalogenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein which can asymmetrically reduce an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to produce an amide or ester compound of corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid compound with a good optical yield, a DNA encoding the protein, a process for producing the protein from the DNA, and a process for asymmetrically reducing an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to produce a corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of isomerically pure substituted cyclohexanols starting from a mixture of cis/trans substituted cyclohexanols which comprises reacting the cis/trans mixture of a substituted cyclohexanol with a dicarboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a lipase, to give the trans semi-ester which is separated off from the unreacted substituted cyclohexanol cis isomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing 1-(2-hydroxyethyl) 2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalene-2-ol represented by formula (2), wherein microbial conversion is carried out using a compound(s) represented by formula (1a) and/or (1b) as a substrate, the resulting culture product, in which microorganisms obtained by the microbial conversion are contained, and a solvent having an SP value within the range of 7.5 to 9.0 [(cal/cm3)1/2] are mixed together, and subsequently the aqueous phase is removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH) polypeptides having improved enzyme properties as compared to the wild-type HHDH enzyme HheC and other reference engineered HHDH polypeptides. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered HHDH enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered HHDH enzymes, and methods of using the engineered HHDH enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds including chiral epoxides and chiral alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of alcohol, known as second generation production, from a lignocellulosic substrate, in which a controlled quantity of furfural is produced in situ and which comprises at least the following steps: a first step for alkaline chemical pre-treatment of the substrate; a step for adjusting the pH of the substrate; then a step for enzymatic hydrolysis of said pre-treated substrate; a step for alcoholic fermentation of the hydrolysate obtained with an alcohol-producing microorganism; a step for separation/purification; and a step for acid conversion of at least one liquid fraction into furfural, said liquid fraction being obtained during one of the preceding steps; a step for mixing said furfural obtained with the pre-treated substrate during the pH adjusting step.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of processing a biomass, e.g., for producing lipid and non-lipid materials, by inducing autolysis of a biomass. The biomass may be generated using any species of microorganism and any available biodegradable substrate, including waste materials. The lipid and non-lipid materials are present in two separate layers of the autolysate, and they can be used to generate valuable products such as biofuels and nutritional supplements. The present invention further provides a processing apparatus useful for practicing the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the utilization of fatty materials with substantial free fatty acid content in the production of biodiesel by the use of microbial enzymes that are effective in a solvent-free process for the production of esters of fatty acids and C1-C3 alkyl alcohols.

Abstract: Improved yields of biofuels and other chemicals are obtained by culturing a cellulolytic microorganism, such as Clostridium phytofermentans, Clostridium sp. Q.D, or Clostridium biocatalysts thereof in modulated amounts of vitamins, such as thiamine or nicotinic acid. Provided are methods to increase yields of ethanol and other fermentation products through vitamin supplementation. Recombinant microorganisms with altered metabolic pathways that obviate the need to modulate media components during hydrolysis and fermentation of biomass are also described.

Abstract: Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by: contacting the biomass with a cooking liquor containing 1 to 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, of sodium hydroxide, and under conditions effective to provide a pulp stream containing pulp having a lignin content of 5% to 20% by weight, based on the pulp washing the pulp stream; hydrolyzing the washed pulp stream with an enzyme solution; fermenting the hydrolyzate in the presence of a microorganism, one alcohol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polypeptide having esterase activity comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NO's 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 or a homologue thereof, comprising an amino acid substitution or deletion of one or more amino acids as shown in said SEQ ID NO's and resulting in a mutant polypeptide having an increased concentration of the fraction of the mutant polypeptide being present as an active and soluble protein in cleared lysate of the mutant polypeptide expressed in E. coli relative to the concentration of the fraction of the polypeptide without the mutation being present as an active and soluble protein in cleared lysate of the polypeptide without the one or more deletion or substitution expressed in E. coli under the same conditions. The invention also relates to nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides according to the invention, and the use of the polypeptides.

Abstract: Functionalized substrate materials, for example inorganic particles and/or synthetic polymeric particles, are used to enhance bioprocesses such as saccharification and fermentation.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing fuels are provided. These methods use often difficult to process lignocellulosic materials, for example crop residues and grasses. The methods can be readily practiced on a commercial scale in an economically viable manner, in some cases using as feedstocks materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of carbohydrate cleavage products, characterized by the combination of the measures that the lignocellulosic material is treated with an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide, an alcohol, in particular a C1-4 alcohol or a phenol, and a base in order to oxidatively break down lignocellulose and to separate cleavage products from the material, and that the obtained material enriched with cellulose and hemicelluloses is treated with a carbohydrate-cleavage enzyme in order to prepare the carbohydrate cleavage products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase 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 for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytases, polynucleotides encoding them, uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides having phytase activity under high temperature conditions, and phytases that retain activity after exposure to high temperatures. The invention further provides phytases which have increased gastric lability. The phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be formulated as foods or feeds or supplements for either to, e.g., aid in the digestion of phytate.

Abstract: Provided are isolated novel Clostridium phytofermentans biocatalysts with deregulated cellulase activity that produce high yields of products. Further provided are methods of using the biocatalysts to degrade organic material and for use in industrial processes.

Abstract: A process for producing a cross-linked crystallized protein complex, which comprises: a first step of concentrating a crude protein derived from an animal or plant; a second step of encapsulating the protein in a gel, to thereby allow the protein to undergo air oxidation, and then extracting a protein complex from the gel; a third step of allowing the extracted protein complex to undergo crystallization and precipitation; and a fourth step of cross-linking the precipitated protein complex. Alternatively, by use of a fifth step of drying (FD) the obtained crosslinked crystallized protein complex, to thereby form a powder. As a result, there is provided an enzyme which is stable at room temperature storage, and has an activity in catalyzing an asymmetric oxidation reaction. That is, there is provided a useful material which enables an efficient enzyme-mimetic reaction under a mild condition.

Abstract: A method including: (a) selectively reacting a first sugar in a mixture which includes at least one second sugar to form a product mixture comprising a product of said first sugar; (b) separating said product of said first sugar from said product mixture; and (c) separating at least one of said at least one second sugar from said product mixture.

Abstract: Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on a carrier selected from the group consisting of macroporous adsorbent resin of the acrylic type, synthetic epoxy activated resin and Mg—Al-hydrotalcite enhances its enantioselectivity by six to seven folds. The immobilized Candida rugosa lipase is suitable for use in resolution of racemic alcohols and/or carboxylic acids, particularly in resolution of racemic menthol or production of menthyl esters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement in efficiency in gasification for use with syngas fermentation. In particular, the invention relates to increasing the overall carbon capture efficiency of a gasification/fermentation process to produce products such as alcohols.

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: The present invention relates to a process for preparing (2R,3S)-1-halo-2-hydroxy-3-(protected)amino-4-substituted butane comprising contacting a mutagenized Rhodococcus erythropolis having ATCC deposit no. PTA-6648 with (3S)-1-halo-2-oxo-3-(protected)amino-4-substituted butane substrate. The present invention also relates to a process comprising mixing (2R,3S)-1-halo-2-hydroxy-3-(protected)amino-4-substituted butane with at least one base in the presence of at least one solvent to produce a reaction mixture containing (2R,3S)-1,2-epoxy-3-(protected)amino-4-substituted butane. The present invention further relates to a process comprising crystallizing the (2R,3S)-1,2-epoxy-3-(protected)amino-4-substituted butane out of the reaction mixture by concurrently adding water and the reaction mixture together. The present invention is also directed to a mutagenized Rhodococcus erythropolis having ATCC deposit no. PTA-6648.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to processes for the production of alcohols from their corresponding acids in the presence of a substrate comprising CO. In particular embodiments, a fermentation reaction producing acid(s) and optionally alcohol(s) is perturbed such that at least a portion one or more of acid(s) is converted to alcohol.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter related to methods of converting lignocellulosic materials to alcohol that include increasing the fiber consistency of enzymatic hydrolysis mixtures. More particularly, the methods involve contacting lignocellulosic biomass with an enzyme composition for a period of time, and then thickening the mixture and further hydrolyzing the thickened mixture. The thickening can be performed by filtration, optionally reusing the filtrate and/or any enzymes contained therein during the lignocellulose conversion process to increase the efficiency of the process. Hydrolysis of the thickened mixture provides a fermentable sugar mixture having a higher concentration of sugar than fermentable sugar mixtures provided from less concentrated biomass/enzyme mixtures. Compositions comprising alcohol prepared according to the presently disclosed methods are also provided.

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. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.

Abstract: In a process for the stereoselective, in particular enantioselective enzymatic reduction of keto compounds to the corresponding chiral hydroxy compounds, wherein the keto compounds are reduced with an enantioselective, NADH-specific oxidoreductase, a polypeptide is used for reducing the keto compounds, which polypeptide exhibits an R-ADH-signature H-[P; A]-[I; A; Q; V; L]-[G; K]-R at positions 204-208 and the following further structural features in their entirety: (i) an N-terminal Rossmann-Fold GxxxGxG, (ii) an NAG-motif at position 87, (iii) a catalytic triad consisting of S 139, Y 152 and K 156, (iv) a negatively charged amino acid moiety at position 37, (v) two C-terminal motifs in the dimerization domain [A; S]-S-F and [V; I]-DG-[G; A]-Y-[T; C; L]-[A; T; S]-[Q; V; R; L; P], (vi) Val or Leu at position 159 (4 positions downstream of K 156), (vii) Asn at position 178, and (viii) a proline moiety at position 188.

Abstract: Biomass is converted to short chain alcohols such as butanol by a process which comprises (1) reacting biomass with an oxidizing agent to produce unoxidized aromatic and/or phenolic compounds and C1-6 linear and branched, saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids; (2) separating the unoxidized aromatic and/or phenolic compounds from the C1-6 carboxylic acids; (3) anaerobically fermenting the C1-6 carboxylic acids in the presence of an anaerobic bacterium in its solventogenesis phase to produce a solvent comprised of butanol and non-fermentable carboxylic acids. The products of the process can be used as fuel and/or fuel additives.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel enzymes and novel methods for producing the same. More specifically this invention relates to a variety of fungal enzymes. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such enzymes, compositions, recombinant and genetically modified host cells, and methods of use are described. The invention also relates to a method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars with enzymes that degrade the lignocellulosic material and novel combinations of enzymes, including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass. The invention also relates to methods to use the novel enzymes and compositions of such enzymes in a variety of other processes, including washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking and biobleaching of paper and pulp, and treatment of waste streams.

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: A Genomic DNA and a cDNA of a ?-glucan-deficient gene in a barley and of a ?-glucan synthesis gene in a barley, a barley having the genomic DNA of a ?-glucan-deficient gene and a method for breeding the same, a method for producing an alcohol or a fermented food using barley kernels decreasing or deficient in ?-glucan, and an animal feed composition are provided. A Genomic DNA of a ?-glucan-deficient gene consisting of a base sequence having 90% or more homology to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and producing a protein lacking a ?-glucan synthesis activity when transcribed and translated, and a breeding method comprising a step of selecting a barley by determining the barley as having a ?-glucan-deficient gene when the base corresponding to position 4,275, or corresponding to position 2,385, of the gene consisting of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 located near the centromere of chromosome 7H of the barley is mutated from G to A.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel enzymes and novel methods for producing the same. More specifically this invention relates to a variety of fungal enzymes. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such enzymes, compositions, recombinant and genetically modified host cells, and methods of use are described. The invention also relates to a method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars with enzymes that degrade the lignocellulosic material and novel combinations of enzymes, including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass. The invention also relates to methods to use the novel enzymes and compositions of such enzymes in a variety of other processes, including washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking and biobleaching of paper and pulp, and treatment of waste streams.

Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Thermoanaerobacter brockii CglT beta-glucosidase that have improve beta-glucosidase activity compared to the wild type enzyme. The invention also provides polynucleotides that encode the variants, as well as methods of producing the variants, enzyme compositions comprising the variants, and methods for using the variants in industrial applications.

Abstract: The control of the microbial contamination during the sugar fermentation in the processes for obtaining alcohol is a very important action to increase the productivity of the alcoholic fermentation processes. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells engage a very tough nutritional competition for the sugarcane juice with the bacteria (Lactobacillus sp and Acetobacter) and the wild yeasts. The proposed composition uses an antimicrobial agent of the guanidine family, such as for example, poly(hexamethyl biguanide), an antibiotic agent, and also a surfactant agent, to prevent the undesired microbial growth. The present invention further refers to the process for controlling the microbial contamination through the use of said agents.

Abstract: A hydrothermal decomposition apparatus 17 as a biomass processing apparatus that decomposes a biomass material 11 into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin under a high temperature and high pressure condition to remove a lignin component and a hemicellulose component, a biomass solid discharging unit 18 that discharges a biomass solid (a hot-water insoluble component) 20 processed in the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus 17, and a slurrying vessel 21 communicating with the biomass solid discharging unit 18, into which water 19 is injected and the discharged biomass solid 20 is added to make it slurried are provided to an apparatus body 13, which is a processing vessel having a gas-liquid interface 13a.

Abstract: A method for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts hemicelluloses extracted from biomass prior to thermal conversion of the biomass to energy. The process can be integrated with the host plant process to minimize the energy loss from extracting hemicelluloses. Also disclosed is a Stepwise enzymatic break down of cellulose fibers from a pulping operation which is performed with the redeployment of equipment and vessels contained within typical existing pulp and paper manufacturing mills. The preferred feedstock is highly delignified pulp from acid or alkaline pulping process or from bleaching stage.

Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Clostridium thermocellum endoglucanase (CeIG) that have improved endoglucanase activity compared to the wild type enzyme. Also provided are related polynucleotides, compositions, vectors, host cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity, the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70% identity with amino acids 22 to 450 of SEQ ID NO: 4; b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70% identity with the polypeptide encoded by the amylase encoding part of the polynucleotide inserted into a plasmid present in the E. coli host deposited under the Budapest Treaty with DSMZ under accession number DSM 15334; c) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity with the sequence shown from position 68 to 1417 in SEQ ID NO: 3; and d) a fragment of (a), (b) or (c) that has alpha-amylase activity.

Abstract: A method of producing an alcohol from lignocellulosic biomass is provided wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated with an alkaline mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate, i.e., green liquor, prior to enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Pretreatment with the green liquor increases the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis. Both the alcohol produced from the fermentation and the lignin that dissolves into the green liquor during pretreatment can also be used as fuels.

Abstract: A method of producing a low molecular weight organic compound (e.g. a plant or bacteria secondary metabolite) in increased yields involving use of a microorganism cell, which comprises a gene involved in the biosynthesis pathway leading to a low molecular weight organic aglycon compound and a glycosyltransferase gene capable of glycosylating the produced aglycon.

Abstract: The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: In an alcohol fermentation process, oil derived from biomass is hydrolyzed into an extractant available for in situ removal of a product alcohol such as butanol from a fermentation broth. The glycerides in the oil can be catalytically (e.g., enzymatically) hydrolyzed into free fatty acids, which form a fermentation product extractant having a partition coefficient for a product alcohol greater than a partition coefficient of the oil of the biomass for the product alcohol. Oil derived from a feedstock of an alcohol fermentation process can be hydrolyzed by contacting the feedstock including the oil with one or more enzymes whereby at least a portion of the oil is hydrolyzed into free fatty acids forming a fermentation product extractant, or the oil can be separated from the feedstock prior to the feedstock being fed to a fermentation vessel, and the separated oil can be contacted with the enzymes to form the fermentation product extractant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of at least one of a fermentation product and a derivate thereof comprising the steps of: a. providing a fermentable aqueous solution comprising at least one fermentable compound and at least one impurity; b. selectively extracting the at least one impurity from at least a portion of the fermentable aqueous solution by means of an extractant to form an impurity-depleted fermentable solution comprising a fermentable compound and to form an impurity-comprising extract; and c. fermenting the fermentable compound of the impurity-depleted fermentable solution to form a fermentation broth comprising a fermentation product wherein the extractant comprises at least one of the fermentation product and a derivate thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing alcohol from a cellulosic material, said process comprising: hydrolyzing said cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce a hydrolysate; extracting acid and water from said hydrolysate with a water-miscible organic extraction solvent to yield (a) a first aqueous acidic solution containing said extraction solvent and (b) a residue containing sugars; subjecting said residue to an oligosaccharide cleavage reaction to yield an aqueous solution of fermentable sugars; fermenting said fermentable sugars and distilling alcohol from the resulting fermented mixture; contacting said first aqueous acidic solution with a pressurized fluid lipophilic solvent in non-gaseous form, which fluid solvent is substantially water-immiscible and is gaseous at ambient conditions, to yield a second aqueous acid solution and a solvent mixture of said extraction solvent and said fluid solvent; depressurizing said solvent mixture to release said extraction solvent for recycling; and,

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis products The process comprises admixing cellulose with an ionic liquid capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, said ionic liquid being a compound comprised solely of cations and anions and which exists in a liquid state at a temperature at or below 15O° C., and in which the anions are selected from sulfate, hydrogen sulfate and nitrate; and treating the resulting solvate or solution with an acid in the presence of water, said acid having a pKa in water of less than 2 at 25° C.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a diol, which can efficiently produce a diol having a low intensity of abnormal odor and high purity. A process for producing 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalen-2-ol represented by formula (2): the process containing drying a culture fluid obtained by microbial conversion using a compound(s) represented by formula (1a) and/or (1b) as a substrate, bringing the dried product of the culture fluid into contact with such a solvent that the SP value of the medium obtainable after the contact between the dried product of the culture fluid and the solvent falls in the range of 9.5 to 16 [(cal/cm3)1/2], subsequently removing the microorganism from the medium, and crystallizing the medium.