Butanol Patents (Class 435/160)
-
Publication number: 20140162333Abstract: A high flux in conversion of pyruvate to acetolactate was achieved in yeast through expression of acetolactate synthase in the cytosol in conjunction with reduction in pyruvate decarboxylase activity. Additional manipulations to improve flux to acetolactate are reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and reduced glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Production of compounds having acetolactate as an upstream intermediate benefit from the increased conversion of pruvate to acetolactate in the described strains.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Larry Cameron ANTHONY, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall
-
Publication number: 20140154759Abstract: This invention provides processes and apparatus to convert biomass, including wood and agricultural residues, into low-ash biomass pellets for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing low-ash biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising providing an aqueous extraction solution with acetic acid; extracting the feedstock to produce an extract liquor containing soluble ash, hemicellulosic oligomers, acetic acid, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; dewatering and drying the cellulose-rich, lignin-rich solids to produce a low-ash biomass; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers to produce hemicellulosic sugars, wherein additional acetic acid is generated; removing a vapor stream comprising vaporized acetic acid from the extract; and recycling the vapor or its condensate to provide some starting acetic acid for the extraction solution. The disclosed processes can produce clean power from biomass.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN
-
Publication number: 20140150334Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing energy-dense biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; separating the extract liquor, to produce dewatered cellulose-rich solids; hydrolyzing the dewatered cellulose-rich solids, thereby removing a portion of the cellulose, to produce intermediate solids (with higher energy density) and a hydrolysate; drying the intermediate solids to produce energy-dense biomass; and optionally recovering fermentable sugars from the hydrolysate. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized into biomass pellets, which may have a similar energy density as torrefied pellets from wood.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN
-
Publication number: 20140154751Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the fermentation of cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose. Host cells and recombinant polypeptides having glucose mutarotase activity are provided. Additionally, methods for improving cell growth, production of chemicals, and consumption of cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose during fermentation of mixtures containing cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicants: The Regents of the Univeristy of California, The Board of Trustee of the University of IllinoisInventors: James H. Doudna Cate, William T. Beeson, IV, Jonathan M. Galazka, Huimin Zhao, Sijin Li, Yong-Su Jin, Suk-Jin Ha
-
Publication number: 20140154749Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: XYLECO, INC.Inventor: Marshall Medoff
-
Publication number: 20140147901Abstract: Methods for adapting or selecting microorganisms with increased product tolerance are provided. Additionally, a bioreactor capable of operation in either packed bed or fluidized bed is disclosed along with methods to use the bioreactor for culturing microorganisms adapted or selected increased product tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: CobaltInventor: Cobalt
-
Publication number: 20140148621Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Richard A. KOHN, Seon-Woo Kim
-
Patent number: 8735114Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Gail K Donaldson, Andrew C Eliot, Dennis Flint, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan
-
Publication number: 20140141473Abstract: Yeast cell belonging to the genus Saccharomyces having introduced into its genome at least one xylA gene and at least one of each of araA, araB and araD genes and that is capable of consuming a mixed sugar mixture comprising glucose, xylose and arabinose, wherein the cell co-consumes glucose and arabinose, has genetic variations obtained during adaptive evolution and has a specific xylose consumption rate in the presence of glucose that is 0.25 g xylose/h, g DM or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.Inventors: Paul Klaassen, Bianca Elisabeth Maria Gielesen, Gijsberdina Pieternella Van Suylekom, Panagiotis Sarantinopoulos, Wilbert Herman Marie Heijne, Aldo Greeve
-
Publication number: 20140142352Abstract: Provided herein are processes for adjusting a fermentation medium to reduce the activity of one or more carboxylic acids. The processes comprise (a) providing a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, (b) contacting the recombinant microorganism with a fermentation medium whereby butanol is produced and wherein the fermentation medium comprises one or more carboxylic acids, and (c) adjusting the fermentation medium to reduce the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids. Also provided are processes for reducing the activity of one or more carboxylic acids in a feed. The processes comprise (a) providing a feed from a fermentation vessel, wherein the feed comprises a composition produced by a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the composition comprises butanol, water, and one or more carboxylic acids; and (b) adjusting the feed, wherein adjusting the feed reduces the activity of the one or more carboxylic acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: MICHAEL DAUNER, Robert Dicosimo, Steven D. Doig, Adam David Henry, Joseph J. Zaher
-
Publication number: 20140141471Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing substances from the cellulosic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Novozymes, Inc.Inventors: Feng Xu, William Widner, Ani Tejirian
-
Publication number: 20140141479Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant host cell having (a) a modification in an endogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having dual-role hexokinase activity; (b) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having hexose kinase activity; and optionally (c) a modification in an endogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having pyruvate decarboxylase activity. Additionally, the invention relates to methods of making and using such recombinant host cells including, for example, methods of increasing glucose consumption, methods of improving redox balance, and/or methods of increasing the production of a product of a pyruvate-utilizing pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: Larry Cameron Anthony, Arthur Leo Kruckeberg, Brian James Paul
-
Patent number: 8728782Abstract: Disclosed is a method of converting butyric acid contained in a fermentation broth into biofuel. This chemical conversion method includes separating biohydrogen from gases generated in the course of production of butyric acid through fermentation of carbohydrate, extracting butyric acid from the broth using an insoluble solvent, esterifying butyric acid thus producing butylbutyrate, and hydrogenolyzing all or part of butylbutyrate, thus obtaining butanol. Thereby, biobutanol can be efficiently and economically produced, and butylbutyrate, which has oxidation stability superior to that of conventional biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) and is thus regarded as novel biofuel, can be produced together.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Sin Young Kang, Cher Hee Park, Young Seek Yoon, In Ho Cho, Hyung Woong Ahn, Sam Ryong Park, Jong Hee Song, Seong Ho Lee, Byoung In Sang, Young Woong Suh, Young Soon Um, Sun Mi Lee
-
Publication number: 20140134672Abstract: Bioreactors, and particularly, photobioreactors having a reactor chamber and surge driver, and methods for using these devices, for example, for the production of carbon-based products are provided. The reactor chamber provides a housing for microorganisms and culture medium. The surge driver produces a surge of the microorganisms and/or culture medium in the reactor chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Max B. Tuttman, David A. St. Angelo
-
Publication number: 20140127768Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for recapturing heat from a solar-assisted volatile fermentation product production process comprising harvesting a volatile fermentation product from a solar-assisted fermentation product production apparatus and utilizing a heat recovery apparatus for recapturing the heat produced during the solar-assisted fermentation product production process. The volatile fermentation product can be produced in an autotrophic organism or by a fermenting organism fermenting fermentable sugars from one or more sugar crops, starch-containing and lignocellulose-containing materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SCALE BIOFUEL, APSInventor: Dan Nilsson
-
Publication number: 20140127755Abstract: A process is described for producing fermentable sugars derivable from biomass that contains polysaccharide, such as cellulose, made increasingly accessible as a substrate for enzymatic degradation or other methods of depolymerization. These fermentable sugars are subsequently able to be fermented to produce various target chemicals, such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Hercules IncorporatedInventors: Herbert T. Conner, Patrick J. Cowan, John C. Gast
-
Patent number: 8709771Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
-
Publication number: 20140113341Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising the following method steps: A) providing an aqueous solution comprising microorganisms producing low-molecular, organic compounds; B) introducing at least one gas or gas mixture into the aqueous solution; C) recovering the gas flow through a compound comprising an isophoron; and optionally D) separating the low-molecular, organic compound from the composition comprising the isophoron.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbHInventors: Joerg-Joachim Nitz, Gerda Grund, Franz Ulrich Becker, Patrick Stier
-
Publication number: 20140115739Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventors: Suchindra Maiyuran, Randall Kramer, Paul Harris
-
Publication number: 20140106421Abstract: Carboxylic acids and/or alcohols are produced by a fermentation process comprising: growing an immobilized microorganism capable of producing carboxylic acids and/or alcohols in an aqueous medium and in the presence of an organic medium, and recovering the carboxylic acids and/or alcohols from the organic medium; wherein a mesh is placed at an interface of the organic medium and the aqueous medium; and further wherein the organic medium comprises at least one organic solvent and at least one extractant chosen from tri-alkylphosphine oxides and tri-alkylamines.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Hsiu-Yin YIN, Yun-Huin LIN, Chih-Fen Lu, Ying-Ching Su, Jheng-Jin Luo, Hom-Ti Lee
-
Publication number: 20140106419Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: Stephane Francois Bazzana, Adam Bernfeld, Keith H. Burlew, Duncan Coffey, James Timothy Cronin, Benjamin Fuchs, John W. Hallam, Adam Jones, David J. Lowe, Brian Michael Roesch, Mathias E. Stolarski, James Gregory Wood, Joseph J. Zaher
-
Publication number: 20140106424Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing ethanol wherein the amount of CO2 by-product is reduced during the fermentation process. The invention includes the use of oxidized lignin during the fermentation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Athena Biotechnologies, Inc.Inventors: Barry Marrs, Brian M. Swalla
-
Publication number: 20140106422Abstract: This invention relates to methods of obtaining volatile hydrocarbons produced by photosynthetic microorganisms using a two-phase gaseous/aqueous bioreactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Anastasios Melis, Fiona Bentley, Hsu-Ching Chen Wintz
-
Publication number: 20140106425Abstract: Butanol is produced by the bioconversion of substrate using a biocatalyst comprising an open, porous hydrophilic polymeric structure having microorganisms for the bioconversion irreversibly retained therein wherein the microorganisms have undergone phenotypic alterations which includes enhanced tolerance to butanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Microvi Biotech, Inc.Inventors: Fatemeh RAZAVI-SHIRAZI, Ameen RAZAVI
-
Publication number: 20140106407Abstract: A system is provided for reducing non-specific binding of an enzyme to lignin to enhance an enzymatic processing of a lignocellulosic material. The enhancements provide economic and process advantages to any process that converts a lignocellulosic biomass into a product using an enzyme. Systems are provided comprising a reaction vessel; a lignocellulosic feedstock comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a hardwood, a softwood, or a non-wood material; an enzyme component including a cellulase, a hemicellulase, or a combination thereof; and, water. The reaction vessel can contain a combination of the lignocellulosic feedstock, the water, and the enzyme component at a pH ranging from about 5.2 to about 6.2; and, the lignocellulosic feedstock can be saccharified in the reaction vessel. Moreover, the systems can include a lignosulfonate, with or without a pH of about 5.2 to about 6.2, to also reduce non-specific binding and enhance enzymatic activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
-
Publication number: 20140096439Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of fermentation products from a pyruvate utilizing pathway. Yeast host cells provided herein comprise reduced pyruvate decarboxylase activity and modified adenylate cyclase activity. In embodiments, yeast host cells provided herein comprise resistance to butanol and increased biomass production.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: MICHAEL G. BRAMUCCI, VASANTHA NAGARAJAN
-
Publication number: 20140100404Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon, the method comprising contacting said alcohol with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein said alcohol can be produced by a fermentation process, said metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and said metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Chaitanya K. Narula, Brian H. Davison, Martin Keller
-
Publication number: 20140099685Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor having a reactor chamber and one or more support chambers. The reactor chamber can have one or more flexible walls for enclosing microorganisms and culture medium. The reactor chamber provides an enclosure for microorganism and culture medium. The support chamber can also have one or more flexible walls. When inflated to a predetermined amount, the support chamber causes the microorganisms and culture medium to distribute to a substantially even depth across the reactor chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: Max B. Tuttman, Stuart A. Jacobson, Rainer Ponzel, John E. Longan
-
Publication number: 20140099679Abstract: A bioreactor system for manufacturing and extracting a desired biomaterial from a microorganism by fermenting the microorganism in the bioreactor. The system includes a horizontal reactor vessel, one or more vertical discs rotatably mounted around a hollow shaft, a motor to power the shaft, and one or more spray nozzles arranged to spray required liquids on to the discs. The system is arranged so that the microorganism is not kept submerged within the reactor vessel during the fermentation process. The system is suitable for any type of microorganism, including fungi and bacteria, and can be modified to produce many types of desired biomaterials, including antibiotics, enzymes, ethanol, butanol, chitin, and chitosan. The method of the present invention generally provides steps for placing substrate on the vertical discs of the reactor vessel, inoculating the discs, introducing media, fermenting the microorganism, and extracting the desired biomaterial from the reactor vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Renewable Process Technologies LLCInventor: James Vincent Banks
-
Publication number: 20140099688Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
-
Patent number: 8691540Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
-
Publication number: 20140093924Abstract: Flat panel biofilm photobioreactor systems with a photosynthetic, autofermentative microorganism that forms a biofilm and methods for using the same to make metabolic intermediate compound(s) through photosynthesis and to convert metabolic intermediate compound(s) into chemical product(s) such as a biofuel or a feedstock through autofermentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: ALGENOL BIOFUELS SWITZERLAND GMBHInventors: Benjamin Moll, Benjamin McCool, William Drake, William Porubsky, Ryan Adams
-
Publication number: 20140093930Abstract: Polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are provided. Also disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising isobutanol biosynthetic pathways employing such polypeptides. Methods for producing isobutanol employing host cells comprising the polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: ButamaxTM Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Yougen Li, Jessica McElvain, Steven Cary Rothman
-
Publication number: 20140096287Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventors: Kristian Krogh, Paul Harris
-
Publication number: 20140093931Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols including ethanol and butanol, and the development of microorganisms capable of producing fermentation products via an engineered pathway in the microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: Michael Dauner, Sunny Xiang Li, Keith H. Burlew
-
Patent number: 8685729Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing tolerance of microorganisms to toxic agents, such as solvents; and for increasing production of solvents from solvent-generating microorganisms. The methods comprise engineering a microorganism of interest to express a heterologous heat-shock protein/chaperone, e.g., Group II chaperonin or a prefoldin such as ?-prefoldin, where the heterologous protein is from an extremophile, such as an archaean.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, University of Maryland, BaltimoreInventors: Douglas S. Clark, Timothy Whitehead, Frank T. Robb, Pongpan Laksanalamai, Anchalee Jiemjit
-
Publication number: 20140086879Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated Muscodor albus strain producing volatile organic compounds such as aristolene, 3-octanone and/or acetic acid ester, as well as cultures of said strain and compositions, metabolites and volatiles derived from said strain or culture as well as methods of obtaining said compositions, metabolites and volatiles and their methods of use for controlling pests. Also disclosed are artificial compositions having the same components and uses as the volatiles derived from the strain. A method for capturing and sampling the volatiles is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Gary Strobel, Vu Phong Bui, Hai Su, Phyllis Himmel, Pamela Marrone, Lijuan Xing, Sarah Lewis
-
Publication number: 20140087437Abstract: A process for the crystallisation of a water-soluble compound from a solution of water and a solvent is provided. A process for the manufacture of crystalline sucrose from sugar palm juice or sucrose-containing biomass comprising such crystallisation process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Johan Pieter Marinus Sanders, Maricke Elisabeth Bruins, Jeroen Johannes Cornelis Franciscus Van Bon
-
Publication number: 20140087436Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to compositions and methods production of n-butanol by aerobic hydrogen bacteria. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATIONInventors: F. Robert Tabita, Richard A. Laguna, Christopher J. Rocco, Sriram Satagopan, Andrew W. Dangel, Jon-David Swift Sears
-
Patent number: 8679799Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for the bioengineered fermentative production of solvents, in particular of butanol, acetone and ethanol, and of short-chained carboxylic acids such as acetic acid and butyric acid, in particular in host cells of the species Clostridium. The invention provides new methods and means for regulating the expression of the enzyme activities involved in acid production and or solvent production of the host cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Sudzucker Aktiengesellschaft Mannheim/OchsenfurtInventors: Wolfgang Wach, Karsten Harms, Michael Klingeberg, Peter Duerre, Niklas Nold, Bettina Schiel
-
Publication number: 20140080188Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of an acetolactate-derived by-product such as 2,3-butanediol. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: GEVO, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Smith, Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman
-
Publication number: 20140080189Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, Ranjan Patnaik
-
Publication number: 20140075603Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Lan Tang, Ye Liu, Junxin Duan, Wenping Wu, Randall Kramer
-
Publication number: 20140073025Abstract: A system for destruction and recycling of containers (such as bottles, cans and the like), as well as associated liquids, food products or other residue, greatly reduces waste discharge and/or disposal requirements. Packaging and other solids are shredded, ground or otherwise processed, while associated liquids are collected. Evaporation removes water for reuse, thus concentrating sugars and other food materials for utilization as agricultural amendments or stock for bio-product production. Bio-fuels/solvents are generated, typically using an Immobilized Microbe Bioreactor system modified for fuels/solvents production.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: TMD TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLCInventor: TOMMY MACK DAVIS
-
Publication number: 20140075601Abstract: The present invention relates to alpha-amylases, nucleic acids encoding the alpha-amylases, methods of producing the alpha-amylases, and methods of using the alpha-amylases.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: NOVOZYMES A/SInventors: Carsten Andersen, Thomas Agersten Poulsen
-
Patent number: 8669094Abstract: A high flux in conversion of pyruvate to acetolactate was achieved in yeast through expression of acetolactate synthase in the cytosol in conjunction with reduction in pyruvate decarboxylase activity. Additional manipulations to improve flux to acetolactate are reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and reduced glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Production of compounds having acetolactate as an upstream intermediate benefit from the increased conversion of pruvate to acetolactate in the described strains.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Larry Cameron Anthony, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall
-
Patent number: 8669082Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biofuels by utilizing efficient biomass digestion and fermentation by a new thermophilic microorganism generated after fusion of two different bacteria Clostridium thermocellum and C. acetobutylicum and properly mutating the fused bacteria to produce biofuels and other economically important chemicals in a single vessel from lignocellulosic derived renewable biomass. All the necessary biochemical digestions and fermentation are carried out by this single thermophilic microorganism in one single vessel eliminating the need for multiple step digestion and fermentation processes, requiring multiple chambers. It also significantly reduces the rate limiting steps where increasing accumulation of alcohol, butanol and other substances become toxic to the very bacteria that produce these biofuels. The single vessel is incubated at high temperatures (45° C. or above) to eliminate the need for periodic stoppage and restarting of the process.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Claflin UniversityInventors: Omar Bagasra, Kamal Chowdhury, Verlie A. Tisdal, George E. Miller, III, Rebecca Bullard-Dillard
-
Publication number: 20140065682Abstract: Variations of this invention reduce or avoid lignin precipitation during acidic hydrolysis of biomass hydrolysates (such as hemicellulose-containing liquid extracts). Net acid usage and byproduct salt formation are significantly reduced. In some embodiments, hemicellulosic oligomers are hydrolyzed, in the presence of sulfur dioxide, to produce fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; the process comprising recovering and recycling at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide reacts with the lignin to produce hydrophilic sulfonated lignin that has less tendency to precipitate or stick.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Theodora RETSINA, Vesa PYLKKANEN, Kimberly NELSON, Mark SZCZEPANIK, James Christian SAMP
-
Publication number: 20140065683Abstract: A process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents starting from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass comprising at least: a) Thermochemical pretreatment of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate; b) Optionally, washing pretreated substrate and setting the pH; c) Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated, optionally washed, substrate, using cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes producing a hydrolyzate and a water-insoluble residue; d) Ethylic fermentation of hexoses in hydrolyzate obtained from c) into ethanol by alcohologenic microorganism and production of ethyl wine; e) One extraction stage comprising e1) Separation and purification of ethanol and/or solvents obtained from d), and e2) Separation of a solid cake containing insoluble residue and production of vinasses; f) Butylic fermentation of pentoses contained in vinasses obtained in e2) by a solventogenic microorganism and production of butyl wine; at least a portion of butyl wine is recycled upstream from at least one enzymatic hydrolysType: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Marcel Ropars, Caroline Aymard, Rejane Dastillung, Remy Marchal, Sandra Menir, Benjamin Clement
-
Patent number: 8663949Abstract: This invention relates to the integration of an ammonia production process with a fermentation process to produce products such as alcohols and/or acids in addition to ammonia. In a specific embodiment, a natural gas stream comprising methane is passed to a reforming zone to produce a substrate comprising CO and H2. The substrate is next passed to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more microorganisms and fermenting the culture to produce one or more fermentation products comprising alcohols and/or acids and an exhaust stream comprising CO2, and H2. The exhaust stream can then be passed to a separation zone to remove at least a portion of the CO2 and produce a purified exhaust stream comprising H2 which is then passed to an ammonia production zone and is used to produce ammonia.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand LimitedInventor: Michael Anthony Schultz