Abstract: The present invention discloses enzymes having xylanase activity. The xylanases are characterized in that they are active at a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher. The enzymes are obtainable from anaerobic thermophilic bacteria. The enzymes are suited for use in paper and pulp production processes. The invention also describes cloning and expression of genes having xylanase activity obtained from the deposited strains.

Abstract: The use of fermented sugar beet pulp for making paper or cardboard is disclosed as well as a fermented sugar beet pulp composition produced according to a method which comprises the steps of (a) storing the sugar beet pulp under conditions suitable for lactic acid fermentation, particularly until the pH is less than around 5 and advantageously higher than around 3.5, to give fermented pulp, (b) diluting the fermented pulp, particularly until its dry matter content is of around 1-10%, (c) mechanically processing the diluted fermented pulp to separate the parenchymal cells from the pulp and achieve a pulp size of less than around 1000 micrometers, and (d) optionally bleaching the fermented pulp from step (a) simultaneously with step (b), or bleaching the fermented pulp from step (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated enzyme exhibiting cellulolytic (endoglucanase) activity at alkaline pH, an enzyme composition comprising the enzyme, a DNA construct encoding the enzyme, methods for producing the enzyme or enzyme composition, a detergent composition comprising the enzyme, and methods for using the enzyme in, e.g., providing localized variation in the color density of dyed fabric, improving the drainage of an aqueous suspension of paper pulp, and de-inking of recycled paper.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the freeness of pulp made from secondary fiber is provided by adding an enzymatic mixture comprised of cellulase and pectinase enzymes to the pulp and treating under conditions to cause a reaction to produce an enzymatically treated pulp. The freeness of the enzymatically treated pulp is increased from the initial freeness of the secondary fiber pulp without a loss in brightness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cellulase composition obtainable from Bacillus sp. CBS 669.93. A preferred cellulase has a calculated molecular weight of approximately 63 kD, a calculated isoelectric point of about 5 and a pH optimum on CMC of about 6 at 40.degree. C. and 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enzyme with acetyl esterase activity comprising the amino acid sequence IxFGDxYYT(SEQ ID NO: 1), in which x designates any amino acid residue. The enzyme exhibits activity towards acetylated xylan and acetylated mannan and may be used for modifying or degrading plant containing materials.

Abstract: Process for the oxidation of the oxidizable galactose type of alcohol in oxidizable galactose type of alcohol configuration containing polymer, such as guar, with galactose oxidase in the presence of oxidation promoting chemicals.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to novel compositions of neutral and/or alkaline cellulase and methods for obtaining neutral and/or alkaline cellulase compositions from Chrysosporium cultures, in particular Chrysosporium lucknowense. This invention also provides mutants and methods of generating mutants of Chrysosporium capable of producing neutral and/or alkaline cellulase. This invention also relates to the genes encoding the enzymes comprising the neutral and/or alkaline cellulase composition. In addition, this invention provides methods of culturing Chrysosporium to produce neutral and/or alkaline cellulases. The neutral and/or alkaline cellulase compositions of the subject invention can be used in a variety of processes including stone washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking and biobleaching of paper & pulp and treatment of waste streams.

Abstract: Ascospores of wood-penetrating, pitch-grading fungi of the class of Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina, eg. Ophiostromas, may be screened to provide fungi combining the properties of good growth on non-sterile wood substrates and minimized or even enhanced brightness effects for use in pitch reduction of wood substrates, eg. logs and wood chips. A new and improved method of isolating such ascospores involving effective suspension in an oil consumable by the fungus, eg. a vegetable oil, and then treatment of the oil with a dispersing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transgenic plant cell is provided containing a DNA molecule encoding an enzyme selected from the group consisting of fructosyltransferase, glucosyltransferase B, mutants of glucosyltransferase B, glucosyltransferase C, glucosyltransferase D, mutants of glucosyltransferase D and functional fragments of each enzyme. A transgenic plant regenerated from the plant cell is also provided. A method of improving the ensilability and the nutritional value of plants is also provided comprising introducing into the cells of the plant an expression cassette comprising the above DNA molecule operably linked to a promoter functional in the cells of the plant to yield transformed plant cells, and regenerating a transformed plant from the transformed cells. The transformed plants also provide improved digestibility in ruminants.

Abstract: This invention relates to DNA sequences and plasmids containing these sequences which can be integrated into a plant genome and which modify the activity of the sucrose-phosphate-synthase (sps) of the plant. The invention relates further to derivatives of the DNA sequences of the invention that are obtained by exchange of single bases or by deletion or insertion of base sequences and which code for proteins with comparable activity to sucrose-phosphate-synthase. Methods for transforming plant cells and regenerating plants from the cells which exhibit modified sucrose-phosphate-synthase activity are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel thermostable pullulanases obtainable from Pyrodictium.

Abstract: Process for making polyamine-epihalohydrin resin products having very low levels of epihalohydrin or epihalohydrin hydrolyzates, particularly useful in papermaking, which includes, amongst other features, producing a polyamine-epihalohydrin polymer in aqueous solution, terminating the reaction by cooling, adjusting the pH of the polyamine-epihalohydrin solution to from about 7.5 to about 11 and concurrently heating the solution to about 35 to about 50.degree. C., and contacting the aqueous solution with selected microorganisms or an enzyme, and deactivating or removing the enzymes or microbes, cooling to about 20.degree. C. and stabilizing the composition by adjusting the pH to about 2.0 to 5.0 by the addition of acid.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for providing a cellulosic material, such as a fabric or a paper and pulp product, with improved strength and/or shape-retention and/or anti-wrinkling properties, the process comprising contacting, in an aqueous medium, the cellulosic material with a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET).

Abstract: A cellulase preparation consisting essentially of a homogeneous endoglucanase component which is immunoreactive with an antibody raised against a highly purified .about.43 kD endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, or which is homogeneous to said .about.43 kD endoglucanase, may be employed in the treatment cellulose-containing fabrics for harshness reduction or color clarification or to provide a localized variation in the color of such fabrics, or it may be employed in the treatment of paper pulp.

Abstract: The isolation and cloning of Actinomadura spp. xylanases having a molecular weight of 35 kDa and 50 kDa are described. These xylanases are thermostable and useful in biobleaching of wood pulp.

Abstract: Enzyme compositions containing thermostabile xylanases of Chaetomium thermophilum, purified enzyme preparations of such xylanases, and the use of such compositions and preparations in the bleaching of plant pulp and in feed and baking applications are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: In the production of pulp and paper from starch-coated paper, the deinking effect can be improved by including a treatment with a starch-degrading enzyme e.g. amylase or a debranching enzyme. The process comprises enzyme treatment before, during or after disintegration of the paper to produce pulp, followed by separation of ink particles.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method of chemically treating plant biomass with an enzyme system that retains function at low pH and high temperature. Enzyme preparations enriched in xylanase enzymes which retain activity in low pH and high temperature are described. Such preparations may be utilized in a crude unpurified form, and are especially useful in the production of pulp and paper.

Abstract: A process for treating mechanical pulp having a cellobiohydrolase activity effective for modifying crystalline parts of the cellulose, an endo-.beta.-glucanase less than that which will significantly hydrolyze the cellulose, and a mannanase activity; and wherein the endo-.beta.-glucanase activity is low compared to the cellobiohydrolase activity.

Abstract: Producing a xylanase enzyme of superior performance in the bleaching of pulp. More specifically, a modified xylanase of Family 11 that shows improved thermophilicity, alkalophilicity, and thermostability as compared to the natural xylanase. The modified xylanases contain any of three types of modifications: (1) changing amino acids 10, 27, and 29 of Trichoderma reesei xylanase II or the corresponding amino acids of another Family 11 xylanase, where these amino acids are changed to histidine, methionine, and leucine, respectively; (2) substitution of amino acids in the N-terminal region with amino acids from another xylanase enzyme. In a preferred embodiment, substitution of the natural Bacillus circulans or Trichoderma reesei xylanase with a short sequence of amino acids from Thermomonospora fusca xylanase yielded chimeric xylanases with higher thermophilicity and alkalophilicity; (3) an extension upstream of the N-terminus of up to 10 amino acids.

Abstract: A new species of the genus Hyphogyma is disclosed, as are new lipases obtainable therefrom, Also disclosed is a process for obtaining the enzymes.

Abstract: Wood-penetrating fungi of the classes Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina may be used very effectively to degrade pitch in wood forms used in the making of cellulosic products. Such fungi include but are not limited to the blue stain fungi. The process of Ascospore selection may be used to provide fungi which exhibit good growth on wood substrate while having little or no effects on substrate brightness, or even a positive effect on brightness. The treatment positively influences strength properties of ultimate products such as paper. In one embodiment the pulpwood or pulp is treated with a pitch degrading fungus of the genus Ophiostoma.

Abstract: A method of treating wood chips prior to making paper. In the process of making paper, wood chips must be converted to pulp through delignification of the wood and where white paper is required, bleaching to remove residual lignin also is required. The invention provides for the situation where wood chips are transported long distances by ship to paper mills, when the period of the journey is utilised to carry out pulping of the wood chips by biotechnological methods. Particularly, the conditions commonly existing in the hulls of the ships with which wood chips are transported are utilized to permit biopulping and/or biobleaching of the wood chips to occur. Suitable microorganisms, while in the form of viable propagules, are applied to the wood chips before or during loading into the hulls of ships, the microorganisms incubating and growing during the journeys, to permit biopulping and/or biobleaching to occur.

Abstract: A method for enzymatically separating the non-inked cellulose fibers from the inked cellulose fibers in cellulosic materials. The cellulosic material, such as newsprint, is introduced into a first chamber containing a plastic canvas basket. This first chamber is in fluid communication, via plastic tubing, with a second chamber containing cellobiase beads in a plastic canvas basket. Cellulase is then introduced into the first chamber. A programmable pump then controls the flow rate between the two chambers. The action of cellulase and stirring in the first chamber results in the production of a slurry of newsprint pulp in the first chamber. This slurry contains non-inked fibers, inked fibers, and some cellobiose. The inked fibers and cellobiose flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereas the non-inked fibers remain in the first chamber because they are too large to pass through the pores of the plastic canvas basket. The resulting non-inked and inked fibers are then recovered.

Abstract: A method of removing color from wood pulp is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of preparing a wood pulp, treating the wood pulp with the xylanase wherein the xylanase is capable of releasing chromophores from the pulp and extracting the wood pulp to remove chromophores. Also disclosed are substantially purified preparations of xylanase enzymes from bacterial isolates.

Abstract: An isolated and purified acetyl esterase with activity towards acetylated xylan and acetylated mannan obtained from Aspergillus aculeatus and having amino acid sequence that comprises Seq ID No 1. An enzyme can be used for the modification of plant cell wall components.

Abstract: This invention relates to the deinking process for office wastepaper for utilization in a neutral medium. Particularly the invention relates to a deinking process for office wastepaper comprising the steps of: (a) converting wastepaper to pulp; (b) contacting the pulp with a deinking agent comprising of: i) an enzyme active at a pH of from about 4 to about 9 and ii) a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, aliphatic acid alkoxylates, higher aromatic alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid amides of alkanolamines, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, propylene glycol alkoxylates, block or random copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, higher alcohol polyethylene polypropylene block or random adducts and mixtures thereof; in an aqueous medium having a pH of from about 4 to about 9; and (c) removing ink from the pulp by flotation, water washing or a combination of flotation and water washing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the deinking process for office wastepaper for utilization in a neutral medium. Particularly the invention relates to a deinking process for office wastepaper comprising the steps of: (a) converting wastepaper to pulp; (b) contacting the pulp with a deinking agent comprising of: i) an enzyme active at a pH of from about 4 to about 9 and ii) a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, aliphatic acid alkoxylates, higher aromatic alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid amides of alkanolamines, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, propylene glycol alkoxylates, block or random copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, higher alcohol polyethylene polypropylene block or random adducts and mixtures thereof; in an aqueous medium having a pH of from about 4 to about 9; and (c) removing ink from the pulp by flotation, water washing or a combination of flotation and water washing.

Abstract: Wood pulps are bleached and/or delignified using soybean peroxidase. A protease, xylanase, ligninase, pectin esterase, pectin lyase or manganese peroxidase may also be used simultaneously or as a pretreatment or posttreatment.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating bleached hardwood brownstock pulp with the cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: Methods and DNA constructs are provided for the expression of a fungal acetyl xylan esterase gene in microbial hosts. A purified fungal acetyl xylan esterase is obtained which is suited for the use as an accessory enzyme in the degradation of acetylated xylans.

Abstract: A method of making a wood pulp is disclosed. The method includes chipping wood into wood chips and then inoculating the wood chips with an inoculum of a white rot fungi and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract. The wood chips are introduced into a bioreactor and incubated. The incubated wood chips are then pulped. A method of pretreating wood including chipping the wood into wood chips and inoculating the wood chips with an inoculant of the white rot fungi and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract is also disclosed. A method for producing paper from the treated wood chips is also disclosed. The addition of the nutrient adjuvant dramatically reduces the amount of fungal inoculant needed (by multiple orders of magnitude), to achieve similar results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating hardwood brownstock (unbleached) pulp with a cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by the glucosyltransferase C enzyme of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the coating step of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain fungi in the reduction of the pitch and/or lignin content of cellulosic materials. In particular, the white rot fungi Schizophyllum commune, Trichaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea are useful in reducing pitch and/or lignin, or both, which saves electrical energy during the mechanical refining of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.

Abstract: A process for the bleaching of kraft pulps with non-chlorine chemicals, employing a sequential reaction of oxidative enzymes and hydrogen peroxide. The kraft pulp can be from conventional or extended pulping, or from an oxygen delignification step. The enzyme reaction is monitored by methanol release which results from the demethylation of lignin. The process essentially comprises three steps. The first step is the oxidation of kraft pulp either with manganese peroxidase enzyme in the presence of Mn(II) salts, hydrogen peroxide and chelator, or with laccase enzyme preferably in the presence of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), or a combination of both enzymes in a crude mixture as typically produced by certain fungi. The Mn(II) salts and chelator may already be present in sufficient amount in the pulp. This first step is performed at an acidic pH, and moderate temperatures for a period of time between 30 and 240 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel xylanases purified from the microorganism, Microtetraspora flexuosa. Each biochemically unique xylanase is thermostable and has optimal activity in alkaline conditions. The present invention is also directed to methods that utilize either the whole enzyme system or one or more of the above purified thermostable xylanases obtained from Microtetraspora flexuosa. These enzymes are excellent candidates for enhancing the delignification and bleaching of pulp. Furthermore, treating the pulp with the above enzymes prior to bleaching may reduce the amount of chlorine containing and/or peroxide chemicals required in the bleaching process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation exhibiting enzymatic activity, which preparation has the capability of delignifying wood pulp at a temperature of at least 65.degree. C. and a pH of at least 9. Further, the invention relates to a method of producing said preparation by aerobically fermentating a selected Bacillus stearothermophilus strain. Furthermore, the invention relates to two isolated Bacillus stearothermophilus strains and mutants and variants thereof. The invention also relates to applications of the preparation of the invention, namely to a process comprising treatment of wood pulp with a preparation according to the invention, and a wood pulp and a fluff pulp treated with a preparation according to the invention, and also a paper, a board and a fluff made from a wood pulp treated with a preparation according to the invention.

Abstract: Addition of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte (i.e. an anionic or cationic polymer) significantly increases the hydrolysis rate of esters in the presence of lipases. The invention provides a process for hydrolysis of water-insoluble ester in the presence of a lipase characterized by the presence of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The invention also provides a method of increasing the rate of hydrolysis of water-insoluble ester in the presence of a lipase by incorporation of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA sequence, which codes for endomannanase produced by fungi of the genus Trichoderma and transferred into a yeast or fungus strain induces that strain to produce endomannanase, as well as to a method for isolating genes coding for endomannanases. The invention also relates to vectors, yeast strains and fungal strains containing the DNA sequence. Furthermore, the invention provides an enzyme product containing at least one endomannanase, which contains at least one of the following endomannanases produced by fungi of the Trichoderma genus: an enzyme having mannanase activity and an isoelectric point (pI) of about 3.8, an enzyme having mannanase activity and a pI of about 4.1, an enzyme having mannanase activity and a pI of about 4.5, an enzyme having mannanase activity and a pI of about 5.4 and an enzyme having mannanase activity and a pI of about 6.5, the isoelectric points being determined by isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel xylanases, a process for producing the enzyme, a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, a method for the treatment of pulp with the xylanase enzyme, and a process for producing xylose or xylo-oligosaccharide using the enzyme.

Abstract: A method of making a wood pulp is disclosed. The method includes chipping wood into wood chips and then inoculating the wood chips with an inoculum of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract. The wood chips are introduced into a bioreactor and incubated. The incubated wood chips are then pulped. A method of pretreating wood including chipping the wood into wood chips and inoculating the wood chips with an inoculant of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and a nutrient adjuvant of corn steep liquor is also disclosed. A method for producing paper from the treated wood chips is also disclosed. The addition of the corn steep liquor nutrient adjuvant dramatically reduces the amount of fungal inoculant needed (by multiple orders of magnitude), to achieve similar results.

Abstract: A process for treating lignocellulose pulp using a preparation containing at least one enzyme that produces a solubilizing action and, potentially, a hemicellulolytic action on lignin. The enzymes are derived from the bacterium Streptomyces viridosporus. This enzymatic treatment may be used for the separation of lignin from lignocellulose pulp in a procedure, for example, that complements a bleaching treatment.

Abstract: A process for hydrolysis of water-insoluble esters in the presence of a lipase, at a pH in the range of 3-7 particularly to such a process for hydrolysis of resin in pulp.

Abstract: The xylanase is characterized by several partial amino acid sequences and is immunoreactive with an antibody raised against a purified xylanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800. This xylanase preparation is practically free of cellulase xylanase and is well suited for treatment of paper pulp, as a baking agent and as an additive to fodder.

Abstract: This invention relates to fungi having particularly desirable overall properties for reducing the pitch content of pulpwoods and pulps, and to the preparation and use of such fungi. In particular, the present invention provides a biologically pure cultures of the fungus Ophiostoma piliferum which are characterized by not only growing white or colorless and by having good growth virulence, but which also exhibit exceptional pitch degradation properties.