Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 signifies a C1-C15 alkyl moiety or a C2 to C18 alkenyl moiety, to their process of production as well as to their use in organic synthesis, especially as intermediates (building blocks) in the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or derivatives thereof, or other carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin, preferably vitamin A.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 93% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 93% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional polypeptide and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of cells which are capable of converting arabinose, comprising the following steps: a) Introducing into a host strain that cannot convert arabinose, the genes AraA, araB and araD, this cell is designated as constructed cell; b) Subjecting the constructed cell to adaptive evolution until a cell that converts arabinose is obtained, c) Optionally, subjecting the first arabinose converting cell to adaptive evolution to improve the arabinose conversion; the cell produced in step b) or c) is designated as first arabinose converting cell; d) Analysing the full genome or part of the genome of the first arabinose converting cell and that of the constructed cell; e) Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) in the first arabinose converting cell; and f) Using the information of the SNP's in rational design of a cell capable of converting arabinose; g) Construction of the cell capable of converting arabinose designed in step f).

Abstract: A process for continuously producing furfural and levulinic acid from biomass, said process comprising steps including pre-treatment of the biomass; hydrolysis and dehydration of the biomass; removing a vapour mixture by flashing the slurried biomass and a heat integration step comprising the water used being heated through a heat exchange system with the flashed vapour mixture.

Abstract: Waste reduction, including hazardous waste reduction in photoimaging processes can be accomplished by improving diffusional resolution of cationic curable compositions. The addition of fluorinated polymers including fluorinated surfactants provides improved diffusional resolution in cationic and/or radical based photoimaging formulations allowing for image accuracy improvements, and reduced product and process waste quantity and disposal cost. These fluorinated surfactants also allow for increased cure speed, and non-hazardous constituent formulations that result in less wasted material and time.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of E-farnesyl acetone characterized by reaction of nerolidol with isopropenylmethyl ether in the presence of an acidic catalyst at elevated temperature and isolation by fractionated distillation.