Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of xylitol. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved process for high titer xylitol production from pure xylose. The process of the present invention results in enhanced xylitol production in shortest duration of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in-situ synthesis of alkyl esters of fatty acids and their efficient extraction from oleaginous microbes. Particularly, the present invention provides a rapid method for downstream processing of oleaginous biomass for in-situ synthesis of alkyl esters of fatty acids and their efficient extraction. The method of the present invention results in increased transesterification efficiency (>95%) of FAAE production from wet biomass, while eliminating the necessity of biomass harvesting, drying and large requirement of chemical solvents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the simultaneous enhancement in biomass and lipids containing omega-3-fatty acids of Thraustochytrid microalgae in a single step using synergistic effect of chemical mixture in appropriate proportion in production medium. The process discloses enriching the biomass of microalgae with high value lipids by subjecting the microalgal cells in growth medium supplemented with unique combination of chemical modulators and carbon substrates in the presence of nitrogen. The present invention also provides a novel strain Schizochytrium sp. (MTCC 5980) for use in continuous aerobic fermentative lipid production process for enhancing high value lipids like Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Docasapentaenoic acid (DPA), Eicosapentaenic acid (EPA) and lipids for biodiesel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing enriched algal biomass having high lipid productivity. More particularly, the present invention provides a process for obtaining an enriched biomass with omega-3 fatty acids by using a microalgal strain Schizochytrium MTCC 5980 in a unique media composition and substrate residual band in a steady state continuous fermentation. The process of the present invention results in high biomass and lipid productivity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of xylitol production from pure xylose, xylose containing liquid extract from the acid pretreated biomass (LEPB) and co-production of ethanol and xylitol from dilute acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass by natural S. cerevisiae DBT-IOC S24 (MTCC25086). The present invention also discloses a process of xylitol production wherein a thermo and inhibitor tolerant S. cerevisiae DBT-IOC S24 (MTCC25086) natural strain has been induced to produce xylitol from xylose at defined process parameters using xylose containing diluted acid pretreated biomass as well as from xylose containing synthetic media in presence of glucose, lignocelluloses biomass derived xylitol inducer maintaining aeration at 1VVM and pH at 5.0 in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant fungal strain of Penicillium funiculosum ‘MRJ-16’ characterized by the ability to produce high titer of enzyme mixture comprising FPase, CMCase, Cellobiase, ?-glucosidase, endoglucanase, ?-L arabinofuranosidase, ?-xylosidase, xylanase, pectinase, cellobiohydrase and oxidases and produce enzymes in the presence of a catabolite repressor molecule like glucose and/or xylose. The titer of enzyme mixture produced using mutant fungal strain MRJ-16 is at least two fold higher than naive Penicillium funiculosum strain NCIM 1228, when used in a fermentation process. The mutant strain ‘MRJ-16’ with high hydrolytic activity and catabolite derepressed character is having application in the method of degrading or saccharifying biomass to produce valuable products for example-bioethanol.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hyper-cellulolytic catabolite derepressed mutants of ascomycetes fungus, especially variants of Penicillium funiculosum. Selection media used to isolate such variants include amorphous cellulose and a high concentration of glucose. Cellulase activities of mutant ID-10, in particular such as FPase and ?-glucosidase were 1.5 times higher than Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 (parent). Furthermore, fungal mutant morphology was changed and no pH adjustment was required throughout the enzyme production process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of xylitol production from pure xylose, xylose containing liquid extract from the acid pretreated biomass (LEPB) and co-production of ethanol and xylitol from dilute acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass by natural S. cerevisiae DBT-IOC S24 (MTCC25086). The present invention also discloses a process of xylitol production wherein a thermo and inhibitor tolerant S. cerevisiae DBT-IOC S24 (MTCC25086) natural strain has been induced to produce xylitol from xylose at defined process parameters using xylose containing diluted acid pretreated biomass as well as from xylose containing synthetic media in presence of glucose, lignocelluloses biomass derived xylitol inducer maintaining aeration at 1VVM and pH at 5.0 in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a high titer of enzyme mixture comprising cellulases, hemicellulases and ?-glucosidases in reutilization of waste water generated during hot water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass or biorefinery waste water using Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 mutant strain. The cellulose or lignocellulosic biomass used in the fermentation process is selected from the group consisting of rice straw, wheat straw, corn stover, cotton stalk or a combination thereof. The enzyme mixture obtained by the present process is used for the saccharification of acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of second generation ethanol production from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process comprises subjecting a slurry of pre-treated lignocellulosic biomass comprising C5 and C6 sugars in a fermentor; preferentially fermenting mainly C5 sugars by incubating the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass of step (i) with first cellulase enzyme, co-fermenting microorganism, nutrient in the fermentor at 30-37° C. for a period of 16 to 24 hours; adding second cellulase enzyme to the fermentation broth of step (ii) and increasing the temperature to 45-55° C. for hydrolysis; allowing the fermentation broth of step (iii) to cool to a temperature of 35-38° C.; and preferentially fermenting C6 sugars by incubating the broth of step (iv) with a second dose of co-fermenting microorganism for a period of 6-8 hours to obtain ethanol. The process results in high ethanol productivity in shortest duration of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for simultaneous production of citric acid and cellulolytic enzymes. The batch process comprising (i) adding slurry of a pre-treated lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose in a fermentation media; (ii) inoculating 10% (v/v) active liquid seed culture of Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 in the fermentation media of step (i); (iii) subjecting the culture of step (ii) to fermentation in an aerated fermenter at a temperature of 28-33° C. for a duration of 96 hours; and (iv) collecting enzyme broth after fermentation of step (iii) to obtain citric acid and cellulolytic enzymes. The batch and fed-batch process of the present invention results in high titer production of citric acid and cellulolytic enzymes in a single step and using single microbial strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cellulases enzymes production by Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 using minimum media components and/or low cost media components like cellulose or pretreated lignocellulosic biomass as carbon source and soya flour or defatted soya flour or de-oiled soya cake as nitrogen source. The present invention also provides a method for production of high titer of cellulases and hemicellulases enzymes using Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 using minimum media and/or low cost media components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuous production of second-generation ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass via continuous simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) process, wherein the process includes a first fermentor vessel for selectively fermenting C5 sugars and then Continuous transferring the fermented biomass to a second fermentor vessel for hydrolyzing the fermented biomass and then Continuous transferring the hydrolysate to a third fermentor vessel for selectively fermenting C6 sugars to obtain ethanol. Overall, the ethanol yield achieved was up to 70% for both C5 and C6 sugars from pretreated biomass; and C5 utilization exceeded 95% after SSCF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass via modified simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF), wherein the process includes transferring or recirculation of residual biomass from a first batch of SSCF to a second batch of SSCF at the time of enzymatic hydrolysis and then transferring the residual biomass in part or completely from the second batch of SSCF to a third batch of SSCF process to its hydrolysis reaction step. Overall, the average ethanol yield from three conjugative batch of SSCF is 5.06% higher compare to the single batch of SSCF without adding any additional enzyme, and hydrolysis time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of second generation ethanol production from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process comprises subjecting a slurry of pre-treated lignocellulosic biomass comprising C5 and C6 sugars in a fermentor; preferentially fermenting mainly C5 sugars by incubating the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass of step (i) with first cellulase enzyme, co-fermenting microorganism, nutrient in the fermentor at 30-37° C. for a period of 16 to 24 hours; adding second cellulase enzyme to the fermentation broth of step (ii) and increasing the temperature to 45-55° C. for hydrolysis; allowing the fermentation broth of step (iii) to cool to a temperature of 35-38° C.; and preferentially fermenting C6 sugars by incubating the broth of step (iv) with a second dose of co-fermenting microorganism for a period of 6-8 hours to obtain ethanol. The process results in high ethanol productivity in shortest duration of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a high titer of enzyme mixture comprising cellulases, hemicellulases and ?-glucosidases in reutilization of waste water generated during hot water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass or biorefinery waste water using Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 mutant strain. The cellulose or lignocellulosic biomass used in the fermentation process is selected from the group consisting of rice straw, wheat straw, corn stover, cotton stalk or a combination thereof. The enzyme mixture obtained by the present process is used for the saccharification of acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hyper-cellulolytic catabolite derepressed mutants of ascomycetes fungus, especially variants of Penicillium funiculosum. Selection media used to isolate such variants include amorphous cellulose and a high concentration of glucose. Cellulase activities of mutant ID-10, in particular such as FPase and ?-glucosidase were 1.5 times higher than Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 (parent). Furthermore, fungal mutant morphology was changed and no pH adjustment was required throughout the enzyme production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cellulases enzymes production by Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 using minimum media components and/or low cost media components like cellulose or pretreated lignocellulosic biomass as carbon source and soya flour or defatted soya flour or de-oiled soya cake as nitrogen source. The present invention also provides a method for production of high titer of cellulases and hemicellulases enzymes using Penicillium funiculosum MRJ-16 using minimum media and/or low cost media components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant fungal strain of Penicillium funiculosum ‘MRJ-16’ characterized by the ability to produce high titer of enzyme mixture comprising FPase, CMCase, Cellobiase, ?-glucosidase, endoglucanase, ?-L arabinofuranosidase, ?-xylosidase, xylanase, pectinase, cellobiohydrase and oxidases and produce enzymes in the presence of a catabolite repressor molecule like glucose and/or xylose. The titer of enzyme mixture produced using mutant fungal strain MRJ-16 is at least two fold higher than naive Penicillium funiculosum strain NCIM 1228, when used in a fermentation process. The mutant strain ‘MRJ-16’ with high hydrolytic activity and catabolite derepressed character is having application in the method of degrading or saccharifying biomass to produce valuable products for example-bioethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass via modified simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF). In the present invention, enzymatic hydrolysis is preceded by mainly C5 sugar fermentation and low enzymatic hydrolysis and succeeds by mainly C6 sugar fermentation at different temperature and duration. This resulted into reduction in enzyme dosage and process time with increase in ethanol yield from acid pretreated biomass.