Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for production of glucose having purity greater than 98% from pretreated cellulosic biomass comprising 50-95% cellulose, using thermo-chemical and enzymatic treatments. The process of the disclosure involves mild acid and/or alkali treatment of the pretreated cellulosic biomass for production of treated cellulosic biomass residue comprising polysaccharides containing greater than 98% glucose. The treatment results in high purity cellulose that is highly amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis and yields glucose having purity greater than 98%. The process of the disclosure also involves membrane separation of enzymes and oligosaccharides for recycling and separation of glucose to avoid product feedback inhibition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sulfonate-based ionic liquid. A simple process for obtaining the ionic liquid is provided. The conversion of waste into a usable bio-crude oil via a liquefaction process is further described, where the ionic liquid is employed as a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separation of organic acids from mixture of ammonium salts of one or more organic acids and other compounds via an integrated process. The process involves suspending mixture of ammonium salts of one or more organic acids and other compounds in dry hydrocarbon solvent/s or mixtures thereof; wherein the selected hydrocarbon solvent/s or mixtures thereof have boiling point more than 100° C. and forms an azeotrope with water. The reaction mixture thus obtained is dehydrated azeotropically followed by esterification of basic salt of the organic acids by addition of alcohol in presence of metal or metal salt; thereafter the individual esters formed are separated by distillation and hydrolyzed to obtain corresponding organic acids having more than 98% purity.

Abstract: In accordance with the present subject matter, there is provided a process for preparing a furan derivative, the process comprising the steps of contacting a sugar with a monophasic organic solvent to obtain a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range from 100° C. to 180° C., in presence of an acid catalyst, for a time period in the range of 0.5 min to 4.0 h to obtain at least 70% conversion of the sugar to a single furan derivative, wherein the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of homogenous acid catalyst, heterogenous solid acid catalyst, and combinations thereof. There is also provided a process for preparation of a heterogenous solid acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for production of glucose having purity greater than 98% from pretreated cellulosic biomass comprising 50-95% cellulose, using thermo-chemical and enzymatic treatments. The process of the disclosure involves mild acid and/or alkali treatment of the pretreated cellulosic biomass for production of treated cellulosic biomass residue comprising polysaccharides containing greater than 98% glucose. The treatment results in high purity cellulose that is highly amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis and yields glucose having purity greater than 98%. The process of the disclosure also involves membrane separation of enzymes and oligosaccharides for recycling and separation of glucose to avoid product feedback inhibition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separation of organic acids from mixture of ammonium salts of one or more organic acids and other compounds via an integrated process. The process involves suspending mixture of ammonium salts of one or more organic acids and other compounds in dry hydrocarbon solvent/s or mixtures thereof; wherein the selected hydrocarbon solvent/s or mixtures thereof have boiling point more than 100° C. and forms an azeotrope with water. The reaction mixture thus obtained is dehydrated azeotropically followed by esterification of basic salt of the organic acids by addition of alcohol in presence of metal or metal salt; thereafter the individual esters formed are separated by distillation and hydrolysed to obtain corresponding organic acids having more than 98% purity.

Abstract: In accordance with the present subject matter, there is provided a process for preparing a furan derivative, the process comprising the steps of contacting a sugar with a monophasic organic solvent to obtain a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range from 100° C. to 180° C., in presence of an acid catalyst, for a time period in the range of 0.5 min to 4.0 h to obtain at least 70% conversion of the sugar to a single furan derivative, wherein the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of homogenous acid catalyst, heterogenous solid acid catalyst, and combinations thereof. There is also provided a process for preparation of a heterogenous solid acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous and cost effective chemo-enzymatic process for fractionation of holocellulose, obtained from agri-waste, into arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides, suitable for commercial applications. The process comprises of mixing the holocellulose with an aqueous medium in a controlled condition to obtain an aqueous extract comprising of soluble arabinoxylooligosaccharides and insoluble solid fraction; followed by treatment of the solid fraction with an aqueous alkali solution at controlled condition to obtain soluble xylooligosaccharides and cellulose residue. The cellulose residue is thereafter suspended in aqueous acid solution followed by treatment with an enzyme at controlled condition to obtain soluble cellooligosaccharides. The arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides obtained from the process have a degree of polymerization greater than 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for enzyme mediated hydrolysis of biomass for production of soluble sugars, wherein the said process comprises of steady addition of small portions of biomass to enzyme solution, enabling rapid solubilization of biomass. The process used for enzymatic saccharification allows for increased biomass loading, enzyme recycle and mitigation of substrate and product inhibitory effect. The recycling of unhydrolysed biomass along with soluble enzyme ensures complete reuse of the said enzyme for effective repeated hydrolysis thereby increasing the overall productivity of enzyme used.

Abstract: An efficient process for enzymatic hydrolysis of fats and oils in a homogenous mixture is provided herein. The present invention in particular provides a process for production of fatty acids, sn-regio mono-acylglycerol (MAG), sn-regio di-acyl-glycerols (DAG), and glycerol from fats, wherein more than 98% fats can be converted into the desired product. The present invention also provides a process for the production of fatty acids and glycerol, virtually free of sn-regio diacyl-glycerols (DAG) and comprising less than 5% sn-regio mono-acylglycerol (MAG) in the end product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous and cost effective chemo-enzymatic process for fractionation of holocellulose, obtained from agri-waste, into arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides, suitable for commercial applications. The process comprises of mixing the holocellulose with an aqueous medium in a controlled condition to obtain an aqueous extract comprising of soluble arabinoxylooligosaccharides and insoluble solid fraction; followed by treatment of the solid fraction with an aqueous alkali solution at controlled condition to obtain soluble xylooligosaccharides and cellulose residue. The cellulose residue is thereafter suspended in aqueous acid solution followed by treatment with an enzyme at controlled condition to obtain soluble cellooligosaccharides. The arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides obtained from the process have a degree of polymerization greater than 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for enzyme mediated hydrolysis of biomass for production of soluble sugars, wherein the said process comprises of steady addition of small portions of biomass to enzyme solution, enabling rapid solubilization of biomass. The process used for enzymatic saccharification allows for increased biomass loading, enzyme recycle and mitigation of substrate and product inhibitory effect. The recycling of unhydrolysed biomass along with soluble enzyme ensures complete reuse of the said enzyme for effective repeated hydrolysis thereby increasing the overall productivity of enzyme used.

Abstract: In accordance with the present subject matter, there is provided a process for preparing a furan derivative, the process comprising the steps of contacting a sugar with a monophasic organic solvent to obtain a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range from 100° C. to 180° C., in presence of an acid catalyst, for a time period in the range of 0.5 min to 4.0 h to obtain at least 70% conversion of the sugar to a single furan derivative, wherein the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of homogenous acid catalyst, heterogenous solid acid catalyst, and combinations thereof There is also provided a process for preparation of a heterogenous solid acid catalyst.

Abstract: An efficient process for enzymatic hydrolysis of fats and oils in a homogenous mixture is provided herein. The present invention in particular provides a process for production of fatty acids, sn-regio mono-acylglycerol (MAG), sn-regio di-acyl-glycerols (DAG), and glycerol from fats, wherein more than 98% fats can be converted into the desired product. The present invention also provides a process for the production of fatty acids and glycerol, virtually free of sn-regio diacyl-glycerols (DAG) and comprising less than 5% sn-regio mono-acylglycerol (MAG) in the end product.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: A composite continuous countercurrent fluidized moving bed (FMB) and/or expanded moving bed (EMB) may be used for carrying out processes of recovery, purification or reaction of single or multiple component/s of interest, by contacting liquid phase containing the component/s with a solid adsorbent in continuous countercurrent mode. The net movement of the solids is against the liquid, flowing in upward direction through stages/columns, and sedimenting solids from the one stage/column are continuously fed to the top of another stage/column placed below or alongside of previous stage/column; and also operating in fluidized/expanded bed mode, wherein its countercurrent contact with up-flowing liquid is carried out. A system described herein may include a number of stages/columns. The FMB/EMB system can be used in processes for continuous recovery, purifications or reactions of various products.

Abstract: A process of fractionation of biomass using aqueous ammonia for fractionation of biomass into lignin, cellulose and/or hemicellulose is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention is recovers lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose in more than 90% purity. The present invention also provides process of saccharification and fermentation of biomass using aqueous ammonia for production of soluble sugars, alcohols, acids, phenols and other desired products, or derivatives thereof. The process disclosed in the present invention is robust, cost effective and scalable.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: The composite continuous countercurrent fluidized moving bed (FMB) and/or expanded moving bed (EMB) for carrying out processes such as recovery, purification or reaction of single or multiple component/s of interest, by contacting liquid phase containing the said component/s with the solid adsorbent in continuous countercurrent mode. In this composite fluidized moving bed and/or expanded moving bed system the net movement of the solids is against the liquid flowing in upward direction through the stages/columns, and sedimenting solids from the one stage/column are continuously fed to the top of the another stage/column placed below or alongside of previous stage/column, and also operating in fluidized/expanded bed mode, wherein its countercurrent contact with up flowing liquid is carried out. The system described herein consists of number of stages/column as per requirement of the process.