Abstract: The present invention provides methods for extraction of sucrose, xylo-oligosaccharides, xylose and bioactive compounds from feedstock, and in particular to the hot-water co-extraction of sucrose, fructose, glucose, xylo-oligosaccharides, or xylose and bioactive compounds from feedstock.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the intrinsic activity of an enzyme in a raw enzyme solution, the method comprising treating the raw enzyme solution with an effective amount of a purifying agent, most preferably, activated carbon, to effect the enhancement and provide an enzyme solution of enhanced activity. Preferred enzymes are amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase, xylanase, and all other group 3 hydrolases.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a product by the enzymatic treatment of a soluble or particulate substrate with a particulate, immobilized enzyme, by treating a process liquor containing the substrate in a bioreactor to produce a slurry of effluent immobilized enzyme and the product in an effluent liquor. The slurry is subject to a non-immobilized enzyme damaging shear inducing effective separation process to provide effluent immobilized enzyme, and effluent liquor containing the product; and reusing the effluent immobilized enzyme in the enzymatic treatment. The process provides for the reclamation and reuse of the immobilized enzyme even when a further particulate solid is present in the effluent/product stream.

Abstract: A method for treating plant materials to release fermentable sugars is disclosed. More specifically, lignocellulosic materials are subjected to disc refining together with enzymatic hydrolysis to produce a sugar rich process stream that may subsequently be subjected to fermentation to produce biofuels and chemicals is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating plant materials to release fermentable sugars is disclosed. More specifically, a two-stage enzymatic hydrolysis process for treating lignocellulosic materials and producing a sugar rich process stream that may subsequently be subjected to fermentation to produce biofuels and chemicals is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating plant materials to release fermentable sugars is disclosed. More specifically, an enzymatic hydrolysis process for treating lignocellulosic materials performed under vacuum and producing a sugar rich process stream that may subsequently be subjected to fermentation to produce biofuels and chemicals is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method of making an immobilized enzyme comprising (a) treating an immobilization support with an aqueous solution comprising a cross-linking agent and polymeric aldehyde species and active centre species to produce a modified support; (b) isolating the modified support; (c) treating an enzyme solution with the modified support to produce the immobilized enzyme, the improvement comprising treating the aqueous solution of cross-linking agent with an effective amount of a purifying agent to reduce the amount of the polymeric aldehyde species and active centre species.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a product by the enzymatic treatment of a soluble or particulate substrate with a particulate, immobilized enzyme, by treating a process liquor containing the substrate in a bioreactor to produce a slurry of effluent immobilized enzyme and the product in an effluent liquor. The slurry is subject to a non-immobilized enzyme damaging shear inducing effective separation process to provide effluent immobilized enzyme, and effluent liquor containing the product; and reusing the effluent immobilized enzyme in the enzymatic treatment. The process provides for the reclamation and reuse of the immobilized enzyme even when a further particulate solid is present in the effluent/product stream.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a product by the enzymatic treatment of a soluble or particulate substrate with a particulate, immobilized enzyme, by treating a process liquor containing the substrate in a bioreactor to produce a slurry of effluent immobilized enzyme and the product in an effluent liquor. The slurry is subject to a non-immobilized enzyme damaging shear inducing effective separation process to provide effluent immobilized enzyme, and effluent liquor containing the product; and reusing the effluent immobilized enzyme in the enzymatic treatment. The process provides for the reclamation and reuse of the immobilized enzyme even when a further particulate solid is present in the effluent/product stream.

Abstract: An improved method of making an immobilized enzyme comprising (a) treating an immobilization support with an aqueous solution comprising a cross-linking agent and polymeric aldehyde species and active centre species to produce a modified support; (b) isolating the modified support; (c) treating an enzyme solution with the modified support to produce the immobilized enzyme, the improvement comprising treating the aqueous solution of cross-linking agent with an effective amount of a purifying agent to reduce the amount of the polymeric aldehyde species and active centre species.

Abstract: A selective immobilized enzyme bioadditive retention aid comprising an enzyme chemically bound to a particulate inorganic support, said enzyme having a binding site selectively linkable to an organic polymeric fibrous material component of a pulp. The invention provides an improved process of paper manufacture and the novel paper making additives of use therein.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the intrinsic activity of an enzyme in a raw enzyme solution, the method comprising treating the raw enzyme solution with an effective amount of a purifying agent, most preferably, activated carbon, to effect the enhancement and provide an enzyme solution of enhanced activity. Preferred enzymes are amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase, xylanase, and all other group 3 hydrolases.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a product by the enzymatic treatment of a soluble or particulate substrate with a particulate, immobilized enzyme, by treating a process liquor containing the substrate in a bioreactor to produce a slurry of effluent immobilized enzyme and the product in an effluent liquor. The slurry is subject to a non-immobilized enzyme damaging shear inducing effective separation process to provide effluent immobilized enzyme, and effluent liquor containing the product; and reusing the effluent immobilized enzyme in the enzymatic treatment. The process provides for the reclamation and reuse of the immobilized enzyme even when a further particulate solid is present in the effluent/product stream.

Abstract: A simple, efficient method for immobilization of enzymes on siliceous supports is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a siliceous support having surface hydroxyl groups such as silica gel is contacted with a solution of a polyaldehyde cross-linking agent such as glutaraldehyde to produce a modified support containing bound cross-linking agent. After separation from the solution, the modified support is contacted with a solution containing an enzyme to bind the enzyme to free aldehyde functions of the cross-linking agent. Owing to properties peculiar to siliceous supports, the resulting immobilized enzyme is much more stable than enzymes immobilized on other supports. Consequently, much less enzyme is required. The immobilized enzymes generated via this process are ideally suited for continuous enzymatic production of commodity chemicals and pharmaceuticals such as L-DOPA, and for other enzyme-mediated industrial processes.