Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the yield of sugars from a biomass, such as a lignocellulosic biomass, are described. A non-ionic organic polymer is contacted with the biomass during the saccharification reaction, and the hydrolyzed mixture is separated using a filter into a permeate and a retentate, where the non-ionic organic polymer is present in the retentate. The retentate with the polymer is recycled to the hydrolysis mixture, which increased the yield of sugars using less saccharification enzymes. The methods thus allow for increased cost savings by reducing the amount of enzymes required to convert the biomass to sugars.

Abstract: New mediators for use in laccase-mediator systems (LMS) are disclosed. The mediators enhance the activity of enzymes exhibiting laccase activity and can be used, for example, to bleach a dye in solution, to oxidize an appropriate compound, or to initiate vinyl or phenol polymerizations. A composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent (also referred to as a mediator or an activating agent) is also disclosed. A process for oxidizing a substrate that comprises treating the substrate with a composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent, also referred to as a mediator, is disclosed. A process for oxidizing a substrate that comprises treating the substrate with a composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent is disclosed. The process when used on lignin-containing material bleaches the lignin-containing material. A process for enhancing the activity of an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity that comprises adding an enzyme enhancing agent to the enzyme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the deposition of organic contaminants from pulp in pulp and papermaking systems are disclosed. The methods add to the pulp or to the deposition prone surface of the papermaking systems a composition comprising a dinonyl sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant which is used in systems containing multivalent cations, preferably calcium ions. The methods also utilize a blend of dioctyl sulfosuccinate and didecyl sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the deposition of organic contaminants from pulp in pulp and papermaking systems are disclosed. The methods add to the pulp or to the deposition prone surface of the papermaking systems a composition comprising a dinonyl sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant which is used in systems containing multivalent cations, preferably calcium ions. The methods also utilize a blend of dioctyl sulfosuccinate and didecyl sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants.

Abstract: A treatment for enhancing the activity of biocidal compounds to control the growth of microbes in an aqueous system is disclosed, which comprises adding to said compounds an effective amount of an alkylsulfosuccinate surfactant.