Abstract: Method for preparing a 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (“FDCA”) comprising: contacting a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that has greater than 34% sequence identity with an amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2 with furoic acid in the presence of carbon dioxide; wherein the polypeptide has carboxylase and decarboxylase activity and comprises (i) the amino acid corresponding to H297 or a functional substitution thereof and (ii) at least one of (a) the amino acid corresponding to R305 or a functional substitution thereof; and (b) the amino acid corresponding to R332 or a functional substitution thereof; wherein the position is numbered relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: Method for preparing a mono-unsaturated alkene comprising contacting an aliphatic mono-unsaturated carboxylic acid with an Fdc1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 21% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a Pad1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 17% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Sacchromyces cerevisiae strains modified to express an adhE (alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase) enzyme having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional variant thereof capable of catalysing the conversion of acetyl CoA to ethanol, and/or to overexpress an ACS2 (acetyl-CoA synthetase) enzyme having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2, or a functional variant thereof capable of catalysing the conversion of acetate to acetyl CoA. Such cells have an improved ability to grow on or in acetate-containing media compared to cells not according to the invention.

Abstract: A fuel composition comprising: a diesel base fuel; from 1 to 10% v/v of a fatty acid alkyl ester; and more than 10% v/v of an ether component, the ether component comprising one or more ether compounds having in the range of from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and selected from compounds of formula I R1—O—R2??(I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently primary or secondary alkyl.

Abstract: Method for converting a carbon source such as a plant-derived material into a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon precursor, via a microorganism-catalysed aerobic reaction. The microorganism is cultivated in the presence of the carbon source and of oxygen, in a reaction vessel having a capacity of about 2000 litres or greater which comprises an aeration system for supplying oxygen to the microorganism. Also provided is an apparatus for use in the method, comprising a reaction vessel of capacity 2000 litres or greater, and an aeration system.

Abstract: Method for preparing a mono-unsaturated alkene comprising contacting an aliphatic mono-unsaturated carboxylic acid with an Fdc1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 21% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a Pad1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 17% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2.