Abstract: An improved alkaline pretreatment of biomass is provided that is a single-stage, two oxidant alkaline oxidative pretreatment process. The process uses a homogenous catalyst with at least two oxidants (Hydrogen peroxide and enhanced levels of oxygen) in an alkaline environment to catalytically pretreat lignocellulosic biomass in a single-stage oxidation reaction. The provided single-stage alkaline-oxidative pretreatment improves biomass pretreatment and increase enzymatic digestibility to improve the economic feasibility of production of lignocellulose derived sugars.

Abstract: A homogeneous catalyst is provided comprising one or more metals; and at least two metal coordinating ligands wherein the homogeneous catalyst is a multi-ligand metal complex adapted for use with an oxidant in an oxidation reaction to catalytically pretreat lignocellulosic biomass. In one embodiment, the homogenous catalyst is copper (II) 2, 2? bipyridine ethylenediamine (Cu(bpy)en). Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved alkaline pretreatment of biomass is provided that uses a homogenous catalyst with one or more metals and metal coordinating ligands, wherein the homogeneous catalyst is used with at least two oxidants in an oxidation reaction to catalytically pretreat lignocellulosic biomass. In one embodiment, hydrogen peroxide and oxygen are utilized as co-oxidants during alkaline-oxidative pretreatment to improve biomass pretreatment and increase enzymatic digestibility. In one embodiment, the homogenous catalyst is copper (II) 2,2?-bipyridine (Cu(bpy)). Related methods are also disclosed to improve the economic feasibility of production of lignocellulose derived sugars.

Abstract: A homogeneous catalyst is provided comprising one or more metals; and at least two metal coordinating ligands wherein the homogeneous catalyst is a multi-ligand metal complex_adapted for use with an oxidant in an oxidation reaction to catalytically pretreat lignocellulosic biomass. In one embodiment, the homogenous catalyst is copper (II) 2, 2? bipyridine ethylenediamine (Cu(bpy)en). Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A homogeneous catalyst is provided comprising one or more metals; and at least two metal coordinating ligands wherein the homogeneous catalyst is a multi-ligand metal complex_adapted for use with an oxidant in an oxidation reaction to catalytically pretreat lignocellulosic biomass. In one embodiment, the homogenous catalyst is copper (II) 2,2? bipyridine ethylenediamine (Cu(bpy)en). Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring the hydrogen and/or oxygen isotope ration of intracellular water in Escherichia coli cells and correlating the hydrogen and/or oxygen isotope ratio with the metabolic activity of the cell. A method is also disclosed for measuring the hydrogen and/or oxygen ratio of intracellular water via a probe, such as a fatty acid, and correlating the hydrogen and/or oxygen ratio with the metabolic activity of the cell. Methods for measuring the hydrogen and/or oxygen isotope ratio of water from eukaryotic organisms, such as cultured rat fibroblasts and whole mammals, and optionally relating the same to a metabolic rate, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for nonoxidatively cleaving the phosphorus-oxygen linkage of nucleic acids and certain anticholinesterases such as insecticides using a macrocyclic copper(II) complex. A composition suited for such cleavage is also provided.