Abstract: An engineered bacterium for producing ethanol from one or more carbohydrates is disclosed. The bacterium can be made by (a) inactivating within a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more endogenous genes encoding a lactate dehydrogenase; or (b) introducing into a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more exogenous genes encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase and one or more exogenous genes encoding an alcohol dehydrogenase II; or (c) performing both steps (a) and (b). The resulting engineered bacterium produces significantly more ethanol than the wild-type Lactobacillus casei bacterium, and can be used in producing ethanol from a substrate such as biomass that includes carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a symbiotic combination of host cells engineered to produce a first metabolic product, for example a carbohydrate, and to convert the second metabolic product into a second metabolic product, for example an alcohol.

Abstract: An ethanologen for producing biofuel from one or more carbohydrates and reducing lactate and acetate production in a biofuel manufacturing process. The ethanologen is made by introducing into the ethanologen one or more exogenous genes required for production of a bacteriocin. The resulting ethanologen reduces lactate and acetate production by contaminant lactic acid bacteria by expression of the bacteriocin during the biofuel manufacturing process.

Abstract: An ethanologen for producing biofuel from one or more carbohydrates and reducing lactate and acetate production in a biofuel manufacturing process. The ethanologen is made by introducing into the ethanologen one or more exogenous genes required for production of a bacteriocin. The resulting ethanologen reduces lactate and acetate production by contaminant lactic acid bacteria by expression of the bacteriocin during the biofuel manufacturing process. Certain resulting ethanologens ferment sugars not naturally or not preferentially utilized by Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a recombinant bacterial host cell capable of providing a nitrogen source to a yeast during fermentation to make ethanol. The recombinant bacterial host cell is capable of converting a biomass into ethanol. The recombinant bacterial host cell has at least one first genetic modification. The at least one genetic modifications confers to the recombinant bacterial host cell the ability to increase, when compared to a corresponding control bacterial cell lacking the at least one first genetic modification, the proteolytic activity associated with the recombinant bacterial host cell. The at least one genetic modification also confers the recombinant bacterial host cell the ability to provide a nitrogen source to a yeast capable of converting the biomass into ethanol, wherein the nitrogen source comprises a peptide, an amino acid and/or ammonia.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an antimicrobial composition as well as a process using same to limit microbial activity in a yeast medium. The antimicrobial composition includes at least one weak acid, optionally in combination with an acid stable bacteriocin and/or an antibiotic. The antimicrobial composition can be used for propagating yeasts and for making a fermentation product. The present disclosure also provides yeasts and lactic acid bacteria that can be used with the antimicrobial composition.

Abstract: Fermentation by-products can be used in feed to provide nutrients to animals. The present disclosure concerns a process for modulating the nutritional content in a whole stillage. The process includes fermenting a biomass in the presence of a recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cell and a yeast with a biomass and recuperating the whole stillage once the fermentation has been completed. The recombinant LAB is capable of expressing one or more first heterologous enzyme for converting the biomass into the fermentation product.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a co-culture of bacterial cells for making a fermented product from a biomass. The co-culture comprising a first recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cell expressing at least one bacteriocin and a second recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cell capable of converting, at least in part, the biomass into the fermented product. The second recombinant LAB cell is immune to the bacteriocin produced by the first recombinant LAB cell. The co-culture can be used, optionally in combination with a yeast host cell, to make a fermented product. The present disclosure also provides processes for making the fermented product by using the co-culture as wells kits and media comprising the co-culture.

Abstract: An engineered bacterium for producing ethanol from one or more carbohydrates is disclosed. The bacterium can be made by (a) inactivating within a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more endogenous genes encoding a lactate dehydrogenase; or (b) introducing into a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more exogenous genes encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase and one or more exogenous genes encoding an alcohol dehydrogenase II; or (c) performing both steps (a) and (b). The resulting engineered bacterium produces significantly more ethanol than the wild-type Lactobacillus casei bacterium, and can be used in producing ethanol from a substrate such as biomass that includes carbohydrates.

Abstract: An engineered bacterium for producing ethanol from one or more carbohydrates is disclosed. The bacterium can be made by (a) inactivating within a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more endogenous genes encoding a lactate dehydrogenase; or (b) introducing into a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more exogenous genes encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase and one or more exogenous genes encoding an alcohol dehydrogenase II; or (c) performing both steps (a) and (b). The resulting engineered bacterium produces significantly more ethanol than the wild-type Lactobacillus casei bacterium, and can be used in producing ethanol from a substrate such as biomass that includes carbohydrates.

Abstract: An ethanologen for producing biofuel from one or more carbohydrates and reducing lactate and acetate production in a biofuel manufacturing process. The ethanologen is made by introducing into the ethanologen one or more exogenous genes required for production of a bacteriocin. The resulting ethanologen reduces lactate and acetate production by contaminant lactic acid bacteria by expression of the bacteriocin during the biofuel manufacturing process.

Abstract: An engineered bacterium for producing ethanol from one or more carbohydrates is disclosed. The bacterium can be made by (a) inactivating within a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more endogenous genes encoding a lactate dehydrogenase; or (b) introducing into a Lactobacillus casei bacterium one or more exogenous genes encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase and one or more exogenous genes encoding an alcohol dehydrogenase II; or (c) performing both steps (a) and (b). The resulting engineered bacterium produces significantly more ethanol than the wild-type Lactobacillus casei bacterium, and can be used in producing ethanol from a substrate such as biomass that includes carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the methods and compositions involving endopeptidase enzymes, especially PepO2 and PepO3 from L. helveticus, and their use in reducing bitterness by cleaving bitter peptides. In particular embodiments of the invention, these methods and compositions apply to the cheesemaking process. The invention also concerns the use of PepO2 and/or PepO3 polypeptides in the treatment or prevention of celiac sprue or as a food additive.