Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for dissolving and/or depolymerizing lignin comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising lignin, (b) contacting the composition with a strong hydrogen donor, such as a polyol, to form a first solution, (c) incubating the first solution at a temperature equal to or less than 100° C., whereby at least 20% by weight of the lignin is dissolved, (d) optionally introducing an oxidation agent to the first solution to form a second solution, wherein the temperature of the second solution is equal to or less than 100° C., whereby lignin is depolymerized, and (e) optionally introducing an anti-solvent to the second solution to precipitate the depolymerized lignin.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to produce a deep eutectic solvent (DES) comprising: (a) providing one or more lignin derived monomeric phenol, or a mixture thereof, in a solution, (b) introducing one or more hydrogen acceptors, or a mixture thereof, to the solution, and (c) heating the solution, such that steps (b) and (c) together result in the synthesis of a DES.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel protic ionic liquids (PIL) or phosphate-based ionic liquid (PBIL) useful for lignocellulosic processing described herein. The novel protic ionic liquids are capable of pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass over a wide range of pH.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lignin-derived ionic liquids and methods for preparing them. The methods include forming a reaction mixture comprising a lignin-derived starting material, a carbonyl compound, and an amine; maintaining the reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to form a lignin-derived aminophenol; and converting the lignin derived aminophenol to the lignin-derived ionic liquid. Monomeric phenols, oligomeric phenols, and polymeric phenols can be used as lignin-derived starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel and improved processes for treating a lignocellulosic biomass or technical lignin using ionic liquids to obtain lignin breakdown products and polysaccharide biomass components. Recycling of ionic liquids can be included in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for preparing sugar compositions. The methods include: i) forming a mixture including polysaccharide biomass and an ionic liquid solution, wherein the ionic liquid solution contains water and an ionic liquid, and the ionic liquid contains a) a cation and b) a sugar acid anion or a ketoacid anion; ii) maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient to dissolve at least a portion of the polysaccharide present in the polysaccharide biomass; iii) adding at least one glycoside hydrolase to the mixture; and iv) maintaining the mixture containing the glycoside hydrolase under conditions sufficient to hydrolyze at least a portion of the dissolved polysaccharide, thereby forming the sugar compositions. The sugar compositions contain at least one monosaccharide or oligosaccharide. New sugar-based ionic liquids are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and systems for analyzing and detecting enzyme activity. For examples, methods, compositions and systems for parallel detection and analysis of enzymatic activities of enzymes in complex biological mixtures are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel and improved processes for treating a lignocellulosic biomass or technical lignin using ionic liquids to obtain lignin breakdown products.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for synthesizing ionic liquids from lignin. Methods and compositions are also provided for treating lignin with ionic liquids.

Abstract: Methods of processing lignocellulose using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to form renewable platform chemicals that may be used as initial feedstock are provided. Metal-organic frameworks react with Provide lignocellulosic derivative lignocellulosic derivatives such as glucose and fructose to form 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) with high yield and high selectivity for FIMF production.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel and improved processes for treating a lignocellulosic biomass or technical lignin using ionic liquids to obtain lignin breakdown products and polysaccharide biomass components. Recycling of ionic liquids can be included in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for synthesizing ionic liquids from lignin. Methods and compositions are also provided for treating lignin with ionic liquids.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for ionic liquid processing of biomass.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for preparing a fermentation product. The methods include pre-treating a mixture of biomass and ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid comprises a choline cation and the biomass comprises polysaccharide and lignin. The methods further include forming hydrolysates from the introduction of glycoside hydrolase to the pre-treated mixture at conditions sufficient to produce a sugar composition mixture for fermentation steps. The present invention provides methods for loading biomass mixtures in a batch-fed process, wherein the biomass slurries can be loaded into water or a concentrated sugar composition for hydrolysate production. The methods can be performed in a one-pot process, wherein the ionic liquids are present in the mixtures throughout each step. Aspects of the invention provide compositions of sugar composition mixtures and fermentation product mixtures.

Abstract: Methods of converting lignocellulosic derivatives form 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) in ionic liquids are provided herein. Glucose is enzymatically converted to fructose by isomerization with glucose isomerase and a borate salt. Conversion of fructose to HMF includes dehydration of fructose using ionic liquids or ionic liquids with an acid catalyst to achieve high yield of HMF.

Abstract: A method for reducing or inhibiting damage to skin is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the damage is ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced damage. In some embodiments, the method comprises applying to the skin prior to exposure to radiation damaging source, a formulation containing an effective amount of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) A method for treating damaged skin, and formulations include AgNPs are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of fermenting or saccharifying a biomass comprising: (a) (i) contacting a biomass comprising a polysaccharide, and an ionic liquid (IL) to form a first solution, or (ii) providing the first solution comprising the biomass and the IL, (b) contacting the first solution and carbon dioxide such that the first solution results in a lower pH, (c) introducing (i) an enzyme capable of enzymatically to breakdown at least one bond in the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, and/or (ii) a microorganism that capable of producing the enzyme and/or fermenting the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, such that the polysaccharide is at least partially broken down and the first solution is transformed into a second solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for dissolving and/or depolymerizing lignin comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising lignin, (b) contacting the composition with a strong hydrogen donor, such as a polyol, to form a first solution, (c) incubating the first solution at a temperature equal to or less than 100° C., whereby at least 20% by weight of the lignin is dissolved, (d) optionally introducing an oxidation agent to the first solution to form a second solution, wherein the temperature of the second solution is equal to or less than 100° C., whereby lignin is depolymerized, and (e) optionally introducing an anti-solvent to the second solution to precipitate the depolymerized lignin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for synthesizing ionic liquids from lignin. Methods and compositions are also provided for treating lignin with ionic liquids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and compositions for ameliorating cancer. Some embodiments include methods and compositions for ameliorating pancreatic cancer targeting the CXCR4 receptor and the CXCL12 ligand.