Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, an azide-inducible system for controlled gene expression in E. coli. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a high throughput screening method for the identification of new glycosynthases (e.g., mutant glycosyl hydrolases) with enhanced activity and unique substrate specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered carbohydrate-active enzyme constructs that are useful for glycan polymers synthesis. The construct comprises a CD domain from a GH, wherein the domain is conjugated to CBM3a via a peptidic linker. The invention also relates to a method of improving glycan polymer synthesis by using engineered carbohydrate active enzymes comprising a CD domain and CBM3a.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in one aspect, to the discovery of a high throughput screening (HTS) method to rapidly screen for GH/GS variants that are generated using directed evolution techniques and that can significantly enhance glycosynthase catalytic activity or product specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered carbohydrate-active enzyme constructs that are useful for glycan polymers synthesis. The construct comprises a CD domain from a GH, wherein the domain is conjugated to CBM3a via a peptidic linker. The invention also relates to a method of improving glycan polymer synthesis by using engineered carbohydrate active enzymes comprising a CD domain and CBM3a.

Abstract: Methods for producing extracted and digested products from pretreated lignocellulosic biomass are provided. The methods include converting native cellulose I? to cellulose IIII by pretreating the lignocellulosic biomass with liquid ammonia under certain conditions, and performing extracting or digesting steps on the pretreated/converted lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A method for pretreating biomass is provided, which includes, in a reactor, allowing gaseous ammonia to condense on the biomass and react with water present in the biomass to produce pretreated biomass, wherein reactivity of polysaccharides in the biomass is increased during subsequent biological conversion as compared to the reactivity of polysaccharides in biomass which has not been pretreated. A method for pretreating biomass with a liquid ammonia and recovering the liquid ammonia is also provided. Related systems which include a biochemical or biofuel production facility are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a microbial growth stimulant (MGS) from a plant biomass is described. In one embodiment, an ammonium hydroxide solution is used to extract a solution of proteins and ammonia from the biomass. Some of the proteins and ammonia are separated from the extracted solution to provide the MGS solution. The removed ammonia can be recycled and the proteins are useful as animal feeds. In one embodiment, the method comprises extracting solubles from pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with a cellulase enzyme-producing growth medium (such T. reesei) in the presence of water and an aqueous extract.

Abstract: A method of alkaline pretreatment of biomass, in particular, pretreating biomass with gaseous ammonia.

Abstract: A method for treating biomass is provided, which includes, in a reactor, allowing gaseous ammonia to condense on the biomass and react with water present in the biomass to produce pretreated biomass, wherein reactivity of polysaccharides in the biomass is increased during subsequent biological conversion as compared to polysaccharides in biomass which has not been pretreated. A method for treating biomass with a liquid ammonia and recovering the liquid ammonia is also provided. Related systems which include a biochemical or biofuel production facility are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising converting at least a portion of native cellulose I? to cellulose IIII by treating plant biomass with liquid ammonia and/or one or more organic solvents to produce a treated plant biomass containing lignin and a lignin fraction; and extracting lignin and/or other plant cell wall components from the lignin fraction to produce a lignin extract capable of being fractionated. In one embodiment, the lignin extract is fractionated into separate components which are useful in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating lignocellulosic biomass to obtain useful products therefrom.

Abstract: A process for producing sugars from lignocellulosic materials such as corn stover by the addition of corn stillage as a carbon source is disclosed. The sugars are formed by treating the combination of the corn stillage and the lignocellulosic materials with hydrolytic enzymes. The sugars can be fermented to ethanol, and the process improves ethanol production economies with an increased sugar yield from the lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: A method of alkaline pretreatment of biomass, in particular, pretreating biomass with gaseous ammonia.

Abstract: A process for producing sugars from lignocellulosic materials such as corn stover by the addition of corn stillage as a carbon source is disclosed. The sugars are formed by treating the combination of the corn stillage and the lignocellulosic materials with hydrolytic enzymes. The sugars can be fermented to ethanol, and the process improves ethanol production economies with an increased sugar yield from the lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing whole grain or whole plant biomass after an Ammonia Fiber Explosion (AFEX) process step is described. The process preferably uses a biomass that is hydrolyzed using a different combination of enzymes (amylase, cellulase and hemicellulase) to sugars for fermentation to produce ethanol. Harvesting the whole plant inclusive of grains and stalk for ethanol bio-processing is an economical route for future biorefineries. In addition to sugars, various value-added products like proteins and oil can be co-generated.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for at least a 90% conversion of a plant biomass preferably by a reduction of the units of cellulase needed and by using a xylanase which acts synergistically with the cellulase to improve the yield of xylose and glucose as sugars. The process enables greater conversion of a lignocellulosic plant biomass to glucose and xylose for use as animal feeds and as fermentation as medium for producing ethanol.

Abstract: A composite composition which comprises a synthetic polymer, and corncob granules which have been modified, such as with a chemical reacted with the hydroxyl groups on the granules is described. The corncob granules are modified so as to be compatible with the polymer.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of monocot lignocellulosic grass waste from mushroom growth into byproducts is described. In particular, the present invention releases glucans from the waste which can be easily hydrolyzed, after a less severe thermochemical process (i.e. AFEX), and into sugars for producing ethanol or other by-products by fermentation.