Abstract: This invention discloses a novel system and method for expressing multiple gene products in oleaginous yeasts including Yarrowia lipolytica and Rhodotorula toruloides. More particularly, the present disclosure provides novel promoters functional in Y. lipolytica which can be used for producing a broad range of bioproducts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for genetically engineering Yarrowia lipolytica host cell for producing glycolic acid from organic wastes. A subject genetically engineered Y. lipolytica cell comprises the disrupted native genes encoding malate synthase, heterologous enzyme of glyoxylate reductase targeted in the different cellular compartments including mitochondria, peroxisome and cytosol, and a mutant NADP+-dependent malate dehydrogenase. The pathway with a theoretical yield as high as that 1 g of acetic acid can be converted to 1.27 g of glycolic acid without carbon loss was engineered for glycolic acid production. The methods particularly include process for production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) mainly comprised of acetic acid from organic waste, and then use of resultant VFAs for biosynthesis of glycolic acid by recombinant Y. lipolytica.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for converting biomass material into soluble substances by one-step, comprising: converting biomass materials into soluble substances by one-step by electrolyzing at a certain time under the condition of constant current using bipolar three-dimension-electrodes system, wherein bipolar three-dimension-electrodes system including an anode, a cathode, particle electrodes and electrolyte, and in electrolyzing process, the particle electrodes and the biomass materials being suspended in the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high concentration methanol tolerant methanotroph and its application, a accession number of the methanotroph in China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center being CGMCC No. 9873, deposit date being Oct. 29, 2014, category names being Methylomonas sp. ZR1. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 disclosed by the present invention can grow rapidly by using methane, and can tolerate with high concentration of methanol. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 can use C1 compounds such as methane and methanol to produce high value-added products such as carotenoids and polysaccharides, which has high application prospect in biological transformation of one-carbon chemistry.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Methods of producing bio-fuel and other high-value products from oleaginous biomass (e.g. algae biomass) are provided. The two-step methods use a first step of subcritical water extraction of the biomass at low temperatures to produce polysaccharides and other high value products of interest, followed by, ii) hydrothermal liquefaction of remaining solid biomass at high temperatures to produce bio-oil.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high concentration methanol tolerant methanotroph and its application, a accession number of the methanotroph in China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center being CGMCC No. 9873, deposit date being Oct. 29, 2014, category names being Methylomonas sp. ZR1. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 disclosed by the present invention can grow rapidly by using methane, and can tolerate with high concentration of methanol. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 can use C1 compounds such as methane and methanol to produce high value-added products such as carotenoids and polysaccharides, which has high application prospect in biological transformation of one-carbon chemistry.

Abstract: Methods for producing lipids from lignocellulosic biomass are provided. Sugars produced by pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass are utilized by heterotrophic oleaginous fungi or yeast to increase their biomass and to produce lipids without prior detoxification of the pretreated biomass. After the fungi/yeast are cultured with the sugars, solid residues from the pretreated biomass are combined with the fungi/yeast under conditions which allow simultaneous 1) enzymatic degradation of cellulose and/or hemicellulose to produce sugars and 2) fermentation of the sugars for further increases in biomass and lipid production.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating sugar release from lignocellulosic biomass and for utilizing the sugars for microbial lipid (e.g. biofuel) production are provided. The methods involve pretreating lignocellulosic biomass using various oxidizing agents (ozone, peroxone, etc.) at a temperature not higher than 50° C. and pressure no higher than 1.5 atm to render the biomass more accessible to enzymatic hydrolytic degradation into sugars and utilizing soluble sugars for fermenting oleaginous microorganism to produce microbial lipids.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: Methods of producing bio-fuel and other high-value products from oleaginous biomass (e.g. algae biomass) are provided. The two-step methods use a first step of subcritical water extraction of the biomass at low temperatures to produce polysaccharides and other high value products of interest, followed by, ii) hydrothermal liquefaction of remaining solid biomass at high temperatures to produce bio-oil.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing lipids which may be used as biofuel are provided. Sugars produced by pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass are utilized by heterotrophic oleaginous fungi or yeast to increase their biomass and to produce lipids without prior detoxification of the pretreated biomass. After the fungi/yeast are cultured with the sugars, solid residues from the pretreated biomass are combined with the fungi/yeast under conditions which allow simultaneous 1) enzymatic degradation of cellulose and/or hemicellulose to produce sugars and 2) fermentation of the sugars for further increases in biomass and lipid production.

Abstract: Oleaginous yeast strains are used to hydrolyze biomass (e.g. wheat straw) that has been pretreated using dilute acid, in order to produce lipids. The lipids may be used as feedstock for producing biofuels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: The feasibility of using CO2 from a concentrated source to grow microalgae is limited by the high cost of CO2 capture and transportation, as well as significant CO2 loss during algae culture. Another challenge is the inability of algae in using CO2 during night while CO2 is continuously produced from the source. To address these challenges, this invention provides a process in which CO2 is captured as bicarbonate and used as feedstock for algae culture. Then the carbonate is regenerated in the algae culture process as absorbent to capture more CO2, which is converted to bicarbonate for use as feedstock, etc. This process significantly reduces carbon capture costs since it avoids the energy for carbonate regeneration. Also, transporting a solid or aqueous bicarbonate solution has a much lower cost than transporting compressed CO2, and using bicarbonate provides a better alternative for CO2 delivery to algae culture systems than supplying CO2 gas.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Filamentous fungi are grown in pellet form by culturing the filamentous fungi in liquid culture under one or more of the following conditions: 1) with addition of particulate substrates: 2) using spores which have been stored for a period of time prior to inoculation; and 3) using high spore inoculum concentrations.