Abstract: A bioreactor and process are disclosed for forming polyhydroxybutyrate directly from depolymerized polyhydroxybutyrate. In two bioreactor vessels, a microorganism product, such as one or more enzymes, are combined with the polyhydroxybutyrate-containing post-consumer product materials. The microorganism can naturally secrete the one or more enzymes or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The combination of enzymes is designed to facilitate a metabolic pathway that can depolymerize PHB, convert the resulting hydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and in turn polymerize it into PHB. Namely, a solution for the recycling of polyhydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyrate and back to polyhydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: An enzymatic process and system are disclosed for producing bioplastic polymers from a thermoplastic polymer-containing post-use product. The thermoplastic polymer-containing post-use product can be pyrolyzed to obtain a pool of depolymerized alkanes. The pool of alkanes can be contacted in vitro with an enzyme or a mixture of enzymes to produce a bioplastic polymer.

Abstract: An enzymatic process and system are disclosed for producing homogeneous chain length poly hydroxyalkanoate monomers and/or polymers having a chain length of at least eight carbons from a long-chain fatty acid or precursor thereof. The process also results in specific homogenous chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate monomers and/or polymers. The long-chain fatty acid or precursor thereof can be contacted in vitro with an enzyme or a mixture of enzymes to produce the homogeneous chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of androstenediol, oxtenedioate, digydrouracil, heptanoylglutamine, pregnenetriol, sulfate, heptenoylglutamine, hexanoylglutamine, guanine, methylhexanoylglutamine, hexanoylglycine, hexenoylglycine, spermidine, diacetylspermine, acisoga and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 40° C. and in the presence of salt at a concentration of 1 M or greater. In a specific embodiment, the polypeptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a halophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having a solubility of 10 mg/L or greater.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, CEHC-sulfate, CEHC-taurine, CEHC-glucronide, pantoate, 5-amino valerate, galactonate, phenylacetylalanine, methylcatecholsulfate, phenylacetylglutamine, carboxysuccinate, carboxyethylvaline, arabinose, threonate, methylcrotonylglycine, glucuronate, carboxyethylisoleucine, glycoursodeoxycholate, leucylalanine, lithocholatesulfate, allo-threonine, cholic, glucuronide and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 45° C. In a specific embodiment, the poly peptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a thermophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having an optimum temperature of at least 45° C. The present invention also relates to a host cell transformed to express a polypeptide that catalyzes degradation of a PHA, the polypeptide having an optimum temperature for the degradation reaction of at least 45° C.

Abstract: A bioreactor and process are disclosed for forming polyhydroxybutyrate directly from depolymerized polyhydroxybutyrate. In two bioreactor vessels, a microorganism product, such as one or more enzymes, are combined with the polyhydroxybutyrate-containing post-consumer product materials. The microorganism can naturally secrete the one or more enzymes or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The combination of enzymes is designed to facilitate a metabolic pathway that can depolymerize PHB, convert the resulting hydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and in turn polymerize it into PHB. Namely, a solution for the recycling of polyhydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyrate and back to polyhydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate that includes depolymerization of a post-consumer polyhydroxyalkanoate and utilization of the hydroxyalkanoate monomer thus produced as a carbon source for a microorganism capable of production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate. Methods can be utilized for true cyclic use of polyhydroxyalkanoates including polyhydroxybutyrates. Various aspects are described including simultaneous depolymerization and polymer production, utilization of purified depolymerase enzymes and/or microorganisms that express a depolymerase in conjunction with a microorganism that produces polymer, utilization of microorganisms that produce both a depolymerase and a new polymer, and utilization of genetically modified organisms to produce natural or modified depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate that includes depolymerization of a post-consumer polyhydroxyalkanoate and utilization of the hydroxyalkanoate monomer thus produced as a carbon source for a microorganism capable of production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate. Methods can be utilized for true cyclic use of polyhydroxyalkanoates including polyhydroxybutyrates. Various aspects are described including simultaneous depolymerization and polymer production, utilization of purified depolymerase enzymes and/or microorganisms that express a depolymerase in conjunction with a microorganism that produces polymer, utilization of microorganisms that produce both a depolymerase and a new polymer, and utilization of genetically modified organisms to produce natural or modified depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate that includes depolymerization of a post-consumer polyhydroxyalkanoate and utilization of the hydroxyalkanoate monomer thus produced as a carbon source for a microorganism capable of production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate. Methods can be utilized for true cyclic use of polyhydroxyalkanoates including polyhydroxybutyrates. Various aspects are described including simultaneous depolymerization and polymer production, utilization of purified de-polymerase enzymes and/or microorganisms that express a depolymerase in conjunction with a microorganism that produces polymer, utilization of microorganisms that produce both a depolymerase and a new polymer, and utilization of genetically modified organisms to produce natural or modified depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: A bioreactor and process are disclosed for forming polyhydroxybutyrate directly from depolymerized polyhydroxybutyrate. In two bioreactor vessels, a microorganism product, such as one or more enzymes, are combined with the polyhydroxybutyrate-containing post-consumer product materials. The microorganism can naturally secrete the one or more enzymes or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The combination of enzymes is designed to facilitate a metabolic pathway that can depolymerize PHB, convert the resulting hydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and in turn polymerize it into PHB. Namely, a solution for the recycling of polyhydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyrate and back to polyhydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 45° C. In a specific embodiment, the poly peptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a thermophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having an optimum temperature of at least 45° C. The present invention also relates to a host cell transformed to express a polypeptide that catalyzes degradation of a PHA, the polypeptide having an optimum temperature for the degradation reaction of at least 45° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 40° C. and in the presence of salt at a concentration of 1 M or greater. In a specific embodiment, the polypeptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a halophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having a solubility of 10 mg/L or greater.

Abstract: Methods and systems for simultaneous degradation and decontamination of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates are described. The enzymes encompass extremophilic enzymes that can be incorporated into a biodegradation process carried out at an environmental condition that is detrimental to a mesophilic pathogen. The materials, methods, and systems of the present disclosure are particularly directed to degrading and decontaminating used personal care products containing polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers using extremophilic and/or polyextremophilic depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of androstenediol, oxtenedioate, digydrouracil, heptanoylglutamine, pregnenetriol, sulfate, heptenoylglutamine, hexanoylglutamine, guanine, methylhexanoylglutamine, hexanoylglycine, hexenoylglycine, spermidine, diacetylspermine, acisoga and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, CEHC-sulfate, CEHC-taurine, CEHC-glucronide, pantoate, 5-amino valerate, galactonate, phenylacetylalanine, methylcatecholsulfate, phenylacetylglutamine, carboxysuccinate, carboxyethylvaline, arabinose, threonate, methylcrotonylglycine, glucuronate, carboxyethylisoleucine, glycoursodeoxycholate, leucylalanine, lithocholatesulfate, allo-threonine, cholic, glucuronide and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for increasing the rate of degradation of biopolymers in a solid waste depository, such as a landfill. A microorganism product, which can be an encapsulated product, is combined with the waste materials. The product contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the product are particularly selected in order to thrive in a particular environmental condition where the solid waste is located.

Abstract: An auto-biodegradable absorbent article formed at least in part from a biodegradable polymer is provided that includes an inactivated microorganism product. The absorbent article contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the absorbent article are particularly selected based upon their salt tolerance and enzyme production at certain salt concentrations.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating a bladder microbiome in a subject to improve bladder health are disclosed. The method can include providing a composition including a carrier and a bladder therapeutic agent. The bladder therapeutic agent can include isomaltulose, dextrin type 1, dextrin type 2, or combinations thereof. The method can further include administering the composition to a urogenital region of the subject. The method can include promoting a growth of Lactobacillus crispatus relative to Streptococcus anginosus within the bladder microbiome to modulate the bladder microbiome to improve bladder health.