Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are compositions comprising oxygen tolerant strains of Megasphaera elsdenii and methods of making and using the same to promote improvement of one or more metrics in an animal, such as increased bodyweight/carcass gain, increased feed intake, decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR), decreased medical costs, decreased transition period, decrease use of antibiotics, and reduced mortality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating biomass composed of integrated feedstocks to produce fermentable sugars. One aspect of the methods described herein includes a pretreatment step wherein biomass is integrated with an alternative feedstream and the resulting integrated feedstock, at relatively high concentrations, is treated with a low concentration of ammonia relative to the dry weight of biomass. In another aspect, a high solids concentration of pretreated biomass is integrated with an alternative feedstream for saccharifiaction.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using a low concentration of aqueous ammonia at high biomass concentration. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Ethanol was produced using biocatalysts that are able to ferment sugars derived from treated biomass. Sugars were obtained by pretreating biomass under conditions of high solids and low ammonia concentration, followed by saccharification.

Abstract: Target chemicals were produced using biocatalysts that are able to ferment sugars derived from treated biomass. Sugars were obtained by pretreating biomass under conditions of high solids and low ammonia concentration, followed by saccharification.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system and method for producing uniform hydrogel particles. The system of the invention contains a feed station, a metering device, a novel hydrogel particle-forming apparatus and a quench station.