Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: A method for the production of ethanol and a modified animal feed is provided. The method replaces the starch in known corn-based animal feed with biomass fiber treated to make it more digestible by animals. The process includes wherein the pericarp and germ are removed from the corn kernel and processed for by-products. The starch and protein are also removed and separated. The starch is then fermented and distilled to ethanol and stillage. The bioavailable modified animal feed comprises the pericarp and germ removed from corn kernels and optionally by-products of the pericarp and germ processing, and lignocellulosic materials. The modified animal feed may optionally include energy materials such as animal and vegetable fats, vegetable soapstocks, or glycerin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing ozone concentration in a liquid can include: providing a gas having ozone; introducing the ozone-containing gas into a liquid, wherein the liquid and ozone combination has a temperature between about 0.8 and about 1.5 times the critical temperature of ozone; and increasing isothermally, the pressure of the ozone-containing gas above the liquid to about 0.3 to about 5 times the critical pressure of ozone so as to increase the ozone concentration in the liquid. The temperature is expressed in absolute units (Kelvin or Rankin). The method can be used for removing ozone from a gas or for purifying ozone. The liquid having a high ozone concentration can be used for ozonolysis of a substrate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increased production of amino acids from C. glutamicum using sucrose as a carbon source are described. In one aspect, increased production of L-lysine from C. glutamicum is accomplished by using a strain having a mutation in the ptsF gene encoding fructose-PTS enzyme that attenuates or blocks fructose import into the cell when such strain is grown on media containing sucrose as a carbon source and production is increased by providing glucose isomerase in the fermentation media. The glucose isomerase may be exogenously added or expressed in the strain and exported into the media. In certain embodiments the media also contain an invertase. In another aspect increased production of L-lysine is accomplished by making a C. glutamicum strain having the ptsF mutation and a second mutation in a fructose exporter function. The dual mutation retains imported fructose in the cell.

Abstract: A method for the production of ethanol and a modified animal feed is provided. The method replaces the starch in known corn-based animal feed with biomass fiber treated to make it more digestible by animals. The process includes wherein the pericarp and germ are removed from the corn kernel and processed for by-products. The starch and protein are also removed and separated. The starch is then fermented and distilled to ethanol and stillage. The bioavailable modified animal feed comprises the pericarp and germ removed from corn kernels and optionally by-products of the pericarp and germ processing, and lignocellulosic materials. The modified animal feed may optionally include energy materials such as animal and vegetable fats, vegetable soapstocks, or glycerin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of enzymatically preparing aldehydes from fatty acids by utilizing a carboxylic acid reductase enzyme to reduce the fatty acids to their corresponding aldehydes. The present invention also provides aldehydes prepared by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Novel grain processing methods and the products obtained therefrom are disclosed. Methods may include separation of pericarp fractions, hydrolysis of the pericarp fractions one or more time, and fractionation of the hydrolyzed pericarp fractions. Hydrolyzed pericarp fractions have applications including fermentation media, livestock feed, and fuel feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for converting a polyhydric alcohol into propylene glycol and butanediols is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for converting polyhydric alcohols into three-carbon products and four-carbon products. Also disclosed are methods for maximizing conversion of polyhydric alcohols and minimizing formation of reaction products that are difficult to remove from the desired product. In other embodiments, methods are described to optimize use of reactants, including hydrogen, in hydrogenolysis of polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: Novel grain processing methods and the products obtained therefrom are disclosed. High value oil, ammonia, and methane streams are obtained by a modified ethanol dry milling process that includes a subsequent anaerobic digestion of the oil cake residue obtained from extracting oil from the germ of a grain. Modified de-oiled distillers dried grains that include stillage obtained from anaerobic digestion of the oil cake are provided. In various embodiments, the modified de-oiled distillers dried grains may be the stillage from anaerobic digestion of the oil cake only, may also include the ordinary DDGs obtained from fermentation of the endosperm portion of the grain, or may include stillage obtained from further anaerobic digestion of the ordinary DDGs.

Abstract: Edible compositions comprising legume products and tuber products are disclosed. In certain examples, the compositions can comprise bean powder combined with instant mashed potatoes. Such compositions can have excellent taste and improved nutrition. Methods of manufacture and preparation of the legume and tuber products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen from a plant source is disclosed. The method includes contacting a crude carbohydrate material obtained from the plant source with water and a catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the crude carbohydrate material to form a vapor mixture of gases including hydrogen, and separating hydrogen from other gases present in the vapor mixture.

Abstract: Novel grain processing methods and the products obtained therefrom are disclosed. High value oil streams are obtained by extraction during conventional corn dry milling. De-oiled whole grain products are disclosed.

Abstract: Processes, apparatus, and systems for purifying alcohol streams by reducing the concentration of sulfur compounds in those alcohol streams are presented herein. The invention is exemplified by reduction of sulfur dioxide, sulfate ion, and sulfite ion in an ethanol stream, but is applicable for the removal of other sulfur compounds from other alcohol streams.

Abstract: Methods for cell-free production of glucosamine from starch, maltodextrin or glycogen or from fructose and a source of amino groups are disclosed. Also disclosed are cellular extracts comprising glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase activity, as well as a cellular extract comprising glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase.

Abstract: Hydrothermically formed phytosterol-emulsifier compositions are disclosed, along with the process for their production. The compositions are organoleptically pleasing and useful in foods, health products, and nutraceutical products for lowering cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are mixed with an emulsifier dispersion and then hydrothermically heated to integrate the phytosterols into a micellar form with the emulsifier, which produces a smooth and pleasing mouthfeel and a bioactive and bioavailable product.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of separating tocopherols by using a weakly basic polyvinyl pyridine resin. The resin has the capacity to selectively bind tocopherols, allowing other impurities typically found in a tocopherol production plant stream to separate from the tocopherols. After loading a tocopherol-containing mixture onto a separatory column packed with the resin, the loaded column is eluted with a solvent followed by an alcohol. The eluate is collected in fractions, and the tocopherol-containing fractions are combined and concentrated to yield a purified tocopherol composition. It has been found that the present invention produces highly purified tocopherol compositions (90+%), and is particularly useful for preparing highly purified tocopherol compositions, specifically enriched in &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of separating tocopherols by using a weakly basic polyvinyl pyridine resin. The resin has the capacity to selectively bind tocopherols, allowing other impurities typically found in a tocopherol production plant stream to separate from the tocopherols. After loading a tocopherol-containing mixture onto a separatory column packed with the resin, the loaded column is eluted with a solvent followed by an alcohol. The eluate is collected in fractions, and the tocopherol-containing fractions are combined and concentrated to yield a purified tocopherol composition. It has been found that the present invention produces highly purified tocopherol compositions (90+%), and is particularly useful for preparing highly purified tocopherol compositions, specifically enriched in &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating basic amino acids from fermentation broth comprising contacting the broth with strong acid cation exchange resins that have a low degree of cross-linkage and eluting the amino acid. The method described herein results in higher yield and higher purity of lysine, in addition to higher throughput, as compared to conventional processes of purification of lysine from fermentation broth.

Abstract: A method of recovering 1,3 -propanediol (PDO) from fermentation broth is disclosed. The method employs ion exclusion resins to separate PDO from other impurities. The product fraction contains greater than 80% pure PDO with high yield.

Abstract: A method of recovering 1,3-propanediol (PDO) from fermentation broth is disclosed. The method employs ion exclusion resins to separate PDO from other impurities. The product fraction contains greater than 80% pure PDO with high yield.