Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of successively producing D-psicose from D-fructose or D-glucose by using a psicose-epimerase derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens which is expressed in a food safety form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing at least one organic compound comprising at least 3 C-atoms or at least 2 C-atoms and at least 1 N-atom by fermentation. Said method comprises the following steps: i) a starch source is ground in order to obtain a grinding material which contains at least one part of the non-starch containing solid components of the starch source; ii) the grinding material is suspended in an aqueous liquid in an amount such that the dry mass content in the suspension is at least 45 wt.

Abstract: A method for the enzymatic saccharification of a lignocellulosic raw material, including adding a pretreated lignocellulosic raw material as a material suitable for an enzymatic saccharification reaction, together with an electrolyte containing a water-soluble salt, to water that contains a celluolose saccharification enzyme; saccharifying the raw material by an enzymatic saccharification reaction, as a suspension of the raw material having an electrical conductivity adjusted to 5-25 mS/cm; separating and recovering a reaction product and an enzyme-containing solution from the enzymatically saccharified treatment suspension; and recycling the recovered enzyme-containing solution as the enzyme for the enzymatic saccharification step.

Abstract: A method for the production of a saccharification product is provided, the method comprising: a) providing a cellulosic feedstock comprising lignin; b) contacting, in water, the feedstock of (a) with at least one metal carbonate at time 0 hour under suitable initial reaction conditions to produce a first delignification slurry; c) contacting the first delignification slurry with a nucleophilic base at time (0+n) hour, where n represents a number greater than zero, under suitable secondary reaction conditions to form a second delignification slurry comprising a lignin-containing liquid fraction and a polysaccharide-enriched solid fraction; d) separating the lignin-containing liquid fraction from the polysaccharide-enriched solid fraction; and e) contacting at least a portion of the polysaccharide-enriched solid fraction with an enzyme consortium to produce a saccharification product comprising xylose and glucose monomers wherein the overall yield of xylose and glucose monomers in the saccharification produc

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel polypeptides and enzyme preparations containing them, which improve the efficiency of cellulose and lignocellulose degradation even at elevated temperatures. The polypeptides can be produced using conventional recombinant DNA technologies. The related polynucleotides, vectors and host cells are also disclosed. The polypeptides and the enzyme preparations containing them are particularly useful in improving the efficiency of cellulose and lignocellulose degradation, in improving the quality of animal feed, in machine dishwashing applications, in detergent compositions, in pulp and paper, textile, food, baking or beverage industry.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the conversion of aqueous suspensions of lignocellulosic solids comprising a solids content of between 1 and 20% of dry material, said process comprising a step a) for compression of said suspension so as to separate the liquid phase present in and between the solids from the compressed solid phase and a step b) for extraction of at least the liquid phase, said liquid phase then being homogenised by heat and/or chemical treatments and reinjected on to the compressed solid phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material. The present invention further provides for pretreated lignocellulosic material that can be used to produce products, such as fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material. The present invention further provides for pretreated lignocellulosic material that can be used to produce useful products, such as fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant expression of a variant form of a fungal C1 strain ?-glucosidase. The invention also relates to the generation of fermentable sugars from biomass and the production of biofuels by fermentation of the sugars using genetically modified organisms expressing the ?-glucosidase variant. The invention provides methods for producing a fermentable sugar, such as glucose, from cellobiose by contacting cellobiose with a recombinant ?-glucosidase variant protein, such as a variant protein secreted by a recombinant host cell into culture medium. Methods of the invention may be used for conversion of a biomass substrate to a fermentable sugar, and ultimately to ethanol or other biofuel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cellulase variants. In particular the present disclosure relates to cellulase variants having improved expression, activity and/or stability. Also described are nucleic acids encoding the cellulase variants, compositions comprising the cellulase variants, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH I, a Cel7 enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have improved thermostability and reversibility.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.

Abstract: Disclosed are variants of Humicola grisea Cel7A (CBH1.1), H. jecorina CBH1 variant or S. thermophilium CBH1, nucleic acids encoding the same and methods for producing the same. The variant cellulases have the amino acid sequence of a glycosyl hydrolase of family 7A wherein one or more amino acid residues are substituted.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant expression of a variant form of a fungal C1 strain ?-glucosidase. The invention also relates to the generation of fermentable sugars from biomass and the production of biofuels by fermentation of the sugars using genetically modified organisms expressing the ?-glucosidase variant. The invention provides methods for producing a fermentable sugar, such as glucose, from cellobiose by contacting cellobiose with a recombinant ?-glucosidase variant protein, such as a variant protein secreted by a recombinant host cell into culture medium. Methods of the invention may be used for conversion of a biomass substrate to a fermentable sugar, and ultimately to ethanol or other biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing greenhouse gases by capturing and storing carbon dioxide in the form of a biomass, which may be converted into a high value material such as, for example, an oil having more than 37% of omega-3, biodiesel, phospholipid, glycerin, glucose, and a protein feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the expression of recombinant ?-glucosidase variants, as well as their use in the production of fermentable sugars from cellulosic biomass.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrolysis of hexose-?-lactones by use of an S. thermophile extracellular aldonolactonase. In particular the present disclosure relates to compositions including a S. thermophile extracellular aldonolactonase and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of the gene XAX1 in grass plants. Plants with inhibited expression of XAX1 have use, e.g., in biofuel production by increasing the amount of soluble sugar that can be extracted from the plant.

Abstract: Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH I, a Cel7 enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have improved thermostability and reversibility.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.

Abstract: The processes disclosed herein include saccharifying cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic biomass and fermenting the sugars to produce a sugar alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for treating cellulose to make it more accessible for enzymatic or chemical modification. The invention includes treating cellulose with an alkali in an alcohol/water co-solvent system. The treatment decrystallizes or deaggregates the cellulosic material. The methods and systems increase the efficiency of enzymatic or chemical modifications of cellulose for use as biofuels or cellulose derivatives.

Abstract: A method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a POI (Protein Of Interest) polypeptide is provided. Methods for the production of plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a DnaJ-like chaperone polypeptide are provided, in which plants have enhanced yield-related traits compared to control plants. Nucleic acids encoding DnaJ-like chaperone, constructs comprising the same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a transgenic bacteria engineered to accumulate carbohydrates, for example disaccharides. Also provided is a photobioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising a non-gelatinous, solid cultivation support suitable for providing nutrients and moisture to photosynthetic microorganisms and a physical barrier covering at least a portion of the surface of the cultivation support. Devices for the large scale and continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms incorporating photobioreactors and methods of use are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing fermentable sugar from photosynthetic microorganisms using a photobioreactor of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include selecting plant material. Selecting can include excluding plant material that has been exposed to high temperatures or that has had high moisture content.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation. Hydrocarbon-containing materials are also used as feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel enzymes and the uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods of producing such enzymes, coding nucleic acid molecules, recombinant cells and methods of modifying biomass from such materials. The invention is particularly suited to degrade biomass and/or to improve biomass degradation. The invention also relates to various applications of the enzymes of the invention for the production of bioenergy (such as bioethanol), as well as in the field of chemistry, paper industry, textile industry and beverage industry.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus (A) of the present invention comprising: an enzymatic reactor (4) for degrading cellulose using a diastatic enzyme, and a first catalytic reactor (5) for degrading the degradation product produced by the enzymatic reactor (4) into glucose, using a solid acid catalyst (X). According to this fermentation apparatus (A), saccharification treatment of cellulose can be performed while reducing diastatic enzyme costs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a treatment method of biomass to maximize sugar yield, which uses a specific additive which can effectively adsorb lignin-derived compounds and various inhibitors of the enzymatic activity to promote saccharification of cellulose catalyzed by cellulose hydrolases, and thus can maximize sugar yield from pretreated biomass.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for more efficiently and effectively growing microalgae suitable for biofuel production. In one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium. The suitable growth medium comprises a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt. The concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from about 75 to about 200 ?M while the concentration of carbonate salt is from about 1 to about 6 mM.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for high yields while using reduced enzyme loads in saccharification and fermentation processes. These methods increase the efficiency of enzymes and result in improved yields and composition of saccharification and fermentation end products.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant xylanases, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of using these xylanases.

Abstract: A drift layer has a thickness direction throughout which a current flows and has an impurity concentration N1d for a first conductivity type. A body region is provided on a portion of the drift layer, has a channel to be switched by a gate electrode, has an impurity concentration N1b for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2b for the second conductivity type greater than the impurity concentration N1b. A JFET region is disposed adjacent to the body region on the drift layer, has an impurity concentration N1j for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2j for the second conductivity type smaller than the impurity concentration N1j. N1j?N2j>N1d and N2j<N2b are satisfied.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer improved industrial fitness on engineered organisms. It also discloses engineered organisms having improved industrial fitness. Synthetic biologic engineering modules are disclosed that provide for light capture, carbon dioxide fixation, NADH production, NADPH production, thermotolerance, pH tolerance, flue gas tolerance, salt tolerance, nutrient independence and near infrared absorbance. The disclosed engineered organisms can include one or more of these modules. Also provided are methods of using the engineered organism to produce carbon-based products of interest, biomass or pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for increasing saccharification efficiency by adding chaperone protein during saccharification process, more precisely a composition for increasing saccharification efficiency of biomass containing cellulose using peroxiredoxin (Prx) protein and a method for increasing glucose yield by using the same. The conventional saccharification process has the disadvantage of decreasing cellulase activity, suggesting that the high priced saccharogenic enzyme has to be continuously supplied since the saccharogenic enzyme is losing its activity continuously by reducing sugar through the whole saccharification process. Therefore, to increase saccharification efficiency, the present invention provides a method characterized by increasing saccharification efficiency by preventing cellulase from losing its activity throughout the whole saccharification process by using chaperone protein, particularly Prx protein herein, together with cellulase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions containing enzymes, particularly acting at the interface between two immiscible phases where the rate of enzymatic activity is increased by addition of a blend of surfactant(s) and a mixture derived from yeast fermentation, that contain non-enzymatic exo-proteins released by yeast in response to a non-lethal stress. The enzymes include those that work at the interface between an aqueous solution and a water immiscible phase, liquid or solid, such as oil, fat, cellulose, lignin, etc. including, but not limited to the following or combinations thereof: lipases, polysaccharase, lignase, cellulase and the like, in which the substrate of an enzymatic reaction forms a phase, segregated from the aqueous solution in which the enzymes are typically operating.

Abstract: The invention concerns compositions and methods combining at least two phytases for hydrolyzing phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakis phosphate) into inorganic monophosphates, into myo-inositols with lower degree of phosphorylation and into free myo-inositol. Said compositions and methods are of particular interest for animal feeding.

Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Azospirillum irakense CelA ?-glucosidase that have improve ?-glucosidase activity, particularly improved thermoactivity, compared to the wild type enzyme. The invention further provides related polynucleotides, vectors, host cell, and methods for making and using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the enzymatic treatment of raw polymeric feedstock comprising the following steps: (a) preferably separation of soluble components from the raw polymeric feedstock, (b) treating the raw polymeric feedstock with an enzyme system in order to liberate defined soluble monomeric or oligomeric building blocks from the insoluble raw polymeric feedstock; and (c) separating the defined monomeric or oligomeric building blocks produced in step b) from the remainder of the raw polymeric feedstock. Preferably, the enzyme system used in step b) contains not more than 50%, preferably not more than 20%, more preferably not more than 10%, more preferably not more than 5%, more preferably not more than 2%, more preferably not more than 1% of other enzyme activities apart from the enzyme activity resulting in liberation of said defined monomeric or oligomeric building blocks from the raw polymeric feedstock according to step b).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting cellulosic biomass pulp into a sugar solution is provided. The process includes combining a quantity of cellulosic biomass pulp with a quantity of acid and a quantity of enzyme. The combined quantity of cellulosic biomass pulp, enzyme, and acid are placed in an enzymatic hydrolysis reactor having a predetermined temperature range and predetermined pH level, thereby producing a quantity of monomeric sugar solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method for increasing the production of a desired product having: identifying a steady state metabolic pathway for the synthesis of a desired product from a desired substrate; producing a polynucleotide encoding one or more polypeptide that participates in the steady state metabolic pathway for the synthesis of the desired product from the desired substrate; introducing the polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide into a host cell; transforming a host cell with an expression vector having an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide; and cultivating the host cell under a culture condition that induces the production of the desired product.

Abstract: A method for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts hemicelluloses extracted from biomass prior to thermal conversion of the biomass to energy. The process can be integrated with the host plant process to minimize the energy loss from extracting hemicelluloses. Also disclosed is a Stepwise enzymatic break down of cellulose fibers from a pulping operation which is performed with the redeployment of equipment and vessels contained within typical existing pulp and paper manufacturing mills. The preferred feedstock is highly delignified pulp from acid or alkaline pulping process or from bleaching stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a carbohydrate-binding module amino acid sequence and an alpha-amylase amino acid sequence as well as to the application of such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, comprising at least three steps. The first step is a step for cooking the lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of at least one hydrated inorganic salt mixed with at least one other metallic salt. The second step is a step for separating at least one solid fraction which has undergone the cooking step, and the third step is a step for enzymatic hydrolysis of said solid fraction to convert the polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The sugars obtained thereby can then be fermented into alcohols.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides polypeptides having a lignocellulolytic (lignocellulosic) activity, e.g., a ligninolytic and cellulolytic activity, including, e.g., a glycosyl hydrolase, a cellulase, an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase (cbhl) (e.g., an exo-cellobiohydrolase, e.g., having an “exo” activity that can processively release cellobiose units ?-1,4 glucose-glucose disaccharide), a beta-glucosidase, a xylanase, a mannanse, a xylosidase (e.g., a (?-xylosidase) and/or an arabinofuranosidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one embodiment, the invention provides thermostable and thermotolerant forms of polypeptides of the invention. The polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention are used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts; for example, as enzymes for the bioconversion of a biomass, e.g.