Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. 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: The invention provides a biocatalytic process for oxidation of organic compounds with the aid of an alkL gene product, and microorganisms used in this process.

Abstract: Aliphatic polyester productivity is improved for production of aliphatic polyester using a recombinant microorganism. A recombinant microorganism prepared by introducing a gene encoding a protein having activity of converting lactic acid to lactic-acid CoA and a gene encoding a protein having activity of synthesizing polyhydroxyalkanoate using hydroxyacyl CoA as a substrate into a host microorganism is cultured and then aliphatic polyester is recovered from the medium.

Abstract: A dense but oxygen permeable membrane separates the oxygen supply compartment from the fermentation compartment, which contains all microorganisms, a nutrient medium and the pretreated lignocellulose. The oxygen, necessary for the growth and the activity of the aerobic cellulolytic enzymes producing microorganisms is solely transported from the oxygen supply compartment through the membrane, which leads to an oxygen gradient within the biofilm growing on the membrane. The oxygen rich zone of the biofilm lies on the membrane whereas the biofilm further away from the membrane as well as the surrounding nutrient medium are oxygen depleted. In the aerobic biofilm the extra-cellular enzymes are produced in situ and are released into the nutrient medium where they hydrolyse the cellulose and hemicellulose into soluble monosugars, which are then converted to the desired fermentation product by suitable microorganisms in the anaerobic zones of the reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) using a halobacterium belonging to the genus Halomonas, wherein the halobacterium can grow in a medium consisting of an inorganic salt and a single organic carbon source and having a pH of 8.8 to 11, and produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight, and the halobacterium is cultured in an alkaline medium containing an inorganic salt and one or more organic carbon sources to produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight; and the halobacterium belonging to the genus Halomonas, which can grow in a medium consisting an inorganic salt and a single organic carbon source and having a pH of 8.8 to 11, and produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight.

Abstract: Subject of the invention is a process for the production of L-carnitine, wherein a ?-lactone, which is a 4-(halomethyl)oxetane-2-one, is converted into L-carnitine, wherein the process comprises an enzymatic conversion of the ?-lactone into (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid or (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid ester.

Abstract: A method or process for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in biomass. The process entails feeding an organic carbon containing substrate to biomass enriched in PHA accumulating bacteria. Particularly the process entails intermittently supplying the substrate to the biomass at least three separate times over a selected period. The object of the process is to produce PHA having a relatively high molecular weight, at least 400,000 g/mole. By controlling the frequency at which the substrate is supplied to the biomass and by feeding a sufficient amount of the substrate to the biomass, the method or process produces the PHA having the relatively high molecular weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant cells and their use in the production of 3-hydroxyacids such as 3,4-dihydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxybutyrolactone.

Abstract: A method and system for the enzymatic treatment of a lipid containing feedstock comprises contacting the feedstock with a processing aid, then causing the feedstock to pass at a substantially constant flow rate through a treatment system comprising a plurality of enzyme-containing fixed bed reactors connected to one another in series. The fixed bed reactors can be individually serviceable, the flow rate of the feedstock remaining substantially constant through the system when one of the fixed bed reactors is taken off line for servicing. In the most preferred embodiment, the processing aid is a substantially moisture-free silica. The processing aid can be placed in one or more of the fixed bed reactors, disposed above the enzyme in the reactor, or it can be in a pre-treatment system which can comprise one or more reactors.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a fermentable product intended for the production of metabolites by fermentation, includes the following steps: a) detoxification of a polluted ligno-cellulosic raw material including at least one polluting component; solid-liquid extraction in order to extract the polluting component(s) from the ligno-cellulosic raw material by solubilisation using at least one solvent; recovery of the cleaned ligno-cellulosic raw material; b) pre-treatment of the cleaned ligno-cellulosic raw material by defibration; c) enzymatic hydrolysis of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic raw material in the presence of cellulose, and obtaining a fermentable product; d) optional purification of the resulting fermentable product. The use of the resulting fermentable product for producing metabolites by fermentation, as well as to a specific method for producing ethanol from the fermentable product are also described.

Abstract: This is to provide a process for preparing a polycarbonate diol diacrylate from a polycarbonate diol and a vinyl acrylate compound without using a protonic acid or a metal component. This is a process for preparing a polycarbonate diol diacrylate which comprises reacting a polycarbonate diol represented by the formula (I) and a vinyl acrylate compound represented by the formula (II) in the presence of a hydrolase, and a polycarbonate diol diacrylate represented by the formula (III) having a terminal acrylated ratio of 97% or more.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing esters. The methods comprise converting a fermentable carbon source to organic acids by fermentation with organic acid producing microorganisms, followed by catalytic esterification. The methods comprise integrated fermentation, extraction, and esterification reactions wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation are extracted into an extraction solvent and then directly reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters. Methods of producing esters are also provided wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation and extracted into the extraction solvent are stripped from the extraction solvent prior to being reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters.

Abstract: A process for extracting and recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass comprising the steps of: extracting the polyhydroxyalkanoate with at least one non-halogenated solvent which is non-aggressive to the environment; heating the cellular biomass, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA and insoluble residues; recovering the solvent enriched with PHA; injecting the PHA-enriched solvent in a vapor flow in order to rapidly promote the complete precipitation of PHA in water, while processing the solvent evaporation; depleting the residual solvent; separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension and drying them.

Abstract: A process for making biodegradable a synthetic polymeric material thanks to the addition of one or more yeasts to the synthetic material is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer with high 3-hydroxyhexanoate monomer content through recombinant gene expression.

Abstract: A method of producing lactic acid by separating lactic acid produced in a culture solution by microbial fermentation, comprising: a step (A) of filtering the culture solution through a nano-filtration membrane; and a step (B) of distilling a lactic-acid-containing solution produced in step (A) under a pressure of 1 Pa to atmospheric pressure at a temperature of 25 to 200° C. to recover lactic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a composition containing: an isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and/or a heterodimeric enzyme containing: the isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and an isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided is a process for producing a 2-hydroxy-2-methyl carboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof, wherein the process involves: contacting a 3-hydroxy carboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof with the above-mentioned composition to produce the 2-hydroxy-2-methyl carboxylic acid or the salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for pre-treating raw propolis comprising at least one allergenic activity substance, which comprises reacting propolis with a probiotic microorganism containing one or more cinnamoyl-esterase activity enzymes to obtain a semisolid propolis derivative substantially without or impoverished of allergenic substances. The present invention also relates to a method of purifying semisolid propolis derivative to obtain a hydroalcoholic hydrodispersible propolis derivative.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids, or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), from substrates which cannot be used as a source of carbon and/or energy for microbial growth or PHA synthesis and which have microbial and environmental toxicity. According to one embodiment of the invention, a process for the production of PHA is provided wherein an enzyme such as methane monooxygenase is used to convert volatile organic compounds into PHA through the use of microorganisms that are unable to use volatile organic compounds as a source of carbon for growth or PHA production.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing succinic acid in which a microorganism having a succinic acid-producing ability is allowed to react with a sugar, the method being characterized in that the ratio of the oxygen transfer rate to the succinic acid production rate (mmol-O2/mol-SA) is 0.1 to 240 and that the doubling time of the microorganism during the reaction is not shorter than 40 hours.

Abstract: Preparation of derivatives of ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, including ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, esters of ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and alkoxy derivatives.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved: To provide a new microorganism capable of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a PHA synthase gene, an expression cassette including the gene, a vector including the expression cassette, a transformant transformed by the vector, a polypeptide having PHA synthase activity, a method for producing a PHA synthase and a method for producing a PHA. Solution: The new microorganism is capable of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising a 16S rRNA gene whose polynucleotide sequence shows 99% or more homology to a polynucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 1, having an optimum temperature of an activity temperature range for the growth and PHA production of the microorganism of at least 45° C. and being capable of growing at a pH range from 6 to 10.

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 a product such as a biofuel.

Abstract: The present compositions and methods relate to a lipase cloned from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, polynucleotides encoding the lipase, and methods of use thereof. The compositions and methods have particular application in detergent cleaning compositions and methods.

Abstract: Biological method for conversion of a sugar-containing organic material into a desired biochemical product. Use of a plurality of substrate-selective cells allows different sugars in a complex mixture to be consumed concurrently and independently. The method can be readily extended to remove inhibitory compounds from hydrolysate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to isolated bacterial strains producing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), microbial consortia including such strains, and cultures of such strains and microbial consortia. In particular, the present disclosure relates to compositions including such strains, microbial consortia, and cultures and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods for producing an ester from a gas comprising carbon monoxide. More specifically the invention provides for methods for producing one or more products by the anaerobic fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO and the subsequent conversion of the one or more products to an ester in a down-stream reaction. The invention further provides methods for improving the efficiency of the production of esters from gaseous substrates.

Abstract: Esters of 4,5-disubstituted-oxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl alkyl acids were prepared chemically and/or enzymatically. Depending upon the ester, improved melanocyte cytotoxicity was achieved. Improved cytotoxicity characteristics are consistent with ester analogs being more physiologically compatible and less irritating to skin than their corresponding acids.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95 % content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: There are provided bioproducts and methods of improving production of the bioproducts from engineered microbial cells, the methods comprising: providing a fermentation broth comprising a crude carbon source; inoculating said fermentation broth with said microbial cells; and incubating the inoculated fermentation broth; wherein said bioproduct is a hydrophobic solvent immiscible with said fermentation broth, and wherein a toxic side product present in said crude carbon source is soluble in said hydrophobic solvent. Also, provided are kits for practicing the methods of improving production of bioproducts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating polyhydroxyalkanoates from production cells which comprises i) disintegrating the production cells, subsequently ii) separating off the cell fragments from the polyhydroxyalkanoate grains by means of a continuous jet separator; iii) the concentrated polyhydroxyalkanoate grains are washed with an aqueous alkali solution and then iv) with an aqueous acid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for restoring a Glu+ phenotype to a PTS?/Glu? bacterial cell which was originally capable of utilizing a phosphotransferase transport system (PTS) for carbohydrate transport. Bacterial cells comprising the Glu+ phenotype have modified endogenous chromosomal regulatory regions which are operably linked to polynucleotides encoding galactose permeases and glucokinases.

Abstract: Provided are pesticidal compositions comprising 4,5-dihydroxyindan-1-one or derivatives thereof for protecting important crops against mites, fungi, and bacteria. The compositions may be manufactured by fractionating fungal extracts.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a method of producing an erythro- or threo-2-amino-3-hydroxypropionic acid ester, and so forth. The present invention relates to: a method of asymmetrically reducing an N-2-amino-3-oxopropionic acid ester by allowing cells of a microorganism to act thereon; a polypeptide having an activity of asymmetrically reducing a carbonyl compound to give an optically active alcohol, which is isolated from a microorganism belonging to genus Brevundimonas; a DNA coding for the polypeptide; and a transformant producing the polypeptide. The invention also relates to a method of producing an optically active alcohol by reducing a carbonyl compound with the help of the polypeptide or the transformant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising a segment of Formula (I): wherein, R is either absent or a linking group, n is an integer greater than 0; and m is an integer from 1 to 6.

Abstract: Stereospecific carbonyl reductases SCR1, SCR2, and SCR3 are described herein as are nucleotide sequences that encode these reductases. These stereospecific carbonyl reductases have anti-Prelog selectivity and have specificities that are useful for fine biochemical synthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing butyric acid comprising fermenting a feedstock using a bacterium. The feedstock comprises lactic acid, or the feedstock comprises lactic acid and at least one carbohydrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in the respective adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam. The method can include culturing an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce the respective product, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a protein homologous to a MeaB protein for increasing the enzymatic activity of a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid-CoA mutase, a fusion protein comprising a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid-CoA mutase and a protein sequence homologous to a MeaB protein and an enzymatic method for producing 2-hydroxyisobutryric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process in which a recombinant organism, such as a yeast, expressing a heterologous S-adenosylmethionme (SAM)-dependent methyl halide transferase (MHT) protein is combined with a halide and a carbon source in a cultivation medium under conditions in which methyl formate is produced. The cell may genetically modified to express methyl formate synthase, methanol dehydrogenase and/or hydrolytic dehalogenase at levels higher than a cell of the same species that is not genetically modified. The methyl formate may be collected and used in a variety of applications. The halide may be chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Abstract: The present compositions and methods relate to a lipase cloned from Thermobifida fusca, polynucleotides encoding the lipase, and methods of use thereof. The compositions and methods have particular application in detergent cleaning compositions and methods.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing biodegradable polymeric materials including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by using the cell debris left from PHA recovery and purification. The process comprises: (a) cultivating PHA-producing microbial cells in a medium solution containing an organic carbon source to form PHAs that are accumulated in the cells as inclusion bodies; (b) harvesting the cells from the spent medium and solubilizing the non-PHA cell mass to obtain a PHA solid and a cell debris solution; (c) separating the PHA solid from the cell debris solution; (d) feeding the cell debris solution to the cultivation step (a). By reusing the cell debris generated from PHA recovery, the invention avoids disposal of a large amount of aqueous waste. In addition, a remarkable increase of cell growth and PHA synthesis is achieved, because the cell debris can be readily assimilated by the microbial cells as the nutrients.

Abstract: Soap and cosmetic products can be made from oil-bearing microbial biomass via the alkaline hydrolysis of glycerolipids and fatty acid esters to fatty acid salts. The saponified microbial oils/lipids can be combined with a variety of additives to produce compositions for use as soaps and other cosmetic products, which may also contain other constituents of the biomass, including unsaponified oils, glycerol and carotenoids, among others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylic esters of alcohols having C—C triple bonds, to processes for their preparation, and to their use.

Abstract: Methods and materials related to producing 3-HP as well as other organic compounds are disclosed. Specifically, isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, host cells, and methods and materials for producing 3-HP and other organic compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn?2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, method of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chirally pure compounds, and the chirally pure compounds prepared therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant host cells having at least one integrated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes a step in a pyruvate-utilizing biosynthetic pathway, e.g., pyruvate to acetolactate conversion. The invention also relates to methods of increasing the biosynthetic production of isobutanol, 2,3-butanediol, 2-butanol or 2-butanone using such host cells.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated method for the processing of palm fruit bunches to oil and other products. The method comprises inter alia separating palm fruit carrying bunches into fruits and lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, processing the fruits to form palm oil, and at least one lignocellulosic processing coproduct; generating an aqueous stream; producing a non-oil, non-alcohol, non-fatty acid ester third product from the oil, the lignocellulosic processing coproduct, the aqueous stream or from a combination thereof; processing at least a portion of the lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, lignocellulosic processing coproduct or a combination thereof into a fourth product and optionally producing at least one fifth conversion product from the fourth product; and using at least a portion of the fourth product or a product of its conversion or a combination thereof.