Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing substances from the cellulosic material.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to strains of bacteria of the genus Ochrobactrum, that can degrade polylactic acid. The invention also relates to an enzyme that can degrade polylactic acid, characterized in that it is produced by said bacteria strains according to the invention. The invention also relates to the applications of said bacteria strains and said enzyme that can degrade polylactic acid.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining mutant nucleic acid sequences that demonstrate elevated oxaloacetate a-decarboxylase activity are provided. Compositions, such as genetically modified microorganisms that comprise such mutant nucleic acid sequences, are described, as are methods to obtain the same.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate fermentation broth may be processed to produce a high solids syrup having relatively low viscosity that has a high energy content and may be burned in a fermentation production process. The high solids syrup was achieved through liquid/solid separation of broth or depleted broth producing a thin stillage with low suspended solids allowing evaporation to high solids while maintaining low viscosity.

Abstract: Methods to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars with enzymes that degrade the lignocellulosic material are provided, as well as novel combinations of enzymes, including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass.

Abstract: Organic acid-tolerant microorganisms and methods of using same. The organic acid-tolerant microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate AcsA activity or AcsA homolog activity. The modifications increase tolerance of the microorganisms to such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), acrylic acid, and propionic acid. Further modifications to the microorganisms such as increasing expression of malonyl-CoA reductase and/or acetyl-CoA carboxylase provide or increase the ability of the microorganisms to produce 3HP. Methods of generating an organic acid with the modified microorganisms are provided. Methods of using acsA or homologs thereof as counter-selectable markers include replacing acsA or homologs thereof in cells with genes of interest and selecting for the cells comprising the genes of interest with amounts of organic acids effective to inhibit growth of cells harboring acsA or the homologs.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having n-propanol and isopropanol pathways, 1,4-butanediol (14-BDO) and isopropanol pathways, 1,3-butanediol (13-BDO) and isopropanol pathways or methylacrylic acid (MAA) and isopropanolpathways. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in each of the respective n-propanol, 14-BDO, 13-BDO or MAA and isopropanol pathways. The invention additionally provides a method for co-producing n-propanol and isopropanol, 14-BDO and isopropanol, 13-BDO and isopropanol or MAA and isopropanol. The method can include culturing an n-propanol and an isopropanol co-producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an n-propanol, an isopropanol, a 14-BDO, a 13-BDO and/or a MAA pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce each of the respective products, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce each of the respective products.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion containing one or more alpha hydroxy acids in which the oil phase of the emulsion contains a high proportion of polar constituents. The emulsion, even at high concentrations of alpha hydroxy acid, is not irritating when applied to the skin.

Abstract: Networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with Au-coated Pd (Au/Pd) nanocubes are employed as electrochemical biosensors that exhibit excellent sensitivity (2.6 mA mM?1 cm?2) and a low estimated detection limit (2.3 nM) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N=3) in the amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide. Biofunctionalization of the Au/Pd nanocube-SWCNT biosensor is demonstrated with the selective immobilization of fluorescently labeled streptavidin on the nanocube surfaces via thiol linking. Similarly, glucose oxidase (GOx) is linked to the surface of the nanocubes for amperometric glucose sensing. The exhibited glucose detection limit of 1.3_M (S/N=3) and linear range spanning from 10 ?M to 50 mM substantially surpass other CNT-based biosensors.

Abstract: An isolated biologically pure culture of Clostridium tyrobutyricum ITRI04001 or an isolated biologically pure culture of Clostridium tyrobutyricum having the genotypic characteristics of ITRI04001 useful for syngas fermentation. Volatile free acids are produced by a method comprising culturing a microorganism having the genotypic characteristics of ITRI04001 in a medium; providing at least one substrate comprising at least one carbon source chosen from CO and CO2 to the microorganism; and recovering at least one free volatile free acid. Syngas can be the at least one substrate in these processes for producing volatile free acids.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic reduction of an enoate (1) wherein the C?C bond of the enoate (1) is stereoselectively hydrogenated in the presence of an enoate-reductase and an oxidizable co-substrate (2) in a system which is free of NAD(P)H, in which A is a ketone radical (—CRO), an aldehyde radical (—CHO), a carboxyl radical (—COOR), with R?H or optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl radical, R1, R2 and R3 are independently of one another H, —O—C1-C6-alkyl, —O—W with W=a hydroxyl protecting group, C1-C6-alkyl, which can be substituted, C2-C6-alkenyl, carboxyl, or an optionally substituted carbo- or heterocyclic, aromatic or nonaromatic radical, or one of R1, R2 and R3 is a —OH radical, or R1 is linked to R3 so as to become part of a 4-8-membered cycle, or R1 is linked to R so as to become part of a 4-8-membered cycle, with the proviso that R1, R2 and R3 may not be identical.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alpha-ketopimelic acid decarboxylase enzyme that is a homologue of SEQ ID NO:2, comprising at least one mutation selected from a group of substitutions listed in the specification, to a method for preparing 5-formyl valeric acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘5-FVA’), to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘6-ACA’), to a method for preparing ?-caprolactam (hereinafter referred to as ‘caprolactam’) from 6-ACA, to a method for the preparation of adipic acid, to a method for preparing diaminohexane. The invention further relates to a host cell which may be used in a method according to the invention and to a polynucleotide encoding an alpha-ketopimelic acid decarboxylase enzyme.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of free carboxylic acids including: A) preparation of carboxylic acid by a biological cell located in an aqueous medium with addition of an amine of formula (I) where R1, R2 and R3, independently of one another, are identical or different, branched or unbranched, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radicals or H; B) for cases where the added amine A) is water-soluble, addition of a water-insoluble amine of formula (I), where, in A) or B), a multiphase system is obtained and the corresponding ammonium carboxylate is formed from the water-insoluble amine and the carboxylic acid; C) removal of the water-insoluble phase; and D) heating of the water-insoluble phase with release of free carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polymers, such as water-absorbing polymer structures, by radical polymerization of acrylic acid, whereby the acrylic acid has been obtained by a synthesis process which comprises as a process step the splitting of an organic material by means of an enzyme or at least one component of an enzyme. The invention also relates to the water-absorbing polymers obtainable by this process, water-absorbing polymers which are based to at least about 25 wt % upon partially neutralized acrylic acid, a composite, a process for the production of a composite, the composite obtainable by this production, the use of acrylic acid in the production of polymers, preferably in the production of water-absorbing polymer structures, a device for the production of acrylic acid, and a process for the production of acrylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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: Carboxylic acids and/or alcohols are produced by a fermentation process comprising: growing an immobilized microorganism capable of producing carboxylic acids and/or alcohols in an aqueous medium and in the presence of an organic medium, and recovering the carboxylic acids and/or alcohols from the organic medium; wherein a mesh is placed at an interface of the organic medium and the aqueous medium; and further wherein the organic medium comprises at least one organic solvent and at least one extractant chosen from tri-alkylphosphine oxides and tri-alkylamines.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganisms that convert a carbon source to acrylate or other desirable products using propionyl-CoA as an intermediate. The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms that carry out the conversion, as well as methods for producing acrylate by culturing the microorganisms. Also provided are microorganisms and methods for converting propionyl-CoA and propionate to 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA, 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP) and poly-3-hydroxypropionate.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganisms that convert a carbon source to acrylate or other desirable products using homoserine and 2-keto-4-hydroxybutyrate as intermediates. The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms that carry out the conversion, as well as methods for producing acrylate by culturing the microorganisms. Also provided are microorganisms and methods for converting homoserine to 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA, 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP), poly-3-hydroxypropionate and 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Flat panel biofilm photobioreactor systems with a photosynthetic, autofermentative microorganism that forms a biofilm and methods for using the same to make metabolic intermediate compound(s) through photosynthesis and to convert metabolic intermediate compound(s) into chemical product(s) such as a biofuel or a feedstock through autofermentation.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms that co express enzymatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase are generated to produce organic acids.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for the bioengineered fermentative production of solvents, in particular of butanol, acetone and ethanol, and of short-chained carboxylic acids such as acetic acid and butyric acid, in particular in host cells of the species Clostridium. The invention provides new methods and means for regulating the expression of the enzyme activities involved in acid production and or solvent production of the host cell.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of 2,3-butanediol fermentations are disclosed. More specifically methods of increasing the butanediol productivity from the anaerobic fermentation of a substrate comprising carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide and hydrogen by one or more caboxydotrophic acetogenic bacteria are disclosed. The method includes supplying a hydrogen depleted substrate to increase butanediol productivity. The method includes producing butanediol at a volumetric productivity rate of at least 15 g/L/day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacterial strains, capable of utilizing glycerol as a carbon source for the fermentative production of succinic acid, wherein said strains are genetically modified so that they comprise a deregulation of their endogenous pyruvate-formate-lyase enzyme activity, as well as to methods of producing organic acids, in particular succinic acid, by making use of such microorganism. The present invention also relates to the downstream processing of the produced organic acids by cation exchange chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for producing lactic acid, wherein only lactic acid is selectively absorbed and separated from fermentation liquor using a lactic acid absorption resin and wherein a neutralizing agent is not used. The present invention does not include a neutralizing process and a process of converting lactate to lactic acid. The method comprises: adding and mixing a culture medium, microorganism and sugar in a fermenter; passing a fermentation liquor through a microorganism filtration unit to remove microorganisms; and selectively absorbing and separating lactic acid from filtered liquid using a lactic acid absorption resin. The apparatus includes a fermenter for lactic acid fermentation; a filtration unit for removing a microorganisms from the fermentation liquor; and a lactic acid absorption resin for selectively absorbing lactic acid from the filtered liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valencene synthase, to a nucleic acid encoding such valencene synthase, to a host cell comprising said encoding nucleic acid sequence and to a method for preparing valencene, comprising converting farnesyl diphosphate to valencene in the presence of a valencene synthase according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic activity or hemicellulolytic activity and 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 present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity, catalytic domains, and cellulose binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and cellulose binding domains. 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, catalytic domains, or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: A method for the construction of a moderately thermophilic Bacillus strain capable of utilizing sucrose as a carbon source includes the transformation of a parent moderately thermophilic Bacillus strain not capable of utilizing sucrose as a carbon source with a polynucleotide comprising a DNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide having sucrose-specific phosphotransferase activity and having i) an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or ii) an amino acid sequence with an identity of at least 70% to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or comprising a DNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide having sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase activity and having iii) an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or iv) an amino acid sequence with an identity of at least 70% to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to treat an oral cavity surface with a peracid-based benefit agent. The peracid benefit agent can be use for oral surface bleaching, whitening, disinfecting, destaining, deodorizing, decreasing or removing biofilm, and combinations thereof. The peracid is enzymatically generated from a carboxylic acid ester substrate using a CE-7 carbohydrate esterase having perhydrolytic activity (perhydrolase) in the presence of a source of peroxygen. A fusion protein comprising the perhydrolase coupled to a peptidic component having affinity for an oral cavity surface, either directly or through an optional linker, may be used to target the perhydrolytic activity to the oral cavity surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or beta-xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase and/or beta-xylosidases, as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: A group of bacterial dihydroxy-acid dehydratases having a [2Fe-2S] cluster was discovered. Bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHADs were expressed as heterologous proteins in bacteria and yeast cells, providing DHAD activity for conversion of 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate to ?-ketoisovalerate or 2,3-dihydroxymethylvalerate to ?-ketomethylvalerate. Isobutanol and other compounds may be synthesized in pathways that include bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHAD activity.

Abstract: Provided are bioactive compositions and metabolites derived from Bacillus and particularly Bacillus megaterium cultures responsible for controlling pests as well as their methods of use for controlling pests. Further provided are pesticidal Bacillus megaterium strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme compositions for high temperature saccharification of cellulosic material and to uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining mutant nucleic acid sequences that demonstrate elevated oxaloacetate ?-decarboxylase activity are provided. Compositions, such as genetically modified microorganisms that comprise such mutant nucleic acid sequences, are described, as are methods to obtain the same.

Abstract: Microbial production of pyruvate and metabolites derived from pyruvate in cells exhibiting reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity compared to wild-type cells. Acetate and glucose are supplied as a carbon sources.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to target enzymatic peracid production to a target surface. The peracid benefit agent produced by the targeted perhydrolytic enzyme can be use for a variety of applications such as bleaching, whitening, disinfecting, destaining, deodorizing, and combinations thereof. Specifically, a fusion protein comprising a perhydrolytic enzyme and at least one peptidic component having affinity for a target surface (excluding body surfaces and oral care surfaces) is used in combination with a suitable substrate and a source of peroxygen to enzymatically produce a peracid on or near the surface of the target material. In a preferred aspect, the target surface is a cellulosic material.

Abstract: This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganism strains, such as bacterial strains, in which there is an increased utilization of malonyl-CoA for production of a chemical product, which includes 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for fermenting, separating, and refining a product, which is produced by cultivating a microorganism. The apparatus and the method for fermenting, separating, and refining, of the present invention, can separate and refine the product that is produced by microbial fermentation in a simple, continuous manner and with high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and 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: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems 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.

Abstract: A group of bacterial dihydroxy-acid dehydratases having a [2Fe-2S] cluster was discovered. Bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHADs were expressed as heterologous proteins in bacteria and yeast cells, providing DHAD activity for conversion of 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate to ?-ketoisovalerate or 2,3-dihydroxymethylvalerate to ?-ketomethylvalerate. Isobutanol and other compounds may be synthesized in pathways that include bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHAD activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for fermenting, separating, and refining a product, which is produced by cultivating a microorganism. The apparatus and the method for fermenting, separating, and refining, of the present invention, can separate and refine the product that is produced by microbial fermentation in a simple, continuous manner and with high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides is a method for producing 3-mercaptopropionic acid from 3-mercaptopropionamide or a salt thereof with the use of an amidase. The method enables the production of 3-mercaptopropionic acid on an industrial scale through an enzymatic reaction.

Abstract: Method for converting a carbon source such as a plant-derived material into a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon precursor, via a microorganism-catalysed aerobic reaction. The microorganism is cultivated in the presence of the carbon source and of oxygen, in a reaction vessel having a capacity of about 2000 litres or greater which comprises an aeration system for supplying oxygen to the microorganism. Also provided is an apparatus for use in the method, comprising a reaction vessel of capacity 2000 litres or greater, and an aeration system.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the discovery that the NADH-dependent propanediol oxidoreductase (FucO) can reduce furfural. This allows for a new approach to improve furfural tolerance in bacterial and/or yeast cells used to produce desired products. Thus, novel biocatalysts (bacterial, fungal or yeast cells) exhibiting increased tolerance to furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) are provided as are methods of making and using such biocatalysts for the production of a desired product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer, which comprises the step of performing a polymerization reaction using, as a starting material, an organic acid obtained by allowing a microorganism or a treated cell thereof to act on an organic raw material, wherein said microorganism has an ability to produce an organic acid and has been modified so as to produce less aromatic carboxylic acid as compared to an unmodified strain.