Abstract: The present invention relates to novel stress-resistant bacteria and the uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated stress-resistant bacteria having advantageous properties for the production of organic acids or alcohols in various culture conditions. The invention also relates to methods of producing organic acids or alcohols using said bacteria, particularly from biomass.

Abstract: Bioreactors, and particularly, photobioreactors having a reactor chamber and surge driver, and methods for using these devices, for example, for the production of carbon-based products are provided. The reactor chamber provides a housing for microorganisms and culture medium. The surge driver produces a surge of the microorganisms and/or culture medium in the reactor chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for the production of at least one product from the microbial fermentation of a gaseous susbtrate, wherein the gaseous substrate is derived from a biomass liquefaction process. The invention provides a method for improving efficiency of the fermentation by passing biomass accumulated in the fermentation process to the biomass liquefaction process for conversion to a gaseous substrate. In a particular aspect of the invention, the biomass liquefaction process is selected from pyrolysis or torrefaction.

Abstract: This disclosure describes recombinant Caldicellulosiruptor bescii microbes designed to produce greater amounts of acetate, H2, and/or ethanol than a comparable wild type control. this disclosure also describes methods that generally include growing such recombinant microbes under conditions effective for the recombinant microbes to produce acetate, H2, and/or ethanol.

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: 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 present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing 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: Disclosed is an improved SMB process incorporating novel regeneration steps for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates such as butanediol from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. Applicant discovered that increasing the number of raffinate streams alone or in combination with a hot regeneration zone within the SMB cycle can significantly reduce the capital and operating costs associated with the incorporation of the SMB process in a complex for the production of ethanol and butanediol from biofermentation effluent. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell deficient in an essential gene, comprising a vector, said vector comprising at least said essential gene and an autonomous replication sequence, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungal cell. The invention also relates to a host cell deficient in an essential gene, comprising a vector, said vector comprising at least said essential gene and an autonomous replication sequence, wherein the host cell comprises a recombinant polynucleotide construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding a biological compound of interest or a compound involved in the synthesis of a biological compound of interest.

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: The present invention relates to a process for the production of ethanol comprising both gasification and fermentation of feedstocks, and, in particular to a process for the production of ethanol comprising: a) passing a biomass feedstock to a first fermentation step wherein it is subjected to anaerobic fermentation at a pH below 6.0 and at a temperature in the range 20 to 700C to convert the biomass to a solution comprising acetic acid as the predominant product, b) passing a gasifiable feedstock to a gasification step wherein it is subjected to gasification to produce a gaseous mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and c) passing the solution comprising acetic acid from step (a) and the gaseous mixture from step (b) to one or more further fermentation steps wherein they are subject to fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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: 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: A coryneform bacterium transformant prepared by transferring an exogenous gene which encodes a protein having a sugar transporter function into a coryneform bacterium capable of utilizing D-xylose.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated Muscodor albus strain producing volatile organic compounds such as aristolene, 3-octanone and/or acetic acid ester, as well as cultures of said strain and compositions, metabolites and volatiles derived from said strain or culture as well as methods of obtaining said compositions, metabolites and volatiles and their methods of use for controlling pests. Also disclosed are artificial compositions having the same components and uses as the volatiles derived from the strain. A method for capturing and sampling the volatiles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing 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: Disclosed are strategies for the economical microbial generation of hydrogen, useful as an alternative energy source, from hydrocarbon-rich deposits such as coal, oil and/or gas formations, oil shale, bitumen, tar sands, carbonaceous shale, peat deposits and sediments rich in organic matter through the management of the metabolism of microbial consortia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic acids having 1-3 carbon atoms, characterized in that 2,3-butanediol and/or acetoin are reacted to form carboxylic acids having 1-3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to the integration of an ammonia production process with a fermentation process to produce products such as alcohols and/or acids in addition to ammonia. In a specific embodiment, a natural gas stream comprising methane is passed to a reforming zone to produce a substrate comprising CO and H2. The substrate is next passed to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more microorganisms and fermenting the culture to produce one or more fermentation products comprising alcohols and/or acids and an exhaust stream comprising CO2, and H2. The exhaust stream can then be passed to a separation zone to remove at least a portion of the CO2 and produce a purified exhaust stream comprising H2 which is then passed to an ammonia production zone and is used to produce ammonia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and an adsorbent for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. After pretreatment, the separation is carried out in a simulated moving bed adsorption system employing an stationary phase adsorbent comprising fluorinated carbon or modified C18 silica gel selective for the adsorption of ethanol and associated oxygenates, such as 2,3-butanediol, with a mobile phase desorbent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing microorganism concentrates from fermentation broth containing a free suspension of the microorganisms which is used for the anaerobic conversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound. The processes involve the use of processing steps and the presence of certain additives to enhance the ability of the microorganism concentrate to be stored for extended periods and reactivated.

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

Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.

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: 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 invention relates to improvements in the production of ethanol and acetate by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO and the addition of an inorganic sulfur additive. It more particularly relates to the provision of an inorganic organic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more microorganisms convert a substrate comprising CO to ethanol. In one aspect the invention uses a sulfur additive comprising inorganic sulfur compounds having a +2 to a +4 sulfur oxidation state that produces sulfur oxoanions and hydrosulfur oxoanions in an aqueous fermentation medium.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of increasing the efficiency of biomass saccharification. In particular, the methods include ways of avoiding feedback inhibition during the production of useful products.

Abstract: Overlay processes are disclosed for making ethanol that not only increase ethanol conversion but do so in a cost effective manner with a reduction in energy requirements per unit of ethanol production. The processes can provide, if desired, higher organic compound as a co-product with ethanol.

Abstract: The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced from biomass using gasification of the biomass to produce a syngas containing CO2, CO, H2 and sulfur or sulfur compounds that passes the syngas to a fermentation step for the conversion of the CO and CO2 and H2 to ethanol. Sulfur and sulfur compounds in the syngas are used to satisfy sulfur demanded by bacteria in the fermentation step. A sulfur control additive is added to the gasification to control syngas sulfur and sulfur compounds at a desired concentration to meet bacteria sulfur demand.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed for use in the production of useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use biomass materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to enhance the production of a product, e.g., the production of ethanol and/or butanol by fermentation.

Abstract: One or more genes in a biosynthesis pathway for a vitamin or other essential nutrient which is needed for the survival of a microorganism can be used as an effective selective marker to identify cells transformed with an exogenous nucleic acid. The microorganism does not naturally contain or express the one or more gene. This permits genetic manipulations to be performed. It permits lower cost fermentations to be performed. It permits production of the essential nutrient for subsequent commodity use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of producing a fermentation product in the presence of pyridoxamine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of one or more products from a gas stream produced in a methanol production process. The method comprises converting at least a portion of a methane feedstock to a substrate comprising CO and H2. The substrate comprising CO and H2 is anaerobically fermented in a bioreactor to produce one or more alcohols. The method and system may further include process for the production of methanol processes for the production of acetic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for the production, separation and recovery of one or more fermentation products from a fermentation broth. Further, the invention provides a method for increasing efficiency of a fermentation reaction.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas is provided which is effective for decreasing an amount of time needed to inoculate a main reactor. The process includes propagating a culture of acetogenic bacteria to provide an inoculum for a main reactor and fermenting syngas in the main reactor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material, particularly on a larger scale, such as on the commercialization or industrial scale. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises (a) generating at least about 10 tons of prepared biomass material by adding a microbe, optionally an acid, and optionally, an enzyme to a solid biomass; (b) storing the prepared biomass material for at least about 24 hours in a storage facility to allow production of at least one volatile organic compound from at least a portion of the sugar in the solid biomass; and (c) capturing the at least one volatile organic compound by using a solventless recovery system.

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 novel xylose isomerase nucleotide sequence obtained from a bovine rumen fluid metagenomic library and also provides the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence, and a vector and a transformant containing the nucleotide sequence. When the xylose isomerase is expressed, a host cell is endowed with the capability of converting xylose into xylulose, and the xylulose is further metabolized by the host cell. Therefore, the host cell can take the xylose as a carbon source for growth. The xylose isomerase from a new source is expressed with high activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is a mesophilic enzyme with optimal temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: Substance productivity is improved by introducing a metabolic pathway for synthesis of acetyl-CoA or acetic acid from glucose-6-phosphate into yeast. Acetic acid productivity, acetyl-CoA productivity, and productivity of a substance made from acetyl-CoA-derived are improved by attenuating genes involved in the glycolytic system of yeast and introducing a phosphoketolase gene into the yeast.

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: A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are 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 a yeast cell comprising one or more exogenous genes of a pentose metabolic pathway non-native to the yeast cell wherein the yeast cell has a disruption of the hxk1, hxk2 glk1 and gal1 native in the yeast cell. The invention further relates to pentose and glucose fermenting yeast cell that is capable of simultaneous pentose and glucose consumption.

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 protein having O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase activity, a mutant protein thereof, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide, a microorganism transformed with the recombinant vector, and a method for producing methionine or acetic acid using the protein. The production method of the present invention has the advantage of producing L-methionine and acetic acid cost-effectively through having higher conversion rate and reduced reaction time compared to the existing methods, and it can minimize the amount of enzyme homogenate added when using the mutant protein, thereby easily producing L-methionine and acetic acid at high yield.

Abstract: Genetically engineered plants having altered levels of one or more starch regulation enzymes and a polysaccharide degrading enzyme are provided. Methods of genetically engineering plants to express products altering expression of one or more starch regulation enzymes and polysaccharide degrading enzymes, and genetic constructs are provided. Methods of agricultural processing and animal feed using the genetically engineered plants are described.