Acetic Acid Patents (Class 435/140)
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Patent number: 8119378Abstract: The invention relates to the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to processes for the production of alcohols from their corresponding acids in the presence of a substrate comprising CO. In particular embodiments, a fermentation reaction producing acid(s) and optionally alcohol(s) is perturbed such that at least a portion one or more of acid(s) is converted to alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand LimitedInventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Phuong Loan Tran, Bakir Al-Sinawi, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Matthew James Rowe, Gary Chan, Kelly Marie Mahar, Jennifer Mon Yee Fung
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Publication number: 20120034664Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Richard Allen Kohn, Seon-Woo Kim
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Publication number: 20120034648Abstract: The invention relates to a cell which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a xylose isomerase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the xylose isomerase has at least about 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3 and wherein the nucleotide sequence is heterologous to the host. A cell of the invention may be used in a process for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol. Such a process may comprise fermenting a medium containing a source of xylose with a cell of the invention such that the cell ferments xylose to the fermentation product.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Paul Klaassen, Jan Metske Van Der Laan, Bianca Elisabeth Maria Gielesen, Gijsberdina Pieternella Van Suylekom
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Patent number: 8101387Abstract: This invention is a process for managing the gas flow through a plurality of bioconversion modules that provide a gas liquid interface. The conversion modules provide the gas liquid interface across an activated surface that converts at least some of the gas components into desired liquid products. Arrangement of the modules and control of gas flow in accordance with this invention enhances the utilization of the gas and the production of desired liquid products by adjusting the flow area to compensate for changes in the volume of the feed gas. Improved control of the gas velocity through the bioconversion modules eliminates problems of liquid condensation and flow maldistribution. The process may sequence the modules to mitigate time variation in microorganism activity and incorporate additional periodic process steps.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Coskata, Inc.Inventors: Shih-Perng Tsai, Seong-Hoon Yoon, Rahul Basu
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Publication number: 20120009638Abstract: A stable method for producing liquid products such as ethanol, propanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components that contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A liquid contacting side of the membrane utilizes a dense layer to control hydration of the bio-pores with a liquid phase. The gas feed directly contacts the microorganisms in the bio-pores and maximizes their utilization of the syngas. Metabolic products produced by the microorganisms leave the membrane through the side opposite the entering syngas. This method establishes a unitary direction across the membrane for the supply of the primary feed source to the microorganisms and the withdrawal of metabolically produced products. The feed and product flow improves productivity and performance of the microorganism and the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Shih-Perng Tsai, Rathin Datta, Rahul Basu, Seong-Hoon Yoon
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Publication number: 20120003706Abstract: A process converts a gas input stream comprising CO, CO2, and H2 by contact with fermentation liquid into a liquid product that controls the concentration of CO and CO2 in the fermentation vessel. The process charges the feed gas stream and a recycle gas stream to the fermentation vessel and an off-gas stream collects above the fermentation liquid. The off-gas stream flows to a gas injector that uses a recycle liquid as the motive fluid to mix the off-gas with the recycle liquid into a gas-liquid dispersion. Contact of the recycle liquid with the off-gas absorbs CO2 to provide the recycle stream. A gas separation vessel separates the remainder of the off-gas into the recycle gas. Mixing the recycle gas with the gas input stream dilutes the concentration of CO to lower the CO concentration in the fermentation vessel. Separated recycle liquid flows to a CO2 stripper for removal of CO2.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventor: Robert Hickey
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Publication number: 20110318790Abstract: The present invention relates to eukaryotic cells which have the ability to isomerise xylose directly into xylulose. The cells have acquired this ability by transformation with nucleotide sequences coding for a xylose isomerase that has one or more specific sequence elements typical for isomerases having the ability of functional expression in yeasts, such as e.g. xylose isomerases obtainable from a bacterium of the genera Clostridiumand Fusobacteriumor a tunicate form the genus Ciona. The cell preferably is a yeast or a filamentous fungus, more preferably a yeast is capable of anaerobic alcoholic fermentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2009Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Aloysius Wilhelmus Rudolphus Hubertus Teunissen, Johannes Adrianus Maria De Bont
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Publication number: 20110300593Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO. It more particularly relates to the provision of an inorganic organic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to alcohols. In a particular embodiment, a microbial culture is provided with sodium polysulfide, wherein a substrate comprising CO is converted to products including ethanol and 2,3-butanediol.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: LanzaTech New Zealand LimitedInventors: Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Jennifer Mon Yee Fung, Bakir Al-Sinawi, Phuong Loan Tran
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Publication number: 20110294170Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising a xylose isomerase polynucleotide, a recombinant fungal host cell comprising a recombinant xylose isomerase polynucleotide, and related methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: CODEXIS, INC.Inventors: Ezhilkani Subbian, Xiyun Zhang, Benjamin Mijts, Catherine M. Cho
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Publication number: 20110294177Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to the provision of an improved fermentation media, comprising nickel, to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to one or more alcohols, such as ethanol. In particular embodiments, a microbial culture is provided with at least 10 ?M nickel, such that CO uptake by the microbial culture increases and ethanol productivity improves.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: Lanza Tech New Zealand LimitedInventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Ian Lindstrand Warner, Jennifer Mon Yee Eung, Michael Kopke
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Publication number: 20110281310Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods wherein unique and advantageous combinations of gene mutations are used to direct carbon flow from sugars to a single product. The techniques of the subject invention can be used to obtain products from native pathways as well as from recombinant pathways. In preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient production of acetate and pyruvic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: THOMAS B. CAUSEY, Lonnie O'Neal Ingram, Shengde Zhou, Keelnatham T. Shanmugam
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Publication number: 20110269180Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid molecules coding for a bacterial xylose isomerase (XI), preferably coming from Clostridium phytofermentans, for reaction/metabolization, particularly fermentation, of recombinant microorganisms of biomaterial containing xylose, and particularly for the production of bioalcohols, particularly bioethanol, by means of xylose fermenting yeasts. The present invention further relates to cells, particularly eukaryotic cells, which are transformed utilizing a nucleic acid expression construct which codes for a xylose isomerase, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid expression construct imparts to the cells the capability to directly isomerize xylose into xylulose. Said cells are preferably utilized for reaction/metabolization, particularly fermentation, of biomaterial containing xylose, and particularly for the production of bioalcohols, particularly bioethanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Dawid Brat, Eckhard Boles, Marco Keller, Beate Wiedemann
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Patent number: 8048655Abstract: A method is disclosed for the recovery of an organic acid from a dilute salt solution in which the cation of the salt forms an insoluble carbonate salt. A tertiary amine and CO2 are introduced to the solution to form the insoluble carbonate salt and a complex between the acid and an amine. A water immiscible solvent, such as an alcohol, is added to extract the acid/amine complex from the dilute salt solution to a reaction phase. The reaction phase is continuously dried and a product between the acid and the solvent, such as an ester, is formed.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: ZeaChem, Inc.Inventors: Dan W. Verser, Timothy J. Eggeman
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Publication number: 20110256597Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microorganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Robert Hickey, Rathin Datta, Shih-Perng Tsai, Rahul Basu
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Publication number: 20110244525Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformed microorganism capable of (a) a higher xylose isomerase activity than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (b) a higher growth rate in or on a growth medium comprising xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (c) a faster metabolism of xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (d) a higher production of ethanol when grown anaerobically on xylose as the carbon source than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: TERRANOL A/SInventors: Birgitte Rönnow, Thomas Hvid Andersen, Ole Sibbesen
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Publication number: 20110229942Abstract: Microorganisms for the production of high-value chemicals from free fatty acids are provided. The microorganisms comprise genetic mutations that alter fatty acid metabolism. The genetic mutations include a mutation or deletion of a fadR gene in which the FadR enzyme activity is partially or substantially eliminated and a mutation in an atoC gene that provides overexpression of the microorganism's ato operon. Methods of using the microorganisms to produce high-value chemicals are also provided. The high-value chemicals include ethanol, methyl acetate, succinate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol, acetone, iso-propanol, butyrate, butanol, mevalonate, propionate, ethanolamine and 1,2-propanediol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Glycos Biotechnologies, IncorporatedInventors: Paul Campbell, Ramon Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20110212433Abstract: The invention relates to the production of products such as alcohols and acids by microbial fermentation, particularly microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to methods and systems for improving efficiency of production products by microbial fermentation. In particular embodiments, the invention provides a method of controlling substrate supply, such that production of desired metabolites is optimised.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Lanza Tech New Zealand LimitedInventors: Will David Barker, Bjorn Daniel Heijstra, Wing Chuen Chan, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Phuong Loan Tran, Christophe Collet, Jason Carl Bromley, Bakir Al-Sinawi
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Publication number: 20110195464Abstract: The invention relates to processes and biocatalysts for producing ethanol and other useful products from biomass and/or other materials. Initial processing of lignocellulosic biomass frequently yields methylglucuronoxylose (MeGAX) and related products which are resistant to further processing by common biocatalysts. Strains of Enterobacter asburiae are shown to be useful in bioprocessing of MeGAX and other materials into useful bioproducts such as ethanol, acetate, lactate, and many others. Genetic engineering may be used to enhance production of desired bioproducts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2009Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventor: James F. Preston
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Publication number: 20110189727Abstract: A method for the modification of a material comprising a non-starch carbohydrate, which method comprises contacting said material comprising a non-starch carbohydrate with a polypeptide which has peroxidase activity and which is: a. a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 55% homology with an amino acid sequence set out in any one of: amino acids 21 to 513 of SEQ NO: 2; amino acids 20 to 510 of SEQ ID NO: 4; amino acids 1 to 493 of SEQ ID NO 6; or amino acids 1 to 491 of SEQ ID NO: 8 or b. a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence having at least 55% homology with a nucleotide sequence set out in any one of: nucleotides 61 to 1539 of SEQ ID NO: 1; nucleotides 58 to 1530 of SEQ ID NO: 3; nucleotides 1 to 1479 of SEQ ID NO: 5; or nucleotides 1 to 1473 of SEQ ID NO: 7.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Holger Zorn, Renate Szweda, Manoj Kumar, Johannes Wilms
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Publication number: 20110183382Abstract: This invention provides systems and methods for the production of compounds by C. phytofermentans. C. phytofermentans is genetically-engineered for hydrolysis and fermentation of carbonaceous biomass to synthesize compounds of commercial value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Qteros, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Schmalisch, Chelsea Ju, Francis H. Verhoff, Gregory S. Coil
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Publication number: 20110183390Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: ROBERT HICKEY, RAHUL BASU, RATHIN DATTA, SHIH-PERNG TSAI
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Publication number: 20110177567Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a fermentation product from lignocellulosic biomass, to a reactor to carry out the method and to use of the reactor to produce a fermentation product.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Robert Reurd Christophor Bakker, Edserd De Jong, Ronald Hubertus Wilhelmus Maas, Ruud Alexander Weusthuis, Diana Visser, Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Mickel Leonardus August Jansen
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Patent number: 7964379Abstract: A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: ZeaChem, Inc.Inventors: Dan Verser, Timothy J. Eggeman
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Publication number: 20110137088Abstract: Renewable materials made from inhibiting compounds. A method includes the step of consuming a fermentation inhibiting compound with a biological organism, and the step of producing a renewable material with the biological organism from at least a portion of the fermentation inhibiting compound. The methods may include a net balance of cofactor production and consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Jacob Borden
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Publication number: 20110129885Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated genetically modified microorganism in which the gene IDH1 and at least one of the genes SDH2 and DIC1 are under the control of a first promoter that is repressed to a growth culture medium by means of a cultivation additive and is active in the absence of the cultivation additive. The genes that are part of the group comprising “PYC1, ACS1, CIT1, ACO1, ICL1, MSL1, and CIT2, optionally also MDH3” are constitutively active. The invention further relates to uses of such a microorganism, especially for producing succinic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2008Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: ORGANO-BALANCE GMBHInventors: Christine Lang, Markus Veen, Mewes Böttner, Andreas Raab
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Publication number: 20110117612Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Hideaki Yukawa, Masayuki Inui
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Publication number: 20110104736Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting a strain of an organism capable of improved consumption of a mixed substrate comprising two or more carbon sources as compared to a reference strain of the organism, which method comprises: growing a population of the reference strain of the organism in the presence of the two or more carbon sources, wherein the number of generations of growth of the said population on each of the said carbon sources is at least about 50% of the number of generations of growth on the carbon source most preferred by the organism; and selecting the resulting strain of the organism, thereby to select a strain of the organism capable of improved consumption of a mixed substrate comprising the two or more carbon sources as compared to the reference strain of the organism. The invention also relates to strains of organisms selected using such a method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Jacobus Thomas Pronk, Antonius Antonius Maris Van, Hendrik Wouter Wisselink
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Publication number: 20110104770Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventor: Richard E. Tobey
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Publication number: 20110053224Abstract: The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Yangming Martin Lo, Irene N.N. Yossa, Neil A. Belson
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Patent number: 7867400Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Ciba Speacialty Chemicals Water treaments Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Hughes, Rajesh Mistry, Kenneth Charles Symes
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Publication number: 20100317074Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: Lanzatech New Zealand LimitedInventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christopher Collet, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Simon David Oakley
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Patent number: 7833763Abstract: An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for producing organic acid with higher fermentation efficiency. The present invention provides a method for producing organic acid from an organic material by allowing bacterial cell or treated products thereof to act on an aqueous reaction solution containing the above organic material, which is characterized in that after completion of the reaction, the aqueous reaction solution is recovered, cell or treated products thereof are separated from the recovered aqueous reaction solution, and the separated cell or treated products thereof are allowed to act on a fresh aqueous reaction solution, so that the cell or treated products thereof are repeatedly used.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventor: Kenji Yamagishi
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Publication number: 20100285548Abstract: The process according to the invention for the microbial production of a specific product and methane comprises the following steps: a) the production in a bioreactor (2, 10) of a specific product from a specific substrate using a specific organism, the producer, wherein during the production of this product metabolites such as e.g. low-molecular alcohols, aldehydes and acids, hydrogen and CO2, which may inhibit the production of the product, are obtained; and b) the production of methane by means of a methanogen, wherein in the production of the methane at least one metabolite is decomposed and by this means removed from the bioreactor (2, 10) and its energy is made usable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicants: AGRAFERM TECHNOLOGIES AG, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT HAMBURG-HARBURG, TUTECH INNOVATION GMBHInventors: Hans Friedmann, An-Ping Zeng
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Publication number: 20100273659Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: VERENIUM CORPORATIONInventors: Grace DeSantis, Jennifer Chaplin, Ellen Chi, Aileen Milan, Jay Short, David Weiner, Mark Madden, Darcy Madden, Dan Robertson
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Publication number: 20100267097Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: XYLECO, INC.Inventor: Marshall Medoff
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Publication number: 20100248318Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of biomass conversion including fermenting biomass to produce a carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt and hydrogen gas, recovering the hydrogen gas, and converting the carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt to an alcohol using the hydrogen gas. In one embodiment, the hydrogen produced by biomass conversion may be converted to an acetate. Another embodiment relates to a biomass conversion system. The system may include: a fermentation unit for fermentation of biomass to a carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt in a fermentation broth and for production of a carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas stream, an extraction unit for extracting the carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt from the fermentation broth, a gas extraction unit for separation of the hydrogen gas and the carbon dioxide, and a production unit for production of an alcohol from the carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt using the hydrogen gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEMSInventors: Cesar B. Granda, Mark T. Holtzapple, Richard R. Davison
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Publication number: 20100240108Abstract: A process is provided to improve the specific activity of an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity when converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid under aqueous reaction conditions. Inclusion of an effective amount of at least one amine protectant improves the specific activity and catalytic productivity of the enzyme catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Robert DICOSIMO, Anna PANOVA, Henry Keith Chenault, Samuel David ARTHUR
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Patent number: 7781194Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using biomass in a biogas process. The aim of the invention is to use substrates having a high nitrogen and solid content, and which using a small amount of water, has very good energy balance and is particularly environmentally friendly. Said aim is achieved by the virtue of the fact that the substrate is treated with a recirculated product in order to form a pumpable medium, and additionally treated with bacteria in cyclones and fermenters, which simultaneously removes the nitrogen in a stripping process, separates the solid fermentation radicals and further uses the recirculated product as a heat-exchanger and reaction medium. Said process is environmentally friendly and has a very good energy balance.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignees: KWK GbRInventor: Thomas Weidele
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Publication number: 20100159541Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing foam formation by identifying a gene involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium and reducing or deleting the function of a protein encoded by the gene, a method for more efficiently producing vinegar that contains a high concentration of acetic acid by using an acetic acid bacterium in which foam formation has been suppressed by the above method, and vinegar produced by the production method. An acetic acid bacterium with suppressed foam formation was given by obtaining a gene encoding a protein involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium, then by altering the gene by a modification to reduce or delete the function of a protein involved in foam formation. Further provided is a method for efficiently producing vinegar with a higher concentration of acetic acid with the use of the acetic acid bacterium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: MIZKAN GROUP CORPORATIONInventor: Aya IIDA
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Publication number: 20100143988Abstract: Strict anaerobic thermophilic bacterium belonging to the group of Thermoanaerobacter mathranii and mutants and derivatives thereof. The bacterium is particularly suitable for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, lactic acid, acetic acid and hydrogen from lignocellulosic biomass.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Biogasol IPR APSInventors: Marie Just Mikkelsen, Birgitte Kiaer Ahring
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Publication number: 20100137641Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently producing vinegar that contains a higher concentration of acetic acid, wherein a gene involved in the acetic acid fermentation ability is obtained, the acetic acid fermentation ability of an acetic acid bacterium is improved by reducing or deleting the function of the protein encoded by the gene. An acetic acid bacterium with a remarkably improved acetic acid fermentation ability was obtained by obtaining genes encoding an acyl homoserine lactone synthase and an acyl homoserine lactone receptor-type transcription factor that are involved in the quorum-sensing system in the acetic acid bacterium, and modifying the genes so as to reduce or delete the function of the quorum-sensing system. Further provided is a method for more efficiently producing vinegar containing a higher concentration of acetic acid by using the acetic acid bacterium.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: MIZKAN GROUP CORPORATIONInventor: Aya Iida
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Publication number: 20100136634Abstract: Method and equipment for production of fermentable saccharides, ethanol, furfural, furane, lignin, acetic acid and formic acid from lignocellulosic and amylaceous materials. The method comprises one-stage or two-stage continuous thermo-compressive hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic particles, cellulase treatment of unreacted lignocellulose, amylase treatment of formed monosaccharides combined with added amylaceous materials, and fermentation of the combined processed monosaccharide solutions into ethanol. Side products furfural, methanol, acetic acid, formic acid and lignin are recovered and purified, optionally furfural is further converted to furan. An integrated process for recovery and recycling of all products and by-products, and recycling of heat energy is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Zdenek Kratochvil, Libor Rychtár, Frantisek Machek, Frantisek Bouska
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Publication number: 20100120104Abstract: The invention described herein presents compositions and methods for a multistep biological and chemical process for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide and/or other forms of inorganic carbon into organic chemicals including biofuels or other useful industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical, or biomass products. One or more process steps in the present invention utilizes chemoautotrophic microorganisms to fix inorganic carbon into organic compounds through chemosynthesis. An additional feature of the present invention describes process steps whereby electron donors used for the chemosynthetic fixation of carbon are generated by chemical or electrochemical means, or are produced from inorganic or waste sources. An additional feature of the present invention describes process steps for the recovery of useful chemicals produced by the carbon dioxide capture and conversion process, both from chemosynthetic reaction steps, as well as from non-biological reaction steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventor: John Stuart Reed
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Publication number: 20100105117Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing foam formation by identifying a gene involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium and reducing or deleting the function of a protein encoded by the gene, a method for more efficiently producing vinegar that contains a high concentration of acetic acid by using an acetic acid bacterium in which foam formation has been suppressed by the above method, and vinegar produced by the above production method. An acetic acid bacterium with suppressed foam formation was obtained by isolating a gene encoding a protein involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium, then by altering the gene by a modification to reduce or delete the function of a protein involved in foam formation. Further provided is a method for efficiently producing vinegar with higher concentration of acetic acid with the use of the acetic acid bacterium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Mizkan Group CorporationInventor: Aya Iida
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Publication number: 20100105116Abstract: The bioconversion of gas feedstreams to liquid products by direct contact with a layer of microorganism obtains enhanced productivity through the regular cycling of liquid across a substrate that supports a biolayer of microorganisms while separating the gas and liquid phases. Such processes produce liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components by contacting CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A periodic laving of liquid from the liquid contact side to and away from the microorganisms can increase nutrient flow to the microorganisms while enhancing the recovery of liquid products.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Rathin Datta, Shih-Perng Tsai, Jian Xu, Seong-Hoon Yoon
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Publication number: 20100086981Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing saccharification of biomass with one or more enzymes to enhance availability of substrates for fermentation by a microorganism. Microorganisms are also modified to enhance activity of one or more hydrolytic enzymes that are present endogenously in or are introduced heterologously into a host microorganism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: QTEROS, INC.Inventors: William G. LaTouf, Matthias Schmalisch, Kexue Huang, Muhammad Abdul Ali
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Publication number: 20100086965Abstract: The invention relates to an eukaryotic cell expressing nucleotide sequences encoding the ara A, ara B and ara D enzymes whereby the expression of these nucleotide sequences confers on the cell the ability to use L-arabinose and/or convert L-arabinose into L-ribulose, and/or xylulose 5-phosphate and/or into a desired fermentation product such as ethanol. Optionally, the eukaryotic cell is also able to convert xylose into ethanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Antonius Jeroen Adriaan Van Maris, Jacobus Thomas Pronk, Hendrik Wouter Wisselink, Johannes Pieter Van Dijken, Aaron Adriaan Winkler, Johannes Hendrik De Winde
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Patent number: 7687250Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatuses, and kits for producing ethanol and other alcohols. The methods involve fermenting organic material in a fermentation mixture to a biogas comprising methane; converting at least a portion of the biogas to synthesis gas comprising CO and H2; and contacting at least a portion of the synthesis gas with a catalyst to produce alcohol. In some embodiments, a microorganism that reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron is included in the fermentation mixture to enhance the efficiency of the fermentation and the yield of alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Novus Energy, LLCInventors: Delman R. Hogen, Jeffrey W. Lighthart, Hugh McTavish, John D. Offerman
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Patent number: 7682812Abstract: A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: ZeaChem, Inc.Inventors: Dan Verser, Timothy J. Eggeman
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Publication number: 20100047886Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Robert Hickey, Rahul Basu, Rathin Datta, Shih-Perng Tsai