Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of hydrocarbons, particularly alkanes and alkenes, using biosynthetic routes, as well as genes and enzymes involved therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid-containing composition, comprising the steps of: subjecting a culture of a carotenoid-producing microorganism to an extraction treatment using a water-soluble organic solvent; dispersing the resulting extract solution in water for micellization; heat stirring the resulting micellized solution in a solvent break the micelles and precipitate the carotenoid component of interest to obtain the precipitate; collecting and heat washing the precipitate with ethanol; and further subjecting the precipitate to pulverization/drying; and food, a pharmaceutical composition and a cosmetic product comprising the carotenoid-containing composition.

Abstract: Isolated genes and amino acid sequences encode methylketone synthase 2 (MKS2) enzymes from tomato plants, including, ShMKS2 and SlMKS2. When expressed recombinantly in bacteria and other host cells, the MKS2 enzymes produce methylketones of various carbon chain lengths ranging from C7 to C20 from 3-ketoacyl intermediate substrates. Methylketones are known to have important roles in protecting plants against pests, and also as flavor compounds, and can be used as stockfeed in the chemical industry.

Abstract: An isolated fungus is described. The isolated fungus produces at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,8-cineole, 1-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, and (+)-?-methylene-?-fenchocamphorone. A method for producing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,8-cineole, 1-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, and (+)-?-methylene-?-fenchocamphorone is also described. The method includes culturing a fungus on or within a culturing media in a container under conditions sufficient for producing the at least one compound.

Abstract: Erythritol is prepared from whey. Whey is treated to form lactose, the lactose is treated to form glucose and galactose, the glucose and galactose are separated, and then the glucose is treated to form erythritol.

Abstract: Provided are antimicrobial agents produced from Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) bacteria, in particular from bacteria which comprise a cluster of polyketide synthesis genes. Also provided is use of the antimicrobial agents in the treatment of disease. Further provided are methods for producing antimicrobials, methods for detecting antimicrobial producing bacterial strains and kits for use in the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid, which comprises culturing a carotenoid-producing bacterium in an amino acid-supplemented medium, and collecting the carotenoid from the resulting cultured product, wherein the amino acid is at least one selected, from the group consisting of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, tyrosine, proline, phenylalanine and leucine, and salts thereof

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method combining evolution and rational design for the preparation of a strain of micro-organism for the production of acetol from a simple carbon source. The said method comprises: growing an initial strain under selection pressure in an appropriate growth medium, said initial bacterial strain comprising an attenuation of the expression of the tpiA gene and an attenuation the expression of at least one gene involved in the conversion of methylglyoxal to lactate, in order to promote evolution in said initial strain, then selecting and isolating the evolved strain having an increased acetol or 1,2-propanediol production rate, then reconstructing a functional tpiA gene in the evolved strain. The present invention also concerns the evolved strain such as obtained, that may be furthermore genetically modified in order to optimize the conversion of a simple carbon source into acetol without by-products and with the best possible yield.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process which can effectively extract and purify natural astaxanthin from the eggs and gonads of snails.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Escherichia coli producing 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOI), which, from a sucrose non-PTS gene group, has at least a sucrose hydrolase (CscA)-encoding gene and which is provided with a DOI production system or has an enhanced DOI production system. The Escherichia coli preferably further includes a system to enhance sugar uptake capacity. There is also disclosed a method of producing DOI from a plant-derived raw material containing sucrose by using the Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified microorganism with an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity, and its use for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol. In particular this increased methylglyoxal reductase activity is obtained by increasing the expression of specific genes from microorganisms. This invention is also related to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol by fermentation of a microorganism having an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity.

Abstract: The present invention increases yield of the target fermented molecules by spray drying the fermentation broth and reducing the process volume to nearly one tenth the original. Thus, none of the target molecules are lost and requirements of the solvent and the other conventional method process equipments and processing materials are reduced considerably. Product recovery is improved. A major saving in the waste water treatment offsets spray drying and offers better process economics.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter demonstrates that a spin state which has zero magnetic resonance signal, but an extremely long lifetime, can be used to store magnetization, which can then be recovered into an observable transition. Coupled with hyper-polarization techniques, this permits the preparation of a wide range of contrast agent molecules for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that have long effective relaxation time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having an activity of oxidizing a dammarane-type triterpene, a gene encoding the same, and use of the protein and the gene. The present invention specifically relates to a protein obtainable from a plant belonging to the genus Glychyrrhiza, which has an activity of oxidizing a dammarane-type triterpene, a gene encoding the same, and use of the protein and the gene. The protein is shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 13, and the gene encoding the same is shown in SEQ ID NO:3, 4, or 14, respectively. Furthermore, a transformant into which the gene is introduced can be produced, by which a triterpene oxidase can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a novel (S,S)-butanediol dehydrogenase. The present invention also has its object to provide a gene coding for the enzyme protein, a vector containing the gene, a transformant harboring the vector, and a method of producing an optically active alcohol using the transformant. The polypeptide according to one embodiment of the present invention has the physicochemical properties including actions such as: acting on (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol to form (S)-acetoin in the presence of NAD+ as a coenzyme; and reducing 2,3-butanedione to form (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol in the presence of NADH as a coenzyme.

Abstract: Crabtree positive yeast cells that have endogenous expressed pyruvate decarboxylase genes inactivated and an engineered biosynthetic pathway utilizing pyruvate were found to have improved growth and product yield when glucose repression was reduced. These cells were able to grow in media containing a high glucose concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 1; or (b) a nucleotide sequence which is the complement of SEQ ID No. 1; or (c) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with SEQ ID No. 1; or (d) a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% sequence identity (preferably at least 87%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity) with SEQ ID No. 1; or (e) a part of any one of (a) to (d), wherein said nucleic acid molecule encodes or is a complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding one or more polypeptides, or comprises or is complementary to a nucleic acid molecule comprising one or more genetic elements, having functional activity in the synthesis of a polyketide-based or macrolactam molecule.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a covalent bond between two groups having carbonyl radicals in accordance with the present reaction equation: where R1 is hydrogen, a carboxyl group or a C1-C6 alkyl and R2 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical which may possibly be monosubstituted or disubstituted with halogen and/or a C1-C6 alkyl or is a substituent having the formula -A-B-C-D where A and C are each a C1-C6 alkyl, carbonyl or a covalent bond, B is a heteroatom such as oxygen and sulphur and D is an aliphatic radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical which may possibly be substituted, or where R1 and R2 together form a cyclic alkyl radical which may possibly be monosubstituted or disubstituted with a C1-C6 alkyl radical and/or with a hydroxy radical and which may possibly contain a heteroatom such as oxygen or sulphur, and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C6 alkyl, wherein the reaction is catalysed by the enzyme YerE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism which is capable of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and satisfies the requirements: (1) expression of a phbA gene is repressed or a catalytic activity of an enzyme encoded by the gene is repressed; (2) expression of a bktB gene is enhanced or a catalytic activity of an enzyme encoded by the gene is increased; and (3) a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase gene and a crotonyl-CoA reductase gene are introduced thereinto. Culture of this microorganism enables efficient production of P(3HB-co-3HH), which is a PHA having excellent flexibility and being applied to a variety of applications, with an inexpensive carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an adipate ester or thioester. The invention further relates to a method for preparing adipic acid from said ester or thioester. Further the invention provides a number of methods for preparing an intermediate for said ester or thioester. Further the invention relates to a method for preparing 6-amino caproic acid (6-ACA), a method for preparing 5-formyl valeric acid (5-FVA), and a method for preparing caprolactam. Further, the invention relates to a host cell for use in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to enzymes and methods for producing the same. More specifically this invention relates to a variety of fungal enzymes. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such enzymes, compositions, recombinant and genetically modified host cells, and methods of use are described. The invention also relates to a method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars with enzymes that degrade the lignocellulosic material and novel combinations of enzymes, including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass. The invention also relates to methods to use the novel enzymes and compositions of such enzymes in a variety of other processes, including washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking and biobleaching of paper and pulp, and treatment of waste streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing 9-decen-2-one, characterized by the bioconversion of undecylenic acid using a mold, and to its use in perfumery, cosmetics and food flavoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, which has an activity of hydroxylating a compound represented by the formula (I-a): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an alkali metal, and R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a ring-closed lactone form thereof; a DNA encoding the protein; and a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing tolerance of microorganisms to toxic agents, such as solvents; and for increasing production of solvents from solvent-generating microorganisms. The methods comprise engineering a microorganism of interest to express a heterologous heat-shock protein/chaperone, e.g., Group II chaperonin or a prefoldin such as ?-prefoldin, where the heterologous protein is from an extremophile, such as an archaean.

Abstract: A process is described for producing fermentable sugars derivable from biomass that contains polysaccharide, such as cellulose, made increasingly accessible as a substrate for enzymatic degradation or other methods of depolymerization. These fermentable sugars are subsequently able to be fermented to produce various target chemicals, such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or acids.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides and more specifically to enzymes having transferase activity, e.g., transaminase activity, e.g., d-amino-acid transferase activity, and/or oxidoreductase activity, e.g., dehydrogenase activity, e.g., damino-acid dehydrogenase activity, and/or catalyze the transfer of a chemical group, catalyze transamination, catalyze the reaction: D-alanine+2-oxoglutarate<=>pyruvate+D-glutamate, and/or catalyze an oxidation-reduction reaction, catalyze the removal of hydrogen atoms, and/or catalyze the reaction: D-amino acid+H2O+acceptor<=>a 2-oxo acid+NH3+reduced acceptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aqueous glucose solution from the starch components of Triticeae grains, for example from rye, triticale or in particular wheat grains. The invention also relates to a glucose-based fermentation method for manufacturing organic compounds in which the glucose manufactured for fermentation is produced from the starch components of Triticeae grains by way of a method according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for conveniently and efficiently producing quinones, and particularly menaquinone, from a microorganism is provided. The present invention relates to a method for producing quinones, comprising culturing a microorganism that produces quinones in the presence of a porous carrier.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting complex plant polysaccharides, including cellulosic materials, into fuels and other chemicals.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism has cyclohexanone pathways that include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a cyclohexanone pathway enzyme. A pathway includes a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA hydrolase (acting on C—C bond), a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxylate decarboxylase and an enzyme selected from a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA hydrolase (acting on thioester), a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA transferase, and a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA synthetase.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism has at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a MEK pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce MEK. The MEK pathway includes an enzyme selected from an acetoacetyl-CoA dehydrogenase (bifunctional), an acetoacetyl-CoA aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 3-oxobutyraldehyde reductase, a 3-oxobutanol dehydratase, an MEK oxidoreductase, a 3-oxobutyraldehyde aminotransferase, a 4-aminobutan-2-one deaminase, a 2-amino-4-ketopentanoate (AKP) thiolase, an AKP aminotransferase, a 2,4-dioxopentanoate decarboxylase, an AKP deaminase, an acetylacrylate decarboxylase, an AKP decarboxylase, a glutamate dehydrogenase, a 3-oxobutyraldehyde oxidoreductase (aminating) and an AKP oxidoreductase (aminating). A 2-butanol pathway further includes an MEK reductase. A method for producing MEK or 2-butanol includes culturing these organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce MEK or 2-butanol.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing an optically active compound, characterized in that said method comprises permitting a mixture of optical isomers relative to the carbon atom in the ?-position in relation to the carbon atom bound to an esterified hydroxy group of an enol ester to hydrolyse either one optical isomer preferentially in the presence of an enzyme and allowing the carbonyl compound resulting from such hydrolysis to enrich the proportion of its isomer having either one configuration in the ?-position in relation to the carbonyl group or allowing the enol ester left non-hydrolyzed to enrich the proportion of its isomer having either one configuration on the carbon atom in the ?-position in relation to the carbon atom to which the esterified hydroxyl group bonds.

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: 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: This invention concerns a microorganism useful for the production of acetol from a simple carbon source, wherein said microorganism is characterized by: an improved activity of the biosynthesis pathway from dihydroxyacetone phosphate to acetol, and an attenuated activity of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase This invention also concerns a method for producing acetol by fermentating a microorganism according to the invention.

Abstract: A bacterial autoinducer, CAI-1, was purified and its structure identified. Methods for synthesis of the autoinducer and its analogues were elucidated. Methods of using the autoinducer or its analogues for treating bacterial pathogenicity and bio film formation are described. Methods for prevention and treatment of cholera are described. Synthetic (S)-3-hydroxytridecan-4-one functions as well as natural CAI-1 in repressing production of the virulence factor toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Strategies are described to manipulate bacterial quorum sensing in the clinical arena.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of terpene-derived compounds having an antibiotic activity and of the formulae (I) or (II) in which A is selected from NR1, O, S, CR2R3 or R—(CH2)n—R?, wherein R and R? represent independently NH, O, S or CH2, and in which R1, R2 et R3 are substituents and n is higher than or equal to 1, in particular equal to 2. The invention relates to the compound according to both the formula (I) or the formula (II) taken individually, to mixtures of the two compounds, and to compositions, mainly therapeutic ones, comprising at least one of the compounds or said mixture. According to a particular embodiment, the compound ((I) or (II) taken individually, the mixtures of both compounds and the compositions of the invention are used in the treatment of difficult C-related digestive infections. In one particular embodiment, the compound of the formula (I) is margaucine, a compound produced by a bacterial stem.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions to minimize the chlorophyll antenna size of photosynthesis by decreasing TLA1 gene expression, thereby improving solar conversion efficiencies and photosynthetic productivity in plants, e.g., green microalgae, under bright sunlight conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods for their production and use. Particularly, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence of citrus valencene synthase (CVS) which codes for at least one CVS. The invention further provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for amino acid residues forming the tier 1 and tier 2 domains of CVS. The invention also provides for methods of making and using the nucleic acids and amino acids of the current invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protein selected from: (1) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing; (2) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing with the deletion, addition, insertion and/or substitution of one or more amino acid residues, and having an alkane polyol dehydrogenase activity; or (3) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having 80% or more identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing, and having an alkane polyol dehydrogenase activity. Also disclosed is a process for producing an alcohol, a ketone, an optically-active alcohol, dihydroxyacetone or a derivative thereof, using the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an aqueous glucose solution from maize or maize kernels. The invention also relates to a glucose solution obtainable by this process, and to its use for the production of organic compounds. The process according to the invention comprises: a) fractionating dry milling of maize kernels, where the maize kernels are separated into a maize-starch-comprising endosperm fraction and a high-oil germ fraction and, if appropriate, a bran fraction; b) enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification of the maize starch in an aqueous suspension of the endosperm fraction, which gives an aqueous glucose solution comprising maize gluten; and c) depletion of the maize gluten and, if appropriate, any bran present from the aqueous glucose solution.

Abstract: The invention refers to conjugated secondary alkatrienol derivatives, a method of their production and to flavour and perfume compositions comprising them.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing D-psicose using a D-psicose epimerase derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Provided are a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and having a psicose 3-epimerase activity, a gene encoding the protein, a recombinant expression vector containing the gene, and a method of producing D-psicose by reacting the protein produced on a mass scale with D-fructose. The method of producing D-psicose is an environmentally friendly method using a new enzyme, in which an inexpensive substrate is used, and the activity of the enzyme can be retained for a prolonged time period. Thus, the method can be efficiently used for the mass production of D-psicose.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered enone reductase polypeptides having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding the engineered polypeptides, related vectors, host cells, and methods for making the engineered enone reductase polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the engineered enone reductase polypeptides for chemical transformations.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methyl ethyl ketone pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a methyl ethyl ketone pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce methyl ethyl ketone. The methyl ethyl ketone pathway includes a ?-ketothiolase, a ?-ketovalerate decarboxylase and an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a ?-ketovaleryl-CoA hydrolase and a ?-ketovaleryl-CoA transferase. Alternatively, the methyl ethyl ketone pathway includes a 2-methylacetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, a 2-methylacetoacetate decarboxylase and an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a 2-methylacetoacetyl-CoA hydrolase and a 2-methylacetoacetyl-CoA transferase. Either pathway can further include a methyl ethyl ketone reductase to produce 2-BuOH. A method for producing methyl ethyl ketone or 2-BuOH includes culturing these non-naturally occurring microbial organisms under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce methyl ethyl ketone or 2-BuOH.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the oxidative cleavage of vinyl aromatics of the formula (1) characterized in that (a) compound(s) of the formula (1) is/are oxidized to aldehydes and ketones of the formulas (2) and (3), respectively, in the presence of molecular oxygen using at least one enzyme selected from peroxidases and laccases as a catalyst, according to the following general reaction scheme: wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5; the R1 are selected from saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein carbon atoms are optionally substituted by heteroatoms and are optionally further substituted, amino, C1-6 alkylamino and C1-6 dialkylamino groups, halogens, hydroxy and cyano, wherein two of the substituents R1 may be linked to form a ring; R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen or one of the options for R1, wherein R2 and/or R3 may be linked with R1 to form a ring, in which case R2 and R3 may each represent a chemical bond.

Abstract: A method for producing a composition containing carotenoid at a content of 80% or greater, characterized in performing extraction on a culture of a microorganism, a concentrate of the culture, or a dried substance thereof with at least one selected from the group consisting of lower alcohols, water-containing lower alcohols, lower dialkylketones and ethers; and then washing a precipitate, obtained by concentrating the extract solution, with at least one selected from the group consisting of lower alcohols, water-containing lower alcohols, hydrocarbon-based solvents and lower dialkylketones; and food, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic substance comprising the carotenoid-containing composition.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming heptan-4-one, and, optionally, heptan-4-ol, from fermentable sugars. The sugars are fermented using a bacteria or yeast that predominantly forms butyric acid. The butyric acid is subjected to catalytic ketonization conditions to form heptan-4-one, with concomitant loss of water and carbon dioxide. The heptan-4-one can be subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to form heptan-4-ol, an either of these can be included in gasoline compositions. In one aspect, the fermentable sugars are derived from lignocellulosic materials such as wood products, switchgrass, or agricultural wastes, which are delignified to form lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose can be depolymerized to form glycose and xylose, either or both of which can be fermented by the bacteria.