Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing biofuel, more specifically a method of producing biofuel comprising the steps of generating monosugars from marine algae, or from polysaccharides extracted from marine algae by treating the marine algae or the polysaccharides with a hydrolytic enzyme and/or a hydrolytic catalyst; and fermenting the monosugars using a microorganism to produce biofuel. The method of producing biofuel of the present invention solve the problem of raw material suppliance since it uses marine algae as a raw material for biomass, and reduce the production costs by excluding lignin eliminating process that has been required by the conventional method using wood-based raw materials, resulting in economic and environmental advantages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more cellulolytic proteins and their use in the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and processes for the removal and purification of fermentation prepared one or more volatile organic compounds. The apparatuses comprise a fermentor unit, a vacuum side stripper unit (10), and, optionally, one or more of a pressure-swing adsorption unit, a dual-function column, a dividing wall distillation column unit, and a means for inducing phase separation of a mixture of a volatile organic compound and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides from Ostreococcus lucimarinus which code for desaturases and elongases and which can be employed for the recombinant production of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The invention furthermore relates to vectors, host cells and transgenic nonhuman organisms which comprise the polynucleotides, and to the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides. Finally, the invention also relates to production processes for the polyunsaturated fatty acids and for oil, lipid and fatty acid compositions.

Abstract: Nine efficient aldolase antibodies were generated using hapten 2. This hapten combines, in a single molecule, structural components employed for reactive immunization with structural components employed for forming a transition state analog of the aldol reaction. Characterization of two of these antibodies reveals that they are highly proficient (up to 1000-fold better than any other antibody catalyst) and enantioselective catalysts for aldol and retro-aldol reactions and exhibit enantio- and diastereo-selectivities opposite that of antibody 38C2.

Abstract: A method for enzymatic preparation of compounds of the general formula (2) from unsaturated alkene derivatives of the general formula (1) by reducing a compound of the formula (1) in the presence of a reductase, comprising at least one of the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3 or having a functionally equivalent polypeptide sequence which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the enzymatic reduction of alkyne derivatives of the formula (1), wherein R1 represents H, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic group, R2 represents H, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, by reaction in the presence of special reductases.

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

Abstract: (3R)-3-Hydroxy-?-ionone and (3S)-3-hydroxy-?-ionone are two important intermediates in the synthesis of carotenoids with ?-end group such as lutein, zeaxanthin, ?-cryptoxanthin, and their stereoisomers. Among the various stereoisomers of these carotenoids, only (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein, (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin, and (3R)-?-cryptoxanthin are present in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. There are 3 possible stereoisomers for zeaxanthin, these are: dietary (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin (1), non-dietary (3S,3?S)-zeaxanthin (2), and non-dietary (3R,3?S;meso)-zeaxanthin (3) which is a presumed metabolite of dietary lutein. Dietary lutein as well as 1 and 3 are accumulated in the human macula and have been implicated in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. (3R)-?-Cryptoxanthin (4) is also present in selected ocular tissues at a very low concentration whereas its enantiomer (3S)-?-cryptoxanthin (5) is absent in foods and human plasma.

Abstract: (+)-Sitophilure, the aggregation pheromone of the pests rice weevil and maize weevil, is synthesized in high yield and diastereomeric excess by contacting 4-methyl-3,5heptadione with a reduced nicotinamide cofactor and a ketoreductase enzyme capable of catalyzing the reduction of 4-methyl-3,5-heptadione to produce (4R,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone to the substantial exclusion of other diastereomers.

Abstract: To provide a microorganism or a plant transformed with a ?-ionone ring-4-ketolase gene and/or ?-ionone ring-3-hydroxylase gene derived from Brevundimonas sp. strain SD-212. The ?-ionone ring-4-ketolase gene and ?-ionone ring-3-hydroxylase gene produced by Brevundimonas sp. strain SD-212 each have a high activity compared with those of known enzymes, and therefore microorganisms transformed with the genes encoding these enzymes can efficiently produce astaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-?-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant qualities. In one embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 5-epi-?-vetivone by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a novel method for production of premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel enzymes and novel 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: 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: Production of fermentation products, such as ethanol and lactic acid in biofilm reactors by microorganisms immobilised on sterilised granular sludge.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme having enone reductase activity wherein the enzyme is characterized by the following physico-chemical properties: (a) molecular mass: 61,300±5,000 Da (estimated using gel filtration, consisting of one subunit); (b) co-factor: NADPH and NADH; (c) substrate specificity: active on ?,?-unsaturated ketons; (d) optimum temperature: 55-60° C. at pH 7.4; and (e) optimum pH: pH 4.5-8.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of at least one nonvolatile microbial metabolite in solid form by sugar-based microbial fermentation, in which process a microorganism strain which produces the desired metabolites is grown using a sugar-containing liquid medium with a monosaccharide content of more than 20% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid medium, and the volatile constituents of the fermentation liquor are subsequently largely removed, the sugar-containing liquid medium being prepared by: a1) milling selected starch feedstock from cereal grains; and a2) liquefying the millbase in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one starch-liquefying enzyme, followed by saccharification using at least one saccharifying enzyme, where, for liquefaction purposes, at least a portion of the millbase is liquefied by continuous or batchwise addition to the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: The isolation and identification of two O-methyltransferases from the hops plant (Humulus lupulus L.), designated as OMT1 (SEQ ID NO. 1) and OMT2 (SEQ ID NO. 3) is described.

Abstract: A process for the racemisation of an optically active alpha-hydroxyketone by incubating said alpha-hydroxyketone in the presence of an acetoin racemase of Lactobacillus.

Abstract: Provided that a method for inexpensively producing optically active ?-ionone with a high yield and a high asymmetric yield and with good workability in a short process, and a perfume composition comprising the optically active ?-ionone obtained by the aforementioned method. A method for producing optically active ?-ionone, comprising allowing ?-ionone as a mixture of optical isomers to react with an esterification agent, and hydrolyzing the obtained ?-ionone enol ester; a method for producing optically active ?-ionone comprising subjecting ?-ionone as a mixture of optical isomers to an asymmetric reduction, allowing the obtained optically active ?-ionol to react with an esterification agent to give an optically active ?-ionol ester, hydrolyzing the obtained optically active ?-ionol ester after purification as necessary, and then oxidizing the obtained optically active ?-ionol; and a perfume composition comprising thus obtained optically active ?-ionone.

Abstract: As the richest source of astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant and coloring agent, the unicellular green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis, is being commercially exploited. A major constraint in the Haematococcus production system, however, is the thick, rigid cell walls associated with astaxanthin-rich cysts (or aplanospores). The thick walls prevent the extraction of cellular materials and consequently reduce the bioavailability of astaxanthin. Using a physical, chemical, or enzymatic method to disrupt the cell wall has proven to be very expensive and also introduce the risk of oxidation of astaxanthin by atmospheric oxygen The present invention provides a novel method for solving this problem by introducing two genetically modified Haematococcus pluvialis mutants. These two mutants, named as D 13-17 and N54-22, contain remarkably reduced amounts of cell wall materials, but retain the growth potential and ability to accumulate astaxanthin as high as the wild type strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading a lignocellulosic material, comprising: treating the lignocellulosic material with an effective amount of one or more cellulolytic enzymes in the presence of at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a secondary alcohol ethoxylate, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, tridecyl ethoxylate, and polyoxyethylene ether, wherein the presence of the surfactant increases the degradation of lignocellulosic material compared to the absence of the surfactant.

Abstract: Using screening of transposon random insertion mutants, genes involved in accumulation of (p)ppGpp were found to be involved in bacterial cell response to butanol. Reduced production of proteins with enzymatic activity for (p)ppGpp biosynthesis confers increased butanol tolerance. Bacterial strains with reduced (p)ppGpp accumulation and having a butanol or 2-butanone biosynthetic pathway are useful for production of butanol or 2-butanone.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of at least one microbial metabolite having at least 3 carbon atoms or at least 2 carbon atoms and at least 1 nitrogen atom by means of sugar-based microbial fermentation, comprising: a) the preparation of a sugar-containing liquid medium with a monosaccharide content of more than 20% by weight from a starch feedstock, the sugar-containing liquid medium also comprising non-starchy solid constituents of the starch feedstock; b) the fermentation of the sugar-containing liquid medium for the production of the metabolite(s); and c) depletion or isolation of at least one metabolite from the fermentation liquor, wherein a microorganism strain which produces the desired metabolite(s) is cultivated with the sugar-containing liquid medium, said liquid medium being obtained by: a1) milling the starch feedstock; and a2) liquefying the millbase in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one starch-liquefying enzyme, followed by saccharification using at lea

Abstract: Using screening of transposon random insertion mutants, genes involved in a complex that is a three-component proton motive force-dependent multidrug efflux system were found to be involved in E. coli cell response to butanol. Reduced production of the AcrA and/or AcrB proteins of the complex confers increased butanol tolerance. E. coli strains with reduced AcrA or AcrB production and having a butanol or 2-butanone biosynthetic pathway are useful for production of butanol or 2-butanone.

Abstract: Lactobacillus bacteria having enhanced tolerance to butanols have been isolated. The bacteria are useful for the fermentive production of butanol. New methods for the isolation of butanol tolerant Lactobacillus are also provided.

Abstract: The production process for yeast for fat-soluble component extraction according to the invention comprises a breeding step wherein yeast having fat-soluble components to be extracted are bred, in such a manner that the pH of the medium decreases as growth proceeds, until falling below the limit of the breedable pH range.

Abstract: A method of selective biooxidation to non activated carbon-hydrogen bonds of substances using a Geobacillus kaustophilus ‘Old Yellow Enzyme’ is provided”. It is shown that OYEs can be used to facilitate the biooxydation of substances, such as testosterone. It is also shown that OYE can introduce double bonds to form alpha, betaalpha, beta desaturated ketones. Furthermore, it is also shown that the use of OYEs allows for the production of oxidized substances in one step reactions, which are otherwise not accessible or only accessible after complex and inefficient multi-step reactions. In addition, the OYE used shows high stability (e.g. at high temperature, or in long lasting bioconversions). An exemplary embodiment is provided showing the use of an OYE to convert testosterone to 6?-hydroxytestosterone.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel enzymes and novel 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 a method to release cellular content by degradation of cell walls. 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, biorefining, deinking and biobleaching of paper and pulp, and treatment of waste streams.

Abstract: A method for the production of 2-butanone by fermentation using a microbial production host is disclosed. The method employs a reduction in temperature during the fermentation process that results in a more robust tolerance of the production host to the butanone product.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide efficient methods for producing (R)-2-chloromandelamide with high optical purity. Another objective of the present invention is to provide novel methods for producing ?-ketoamide reductases that reduce 2-chlorobenzoyl formamide to (R)-2-chloromandelamide with high optical purity, using NADPH as the coenzyme. An enzyme exhibiting high stereoselectivity was purified from a number of Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzymes with 2-chlorobenzoyl formamide-reducing activity, and the biochemical properties of the purified enzyme were analyzed. The analysis of a partial internal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme revealed that the enzyme may be encoded by the putative open reading frame (ORF) YDL124w reported in the genome analysis. YDL124w was cloned and expressed in E. coli, and was subsequently shown to encode the ?-ketoamide reductase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-?-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant qualities. In one embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 5-epi-?-vetivone by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a novel method for production of premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods utilizing thermostable and novel alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes for biosynthesizing chiral specific molecules for use as precursor molecules in synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds. Particularly, in preferred embodiments, the invention relates to directed engineering of an enzymatic catalytic site of an alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme gene for enhancing enantioselectivity for (S)-enantiomer substrate catalytic activity for providing aryl (S)-enantiomer products in stereomeric excess.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant strain of Bacillus subtilis SFA-H31 and includes an optimized method for producing of acetoin using this strain. The advantage of this method to produce acetoin has been defined by its high-yield without mixture with diacetyl or 2,3 butanedinol, both of which are usually accompanied with acetoin in other strain. This Bacillus subtilis mutant strain has been deposited in China General Microbilogical Culture Collection (CGMCC) and the accession number is CGMCC No. 1869, in which the process of fermentation for acetoin production is composed of (1) strain activation, (2) seed culture, (3) fermentation, (4) quantification of substrates and products. Based on current method, the concentration of acetoin in the ferment broth can reach to 35-55 g/L and the conversion rate of glucose to acetoin is in the range of 40-50%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for converting sesquiterpene. The method includes reacting a sesquiterpene substract with a sesquiterpene converting enzyme. The enzyme is from a species or organism containing sesquiterpenes. The sesquiterpene substrate is not naturally present in the species or organism.

Abstract: Lactobacillus bacteria having enhanced tolerance to butanols have been isolated. The bacteria are useful for the fermentive production of butanol. New methods for the isolation of butanol tolerant Lactobacillus are also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxylation catalyst by i) embedding a cystochrome P450 monooxygenase in a sol-gel matrix, ii) embedding an enzymatic NADPH-regenerating system in a sol-gel matrix, and combining the two components i) and ii) unless they were already mixed together before the embedding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing vitamin E by growing organisms, in particular plants, which have an increased tyrosine aminotransferase activity in comparison with the wild type, and to the genetically modified organisms, in particular plants, themselves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ketocarotenoids by cultivating genetically modified, non-human organisms which have, by comparison with the wild type, a modified ketolase activity, to the genetically modified organisms, to the use thereof as human and animal foods and for preparing ketocarotenoid extracts, and to novel ketolases and nucleic acids encoding these ketolases.

Abstract: Novel CrtW carotenoid ketolase are provided that are useful for the production of ketocarotenoids. The ketolases genes of the present invention exhibit low homology in comparison to other CrtW ketolases previously reported. Expression of the carotenoid ketolases in heterologous hosts enabled production of canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. Coexpression experiments using divergent crtW genes resulted in increased production of the desired ketocarotenoids.

Abstract: A gene containing a DNA having the nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the amino acid sequences of the following (a) to (e): (a) an amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) an amino acid sequence having the sequence homology of 80% or more with (a); (c) an amino acid sequence having the sequence homology of 90% or more with (a); (d) an amino acid sequence encoded by a DNA having the nucleotide sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2; (e) an amino acid sequence encoded by a DNA having the nucleotide sequence having the sequence homology of 80% or more with (d).

Abstract: Provided are novel processes for the efficient production of L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol which are useful either as various medicines or intermediates for the syntheses of various medicines. In the processes, inexpensive myo-inositol is used as a starting compound which is reacted with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose, and thereby producing L-epi-2-inosose by conversion of myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. AB 10215 strain is also provided which has a characteristic nature of being capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose.

Abstract: The present invention features a chemoselective ligation reaction that can be carried out under physiological conditions. In general, the invention involves condensation of a specifically engineered phosphine, which can provide for formation of an amide bond between the two reactive partners resulting in a final product comprising a phosphine moiety, or which can be engineered to comprise a cleavable linker so that a substituent of the phosphine is transferred to the azide, releasing an oxidized phosphine byproduct and producing a native amide bond in the final product. The selectivity of the reaction and its compatibility with aqueous environments provides for its application in vivo (e.g., on the cell surface or intracellularly) and in vitro (e.g., synthesis of peptides and other polymers, production of modified (e.g., labeled) amino acids).

Abstract: A fluorescent probe for measuring magnesium ion, which can selectively form a complex with magnesium ion in aqueous system is disclosed. The fluorescent probe for measuring magnesium ion according to the present invention has the structure represented by the following Formula [I]: (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, metal atom or an ester-forming group; A represents a group which forms a ring structure together with carbon atom 1 and carbon atom 2; and X is a fluorescent group which may form a condensed ring together with the ring containing the group A).

Abstract: A method for the production of a polyketide by fermentation comprising the steps of growing a culture of a polyketide-producing organism at a pH value conducive to cell growth for a time sufficient to generate the producing culture, lowering the pH of the culture to a value conducive to polyketide product stability, continuing the fermentation until a maximal titer of polyketide is achieved, and optionally extracting the polyketide from the culture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted or unsubstituted carbinol compound, comprising the steps of subjecting the corresponding substituted or unsubstituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by yeast in the presence of either (a) a supereritical fluid or (b) a liquefied gas, and recovering the carbinol compound. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a particularly preferred embodiment the aromatic aldehyde is benzaldehyde and the carbinol is phenylacetylcarbinol, according to the reaction (I): in which the benzaldehyde, the pyruvic acid, or both may optionally be substituted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active chiral alcohols using tuberous root Daucus carota; particularly invention relates to an enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active alcohols by enantioselective reduction of corresponding ketones using tuberous root Daucus carota.

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 present invention relates to proteins which have an enzymatic activity for hydrolyzing L-pantolactone. The invention further relates to nucleic acids which code for these proteins, to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, genetically modified microorganisms and to a process for preparing D-pantolactone.