Abstract: Provided is a phenol-producing transformant constructed by transferring a gene which encodes an enzyme having tyrosine phenol-lyase activity into a coryneform bacterium as a host. Also provided is a process for producing phenol, which comprises a step of allowing the transformant to react in a reaction mixture containing tyrosine, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.

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

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing compounds (such as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, catechol, cis,cis-muconate, or ?-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid) utilizing biosynthetic pathways in prokaryotic organisms expressing one or more heterologous genes. In some embodiments, the method includes expressing a heterologous asbF gene (for example, a gene having dehydroshikimate dehydratase activity) in a prokaryotic cell under conditions sufficient to produce the one or more compounds and purifying the compound. In additional embodiments, the method further includes expressing one or more of a heterologous 3,4-DHB decarboxylase gene, a heterologous catechol 1,2-dioxygenase gene, and a heterologous 3,4-DHB dioxygenase gene in the prokaryotic cell and purifying the compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a chiral compound, comprising enantioselectively reducing a carbon-carbon double bond of an ?,?-unsaturated compound in a mixture comprising both an E isomer and a Z isomer of the ?,?-unsaturated compound, wherein both E isomer and Z isomer are converted in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A cis- or trans-stilbenoid of the general formula (1): in which each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is hydrogen or hydroxy, or a glycosylated or oligomeric form thereof, is produced by cultivating a micro-organism producing said stilbenoid, in a multi-phase system comprising at least an aqueous first phase containing said micro-organism and a second phase immiscible with said aqueous phase in which (e.g. as which) said stilbenoid accumulates. The second phase may be said stilbenoid or a free or encapsulated solvent compatible with the growth of the micro-organism, for instance an ester.

Abstract: A phenol-producing transformant constructed by transferring a gene which encodes an enzyme having tyrosine phenol-lyase activity into Corynebacterium glutamicum as a host can efficiently produce phenol from a saccharide. Specifically, preferred is a process which comprises a step of reacting the transformant in a reaction mixture containing a saccharide under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.

Abstract: A method for utilizing cultivated plant biomass components, namely cellulose, hemicellose, and lignin, and converting them to value-added biobased chemical products is described herein. The present method provides treatments to obtain a plurality of component streams from cultivated plant biomass for producing derivative products while minimizing waste products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to yeast species which are normally capable of producing sophorolipids but which are modified in such way that they are incapable producing the latter compounds. These sophorolipid-negative strains surprisingly display equal growth characteristics and biomass formation as their wild type counterparts and are hence useful for the production of compounds such as recombinant proteins, glycolipids, polyhydroxyalkanoates and carotenoides. In addition, the present invention discloses two glucosyltransferase genes with key-functions in sophorolipid production.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a method that allows fermentation impeding substances that occur during production of a sugar from cellulose-containing biomass to be removed in an aqueous sugar solution production step, and also provides a method for long-term stable production of an aqueous refined sugar solution that is nearly free from fermentation impeding substances.

Abstract: A genetically engineered micro-organism having an operative metabolic pathway producing cinnamoyl-CoA and producing pinosylvin therefrom by the action of a stilbene synthase is used for pinosylvin production. Said cinnamic acid may be formed from L-phenylalanine by a L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) which is one accepting phenylalanine as a substrate and producing cinammic acid therefrom, preferably such that if the PAL also accepts tyrosine as a substrate and forms coumaric acid therefrom, the ratio Km(phenylalanine)/Km(tyrosine) for said PAL is less than 1:1 and if said micro-organism produces a cinammate-4-hydroxylase enzyme (C4H), the ratio Kcat(PAL)/Kcat(C4H) is at least 2:1.

Abstract: A process for the production of natural ferulic acid, coniferyl alcohol and/or vanillin, includes the bio-conversion of eugenol by a bacteria belonging to the Streptomyces genes including at least one nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:8 or any nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, preferably 80% and very preferably 90%, identity with the sequence SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:8.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, enzymes, and cells for the biosynthetic production of phloroglucinol from malonyl-CoA, which is ultimately obtained from simple starting materials such as glucose; also provided are methods for preparing derivatives of biosynthetic phloroglucinol, including, e.g., resorcinol.

Abstract: Stereospecific carbonyl reductases SCR1, SCR2, and SCR3 are described herein as are nucleotide sequences that encode these reductases. These stereospecific carbonyl reductases have anti-Prelog selectivity and have specificities that are useful for fine biochemical synthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH) polypeptides having improved enzyme properties as compared to the wild-type HHDH enzyme HheC and other reference engineered HHDH polypeptides. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered HHDH enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered HHDH enzymes, and methods of using the engineered HHDH enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds including chiral epoxides and chiral alcohols.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to isolated white pine toxigenic endophytes and the compounds produced by the fungal endophytes as well as methods and uses of the white pine endophytes. The isolated white pine toxigenic endophytes are useful for preparing white pine seedlings and plants that have increased tolerance to a pest and are prepared by inoculating a white pine seedling during the susceptible time window.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing compounds (such as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, catechol, cis,cis-muconate, or ?-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid) utilizing biosynthetic pathways in prokaryotic organisms expressing one or more heterologous genes. In some embodiments, the method includes expressing a heterologous asbF gene (for example, a gene having dehydroshikimate dehydratase activity) in a prokaryotic cell under conditions sufficient to produce the one or more compounds and purifying the compound. In additional embodiments, the method further includes expressing one or more of a heterologous 3,4-DHB decarboxylase gene, a heterologous catechol 1,2-dioxygenase gene, and a heterologous 3,4-DHB dioxygenase gene in the prokaryotic cell and purifying the compound.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides having lyase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and meth-°ds of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having ammonia lyase activity, e.g., phenylalanine ammonia lyase, tyrosine ammonia lyase and/or histidine ammonia lyase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts. X?NO2, Cl, Br, NH2, OH, H, alkyl at one or several o, m, and p positions R?H or alkyl.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transformed Yarrowia lipolytica comprising an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having sucrose invertase activity. Also disclosed are methods of using the transformed Y. lipolytica.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that express carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers utilizing Coprinus cinereus peroxidase. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers by polymerizing phenolic monomers with Coprinus cinereus peroxidase instead of using typical peroxidase which essentially requires the use of toxic formalin or peroxidase of plant origin which is very costly and easily deactivated by hydrogen peroxide in the polymerization of phenolic monomers, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar organic solvent under mild reaction conditions of atmospheric temperature and pressure to economically produce desired phenolic polymers having excellent water and chemical resistances with high yield.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel purified polypeptide having laccase activity and the nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide. The disclosed polypeptide works at moderately high temperatures from below 20° C. to about 70° C., both acidic and alkaline pH conditions, high salt concentrations and in the presence of organo solvents. The high stability of the enzyme enables its wide applications under even extreme conditions. The invention also provides methods of producing the laccase enzyme.

Abstract: In a process for the stereoselective, in particular enantioselective enzymatic reduction of keto compounds to the corresponding chiral hydroxy compounds, wherein the keto compounds are reduced with an enantioselective, NADH-specific oxidoreductase, a polypeptide is used for reducing the keto compounds, which polypeptide exhibits an R-ADH-signature H-[P; A]-[I; A; Q; V; L]-[G; K]-R at positions 204-208 and the following further structural features in their entirety: (i) an N-terminal Rossmann-Fold GxxxGxG, (ii) an NAG-motif at position 87, (iii) a catalytic triad consisting of S 139, Y 152 and K 156, (iv) a negatively charged amino acid moiety at position 37, (v) two C-terminal motifs in the dimerization domain [A; S]-S-F and [V; I]-DG-[G; A]-Y-[T; C; L]-[A; T; S]-[Q; V; R; L; P], (vi) Val or Leu at position 159 (4 positions downstream of K 156), (vii) Asn at position 178, and (viii) a proline moiety at position 188.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel flavor compound-producing yeast strain and methods of using the strain to produce flavor compounds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production and recovery of chemicals, in particular hydrocarbons, from a fermentation medium, wherein solvent impregnated carriers are used. Accordingly, the invention provides a process for the production of hydrocarbon from a fermentation liquid comprising: —forming said hydrocarbon from said fermentation liquid using a biocatalyst;—contacting said fermentation liquid with a solvent impregnated porous carrier, which solvent impregnated porous carrier has a density that is different from said fermentation liquid, whereby said formed hydrocarbon is sorbed by said solvent impregnated carrier; —regenerating said solvent impregnated carrier, whereby a stream of said hydrocarbon is obtained; and optionally, recycling said regenerated solvent impregnated carrier.

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: Provided is a method of preparing piceatannol, and more particularly, to a method of preparing piceatannol from resveratrol using bacterial cytochrome P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) or mutants thereof, and a composition and a kit therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modulating a selected biological activity of a naturally occurring material having one or more biological activities in an extract of the naturally occurring material, the method comprising incubating the extract in a medium in the presence of an aerobically metabolizing microorganism, under suitable aerobic conditions, for a period of time sufficient to modulate the selected activity with respect to baseline activity of the unincubated extract. The invention also relates to the bioconverted material so prepared, and the use of same in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, enzymes, and cells for the biosynthetic production of phloroglucinol from malonyl-CoA, which is ultimately obtained from simple starting materials such as glucose; also provided are methods for preparing derivatives of biosynthetic phloroglucinol, including, e.g., resorcinol.

Abstract: Crude solid vanillin-containing material is precipitated from a solution obtained by biotransformation, and purified by a process comprising contacting it with a purification fluid selected from (a) a liquefied gas whose pressure exceeds its critical pressure and whose temperature is below its critical temperature; (b) a supercritical fluid; (c) a gas. The fluid is preferably liquid carbon dioxide. The temperature is maintained below 25°. The product may be further purified by treatment with CO2 in a fluid bed drier. The crude material is preferably one precipitated from a solution resulting from biotransformation of ferulic acid. A new strain of Amycolatopsis capable of generating high concentrations of vanillin with minimal odoriferous by-products (e.g. guaiacol) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage process for producing substituted, optically active alcohols, comprising an enzyme-catalyzed synthesis step, in particular a synthesis step which is catalyzed by an alcohol dehydrogenase. The inventive method is particularly suitable for producing phenylephrine, i.e. 3-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-ethyl]-phenol.

Abstract: Enzymatic pathways for production of aminoshikimate, kanosamine, intermediates, and derivatives thereof; nucleic acid encoding and cells containing the enzymes; compositions containing aminoshikimate, kanosamine, an intermediate or derivative thereof; and use of the cells and pathways for biosynthetic production of aminoshikimate, kanosamine, intermediates, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers utilizing Coprinus cinereus peroxidase. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers by polymerizing phenolic monomers with Coprinus cinereus peroxidase instead of using typical peroxidase which essentially requires the use of toxic formalin or peroxidase of plant origin which is very costly and easily deactivated by hydrogen peroxide in the polymerization of phenolic monomers, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar organic solvent under mild reaction conditions of atmospheric temperature and pressure to economically produce desired phenolic polymers having excellent water and chemical resistances with high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing polyhydroxytyrosol comprising the step of reacting hydroxytyrosol monomers or derivative thereof in a mixed solution comprising an enzyme, hydrogen peroxide, and an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing reduced coenzyme Q10 which comprises obtaining microbial cells containing reduced coenzyme Q10 at a ratio of not less than 70 mole % among the entire coenzymes Q10, optionally disrupting the cells and recovering thus produced reduced coenzyme Q10. The present invention also relates to a process for producing oxidized coenzyme Q10 which comprises either recovering oxidized coenzyme Q10 after oxidizing the above-mentioned microbial cells or disrupted product thereof, or recovering reduced coenzyme Q10 from the above-mentioned microbial cells or disrupted product thereof to oxidize thus-obtained reduced coenzyme Q10 thereafter. According to the processes of the present invention, reduced coenzyme Q10 and oxidized coenzyme Q10 can be produced simply on the industrial scale.

Abstract: A method for the production of a stilbenoid, such as resveratrol or pinosylvin, by fermenting plant material such a grape must using a yeast having a metabolic pathway producing said stilbenoid, separating a solids waste material from said fermentation and extracting said stilbenoid.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganism cells that are modified to increase conversion of carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide to a product, such as a fatty acid methyl ester, and to related methods and systems. A pathway from the Calvin Benson Cycle to the product is provided, which in various embodiments involves use of heterologous proteins that exhibit desired enzymatic conversions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, enzymes, and cells for the biosynthetic production of phloroglucinol from malonyl-CoA, which is ultimately obtained from simple starting materials such as glucose; also provided are methods for preparing derivatives of biosynthetic phloroglucinol, including, e.g., resorcinol.

Abstract: A cis- or trans-stilbenoid of the general formula (1) in which each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is hydrogen or hydroxy, or a glycosylated or oligomeric form thereof, such as resveratrol or pinosylvin is produced by cultivating a microorganism such as a genetically engineered yeast to produce said stilbenoid in a culture medium in solid form, and is separated by filtration or settling.

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 relates to the direct selection of metabolic pathways having a determined function in the transformation of a substrate {Ai} into a target product {B}, which is of interest in the industrial, pharmaceutical or agri-food sectors. More specifically, the invention relates to the detection, within metagenomic libraries, of novel biosynthesis pathways involved in a biochemical reaction having a known product {B}. The selection and characterisation of said novel metabolic pathways enables {B} to be produced enzymatically. The invention provides an alternative to the chemical synthesis of the molecule in question {B}. Moreover, and above all, the invention can be used specifically to target and exploit the only metabolic pathways enabling the transformation of {Ai} into {B}, while eliminating the associated metabolic pathways that can catabolise the target product {B}.

Abstract: A method of enhancing production of a phenylpropanoid compound in a plant or plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising: (a) expressing in the plant or plant cell a heterologous polynucleotide which produces a myb gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway; and (b) contacting the plant or plant cell with at least one substrate of the phenylpropanoid pathway, the substrate being upstream to the production of the phenylpropanoid compound, thereby enhancing the production of a phenylpropanoid compound in the plant or plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having an activity to asymmetrically reduce (3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanone to produce (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol isolated from a microorganism belonging to the genus Ogataea, a DNA encoding the polypeptide and a transformant that produces the polypeptide. The present invention moreover relates to a method of producing (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol utilizing the polypeptide or the transformant. Using the polypeptide or transformant of the present invention, optically active alcohols such as (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol and the like can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing sclareol, said method comprising contacting a particular polypeptide having a sclareol synthase activity with labdenediol diphosphate (LPP). In particular, said method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce sclareol, a very useful compound in the fields of perfumery and flavoring. The present invention also provides the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide used in the method. A nucleic acid derived from Salvia sclarea and encoding the polypeptide of the invention, an expression vector containing said nucleic acid, as well as a non-human organism or a cell transformed to harbor the same nucleic acid, are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: A bioengineered synthesis scheme for the production of quinic acid from a carbon source is provided. Methods of producing quinic acid from a carbon source based on the synthesis scheme as well as conversion of quinic acid to hydroquinone are also provided.