Abstract: The invention provides a microbubble generation system with increased efficiency and flexibility compared to known systems. Further, the invention provides a method of microbubble generation. In particular, invention relates to increasing the efficiency of a fermentation reaction by reducing bubble size and increasing gas absorption into a liquid fermentation broth.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified strains of microorganisms that display enhanced tolerance to stress and/or inhibitors such as sodium acetate and vanillin. The enhanced tolerance can be achieved by increasing the expression of a protein of the Sm-like superfamily such as a bacterial Hfq protein and a fungal Sm or Lsm protein. Further, the present invention provides methods of producing alcohol from biomass materials by using the genetically modified microorganisms of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the use of oil-containing materials as feedstocks for the production the bioproducts by biofermentation. In one preferred embodiment, surfactants are not used in compositions and the methods of the invention. In one preferred embodiment the oil-containing feedstocks are the by-products of other industrial processes including microbial, plant and animal oil processing.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase activity, catalytic domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods of degrading or converting cellulosic material into fermentable sugars using dithionite. Also described are improved methods of fermentation in the presence of dithionite.

Abstract: A method of producing isopropyl alcohol includes: culturing an isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli under a bacterial cell growth condition in which the Escherichia coli stably proliferates in an isopropyl alcohol production period while continuously supplying a substrate solution to a culture tank and continuously removing a product-containing culture solution from the culture tank, the substrate solution containing a plant-derived raw material, the number of cells of the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli in the culture tank being maintained during the culturing, and the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli having isopropyl alcohol production ability introduced or modified by genetic recombination; bringing the isopropyl-alcohol-producing Escherichia coli into contact with the plant-derived raw material in the culture tank to produce isopropyl alcohol; and recovering the isopropyl alcohol produced by the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli from the culture solution that co

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises methods, apparatus, components, and techniques for pretreatment of biomaterials using targeted wet oxidation. The targeted wet oxidation pretreatment is an upstream method for converting solid biomass into fuels and/or specialty chemicals. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise methods carried out on biomaterials to selectively oxidize lignin components of the biomass, thereby resulting in bio accessible/digestible biomass fibers. In embodiments of the present disclosure, such methods may comprise pretreatment processes to prepare the biomaterials for a subsequent fermentation or other like conversion may be carried out to result in useful bio fuels or other bioproducts.

Abstract: Bioreactors are provided that include a vessel and a jet mixer disposed in the vessel. Methods that utilize the bioreactors are provided, involving placing a microorganism or cells and a fluid medium in the bioreactor.

Abstract: Diols produced in fermentation are processed in broth by esterification of the product diol with a carboxylic acid (e.g., fatty acid) and a catalyst (e.g., lipase) capable of esterifying the product diol, such as 1,3-propanediol, with the carboxylic acid to form the diol esters. The diol esters can be extracted from the broth, and the product diol recovered from the diol esters. The carboxylic acid can also serve as an extractant for removal of the diol esters from the fermentation medium.

Abstract: A method of producing a sugar liquid with a cellulose-containing biomass as a raw material includes (1) hydrolyzing a cellulose-containing biomass to produce an aqueous sugar solution, and (2) filtering the aqueous sugar solution obtain in (1) through an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of 600 to 2,000 to remove a fermentation inhibitor(s) into the permeate side and collect a sugar liquid from the feed side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and 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: Provided is a method for producing alcohol or hydrogen gas comprising culturing alcohol-producing microorganisms in a waste fermented solution generated from the bioethanol production process. Glycerol included in the waste fermented solution generated from the bioethanol production process is converted by the microorganisms to butanol under an anaerobic condition. Since the waste fermented solution generated from the bioethanol production process can be utilized as a source of a biofuel, environmental and energy problems can be solved at once.

Abstract: A process for increasing the production of a glycolytic intermediate and/or an organic compound as defined herein by a cell that is able to express a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid molecule gives the cell the ability to increase the production of a glycolytic intermediate and/or the organic compound and wherein the carbon substrate is sugar and/or protein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the fermentation of cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose. Host cells and recombinant polypeptides having glucose mutarotase activity are provided. Additionally, methods for improving cell growth, production of chemicals, and consumption of cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose during fermentation of mixtures containing cellodextrins and ?-D-glucose are provided.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to xylanases and to polynucleotides encoding the xylanases. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: Provided herein are microbes metabolically engineered to produce 1-propanol from a 1,2-propanediol intermediate. The microbes may include one or two pathways for production of 1-propanol from a 1,2-propanediol intermediate. Also provided herein are methods for using the microbes for the production of 1-propanol.

Abstract: Described herein are host cells comprising lactate dehydrogenase activity, lactaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, lactaldehyde reductase activity, propanediol dehydratase activity, and/or n-propanol dehydrogenase activity, wherein the cells are capable of producing n-propanol. Also described are methods of producing n-propanol comprising (a) cultivating the host cells having lactate dehydrogenase activity, lactaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, lactaldehyde reductase activity, propanediol dehydratase activity, and/or n-propanol dehydrogenase activity in a medium under suitable conditions to produce n-propanol; and (b) recovering the n-propanol. Methods of producing polypropylene from the recombinant n-propanol are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for recapturing heat from a solar-assisted volatile fermentation product production process comprising harvesting a volatile fermentation product from a solar-assisted fermentation product production apparatus and utilizing a heat recovery apparatus for recapturing the heat produced during the solar-assisted fermentation product production process. The volatile fermentation product can be produced in an autotrophic organism or by a fermenting organism fermenting fermentable sugars from one or more sugar crops, starch-containing and lignocellulose-containing materials.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms selectively produce a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid of a specified length. Also provided are non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms further include an acetyl-CoA pathway. In some aspects, the microbial organisms of the invention have select gene disruptions or enzyme attenuations that increase production of fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes or fatty acids. The invention additionally provides methods of using the above microbial organisms to produce a fatty alcohol, a fatty aldehyde or a fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant microorganisms having the ability to produce propanol in high concentration and high yield, and to a method of producing propanol using the same. More particularly, the invention relates to mutant microorganisms having the ability to produce propanol in high concentration and high yield, which have introduced therein genes that encodes enzymes which are involved in the biosynthesis of propanol from threonine, and to a method of producing propanol using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for recycling water in a cellulosic conversion process that comprises selecting process stream(s) that may contain reduced levels of inhibitors and subsequently subjecting the stream(s) to a treatment process to produce treated water. The treated water is thereafter recycled to the cellulosic conversion process, associated utilities or the seal water system. The process streams selected for treatment may comprise less than 5 wt % organic content and/or less than 5 wt % inorganic content. The process of the invention comprises at segregating process streams based on their treatment requirements. The segregated process streams may be sent to respective separate treatments selected from anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, physical separation and chemical treatment.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids and/or alcohols are produced by a fermentation process comprising: growing an immobilized microorganism capable of producing carboxylic acids and/or alcohols in an aqueous medium and in the presence of an organic medium, and recovering the carboxylic acids and/or alcohols from the organic medium; wherein a mesh is placed at an interface of the organic medium and the aqueous medium; and further wherein the organic medium comprises at least one organic solvent and at least one extractant chosen from tri-alkylphosphine oxides and tri-alkylamines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of fermentation products from a pyruvate utilizing pathway. Yeast host cells provided herein comprise reduced pyruvate decarboxylase activity and modified adenylate cyclase activity. In embodiments, yeast host cells provided herein comprise resistance to butanol and increased biomass production.

Abstract: A process for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and creating bioalcohol from the extracted carbohydrates. Subjecting the biomass to acid or alkali hydrolysis in a first hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the first cavitated biomass to separate a first filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the first filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. Subjecting the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis in a second hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the second cavitated biomass to separate a second filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the second filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. The first and second filtrates may be combined and fermented in a single step.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganisms that convert a carbon source to acrylate or other desirable products using homoserine and 2-keto-4-hydroxybutyrate as intermediates. The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms that carry out the conversion, as well as methods for producing acrylate by culturing the microorganisms. Also provided are microorganisms and methods for converting homoserine to 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA, 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP), poly-3-hydroxypropionate and 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor having a reactor chamber and one or more support chambers. The reactor chamber can have one or more flexible walls for enclosing microorganisms and culture medium. The reactor chamber provides an enclosure for microorganism and culture medium. The support chamber can also have one or more flexible walls. When inflated to a predetermined amount, the support chamber causes the microorganisms and culture medium to distribute to a substantially even depth across the reactor chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of producing fatty alcohols from recombinant host cells comprising genes encoding heterologous fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes. The disclosure further relates to FAR enzymes and functional fragments thereof derived from marine bacterium and particularly marine gamma proteobacterium such as Marinobacter and Oceanobacter; polynucleotides encoding the FAR enzymes and vectors and host cells comprising the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods useful for producing fatty alcohol compositions from recombinant host cells. The disclosure further provides variant fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the variant FAR enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising the same.

Abstract: Flat panel biofilm photobioreactor systems with a photosynthetic, autofermentative microorganism that forms a biofilm and methods for using the same to make metabolic intermediate compound(s) through photosynthesis and to convert metabolic intermediate compound(s) into chemical product(s) such as a biofuel or a feedstock through autofermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for biologically producing methanol is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a biomass including ammonia oxidizing bacteria having ammonia monooxygenase enzymes and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase enzymes; feeding ammonia to the ammonia oxidizing bacteria; feeding a non-substrate-organic compound including methane to the ammonia oxidizing bacteria; feeding oxygen and reducing equivalents (in the form of hydroxylamine) to the ammonia oxidizing bacteria; oxidizing the ammonia using the ammonia monooxygenase enzymes in the ammonia oxidizing bacteria to generate hydroxylamine and oxidizing the hydroxylamine using the hydroxylamine oxidoreductase enzymes to form nitrite; and partially oxidizing the methane in the compound using the ammonia monooxygenase enzymes in the ammonia oxidizing bacteria to generate methanol.

Abstract: In the present invention, integrated processes for producing a biofuel are disclosed. Specifically, processes integrating photobioreactors with anaerobic digestion are disclosed. Anaerobic digestion can convert biomass into a biofuel. However, anaerobic digestion also produces carbon dioxide (CO2). Because it is a greenhouse gas, the production of carbon dioxide is not desirable. Algae can be grown in a photobioreactor as long as light, carbon dioxide, and water are provided. In the present invention, the anaerobic digestion process is integrated with the photobioreactor process thereby providing a useful solution for the carbon dioxide that is generated and providing a source of carbon dioxide for the photobioreactor.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novels genes encoding methyl butenol (MBO) synthase, methy butenol synthases and their use in methyl butenol production.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of 2,3-butanediol fermentations are disclosed. More specifically methods of increasing the butanediol productivity from the anaerobic fermentation of a substrate comprising carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide and hydrogen by one or more caboxydotrophic acetogenic bacteria are disclosed. The method includes supplying a hydrogen depleted substrate to increase butanediol productivity. The method includes producing butanediol at a volumetric productivity rate of at least 15 g/L/day.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to target enzymatic peracid production to a target surface. The peracid benefit agent produced by the targeted perhydrolytic enzyme can be use for a variety of applications such as bleaching, whitening, disinfecting, destaining, deodorizing, and combinations thereof. Specifically, a fusion protein comprising a perhydrolytic enzyme and at least one peptidic component having affinity for a target surface (excluding body surfaces and oral care surfaces) is used in combination with a suitable substrate and a source of peroxygen to enzymatically produce a peracid on or near the surface of the target material. In a preferred aspect, the target surface is a cellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biofuels by utilizing efficient biomass digestion and fermentation by a new thermophilic microorganism generated after fusion of two different bacteria Clostridium thermocellum and C. acetobutylicum and properly mutating the fused bacteria to produce biofuels and other economically important chemicals in a single vessel from lignocellulosic derived renewable biomass. All the necessary biochemical digestions and fermentation are carried out by this single thermophilic microorganism in one single vessel eliminating the need for multiple step digestion and fermentation processes, requiring multiple chambers. It also significantly reduces the rate limiting steps where increasing accumulation of alcohol, butanol and other substances become toxic to the very bacteria that produce these biofuels. The single vessel is incubated at high temperatures (45° C. or above) to eliminate the need for periodic stoppage and restarting of the process.

Abstract: An integrated system produces ethanol and biogas from raw plant materials. The system includes a pretreatment apparatus for converting raw plant materials into sugars and a fermenter for fermenting the sugars to produce a beer including ethanol. A distillation apparatus separates the beer into the ethanol and a whole stillage, and a separator then separates the whole stillage into a thin stillage and wet distillers grains. A biogas apparatus processes a first portion of the thin stillage to produce biogas and a biogas effluent, and converts a percentage of the non-fermentable solids and organic acids in the thin stillage into biogas. The pretreatment apparatus is supplied with an amount of fresh water and an amount of backset, the backset including the biogas effluent recycled from the biogas apparatus to the pretreatment apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce BDO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biofuels by utilizing efficient biomass digestion and fermentation by a new thermophilic microorganism generated after fusion of two different bacteria Clostridium thermocellum and C. acetobutylicum and properly mutating the fused bacteria to produce biofuels and other economically important chemicals in a single vessel from lignocellulosic derived renewable biomass. All the necessary biochemical digestions and fermentation are carried out by this single thermophilic microorganism in one single vessel eliminating the need for multiple step digestion and fermentation processes, requiring multiple chambers. It also significantly reduces the rate limiting steps where increasing accumulation of alcohol, butanol and other substances become toxic to the very bacteria that produce these biofuels. The single vessel is incubated at high temperatures (45° C. or above) to eliminate the need for periodic stoppage and restarting of the process.

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

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-aid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: A method to recover and harvest nutrients from a liquid stream by incorporating them into microorganisms grown in a rotating photobioreactor. The method further includes optionally integrating the rotating photobioreactor with a composting or biogenic drying process.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modifying the lipids produced by microbial organisms through genetic engineering. The invention also provides genetically engineered microbes and methods of fermenting microbes for oil production. Also provided are oils, fuels, oleochemicals, chemical precursors, and other compounds manufactured by such modified microorganisms. Exemplary oil-bearing organisms include organisms containing one or more exogenous genes encoding a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, fatty acyl-CoA reductase, fatty aldehyde reductase, fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.