Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for the low energy, anaerobic bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol by contact with microorganisms in a deep, stirred tank fermentation system with high conversion efficiency of both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Gas feed to the reactor is injected using a motive liquid to form a stable dispersion of microbubbles thereby reducing energy costs, and a portion of the off-gases from the reactor are recycled to (i) achieve a conversion of the total moles of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gas substrate to oxygenated organic compound of at least about 80 percent and (ii) attenuate the risk of carbon monoxide inhibition of the microorganism used for the bioconversion.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate-like compound to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrogen contamination. The crotonate-like compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate derivative to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrigen contamination. The crotonate compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.

Abstract: Calcium-containing lignocellulosic material is converted at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 120° C. to equal to or less than 210° C. with an aqueous acid solution containing one or more inorganic acids and having a pH in the range from equal to or more than 1.8 to equal to or less than 4.0 to produce a mixture, containing pretreated lignocellulosic material and aqueous acid solution, having an overall pH in the range from equal to or more than 3.0 to equal to or less than 4.5. The process allows reduction in the formation of insoluble salts.

Abstract: A xylan-containing feed is contacted, in the first reactor essentially operated at plug flow, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 140° C. to equal to or less than 210° C. to produce an intermediate product. Then, the intermediate product is contacted, in the second reactor which comprises a continuously stirred tank reactor, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from more than 130° C. to equal to or less than 200° C. to produce a final product.

Abstract: Carbon-containing materials, such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or coal are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels, carboxylic acids and equivalents thereof (e.g., esters and salts). For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol, butanol or organic acids (e.g., acetic or lactic acid), salts of organic acids or mixtures thereof. If desired, organic acids can be converted into alcohols, such as by first converting the acid, salt or mixtures of the acid and its salt to an ester, and then hydrogenating the formed ester. Acetogens or homoacetogens which are capable of utilizing a syngas from a thermochemical conversion of coal or biomass can be utilized to produce the desired product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell suitable for production of one or more fermentation product from a sugar composition comprising glucose, galactose, arabinose and xylose, wherein the cell comprises two to fifteen copies of one or more xylose isomerase gene or two to fifteen copies of one or more xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase, and two to ten copies of araA, araB and araD, genes, wherein these genes are integrated into the cell genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of an alkanol (e.g. butanol) comprising converting a carbon source such as a biomass into a carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof using a microorganism, and electrochemically reducing said acid to said alkanol, as well as an apparatus for carrying out said process.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing 1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate or 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) (12), and optionally one or more DXP derived compounds, comprising: (a) a mutant RibB, or functional variant thereof, capable of catalyzing xylulose 5-phosphate and/or ribulose 5-phosphate to DXP, or (b) a YajO, or functional variant thereof, and a XylB, or functional variant thereof.

Abstract: Described is a method for the enzymatic production of isoprenol using mevalonate as a substrate and enzymatically converting it by a decarboxylation step into isoprenol as well as the use of an enzyme which is capable of catalyzing the decarboxylation of mevalonate for the production of isoprenol from mevalonate. Furthermore described is the use of mevalonate as a starting material for the production of isoprenol in an enzymatically catalysed reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocatalytic process for oxidation of organic compounds with the aid of an alkL gene product, and microorganisms used in this process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a biofuel using genetically modified ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: providing an AOB that have been genetically modified to include a particular metabolic pathway to enable them to generate a particular biofuel or chemical; feeding a first source of ammonia to the AOB; feeding carbon dioxide to the AOB; and producing at least the biofuel or chemical, nitrite, and an AOB biomass. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a bioreactor including AOB that have been genetically modified to include a particular metabolic pathway to enable them to generate a particular biofuel; a first source of ammonia; a source of carbon dioxide; and a electrochemical reactor that is configured to electrochemically reduce nitrite produced in the bioreactor to a second source of ammonia.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for converting CO by microbial fermentation to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. More particularly the invention relates to a method for producing one or more products from a CO comprising substrate, the method comprising a natural gas reforming step for producing a syngas stream, and converting at least a portion of CO from the syngas stream to one or more products including ethanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of cells which are capable of converting arabinose, comprising the following steps: a) Introducing into a host strain that cannot convert arabinose, the genes AraA, araB and araD, this cell is designated as constructed cell; b) Subjecting the constructed cell to adaptive evolution until a cell that converts arabinose is obtained, c) Optionally, subjecting the first arabinose converting cell to adaptive evolution to improve the arabinose conversion; the cell produced in step b) or c) is designated as first arabinose converting cell; d) Analysing the full genome or part of the genome of the first arabinose converting cell and that of the constructed cell; e) Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) in the first arabinose converting cell; and f) Using the information of the SNP's in rational design of a cell capable of converting arabinose; g) Construction of the cell capable of converting arabinose designed in step f).

Abstract: The invention relates to a host cell comprising at least four different heterologous polynucleotides chosen from the group of polynucleotides encoding cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is capable of producing the at least four different enzymes chosen from the group of cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus and is capable of secretion of the at least four different enzymes. This host cell can suitably be used for the production of an enzyme composition that can be used in a process for the saccharification of cellulosic material.

Abstract: A dense but oxygen permeable membrane separates the oxygen supply compartment from the fermentation compartment, which contains all microorganisms, a nutrient medium and the pretreated lignocellulose. The oxygen, necessary for the growth and the activity of the aerobic cellulolytic enzymes producing microorganisms is solely transported from the oxygen supply compartment through the membrane, which leads to an oxygen gradient within the biofilm growing on the membrane. The oxygen rich zone of the biofilm lies on the membrane whereas the biofilm further away from the membrane as well as the surrounding nutrient medium are oxygen depleted. In the aerobic biofilm the extra-cellular enzymes are produced in situ and are released into the nutrient medium where they hydrolyse the cellulose and hemicellulose into soluble monosugars, which are then converted to the desired fermentation product by suitable microorganisms in the anaerobic zones of the reactor.

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: Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an organic component from an aqueous medium such as a fermentation broth containing microorganism producing said organic component. The method includes increasing the activity of the organic component in the aqueous medium by increasing the concentration of at least one hydrophilic solute in the medium leading to salting-out of the organic component. The microorganisms are genetically modified to be capable of tolerating higher concentrations in the medium in comparison to their unmodified counterparts.

Abstract: A truncated pullulanase variant of a parent pullulanase belonging to family GH57 comprising an X47 domain and the use thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass that comprises at least the following stages: a) Alkaline chemical pretreatment of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate; b) Optionally washing of the pretreated substrate; c) Enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate that is pretreated and optionally washed using cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes that produce a hydrolyzate and a water-insoluble residue; d) Microorganism fermentation of the hydrolyzate that is obtained from stage c) and production of a fermentation must that contains at least one alcohol and/or solvent; e) Separation/purification of alcohol and/or solvent, and f) Separation of a cake that contains the insoluble residue, in which at least a portion of the cake that is obtained in stage f) is sent into at least one reactor for regeneration of cellulose, before being recycled downstream from stage a) for alkaline chemical pretreatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymatic methods for hydroxylation in position 2 or 3 of substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene or crotyl alcohol pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene or crotyl alcohol.

Abstract: This invention provides a recombinant yeast that can produce branched alcohol appropriate for automotive fuel and the like and a branched alcohol production method whereby branched alcohol can be produced at low cost with the use of the recombinant yeast. A recombinant yeast in which a hydroxymethyl glutaryl-CoA reductase gene has been expressed to a high degree and the ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase gene and/or the yhfR gene are introduced so as to be expressed therein is provided.

Abstract: Described herein are starch hydrolysis processes for obtaining fermentable sugars from starch in milled plant material at temperatures below the starch gelatinization temperature and using exogenous plant alpha amylases further to the fermentation of the sugars to produce end products, such as ethanol.

Abstract: An isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli equipped with an isopropyl alcohol production system, having at least one enhanced enzyme activity selected from the group consisting of an enhanced malate dehydrogenase activity, an enhanced NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase (AB-specific) activity, and an enhanced thiolase activity, and an isopropyl alcohol producing method including producing isopropyl alcohol from a plant-derived raw material using the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing (S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol with high optical purity and high yield by having at least one kind of microorganism, which is selected from the group consisting of Hansenula polymorpha, Pichia anomala, Candida parapsilosis, Candida mycoderma, Pichia naganishii, Candida saitoana, Cryptococcus curvatus, Saturnospora dispora, Saccharomyces bayanus and Pichia membranaefaciens, act on 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone. Since microorganisms found in nature are made to act in a natural state, the problems to be raised when a transformant or the like is used can be avoided in this method. Consequently, the method can be easily put in industrial practice.

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 for novel metabolic pathways leading to propanol, alcohol or polyol formation in a consolidated bioprocessing system (CBP), where lignocellulosic biomass is efficiently converted to such products. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism, where the microorganism expresses one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes; where the one or more enzymes function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve: (1) conversion of a carbohydrate source to 1,2-propanediol, isopropropanol, ethanol and/or glycerol; (2) conversion of a carbohydrate source to n-propanol and isopropanol; (3) conversion of a carbohydrate source to isopropanol and methanol; or (4) conversion of a carbohydrate source to propanediol and acetone; wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, up-regulated or down-regulated.

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: The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pII, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce a product such as a biofuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes that efficiently convert carbon-containing materials, such as biomass, into products in such a manner that the energy, carbon, and mass content of the materials are efficiently transferred into such products. Such methods include converting the materials into at least one intermediate by a biological conversion process and at least one intermediate by a thermochemical conversion process and reacting the intermediates to form the product. Such methods have a chemical energy efficiency to produce the product that is greater than the chemical energy efficiency of a solely biological conversion process to produce the product and that is greater than the chemical energy efficiency of a process in which all of the material is initially subjected to a thermochemical conversion step as part of the process to produce the product.

Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. The membrane side of the membrane utilizes a dense layer to control hydration of the bio-pores with a liquid phase. The gas feed directly contacts the microorganisms in the bio-pores and maximizes their utilization of the syngas. Metabolic products produced by the microorganisms leave the membrane through the side opposite the entering syngas. This system and method establishes a unitary direction across the membrane for the supply of the primary feed source to the microorganisms and the withdrawal of metabolically produced products. The feed and product flow improves productivity and performance of the microorganism and the membrane.

Abstract: Strict anaerobic thermophilic bacterium belonging to the group of Thermoanaerobacter italicus subsp. marato subsp. nov. 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: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.

Abstract: A method for producing leafy biomass from undifferentiated plant cells, the method comprising providing undifferentiated plant cells, contacting them with an agent that promotes differentiation of the cells into leafy tissue and growing the cells in a temporary liquid immersion culture system. This method of the invention may be used to produce polypeptides, and natural medicinal products, and can be used to capture carbon dioxide. A method of producing a polypeptide in plant cells in vitro comprising: providing undifferentiated plant cells containing chloroplasts that carry a transgenic nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide, wherein the plant cells display homoplastomy; and propagating the cells according to the above method to produce leafy biomass containing the polypeptide.

Abstract: There are provided bioproducts and methods of improving production of the bioproducts from engineered microbial cells, the methods comprising: providing a fermentation broth comprising a crude carbon source; inoculating said fermentation broth with said microbial cells; and incubating the inoculated fermentation broth; wherein said bioproduct is a hydrophobic solvent immiscible with said fermentation broth, and wherein a toxic side product present in said crude carbon source is soluble in said hydrophobic solvent. Also, provided are kits for practicing the methods of improving production of bioproducts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of pantothenate compounds as a non-genetic switch for the production of heterologous acetyl-CoA derived (HACD) compounds in microbial host cells. The invention provides genetically modified microorganisms that are more stable when stored and initially cultured under reduced pantothenate concentrations, cell culture media having reduced concentrations of pantothenate compounds, and methods of producing HACD compounds using the cell culture media and the genetically engineered microorganisms of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of pentanol through recombinant gene expression and metabolic engineering.

Abstract: A stable method for producing liquid products such as ethanol, propanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components that contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A liquid contacting side of the membrane utilizes a dense layer to control hydration of the bio-pores with a liquid phase. The gas feed directly contacts the microorganisms in the bio-pores and maximizes their utilization of the syngas. Metabolic products produced by the microorganisms leave the membrane through the side opposite the entering syngas. This method establishes a unitary direction across the membrane for the supply of the primary feed source to the microorganisms and the withdrawal of metabolically produced products. The feed and product flow improves productivity and performance of the microorganism and the membrane.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing hydrocarbons such as aldehydes, alkanes, and alkenes are described herein. Certain hydrocarbons can be used in biofuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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 invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Talaromyces transformant comprising one or more recombinant gene, capable of producing cellulase in the absence of cellulase inducer in a glucose medium, having a cellulase activity of 2 WSU/ml or more, in 16 times or more diluted supernatant or broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hydrolysate of from lignocellulose-containing material, comprising pre-treatment with low temperature, hydrolysis and fermentation, wherein hydrolysis is performed by contacting the lignocellulose-containing material with an enzyme composition comprising at least 10% xylanase enzyme protein w/w%.

Abstract: A method for producing glucose from a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock with acid to produce a pretreated feedstock composition. A calcium-containing stream is provided that comprises calcium that is obtained from the lignocellulosic feedstock and a calcium carbonate-containing stream is obtained by precipitation of the calcium from the calcium-containing stream. The pH of the pretreated feedstock is adjusted with (a) the calcium carbonate-containing stream; (b) a calcium hydroxide-containing stream that is derived from said calcium carbonate-containing stream by subjecting said calcium carbonate-containing stream to calcination; or (c) a combination of the calcium carbonate-containing stream and the calcium hydroxide-containing stream.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia and optionally an additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin without loss of hemicellulose. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.