Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism, which converts at least 10% by weight, and preferably 50% by weight, of cellulosic biomass to a lower alkyl alcohol by direct digestion, and which produces at least 4% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol in an aqueous-based digestion medium.

Abstract: In ethyl alcohol production using the self-fermentation of a microalga, a step of concentrating or collecting an algal body by centrifugal treatment, filtering treatment or the like is made unnecessary or simple to save labor for effort and equipment therefor is saved. The microalga belongs to Chlamydomonas sp., and is a variant strain which has an ability to produce ethyl alcohol under dark and anaerobic conditions and has acquired an ability to proliferate while aggregating. The microalga is proliferated and maintained under dark and anaerobic conditions to generate ethyl alcohol in this method for producing ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: The methods are disclosed for sustaining a population of microorganisms in an aqueous fermentation broth used in a process to convert syngas to alcohol when the supply of syngas is impaired. The methods involve supplying at least one formate moiety at a rate and amount sufficient to maintain the population of microorganisms. The introduction of the formate moiety also results in the production of at least one metabolic compound other than ethanol and/or acetate by the microorganisms. The metabolic compound can comprise at least one energy storage compound which can be used to support the microorganisms during processing, storage and reactivation.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineering of acetyl-CoA metabolism in yeast and in particular to production of acetyl-CoA in a non-ethanol producing yeast lacking endogenous gene(s) encoding pyruvate decarboxylase and comprising a heterologous pathway for synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upgrading biomass to provide useful chemical intermediates, fuels, amino acids, nutrients, etc. In particular examples, the biomass is a by-product of ethanol production and is mainly used as high-protein feed. Described herein are methods for upgrading such biomass, such as by implementing pre-treatment conditions and by employing fermentation conditions including modified organisms.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of alcohols are described. A two stage process is utilized, where fermentation in a first stage produces an intermediate product, such as an amino acid or organic acid, from a carbon containing feedstock. A second stage produces alcohol by fermentation of this intermediate product.

Abstract: An efficient, rapid ex-situ detoxification has been developed to reduce inhibitor concentration and enhance acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) production from brewery industry liquid waste (BLW) and brewery spent grain (BSG). About 80±2.0% extraction of furan derivative and more than 95±2.0% extraction of phenolic compounds and almost no extraction of reducing sugar from simulated synthetic media as well as real waste hydrolysate have been obtained. Ex-situ extraction of microbial inhibitors from BLW and BSG hydrolysates using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate as solvent leads to high production of ABE of 12.67 g/L and 11.23 g/L respectively. Lower power consumption (0.081 W/L) and reuse of the extracting solvent made this detoxification technique extremely useful for improving production of bio-butanol from agro-industrial waste.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for recovering oil from processed plant materials and by-products formed during a milling process used for producing ethanol.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of propene from a mixture of alcohols obtained by IBE (Isopropanol-Butanol-Ethanol) fermentation from at least one renewable source of carbon is disclosed. The process is characterized by dehydration of the alcohols in order to generate ethene, propene and linear butenes, respectively. The olefin mixture is then directed to an isomerization bed in order to generate 2-butene from 1-butene, followed by a metathesis bed to react ethene and 2-butenes to generate additional propene. This process exhibits a yield in carbon moles higher than 90% propene with respect to the alcohols produced in the fermentation step.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for producing an improved culture of cells comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway. The processes comprise (a) providing a cell culture of recombinant microorganisms comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway is minimal or not activated; and (b) growing the culture of recombinant microorganisms under adaptive conditions whereby pathway activation is increased to produce an improved cell culture and whereby the improved cell culture is capable of continuing to grow in fermentation.

Abstract: Modification of the amino acid sequence of a phenylpyruvate decarboxylase from Azospirillum brasilense produces a novel group of phenylpyruvate decarboxylases with improved specificity to certain substrates, including in particular C7-C11 2-ketoacids such as, for example, 2-ketononanoate and 2-keto-octanoate. This specificity enables effective use of the phenylpyruvate decarboxylase in, for example, an in vivo process wherein 2-ketobutyrate or 2-ketoisovalerate are converted to C7-C11 2-ketoacids, and the novel phenylpyruvate decarboxylase converts the C7-C11 2-ketoacid to a C6-C10 aldehyde having one less carbon than the 2-ketoacid. Ultimately, through contact with additional enzymes, such C6-C10 aldehydes may be converted to, for example, C6-C10 alcohols, C6-C10 carboxylic acids, C6-C10 alkanes, and other derivatives. Use of the novel genetically modified phenylpyruvate decarboxylases may represent a lower cost alternative to non-biobased approaches.

Abstract: The present invention pertains among others to a method of preparing a biomass mash from a biomass comprising lignin. The invention also pertains to a biomass mash comprising reduced viscosity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to genetically engineered bacteria strains with enhanced biofuel-producing capabilities from cellulosic substrates. The bacteria strains of the present disclosure comprise an inactivated Type I glutamine synthetase gene. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of producing biofuels from cellulosic biomass using the genetically engineered bacteria strains.

Abstract: Polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are provided. Also disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising isobutanol biosynthetic pathways employing such polypeptides. Methods for producing isobutanol employing host cells comprising the polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms are disclosed that produce steviol glycosides and have altered expression of one or more endogenous transporter or transcription factor genes, or that overexpress one or more heterologous transporters, leading to increased excretion of steviol glycosides of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant strain for producing 2,3-butanediol, comprising (a) an inactivated lactate dehydrogenase and (b) an inactivated sucrose regulator. According to the present invention, it is possible to economically produce 2,3-butanediol using a cheap carbon source, and the efficiency and productivity of 2,3-butanediol is remarkable compared with a wild type.

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, upregulated or downregulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism with improved butanol production ability which has an acetyl-CoA synthesis pathway and a butyryl-CoA synthesis pathway, wherein a pathway converting acetyl-CoA to acetate is inhibited and a pathway converting acetyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA is promoted. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing butanol using the recombinant microorganism.

Abstract: Methods of producing ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol are disclosed herein. Ethylene produced by cyanobacteria engineered to express ethylene-forming enzymes may be converted to ethylene oxide by bacteria engineered to express a monooxygenase enzyme. Ethylene oxide may be converted to ethylene glycol by exposure to an acidic solution. The methods may be performed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for producing butanol in butanol fermentation with high efficiency. The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism of Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum, and a method for producing butanol using the microorganism.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to an inhibitory peptide or CPP inhibitor which specifically binds to p53 having an aberrant conformation (e.g., is aggregated or misfolded) and inhibits p53 amyloidogenic aggregation or restores proper folding of the misfolded protein. Methods of using the inhibitory peptide or CPP inhibitor (e.g. to treat subjects having tumors that comprise aggregated p53) are described.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and apparatuses to the energy efficient and selective extraction of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C3-C9 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution, particularly aqueous solutions containing the alcohol in dilute or low concentrations, for example, fermentation broths.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of bacterial metabolism and the utilization or consumption of short-chain carboxylic acids to reduced products. Specifically, it relates to syngas fermentations using monocultures of syngas-utilizing homoacetogenic bacteria for the production of alcohols using native alcohol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of genetically engineered yeasts that can produce hydrocarbons in a controllable and economic fashion. More specifically the invention relates to the production of liquid alkanes and alkenes that can be used for liquid transportation fuels, specialty chemicals, or feed stock for further chemical conversion.

Abstract: A method for producing H2, methane, VFAs and alcohols from organic material, including the steps of introducing organic material and microorganisms into a completely mixed bioreactor for producing H2, CO2, VFAs, and alcohols; recovering H2 and CO2; recovering a first liquid effluent including microorganisms, VFAs, and alcohols; introducing the first liquid effluent into a gravity settler for separating into a first biomass including microorganisms and a second liquid effluent including VFAs, alcohols and microorganisms; introducing the second liquid effluent into a separation module for separating into a second biomass including microorganisms and a third liquid effluent including VFAs and alcohols; recovering at least a portion of the third liquid effluent; and providing a recovered biomass by recovering at least a portion of the first biomass, the second biomass, or both, and introducing the recovered biomass into a biomethanator for production of CH4 and CO2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing C4 bodies, preferably butyric acid and/or butanol, comprising the steps contacting an aqueous medium comprising an acetogenic bacterial cell in an aqueous medium with syngas and incubating the mixture obtained in step a) at a temperature between 0 and 100° C. for at least 30 minutes, wherein the aqueous medium comprises, in step b), ethanol and/or acetate at a total combined concentration is at least 0.1 gL?1.

Abstract: This invention relates to cells and methods for producing lipids using cellulosic carbon source. More specifically the invention relates to oleaginous bacterial cells, wherein genes encoding at least one cellulolytic activity has been introduced. This invention also relates to methods for lipid production by cultivating an oleaginous bacterial strain or strains capable of expressing one or more cellulolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of industrial microbiology and alcohol production. More specifically, the invention relates to improved production of butanol isomers by recombinant microorganisms containing an engineered butanol pathway and disrupted activity of the genes in pathways for the production of by-products during the fermentation when the microorganisms are grown in a fermentation medium containing acetate. In embodiments, recombinant microorganisms have an increased growth rate in a fermentation medium containing acetate as a C2 supplement.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for producing an improved culture of cells comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway. The processes comprise (a) providing a cell culture of recombinant microorganisms comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway is minimal or not activated; and (b) growing the culture of recombinant microorganisms under adaptive conditions whereby pathway activation is increased to produce an improved cell culture and whereby the improved cell culture is capable of continuing to grow in fermentation.

Abstract: Dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DHAD) variants that display increased DHAD activity are disclosed. Such enzymes can result in increased production of compounds from DHAD requiring biosynthetic pathways. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the DHAD variants, recombinant host cells comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods of producing butanol.

Abstract: Microbial strains are provided, as are methods of making and using such microbial strains.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for producing organic acid, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, or another high-quality raw material designed for methane fermentation and obtained by converting waste paper and other forms of cellulose-based biomass to organic acid, wherein said method comprising a step for reacting rumen fluid collected from a ruminant animal with cellulose-containing waste matter. This method provides the effective use of cellulose-containing waste matter, which is a high-quality fermentation resource.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism having an acetyl CoA biosynthesis pathway and a butyryl CoA biosynthesis pathway; the microorganism being a recombinant microorganism having an increased ability to produce butanol, wherein a pathway for converting acetyl CoA into acetate is suppressed, and a pathway for converting acetate into acetyl CoA and a pathway for converting butyryl CoA into butanol are promoted. Also, the present invention concerns a method for producing butanol by using the recombinant microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed by extraction into a water immiscible organic extractant during the fermentation. The invention also relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible extractant composition. The invention further relates to compositions comprising a solution of butanol in a water immiscible organic extractant composition.

Abstract: Polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are provided. Also disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising isobutanol biosynthetic pathways employing such polypeptides. Methods for producing isobutanol employing host cells comprising the polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for the production of butanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use syntrophic co-cultures for the production of butanol from syngas.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for the bioconversion of a fermentable carbon source to n-butanol by a microorganism, wherein the microorganism is deficient in at least one gene or protein involved in the four-carbon compounds pathway regulation to improve the four-carbon compounds pathway, particularly by inactivation of the transcriptional repressor rex.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing butyric acid comprising fermenting a feedstock using a bacterium. The feedstock comprises lactic acid, or the feedstock comprises lactic acid and at least one carbohydrate.

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: A stereospecific enzyme in C. autoethanogenum permits the conversion of racemic propanediol to acetone and/or propionaldehyde. Entantiomeric starting materials lead to different products. If desired, the products may be reduced to form alcohols. The reaction can be performed in various host cells, so that various materials may be used as carbon and/or energy sources.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of isobutanol is provided by the fermentative growth of a recombinant microorganism expressing a highly active ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzyme in addition to other enzymes required for conversion of glucose to isobutanol.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for producing biofuels, such as butanol, and related compounds. More specifically, provided are methods of making recombinant microorganizms having non-naturally occurring metabolic pathways for the production of biofuels, and methods of producing biofuels using such organizms. Also provided are metabolically engineered microorganizms capable of producing butanol from a substrate.

Abstract: Multi-carbon compounds such as ethanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, fatty (or aliphatic long chain) alcohols, fatty acid methyl esters, 2,3-butanediol and the like, are important industrial commodity chemicals with a variety of applications. The present invention provides metabolically engineered host microorganisms which metabolize methane (CH4) as their sole carbon source to produce multi-carbon compounds for use in fuels (e.g., bio-fuel, bio-diesel) and bio-based chemicals. Furthermore, use of the metabolically engineered host microorganisms of the invention (which utilize methane as the sole carbon source) mitigate current industry practices and methods of producing multi-carbon compounds from petroleum or petroleum-derived feedstocks, and ameliorate much of the ongoing depletion of arable food source “farmland” currently being diverted to grow bio-fuel feedstocks, and as such, improve the environmental footprint of future bio-fuel, bio-diesel and bio-based chemical compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides which have ketoisovalerate decarboxylase activity. Also provided are recombinant host cells comprising such polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: This invention is intended to produce isobutanol with excellent productivity via a fermentation process. A reaction in which NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase generates NADPH from NADP is used as a source of NADPH for the reaction of converting 2-acetolactate into 2,3-dihydroxy-isovalerate in the isobutanol biosynthesis pathway.

Abstract: Yeast cells with reduced activity of certain enzymes involved in branched chain amino acid biosynthesis in yeast mitochondria are described. Target enzymes include threonine deaminase, isopropylmalate synthase, and optionally branched chain amino acid transaminase.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium. The methods comprise providing a fermentation medium comprising butanol, water, and a recombinant microorganism comprising a butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the recombinant microorganism produces butanol; contacting the fermentation medium with a water immiscible organic extractant composition comprising a dry solvent to form a butanol-containing organic phase and an aqueous phase; and recovering the butanol from the butanol-containing organic phase.

Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing energy-dense biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; separating the extract liquor, to produce dewatered cellulose-rich solids; hydrolyzing the dewatered cellulose-rich solids, thereby removing a portion of the cellulose, to produce intermediate solids (with higher energy density) and a hydrolysate; drying the intermediate solids to produce energy-dense biomass; and optionally recovering fermentable sugars from the hydrolysate. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized into biomass pellets, which may have a similar energy density as torrefied pellets from wood.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method for the biological preparation of a diol comprising culturing a microorganism genetically modified for the bioproduction of an aliphatic diol, wherein the microorganism comprises a metabolic pathway for the decarboxylation of a hydroxy-2-keto-aliphatic acid metabolite with an enzyme having a 2-keto acid decarboxylase activity, the product obtained from said decarboxylation step being further reduced into the corresponding aliphatic diol, and wherein the microorganism is genetically modified for the improved production of said hydroxy-2-keto-aliphatic acid metabolite. The invention also concerns a modified microorganism for the production of an aliphatic diol.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, by co-culture of a member of the genus Paenibacillus and an ethanologenic microbe, such as yeast or E. coli. Also provided are methods for making enzymes useful in the saccharification of a pretreated lignocellulosic material. The enzymes may be made by culturing a member of the genus Paenibacillus in a composition suitable for production of such enzymes. An example of such a composition is a pretreated lignocellulosic material, for example, spent hydrolysates. Also provided are genetically modified members of the genus Paenibacillus that have been genetically modified to not produce an antimicrobial, for instance, a polymyxin E.