Butanol Patents (Class 435/160)
  • Production of biofuel and protein from a raw material
    Patent number: 8815551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an isolated biofuel and a purified protein product from a raw material suitable for the production of the biofuel or a derivative of said raw material. The method comprises the steps of: (i) subjecting the raw material or a derivative of said raw material to at least one first treatment liberating the biofuel from the raw material or the derivative of said raw material, (ii) isolating the biofuel liberated in step (i) obtaining the isolated biofuel, (iii) subjecting the raw material or a derivative of said raw material to at least one second treatment providing a material suspension, and (iv) subjecting the material suspension from step (iii) to an expanded bed adsorption process obtaining the purified protein product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Upfront Chromatography A/S
    Inventor: Allan Otto Fog Lihme
  • PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR ALCOHOL PRODUCTION AND RECOVERY
    Publication number: 20140234929
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process using, for example, an ethanol production plant which has been reversibly-retrofitted for butanol production, that is, the ethanol production plant may be converted for butanol production, but can also revert to an ethanol production. The present invention also relates to processes for recovering butanol produced in a fermentative process in a butanol production plant that may be converted to ethanol production plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Steven Christopher BARR, Robert W. SYLVESTER, Joseph J. ZAHER
  • Alpha-Amylase Variants and Polynucleotides Encoding Same
    Publication number: 20140234906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to alpha-amylase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Carsten Andersen, Signe Eskildsen Larsen, Esben Peter Friis, Peter Kamp Hansen, Henrik Friis Madsen, Anders Viksoe Nielsen, Pernille Ollendorf Micheelsen
  • Aspergillus Fumigatus Cellulolytic Enzyme Compositions and Uses Thereof
    Publication number: 20140234914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant Trichoderma host cells producing Aspergillus fumigatus cellulolytic enzyme compositions and methods of producing and using the compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NOVOZYMES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Shasky, Brett McBrayer
  • Methods and systems for the production of hydrocarbon products
    Patent number: 8809015
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of hydrocarbon products, including providing a substrate comprising CO to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more micro-organisms; and fermenting the culture in the bioreactor to produce one or more hydrocarbon products. The substrate comprising CO is derived from an industrial process selected from the group comprising steam reforming processes, refinery processes, steam cracking processes, and reverse water gas shift processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Schultz, James Obern, Sean Dennis Simpson
  • PROCESSES AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ANAEROBIC CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON OXIDES TO ALCOHOLS
    Publication number: 20140227752
    Abstract: High conversion efficiency processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol. The processes use bioreactors that have a non-uniform gas composition and a substantially uniform liquid composition such as deep tank bioreactors. By maintaining certain electron to carbon mole ratios in the syngas feed to the bioreactors and certain partial pressures of carbon dioxide in the off gas from the bioreactors, at least about 80 percent of the hydrogen and at least about 95 percent of the carbon monoxide in the feed can be consumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Rathin Datta, Steven G. Calderone, Jianxin Du, Robert Hickey, Richard E. Tobey
  • INTEGRATED PROCESSES FOR ANAEROBIC CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON OXIDES TO ALCOHOL
    Publication number: 20140228598
    Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for reducing the carbon foot print related to the use of non-renewable hydrocarbon gas streams for producing alcohols by anaerobic bioconversion of reformed gas. These processes combine renewable and non-renewable gas sources of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to produce alcohol. Thus the invention found a highly a practical way to make use of non-renewable carbon oxide sources while still lowering the carbon footprint of such alcohols produced thereby, especially when combined with corn ethanol production. In the case of motor fuel use, the renewable portion of the alcohol produced in this manner provides a reduction in greenhouse gases by 50% or more when compared to gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Rathin Datta, Steve Calderone, Loula Sassaris Merkel
  • INTEGRATED PROCESSES FOR ANAEROBIC CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON OXIDES TO ALCOHOL
    Publication number: 20140227753
    Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol wherein a gas substrate of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide is in contact with an aqueous menstruum that continuously contacts the gas substrate with said aqueous menstruum to produce alcohol and a depleted gas phase that is continuously withdrawn from the aqueous menstruum; continuously or intermittently and the gas substrate is made up of at least two gases having different compositions to provide an overall gas substrate having a ratio of electrons to carbon atoms in the range of about 5.2:1 to 6.8:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Rathin Datta, Steven G. Calderone, Jianxin Du, Robert Hickey
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING C4 OXYGENTATES BY FERMENTATION USING HIGH OXIDATION STATE SULFUR
    Publication number: 20140220649
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of butanol and butyrate by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO and the addition of an inorganic sulfur additive. It more particularly relates to the provision of an inorganic organic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to butanol. In one aspect the invention uses a sulfur additive comprising inorganic sulfur compounds having a +2 to a +4 sulfur oxidation state that produces sulfur oxoanions and hydrosulfur oxoanions in an aqueous fermentation medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: COSKATA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Tobey, Toby D. Allen, Peter Martin Lokken, Andrew James Heinen, Gengsheng Chen
  • Alpha-Amylase Variants and Polynucleotides Encoding Same
    Publication number: 20140220635
    Abstract: The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Carsten Andersen, Signe Larsen, Esben Peter Friis, Pernille Ollendorff Micheelsen, Anders Viksoe Nielsen, Randall Deinhammer, Xinyu Shen
  • TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS FOR CELLULOSIC ENZYME PRODUCTION
    Publication number: 20140220641
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for increasing the production of one or more cellulases from a fungal host cell. The disclosure is based, on the surprising discovery that mis-expression of the transcriptional regulator clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell was able to induce expression of cellulase genes under non-inducing or starvation conditions, resulting in increased secretion of cellulases from the cell. Advantageously, mis-expression of the transcription factor clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell cultured in the absence of cellulose or cellobiose results in increased secretion of cellulases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Chaoguang Tian, Teresa Shock, N. Louise Glass, Samuel Coradetti, James Craig
  • METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING DETOXIFICATED LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS HYDROLYSATE WITH DECREASED OR ELIMINATED TOXICITY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ORGANIC OR AND BIOFUEL USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140220640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detoxifying a lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate, including: preparing a hydrolysate by pretreating a lignocellulosic biomass by hydrolysis; and decreasing or removing toxicity by adding a surfactant to the hydrolysate. The detoxifying method according to the present disclosure may effectively remove toxicity of compounds derived from lignin that inhibit the growth of and fermentation by microorganisms during the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Further, production efficiency can be improved since loss of sugar can be avoided during the detoxification and additional cost can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Young Soon Um, Kyung Min Lee, Ki Yeon Kim, Yun Je Kim, Byoung In Sang
  • Method of producing biofuel using sea algae
    Patent number: 8795994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing biofuel, more specifically a method of producing biofuel comprising the steps of generating monosugars from marine algae, or from polysaccharides extracted from marine algae by treating the marine algae or the polysaccharides with a hydrolytic enzyme and/or a hydrolytic catalyst; and fermenting the monosugars using a microorganism to produce biofuel. The method of producing biofuel of the present invention solve the problem of raw material suppliance since it uses marine algae as a raw material for biomass, and reduce the production costs by excluding lignin eliminating process that has been required by the conventional method using wood-based raw materials, resulting in economic and environmental advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Gyung Soo Kim, Myung-Kyo Shin, Yong Jin Kim, Kyeong Keun Oh, Jun Seok Kim, Hyun Jin Ryu, Key Hyup Kim
  • Method for injecting a feed gas stream into a vertically extended column of liquid
    Patent number: 8795995
    Abstract: A process for conversion of syngas to liquid products that serve as surface acting agents uses the gas stream at a relatively low pressure to eliminate the use of a compressor. The process uses a liquid stream as the primary energy input to a gas injector that intensely mixes gas and the liquid with reduced compression costs while the presence of the liquid product maintains the gas-liquid dispersion as it flows downward to build a static pressure head. The process lowers the required gas pressure by adjusting the elevation of the gas injector such that a conduit receives the gas-liquid dispersion from the outlet of the injector and confines it as it travels downward to enter the bottom of a column of liquid. The liquid product provides a surface acting agent that prolongs the creation and duration of microbubbles in the gas-liquid dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Coskata, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hickey, Mark Neville
  • Process for treating biomass to derivatize polysaccharides contained therein to increase their accessibility to hydrolysis and subsequent fermentation
    Patent number: 8795993
    Abstract: A process is described for producing fermentable sugars derivable from biomass that contains polysaccharide, such as cellulose, made increasingly accessible as a substrate for enzymatic degradation or other methods of depolymerization. These fermentable sugars are subsequently able to be fermented to produce various target chemicals, such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Herbert T. Conner, Patrick J. Cowan, John C. Gast
  • Yeast with increased butanol tolerance involving cell wall integrity pathway
    Patent number: 8795992
    Abstract: Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by increasing activity of the cell wall integrity pathway. Yeast with increased expression of SLT2p, a mitogen activated protein kinase of the MAPK module of the cell wall integrity pathway had increased tolerance to isobutanol. These yeast may be used for improved butanol production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Robert A. Larossa, Dana R. Smulski
  • System and Method for Improved Gas dissolution
    Publication number: 20140212937
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventor: Xueliang Li
  • OVER-EXPRESSION OF A PUTATIVE OXIDOREDUCTASE (UCPA) FOR INCREASING FURFURAL OR 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL TOLERANCE
    Publication number: 20140212933
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to overexpression of a putative oxidoreductase (ucpA) for increasing furfural tolerance in genetically modified microorganisms. Genetically modified microorganisms capable of overexpressing UcpA are also provided. Increased expression of ucpA was shown to increase furfural tolerance by 50%, and to permit the fermentation of sugars to products in the presence of 15 mM furfural.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Xuan Wang, Elliot N. Miller, Lorraine P. Yomano, Keelnatham T. Shanmugam, Lonnie O'Neal Ingram
  • Methods and compositions for degrading cellulosic material
    Publication number: 20140212932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more cellulolytic proteins and their use in the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Brown, Eric Abbate
  • Designer Organisms for Photobiological Butanol Production from Carbon Dioxide and Water
    Publication number: 20140212941
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Method for production of n-butanol from syngas using syntrophic co-cultures of anaerobic microorganisms
    Publication number: 20140206052
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Coskata, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Enzien, Rathin Datta, Richard Tobey
  • POLYPEPTIDES HAVING GLUCOAMYLASE ACTIVITY AND POLYNUCLEOTIDES ENCODING SAME
    Publication number: 20140206035
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Tianqi Sun, Ming Li
  • Methods of Hydrolyzing and Fermenting Cellulosic Material
    Publication number: 20140206046
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Hui Xu, Ye Chen, Xin Li, Mark Stevens, Zhengfang Kang
  • Increased production of isobutanol in yeast with reduced mitochondrial amino acid biosynthesis
    Patent number: 8785166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventor: Larry Cameron Anthony
  • Process for obtaining biochemicals in a zero-liquid discharge plant
    Patent number: 8785155
    Abstract: A method is presented for the production of cellulosic ethanol, acetic acid and derivatives from the extract containing fibers and hemicelluloses after steam cooking of biomass in a host plant. The process is integrated with the host plant process to minimize the effect of loss of heat value from the extracted hemicelluloses and eliminate the need for the waste water treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Theodora Retsina, Vesa Pylkkanen, Kimberly Nelson
  • Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8778641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8778639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8778640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • CELL-FREE SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING METHANE INTO FUEL AND CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20140193869
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some aspects, to cell-free methods and systems for large-scale conversion of methane to isobutanol, comprising combining, in a bioreactor at elevated pressure, methane, oxygen, and cell lysates containing methane monooxygenase, methanol dehydrogenase, and enzymes that catalyze the conversion of formaldehyde to isobutanol, to form a cell-free reaction mixture, and incubating under suitable conditions the cell-free reaction to convert methane to isobutanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GreenLight Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: William Jeremy Blake, James R. Swartz
  • BIOPROCESSING
    Publication number: 20140193853
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
  • Polypeptides having endoglucanse activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8771993
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Novozymes A/S, Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8771994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • DHAD Variants for Butanol Production
    Publication number: 20140186910
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ButamaxTM Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: LORI ANN MAGGIO-HALL, BRIAN JAMES PAUL, STEVEN CARY ROTHMAN, RICK W. YE
  • Flexible Photobioreactors, Systems and Methods
    Publication number: 20140186909
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photobioreactor for a phototrophic microorganism, and culture medium therefor, comprising a capsule, the capsule comprising an elongated body comprised of a first, flexible polymer film that is at least partially transparent to light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in a phototrophic microorganism and divided width wise into a plurality of adjacent channels, each channel having a major cross-sectional dimension that is not more than about one-third of the length of the elongated body, when the elongated body is inflated; and a fluid distribution structure coupled to the elongated body adapted for fluid communication with the plurality of adjacent channels that distributes a flow of culture medium amongst the plurality of channels, wherein the fluid distribution structure is comprised of a second, flexible polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin J. Calzia, Max Brett Tuttman, John E. Longan, Thomas A. Urbanik
  • Xylose Isomerases and Their Uses
    Publication number: 20140186884
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BP Corporation North Americca Inc.
    Inventors: David Neal Nunn, JR., Peter Luginbuhl, Ling Li, Adam Martin Burja, John Peter Flash Bartnek
  • CATALYTIC BIOREACTORS AND METHODS OF USING SAME
    Publication number: 20140187826
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bioreactor for producing a bioproduct comprising a housing; and one or more catalytically active zones located in the housing and adapted to keep two incompatible gaseous reactants separated when in a gas phase, wherein each of said catalytically active zone comprises a catalytic component retainer and a catalytic component retained within and/or on the catalytic component retainer. Each of said catalytically active zones may additionally or alternatively comprise a liquid medium located on either side of the catalytic component retainer and the catalytic component may additionally or alternatively be a suspended catalytic component suspended in a liquid medium located on either side of the catalytic component retainer. Methods of using various embodiments of the bioreactor to produce a bioproduct, such as isobutanol, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert Mark WORDEN, Yangmu Chloe LIU
  • RECOMBINANT HOST CELLS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING BUTANOL
    Publication number: 20140186911
    Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast cells comprising a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding Amn1 and a heterologous gene encoding Amn1. Also provided are recombinant yeast cells comprising a heterologous gene encoding Amn1 and an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing isobutanol comprising providing the recombinant yeast cells described herein and culturing the recombinant yeast cells under conditions wherein isobutanol is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Leo Kruckeberg, Larry Cameron Anthony
  • Recombinant mutant microorganisms having increased ability to produce alcohols and method of producing alcohols using the same
    Patent number: 8765446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant mutant microorganisms having an increased ability to produce alcohol and a method of producing alcohol using the same, and more particularly to recombinant mutant microorganisms which have an increased ability to produce butanol, ethanol, isopropanol or mixed alcohols, which can be used as fuel, while producing little or no producing acetone as a byproduct, and to a method of producing butanol, ethanol, isopropanol or mixed alcohols using the same. The inventive recombinant mutant microorganisms having an increased ability to produce butanol or mixed alcohols and to remove acetone are those in which genes that encode enzymes involved in producing butanol from butyryl-CoA or butylaldehyde and in producing isopropanol from acetone were amplified or introduced in host microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Korea Advanced institute of Science and Technology, Biofuelchem Co., GS Caltex Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Yup Lee, Yu-Sin Jang, Joung Min Lee, Jung Ae Im, Hyohak Song
  • Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) useful for fermentive production of lower alkyl alcohols
    Patent number: 8765433
    Abstract: The invention relates to suitable candidate alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes for production of lower alkyl alcohols including isobutanol. The invention also relates to recombinant host cells that comprise such ADH enzymes and methods for producing lower alkyl alcohols in the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Sriram Satagopan, Daniel P. O'Keefe, Janardhan Gude
  • BUTANOL FERMENTATION USING ACID PRETREATED BIOMASS
    Publication number: 20140178955
    Abstract: The present invention provides the use of acid pretreated biomass such as jatropha seed cake, pongamia seed cake and banana stems as renewable feedstock for butanol production by the mutant Clostridium acetobutylicum MTCC 587. Chemical mutagenesis was carried out for improvement of the strain for better butanol tolerance and production. This present invention for the first time has reported an efficient process for high yield of butanol obtained in single batch fermentation using acid pretreated jatropha seed cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Vidhya Rangaswamy, Jasmine Isar, Harshvardhan Joshi
  • EXPRESSION OF XYLOSE ISOMERASE ACTIVITY IN YEAST
    Publication number: 20140178954
    Abstract: Expression of a xylose isomerase in a yeast cell that expresses the chaperonins GroES and GroEL was found to result in enzymatically active xylose isomerase, while there is little to no activity with expression of the bacterial xylose isomerase in a yeast cell lacking GroES and GroEL. A yeast cell expressing xylose isomerase activity, and a complete xylose utilization pathway, provides a yeast cell that can produce a target compound, such as ethanol, butanol, or 1,3-propanediol, using xylose derived from lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: WILLIAM D HITZ, Min Qi, Sarah Eve Rush, Luan Tao, Paul V. Viitanen, Jianjun Yang, Rick W. Ye
  • In situ expression of lipase for enzymatic production of alcohol esters during fermentation
    Patent number: 8759044
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing alcohol esters during a fermentation by providing alcohol-producing microorganisms which further comprise an engineered polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having lipase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Arthur Leo Kruckeberg, Thomas Edwin Van Aken
  • Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8759040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Polypeptides having xylanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8759041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING ISOBUTANOL AND RECOMBINANT MICROORGANISM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ISOBUTANOL
    Publication number: 20140170722
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Toru Onishi
  • Method for producing alcohol using bioethanol waste fermented solution
    Patent number: 8753838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Youngsoon Um, Byoung-In Sang, Jae Hyung Ahn
  • Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
    Patent number: 8753860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Marc D. Morant, Paul Harris
  • PENTOSE SUGAR FERMENTING CELL
    Publication number: 20140162312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cell which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a xylose isomerase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the xylose isomerase has at least 75% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 and wherein the nucleotide sequence is heterologous to the host. A cell of the invention may be used in a process for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol. Such a process may comprise fermenting a medium containing a source of xylose with a cell of the invention such that the cell ferments xylose to the fermentation product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Klaassen, Gijsberdina Pieternella Van Suylekom, Rene Marcel De Jong
  • Efficient production of biofuels from cells carrying a metabolic-bypass gene cassette
    Publication number: 20140162328
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Trent Nguyen
  • Enhanced Pyruvate to Acetolactate Conversion in Yeast
    Publication number: 20140162333
    Abstract: A high flux in conversion of pyruvate to acetolactate was achieved in yeast through expression of acetolactate synthase in the cytosol in conjunction with reduction in pyruvate decarboxylase activity. Additional manipulations to improve flux to acetolactate are reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and reduced glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Production of compounds having acetolactate as an upstream intermediate benefit from the increased conversion of pruvate to acetolactate in the described strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Larry Cameron ANTHONY, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall