Abstract: A production method for biomass-alcohol includes a saccharification step of saccharifying biomass, a first concentrating step of ultrasonically vibrating the saccharified solution and atomizing the saccharified solution into a mist, so as to elevate the sugar concentration in the saccharified solution by removing water from the saccharified solution, a fermentation step of fermenting the saccharified solution concentrated in the first concentrating step to form an alcohol water solution, and second concentrating step of separating alcohol from the alcohol water solution fermented in the fermentation step.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and biocatalysts for producing ethanol and other useful products from biomass and/or other materials. Initial processing of lignocellulosic biomass frequently yields methylglucuronoxylose (MeGAX) and related products which are resistant to further processing by common biocatalysts. Strains of Enterobacter asburiae are shown to be useful in bioprocessing of MeGAX and other materials into useful bioproducts such as ethanol, acetate, lactate, and many others. Genetic engineering may be used to enhance production of desired bioproducts.

Abstract: A genetically engineered yeast cell that produces a pyruvate-based metabolite from pyruvate, wherein activity of a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is reduced compared to a parent yeast cell and a method of producing the pyruvate-based metabolite using the yeast cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid molecules coding for a bacterial xylose isomerase (XI), preferably coming from Clostridium phytofermentans, for reaction/metabolization, particularly fermentation, of recombinant microorganisms of biomaterial containing xylose, and particularly for the production of bioalcohols, particularly bioethanol, by means of xylose fermenting yeasts. The present invention further relates to cells, particularly eukaryotic cells, which are transformed utilizing a nucleic acid expression construct which codes for a xylose isomerase, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid expression construct imparts to the cells the capability to directly isomerize xylose into xylulose. Said cells are preferably utilized for reaction/metabolization, particularly fermentation, of biomaterial containing xylose, and particularly for the production of bioalcohols, particularly bioethanol.

Abstract: This invention provides co-cultures of photosynthetic microorganisms and biofuel producing microorganisms. In certain embodiments, polysaccharide-producing, photosynthetic microorganisms are microalgae having frustules provide a substrate on which biofuel-producing microorganisms can grow. In other embodiments, the photosynthetic microorganisms produce a lipid and the non-photosynthetic microorganisms produce a solvent in which the lipid is soluble.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for engineering photoautotrophic organisms to convert carbon dioxide and light into fatty acid esters and other molecules, including biofuels. The molecules are then secreted by the organism into a growth medium.

Abstract: Essential genes coding for the metabolic pathway of solventogenic autotrophic Clostridia were sequenced, and functionality was confirmed. The present invention utilizes a comparative inter-species approach to develop the minimum set of essential genes for metabolic function and estimate productivity in species of suspected solventogenic capability.

Abstract: An alcohol product composition is provided that may be used directly for blending with existing fuel sources. More specifically, the alcohol product composition includes ethanol and organic compositions which act as a denaturant.

Abstract: A fermentation process for the production of ethanol from natural sources, such as corn, comprising introducing a fermentable sugar, an inoculant, and a stabilized chlorine dioxide into a fermentation system is disclosed. The stabilized chlorine dioxide is added preventatively to the fermentation system, at concentrations in the fermentation system of acetic acid no greater than 0.30% (weight/volume) and lactic acid no greater than 0.60% (weight/volume). The stabilized chlorine dioxide is added in an amount effective to substantially prevent growth of bacteria.

Abstract: Sacchromyces cerevisiae strains modified to express an adhE (alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase) enzyme having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional variant thereof capable of catalysing the conversion of acetyl CoA to ethanol, and/or to overexpress an ACS2 (acetyl-CoA synthetase) enzyme having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2, or a functional variant thereof capable of catalysing the conversion of acetate to acetyl CoA. Such cells have an improved ability to grow on or in acetate-containing media compared to cells not according to the invention.

Abstract: Conventionally, sugarcane processing avoids leaving residual sucrose in the bagasse, since the bagasse will be burned and the value of the sucrose would be lost. However, when coupled with a Green Power+® process to extract hemicelluloses, sucrose may also be extracted and recovered from the bagasse. In some variations, a process includes mechanically treating a feedstock to generate a sucrose-rich stream and lignocellulosic material that intentionally retains a significant amount of the initial sucrose in the feedstock; extracting the lignocellulosic material with steam and/or hot water to produce cellulose-rich solids and an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and sucrose; and then hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers into a hemicellulose sugar stream. Each of the sucrose-rich stream and the hemicellulose sugar stream (containing the starting residual sucrose) may be recovered or further processed (e.g., fermented to ethanol).

Abstract: The invention provides methods of increasing the production of fermentation products by increasing flux through a fermentation pathway by optimising enzymatic reactions. In particular, the invention relates to identifying enzymes and/or co-factors involved in metabolic bottlenecks in fermentation pathways, and fermenting a CO-comprising substrate with a recombinant carboxydotrophic Clostridia microorganism adapted to exhibit increased activity of the one or more of said enzymes, or increased availability of the one or more of said co-factors, when compared to a parental microorganism.

Abstract: A stabilized biomass and a method of producing a stabilized biomass is disclosed. The biomass has active matter containing carbon atoms having an average oxidation state, inactive matter, a biological catalyst having a fermentation organism capable of converting the active matter into a renewable material, and water. The biomass has not been milled. The biomass is suitable for use in the production of renewable materials, such as ethanol.

Abstract: A process for the production of glucose from a pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises enzymatically hydrolyzing the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock with cellulase enzymes to produce a hydrolyzate slurry comprising glucose and unhydrolyzed cellulose and fermenting the hydrolyzate slurry in a fermentation reaction to produce a fermentation broth comprising alcohol. A process stream is obtained comprising unhydrolyzed cellulose, which is then subjected to a denaturing step, preferably comprising exposing the unhydrolyzed cellulose to elevated temperatures, thereby producing a heat-treated stream comprising the unhydrolyzed cellulose. The heat-treated stream comprising unhydrolyzed cellulose is then further hydrolyzed with cellulase enzymes to hydrolyze the cellulose to glucose.

Abstract: Novel strains of yeast and methods for improved ethanol production utilizing the yeast strains are disclosed. In particular, the novel yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisae YE1358 and YE1615 provide for increased fermentation temperature tolerance, as well as tolerance to increased levels of glucose and ethanol, and thereby provide increased ethanol production as compared to ethanol industry standard strains of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The novel yeast strains also generate decreased residual glucose than the ethanol industry standard yeasts.

Abstract: A dry solids staging fermentation process for producing an end-product, such as ethanol is disclosed said process including an initial fermentation step including combining a first fermentable substrate with one or more starch hydrolyzing enzymes and fermenting organisms in a fermentation vessel and a loading step which includes adding a second fermentable substrate to the fermentation vessel wherein the percent dry solids (% DS) of the fermentation broth increases over time.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for the production, separation and recovery of one or more fermentation products from a fermentation broth. Further, the invention provides a method for increasing efficiency of a fermentation reaction. In particular, the invention relates to a fermentation system which incorporates a simulated moving bed for separation of fermentation products from a fermentation broth, and a corresponding method.

Abstract: Processes 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 fermentation system with high conversion efficiency of both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The processes of this invention use a pre-reactor and a deep, tank reactor in gaseous substrate flow sequence to obtain high conversion of gas substrate without undue risk of carbon monoxide inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or beta-xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase and/or beta-xylosidases, as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: A bioreactor system is provided for continuous fermentation of a gaseous substrate, said system comprising two or more primary bioreactors and one or more secondary bioreactors connected by a central bleed line. Further provided is a process for inoculating multiple bioreactors utilising a central bleed line, said process comprising passing fermentation broth from a first primary bioreactor to other primary bioreactors and/or secondary bioreactors via a central bleed line. Further provided is a process for maintaining stable fermentation of a gaseous substrate across multiple bioreactors, said process comprising providing fermentation broth from one or more operational primary bioreactors to one or more secondary bioreactors via a central bleed line.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated fungal endophytes and synthetic combinations thereof with host grass plants. Methods for inoculating grass plant with the endophytes, for propagating the grass-endophyte combinations, and for producing feeds and biofuels from grass-endophyte combinations are also provided.

Abstract: A process for recovering a proteinaceous material from a fermentable organic material, comprising: (i) forming an aqueous mixture of a fermentable organic material and a fermentation agent capable of fermenting the organic material to produce ethanol, wherein the organic material is a vegetable material containing protein; (ii) fermenting the aqueous mixture to produce ethanol; (iii) recovering from the fermented aqueous mixture an ethanol stream which is rich in ethanol and a co-product stream comprising unfermented organic material, fermentation agent and an aqueous solution of dissolved solids in water; (iv) subjecting the co-product stream to a first separation stage to recover a first stream rich in the unfermented organic material and a second stream rich in the fermentation agent suspended in the aqueous solution; and (v) subjecting the first stream to a protein recovery step in which at least part of the fibre in the unfermented organic material is separated from the unfermented organic material to pr

Abstract: Methods or preparing para-xylene from biomass by carrying out a Diels-Alder cycloaddition at controlled temperatures and activity ratios. Methods of preparing bio-terephthalic acid and bio-poly(ethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) are also disclosed, as well as products formed from bio-PET.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for integrated production of ethanol and seaweed biofertilizer from fresh red seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii. Specifically, the present invention describes a process for the production of ethanol, as a byproduct, from Kappaphycus alvarezii. The process includes crushing the fresh weeds to release the sap, a proved biofertilizer, and recovering the residual carrageenan rich biomass, hydrolyzing the biomass using dilute acid at elevated temperature, neutralizing the hydrolysate by using inexpensive calcium hydroxide and removing the insoluble salts through filtration or centrifugation, desalting soluble salts from the hydrolysate by electrodialysis, enriching with nitrogen source, inoculating with yeast and fermenting it to form a fermented broth containing ethanol and separating ethanol from the fermented broth by distillation and using residual hydrolysate, generated CaSO4 and reject obtained from electrodialysis as manure.

Abstract: Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the conversion into biogas of fermentation stillage arising as a waste product of ethanol production. This apparatus comprises a separation unit for the separation of the fermentation stillage into a thin fraction and a thick fraction, at least one biogas reactor for fermenting the thin fraction and/or the thick fraction, and a storage tank. According to a first aspect of the present invention, two biogas reactors are provided, to separate the thin fraction and the thick fraction independently of one another. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a nitrogen sink is provided downstream of the storage tank to provide, from the reactor effluent, process water with low or no nitrogen content which may then be fed to the reactor and/or the bioethanol plant. According to a third aspect the invention is characterized by a combination of a single-stage separation unit and a heavy-duty biogas reactor with a pore-free flow path.

Abstract: A method for production of a fermentation product from cellulosic material where a cellulosic material is saccharified with an enzyme composition in the presence of a peroxide-generating system and a polypeptide having peroxidase activity, the resultant saccharified cellulosic material is fermented and a fermentation product is recovered. Inclusion of the polypeptide having peroxidase activity increases saccharification of the cellulosic material.

Abstract: A method for producing a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with introduced genes coding for xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase and with improved ethanol production, improved xylose conversion, reduced xylitol production and improved inhibitor tolerance is described. The method comprises culturing a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a continuous mode with a medium comprising essentially only xylose as carbon source at a temperature of 25-38° C., preferably 30-35° C., and an airflow of 0.040-0.055 vvm, and increasing the dilution rate to maintain a constant cell level, said cell level being in the range of 1.5-3.0 determined by optical density or equivalent analytical means, and adding at least one inhibitor to the cells and gradually increasing the addition of said inhibitor. Further, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained by the method according to the invention are described.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass comprising subjecting biomass to microbial digestion to produce volatile fatty acids and/or solvents followed by wet oxidation to reduce biosolid volume while retaining or increasing the concentration of the volatile fatty acids and/or solvents.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a separation membrane module using water vapor includes: a liquid supplying step of supplying a liquid having a boiling point of 80° C. or higher at atmospheric pressure to a secondary side of the separation membrane module such that a filling ratio of the liquid in a space surrounded by a filtration portion of a separation membrane is 70% or more, the filtration portion being used for filtration; a liquid sealing step of isolating the secondary side of the separation membrane module such that the filling ratio of the liquid supplied to the secondary side in the liquid supplying step is 70% or more; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the separation membrane module by supplying water vapor to a primary side of the separation membrane module while the secondary side of the separation membrane module is isolated.

Abstract: The present invention provides for passive VOC recovery in the fermentation process that does not affect or minimally affects the conditions within the fermentor vessel and does not affect or minimally affects the conditions within the headspace of the fermentor vessel itself while using the production of CO2 emitted during the fermenting process as the source of driving energy to move a portion of the gaseous/vaporous material in the headspace of the fermentor through an appropriately sized conduit to a chilled surface condensing device to condense the VOCs (principally ethanol) for recovery and to exhaust the CO2 to the atmosphere or to recover the CO2 for other uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to reduce or eliminate glycerol production and increase product formation. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising a deletion of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol and/or regulate glycerol synthesis and one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to convert a carbohydrate source, such as lignocellulose, to a product, such as ethanol, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, or downregulated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for recovery of values from a fermentation mass obtained in producing ethanol. Further, the present invention relates to processes for the recovery of values from an inorganic- and lignin-containing mass. The present invention also relates to processes for the recovery of a fraction having enhanced silica content from a silica-containing mass. Still further, the present invention relates to processes for the recovery of crude ethanol from a fermentation mass. The present invention relates to various lignin-containing products and solutions and mineral-rich products.

Abstract: Processes for starting up of anaerobic, deep tank fermentation systems to anaerobically bioconvert hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds and for steady operation of such fermentation systems. In the processes injectors use a motive liquid to introduce gas substrate as a stable gas-in liquid dispersion into the deep tank fermentation reactor where at least one of: (i) adjusting the gas to liquid flow ratio through an injector, (ii) changing the rate of liquid flow through an injector, and (iii) adjusting the carbon monoxide mole fraction in the gas feed by admixture with at least one other gas, wherein the mass transfer of carbon monoxide to an aqueous menstruum in the reactor is controlled to obtain the robust growth of the microorganism and/or continued conversion of gas substrate while maintaining the carbon monoxide concentration below that amount which is unduly adverse to the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent alpha-amylase, the variant having improved stability or activity at low calcium conditions or at low pH.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the growth of bacteria in ethanol fermentation systems with antibiotic alternatives, which can be nonoxidizing biocides, stabilized oxidizers, or any combinations thereof, are described. As an option, a process or composition of the present invention can include one or more polycyclic antibacterial peptides. The methods can provide improvements, such as increased ethanol yields with minimal carryover of biocide into co-products of the processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a low-molecular-weight organic compound, such as acetone, butanol, and ethanol, in a fermentation process. The method contains a step of introducing a gas flow into an aqueous solution containing microorganisms producing the low-molecular-weight organic compound; a step of recovering the gas flow through a compound comprising isophoron; and optionally a step of separating the low-molecular-weight organic compound from the composition comprising isophoron.

Abstract: Methods are provided for changing a molecular structure of a biomass feedstock. The methods include a screw extrusion process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolized by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.

Abstract: A reactor system is provided for improved fermentation of a gaseous substrate through the introduction of a secondary loop to a forced-circulation loop reactor. The reactor comprises a primary loop through which fermentation broth comprising a gaseous substrate is circulated through a riser segment and a downcomer section by a loop pump. Downstream of the loop pump a portion of fermentation broth is withdrawn from the downcomer section and is directed to the top of the reactor via a secondary loop. Further provided is a method for improving the mass transfer of a gaseous substrate to a fermentation broth in a fermentation vessel comprising a secondary loop. Further provided is a method for reducing foam in the headspace of a fermentation vessel comprising a secondary loop.

Abstract: The present invention is a Kluyveromyces lactis yeast strain comprising the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 1, and methods for the production of sugars (glucose and galactose), ethanol, ?-galactosidase and biomass, in which said Kluyveromyces lactis yeast strain is cultured in the presence of a lactose-containing medium. The lactose-containing medium may be milk, whey, whey resulting from the preparation of butter, whey resulting after casein precipitation, milk permeate, whey permeate, acid whey and YPL culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity catalytic domains, carbohydrate binding domains and polynucleotide encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding domains. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding domains.

Abstract: A method of producing a chemical product by continuous fermentation includes filtering a culture liquid of a microorganism(s) through a separation membrane; retaining unfiltered liquid in, or refluxing unfiltered liquid to, the culture liquid; adding a fermentation feedstock to the culture liquid; and recovering a product in the filtrate, wherein the fermentation feedstock contains pentose and hexose, and wherein the microorganism(s) is/are a microorganism(s) having a pathway in which pentose reductase and pentol dehydrogenase are used to metabolize pentose.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas and a fermentation medium provides high ethanol productivity while removing medium components that were previously thought to be essential. The process is effective for providing a specific STY of at least about 1 gram of ethanol/(L·day·gram cells) and for providing a selenium content in cell biomass exiting the fermentation of about 1 ppm or less.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the CO2 in a gaseous stream between 33% up to and even in excess of 90%, by reducing CO2. A gaseous stream that includes substantial amounts of CO2 is provided to a reaction chamber along with H2O (steam) and a carbon source such as charcoal, coke or other carbonaceous material. Carbon is provided to the chamber at a ratio (C/CO2) of between about 0.100 to 0.850, and between about 0.200 to 0.900 of H2O to the provided CO2. The CO2, H2O and carbon are heated to between about 1500° F. and about 3000° F. at about one atmosphere to produce syngas (i.e. carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2)) and reduces the amount of CO2. The Syngas may then be cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor or a Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor to produce a fuel, such as Methanol, Ethanol, Diesel and Jet Fuel.

Abstract: A method for using a thermostable phytase for eliminating or reducing phytic acid or salts of phytic acid in an alcohol production process is disclosed. The phytase can be added anywhere in the alcohol production process including a feedstock, a hammer mill, a slurry tank, a jet cooker, a liquefaction, a mash cooker, a fermentation, a beer, a distillation system, a whole stillage, a centrifuge, a thin stillage, an evaporator, a condensate, a syrup, a wet grain, a drum dryer, a distillers dried grain, distillers solubles, distillers wet grain, condensed distillers solubles distillers dried grains with solubles a molecular sieves, or any combination thereof. The alcohol production process can be in an ethanol production plant; a spirit or a drinkable alcohol production plant; or a fuel ethanol plant.

Abstract: Scalable biomaterial-based bioreactors are described. In one embodiment, the bioreactor may comprise perforated plates stacked such that the assembled bioreactor has the necessary manifolds and chambers to transport gas and liquids to a biomaterial contained within the bioreactor, and to remove the reaction products. In another embodiment, single use bioreactors are described. Methods of operating the bioreactors are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for using the by-products of coffee in the production of proteins, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, through methods of concentrating and conserving the mucilage and the pulp (husk) in order to obtain industrially processed coffee honey and/or pulp meal (husk), which is/are suitable for use in products for human or animal consumption, drugs, cosmetics or as raw materials for the production of alcohol for fuel (ethanol), wherein said process makes it possible to reduce the pollution of the environment by avoiding the waste of coffee by-products and to exploit the properties and advantages of same for producing the aforementioned products.

Abstract: A thermophilic microorganism is modified to permit the increased production of ethanol, wherein a first modification is the inactivation of the lactate dehydrogenase gene and a second modification upregulates the pyruvate dehydrogenase gene.

Abstract: A method of producing a chemical product by continuous fermentation includes filtering a culture liquid of a microorganism(s) through a separation membrane; retaining unfiltered liquid in, or refluxing unfiltered liquid to, the culture liquid; adding a fermentation feedstock to the culture liquid; and recovering a product in the filtrate, wherein the fermentation feedstock contains pentose and hexose, and wherein the microorganism(s) has/have a pathway in which pentose isomerase is used to metabolize pentose.