Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the conversion of lignocellulosic material to fermentable sugars and to products produced therefrom (e.g., ethanol, foodstuffs, etc.). In particular, the invention provides lignocellulose-degrading compositions (e.g., generated via incubation of microbes with lignocellulosic priming feedstock in solid-state fermentation format) and methods of using the same (e.g., in saccharification and/or hydrolysis steps (e.g., on ethanologenic feedstock) and as food or feed additives).

Abstract: A method of producing bioproducts from a feedstock in a system configured to produce ethanol and distillers grains from a fermentation product is disclosed. A system configured to process feedstock into a fermentation product and bioproducts including ethanol and meal is disclosed. A bioproduct produced from a fermentation product produced from a feedstock in a biorefining system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of stimulating ethanol production and growth of aquatic plants includes the steps of placing aquatic plants in a cell containing water and creating an oxygenated condition within the cell to initiate an aerobic process. The aquatic plants create and store carbohydrates during the aerobic process. The cell is then covered with a light blocking cover during the anoxic condition to inhibit light from entering the cell. An anoxic condition is created within the cell to initiate an anaerobic process by the aquatic plants. The aquatic plants increase in size and release ethanol into the water by metabolism of stored carbohydrates during the anaerobic process. The ethanol is then sequestered from the water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield are provided. A feedstock is ground suitably fine for use in fermentation. The feedstock may include corn or any other suitable material. In some cases, the feedstock undergoes a fractionation prior to grinding. The ground feedstock may be slurried with water and enzymes to facilitate conversion of the starch in the feedstock to sugars. The slurry may be about 35% solids. After being slurried, an ethanologen may be added. Additionally, the pH of the slurry may be adjusted to between 4.2 and 5.2 to facilitate the priming A primer is added to the slurry. The primer may include any weak acid, and in some embodiments includes acetic acid. Acetic acid, when used as a primer, may be added at a concentration of between 1200 and 3600 parts per million. The slurry is fermented to produce improved yields of ethanol.

Abstract: The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

Abstract: Provided are methods of making carrier polypeptide that include incorporating a first unnatural amino acid into a carrier polypeptide variant, incorporating a second unnatural amino acid into a target polypeptide variant, and reacting the first and second unnatural amino acids to produce the conjugate. Conjugates produced using the provided methods are also provided. In addition, orthogonal translation systems in methylotrophic yeast and methods of using these systems to produce carrier and target polypeptide variants comprising unnatural amino acids are provided.

Abstract: Described are novel S. stipitis strains that were obtained by UV-C irradiation of wild-type S. stipitis NRRL Y-7124 cultures, followed by 5-month anaerobic growth on xylose at 28° C. The UV-C-mutagenized strains were able to grow anaerobically on xylose or glucose medium with higher ethanol production than a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain under comparable fermentation conditions. The mutagenized strains were identified by DNA fingerprinting to be unique strains closely related to wild-type Scheffersomyces stipitis. These mutagenized strains have potential application in large-scale industrial conversion of lignocellulosic sugars to fuel ethanol.

Abstract: A system for the production of ethanol and co-products is provided. The system facilitates an overall reduction in the use of energy, for example, by reducing the mass of wet solids supplied to a distillation system. The system also reduces the amount of energy used to dry the wet solids component of a fermentation product, for example, by increasing the ethanol concentration of the wet solids. The system also facilitates the recovery of co-products including bioproducts and other biochemicals extracted from components of the fermentation product. The solids component of the fermentation product may be dried and constituted into a meal that may be used for animal feed, among other uses.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of one or more products from a gas stream produced in a methanol production process. The method comprises converting at least a portion of a methane feedstock to a substrate comprising CO and H2. The substrate comprising CO and H2 is anaerobically fermented in a bioreactor to produce one or more alcohols. The method and system may further include process for the production of methanol processes for the production of acetic acid.

Abstract: One or more genes in a biosynthesis pathway for a vitamin or other essential nutrient which is needed for the survival of a microorganism can be used as an effective selective marker to identify cells transformed with an exogenous nucleic acid. The microorganism does not naturally contain or express the one or more gene. This permits genetic manipulations to be performed. It permits lower cost fermentations to be performed. It permits production of the essential nutrient for subsequent commodity use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for use with synthesis gas fermentation. Further, the present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for the production of alcohols from a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas containing at least one microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters as well as cellulosic simplified sugars, shortened protein polymers, amino acids, or combination thereof resulting from the simultaneous esterification and hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or both of algae and other oil containing materials containing phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerides, or combination thereof as well as polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, protein polymers, or combination thereof in the presence of an alcohol and an optional acid catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting cellulose in a lignocellulosic biomass. The method provides for a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein treatment of high lignin solids. The treatment enhances cellulase availability in cellulose conversion and allows for the determination of optimized pretreatment conditions. Additionally, ethanol yields from a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation process are improved 5-25% by treatment with a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for more efficiently and effectively growing microalgae suitable for biofuel production. In one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium. The suitable growth medium comprises a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt. The concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from about 75 to about 200 ?M while the concentration of carbonate salt is from about 1 to about 6 mM.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: A process for pretreating a lignocellulosic plant raw material in order to obtain a pretreated material that is capable of being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol, includes the following successive steps: (i) destructuring the lignocellulosic plant raw material by placing it in the presence of a mixture containing formic acid and water, at a reaction temperature between 95° C. and 110° C.; (ii) then, at atmospheric pressure and prior to any hydrolysis then fermentation action, separating: on the one hand, the solid phase, mainly composed of the cellulose, constituting a first co-substrate, capable of then being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol; and on the other hand, the liquid phase, containing, in particular in aqueous solution, the formic acid, the lignins, and the hemicelluloses, constituting a second co-substrate, capable of then being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of using yeast cells to produce ethanol by contacting a mixture comprising xylose with a Spathaspora yeast cell under conditions suitable to allow the yeast to ferment at least a portion of the xylose to ethanol. The methods allow for efficient ethanol production from hydrolysates derived from lignocellulosic material and sugar mixtures including at least xylose and glucose or xylose, glucose and cellobiose.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO. It more particularly relates to the addition of an inorganic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to alcohols. In a particular embodiment, a microbial culture is provided with sodium polysulfide, wherein a substrate comprising CO is converted to products including ethanol and 2,3-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a carbohydrate-binding module amino acid sequence and an alpha-amylase amino acid sequence as well as to the application of such polypeptides.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for regeneration or recycling of carbon substances into renewable fuel and materials. In one aspect, a method of recycling carbon to produce a renewable fuel can include harvesting carbon donors, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted from an agricultural process. Hydrogen donors, such as from biomass waste, can be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction to produce hydrogen. The harvested carbon dioxide can be reacted with the waste-produced hydrogen under pressure and temperature to generate a renewable fuel, such as methanol fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.

Abstract: A range of concentrations exists in which fermentation inhibitors derived from pretreatment of lignocellulosic feed stocks inhibit growth of lactic acid bacteria without affecting fermentive yeast. By optimizing levels of fermentation inhibitors to fall within this range, yeast fermentations of lignocellulosic biomass can be conducted under non-sterile conditions with ethanol yields comparable to those achieved under sterile conditions. Optimised inhibitor levels can be achieved by controlling the water/biomass ratio of a lignocellulosic biomass during and after pretreatment, for example by washing the fiber fraction of a previously pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with a pre-defined amount of fresh water or recycled process solutions. Crude extracts of liquid fraction or process solutions from pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass can also provide an effective anti-bacterial treatment for first generation starch fermentations.

Abstract: A moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) produces liquid products from a gaseous substrate of CO and/or CO2/H2 using a biomass that grows on the surface of carrier suspended in a fermentation broth into which the gaseous substrate is at least partially dissolved. The injection devices include gas spargers and preferably a high efficiency gas transfer process such as jet or slot aerator/gas transfer devices. The gas injection device introduces the gas in the form of microbubbles in a substantially horizontal directions that creates eddy currents in the surrounding liquid for thoroughly mixing the fermentation broth in a fermentation vessel. Gas bubbles from the gas delivery device rise through the liquid surface and provide additional mixing and gas dissolution. The motion of gas and liquid keeps the biomass carrier moving can also provide sufficient shear so as to maintain the biofilm thickness on the biomass carrier media in the desirable range.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.

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

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an improved pretreated biomass product for use in saccharification followed by fermentation to produce a target chemical that includes removal of saccharification and or fermentation inhibitors from the pretreated biomass product. Specifically, the pretreated biomass product derived from using the present method has fewer inhibitors of saccharification and/or fermentation without a loss in sugar content.

Abstract: A nitrogen compound production method includes the step of establishing at least one aquatic plant in a cell containing water and alternating a step of inhibiting photosynthesis inducing light from reaching the at least one aquatic plant and a step of allowing photosynthesis inducing light to reach the at least one aquatic plant. The step of inhibiting photosynthesis inducing light defines a dark phase. A concentration of oxygen is reduced in the water to define an anoxic condition. During the anoxic condition, the at least one plant releases nitrogen compounds into the water and these nitrogen compounds are collected from the water contained in the cell.

Abstract: A sustainable method and system for producing bio-fuels from citrus peels and the recovery of limonene and pectin prior to fermentation of the peel solids. In one embodiment a sustainable method and system for the concurrent recovery of limonene and pectin from citrus peels is disclosed. The peels are optionally zested, mixed with water and an acid, and then exploded in a jet cooker or a pressurized extruder. The exploded peels are transferred to a flash vessel where the remaining limonene and water vapor are separated into water and limonene. The pectin fraction is removed from the flash tank and extracted by centrifuge, precipitation and/or filtration. The remaining peel solids are fermented in an anaerobic digester which produces methane, ethanol, acids, CO2 or other end products which can be used as fuel for power generation equipment sufficient to supply the processing system for sustainable operations as described herein.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a fermentation product from a sugar hydrolysate obtained from a feedstock containing hemicellulose, by (i) removing suspended fiber solids from said sugar hydrolysate to obtain a clarified sugar solution; (ii) fermenting xylose in the clarified sugar solution in a fermentation reaction with yeast to produce a fermentation broth comprising the fermentation product; (iii) separating the yeast from the fermentation broth to produce a yeast slurry; (vi) treating the yeast slurry thus obtained with an oxidant to kill microbial contaminants, thereby an oxidant-treated yeast slurry; (v) re-introducing at least a portion of the oxidant-treated yeast back to step (ii) to increase the concentration of yeast in said fermentation reaction; and (vi) recovering the fermentation product.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a system comprising a first unit that generates a polluted air comprising carbon dioxide, and a second unit mounted on the first unit. The second unit comprises a solution comprising at least one alga suspended in a solvent to purify the polluted air. The solution comprising the at least one alga is agitated upon operation of the first unit. The system further comprises a channel to guide the polluted air from the first unit to the second unit.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for improving the microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates to produce one or more products. The invention relates to the capture of one or more components of a gaseous stream in a liquid. The invention relates to the deoxygenation of a liquid by contacting the liquid with a gaseous stream. The invention relates to methods of increasing efficiency of fermentation by using gas streams exiting a bioreactor to deoxygenate liquid streams entering a bioreactor.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing ethanol from mannitol using yeast and a yeast strain that produces ethanol from mannitol. The method for producing ethanol from mannitol comprises culturing yeast strains capable of mannitol assimilation and ethanol production from mannitol in a medium containing mannitol.

Abstract: The present invention provides spray methods of delivering saccharification enzymes, fermentation organisms, and other hydrolysis or fermentation ingredients onto lignocellulosic biomass. The methods reduce the need for mechanical mixing when the biomass solids are undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis, and reduce dilution to allow higher product titers in the hydrolysis and/or fermentation steps.

Abstract: The method and apparatus according to the present invention concentrate the formation of the biotechnical product to active site in the reactor, where the production is accelerated to extreme speeds by altering the conditions. To achieve this, anabolic, catabolic or overflow metabolic reactions can be utilised. The aim is to implement production so that carbon dioxide emissions in particular are minimised The products are e.g. 2,3-butanediol, butanol, ethanol, acetone, organic acids, methane or hydrogen gas and other fuels or compounds necessary for chemical or material production.

Abstract: The invention relates to the microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates to produce one or more products. The invention relates to the microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate derived from the conversion of a biogas stream. The invention relates to the conversion of a biogas stream comprising methane to a gaseous substrate comprising CO and/or H2, and the production of one or more products from the microbial fermentation of said gaseous substrate.

Abstract: Method for producing ethanol from solid citrus waste by reducing the concentration of limonene in citrus waste to allow fermentation. In one embodiment ground solid citrus waste is partially hydrolyzed and pasteurized by heating using a jet cooker and then injected into a flash tank to remove limonene. The heated citrus waste is then cooled, hydrolyzed with enzymes and fermented to ethanol. The remaining solids and liquids may be processed further to yield other byproducts. More particularly, the solids may be dried and pressed for use in cattle feed and the liquids may be further fermented or processed to yield additional ethanol, acetate, galacturonic acid monomers and polymers, five carbon sugars and other products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of degradation with hyperthermophilic organisms, and in particular to the use of hyperthermophilic degradation to produce heat and energy rich components including hydrogen and ethanol from a biomass. In some embodiments, a biomass is fermented in the presence of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce heat. The heat is used to heat a liquid which is used directly in a heat pump or radiant heat or to produce electricity or drive a steam turbine. In some embodiments, acetate is utilized as a substrate to produce energy by methanogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to the provision of an improved fermentation media, comprising nickel, to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to one or more alcohols, such as ethanol. In particular embodiments, a microbial culture is provided with at least 10 ?M nickel, such that CO uptake by the microbial culture increases and ethanol productivity improves.

Abstract: Processes for the recovery of ethanol, useful as a fuel, from various cellulosic feedstock materials fermented to produce ethanol-containing beer are disclosed. The present invention provides a method and a system for ethanol recovery from highly viscous fermented citrus waste biomass. The systems overcome various challenges, including effectively stripping the ethanol from biomass beer in an energy efficient and economical manner that may allow for the further dehydration of the ethanol/water mix in a traditional rectifier distillation column. In certain embodiments, a series of flash stages and beer stripping columns are capable of operating with highly viscous slurries and/or feedstocks containing high levels of solids.

Abstract: A method is provided for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides or pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock, in which an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock is fed into a pressurized dewatering zone wherein the feedstock is partially dewatered and then is compressed into a plug. The plug is introduced into a reaction zone that operates at a pressure (Pr) equal to greater than about 90 psia and under suitable temperature and pH conditions to hydrolyze the polysaccharides or pretreat the feedstock. The plug provides a pressure seal between the outlet of the dewatering zone and the reaction zone. The pressure (Pdwi) of the aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock at the inlet of the dewatering device is related to Pr as follows: 0??P<the lesser of [(Pr?20 psia) and 220 psia], and where ?P is the absolute difference in pressure between Pr and Pdwi in psia.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant GH61 proteins obtained from Myceliophtora thermophila, and nucleic acids that encode such proteins. The invention also provides protein fractions isolated from M. thermophila supernatant that have GH61 protein activity. These preparations can be used to increase yield of products from reactions in which a cellulose-containing substrate undergoes saccharification by one or more cellulase enzymes, such as endoglucanase, ?-glucosidase, or cellobiohydrolase. Combinations of GH61 protein and cellulases can be used to break down cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars in the production of ethanol.

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: The present invention provides means for the production of desired end-products of in vitro and/or in vivo bioconversion of biomass-based feed stock substrates, including but not limited to such materials as starch and cellulose. In particularly preferred embodiments, the methods of the present invention do not require gelatinization and/or liquefaction of the substrate. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides means for the production of ethanol.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution, under alkaline conditions, in the presence of one or more organo-mercaptan 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: A process of producing ethanol from whole stillage, includes obtaining a supply of whole stillage from an ethanol production facility after ethanol has been extracted therefrom; pre-treating the whole stillage to convert hemicellulose portions of the whole stillage into sugars; adding enzymes to the whole stillage to convert cellulose portions of the whole stillage to sugars; fermenting the whole stillage to create a beer mixture; and distilling the beer mixture to separate ethanol therefrom. The pre-treating step may include adding acid to the whole stillage to decrease its pH level; heating and pressurizing the whole stillage; holding the whole stillage under pressure and heat for a dwell time; removing pressure from the whole stillage to cause flashing; and cooling the whole stillage before the enzymes are added.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated method for the processing of palm fruit bunches to oil and other products. The method comprises inter alia separating palm fruit carrying bunches into fruits and lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, processing the fruits to form palm oil, and at least one lignocellulosic processing coproduct; generating an aqueous stream; producing a non-oil, non-alcohol, non-fatty acid ester third product from the oil, the lignocellulosic processing coproduct, the aqueous stream or from a combination thereof; processing at least a portion of the lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, lignocellulosic processing coproduct or a combination thereof into a fourth product and optionally producing at least one fifth conversion product from the fourth product; and using at least a portion of the fourth product or a product of its conversion or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprising the following steps: preparing a medium comprising fermentation waste generated in an alcohol production process; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated. More specifically, the preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprises the following steps: fermenting hexoses from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses to produce an ethanol fermentation broth; separating and purifying the ethanol fermentation broth; preparing a medium comprising the fermentation waste produced in the separation and purification step; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the new Escherichia coli strains denominated JU15, JU15A, LL26 and MS04 and their derivatives that produce metabolites, particularly D-lactate, L-lactate or ethanol, with high yield and selectivity from a wide variety of carbon sources, such as culture media with a high xylose content (as the main carbon source) and, in particular, media formulated with hydrolyzed vegetables, such as sugarcane bagasse, agave bagasse and fast-growing grasses, and a wide variety of agricultural and industrial wastes, such as whey or forestry wastes, celluloses, grasses, agave bagasse, paper wastes, shavings and sawdust, shrubs and generally any material derived from lignocellulose. These strains use the production of the metabolite of interest (especially D-lactate, L-lactate or ethanol) as the only way of regenerating the reducing power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from citrus waste wherein the level of fermentation-inhibiting compounds found in citrus waste or the complex polysaccharide or sugars derived therefrom is reduced using a pre-fermentation treatment step to lower the level of fermentation-inhibiting compounds to the fermentation feedstock.