Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for a robust production of isoprenoids via one or more biosynthetic pathways. The invention also provides nucleic acids, enzymes, expression vectors, and genetically modified host cells for carrying out the subject methods. The invention also provides fermentation methods for high productivity of isoprenoids from genetically modified host cells.

Abstract: Yeastcells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism capable of metabolizing sucrose, and more particularly to a recombinant microorganism capable of metabolizing sucrose in which a gene encoding sucrose phosphotransferase and/or a gene encoding sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase is introduced or to a recombinant microorganism capable of metabolizing sucrose in which a gene encoding ?-fructofuranosidase is introduced. According to the present invention, a recombinant microorganism capable of using inexpensive sucrose as a carbon source instead of expensive glucose is provided. In addition, in a process of culturing microorganisms which have been incapable of using sucrose as a carbon source, sucrose can substitute for other carbon sources including glucose.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for continuous biotransformation. The method is continuously supplying viable biocatalyst cells or biocatalyst biomolecules to a bioreactor containing substrate mediums, so as to mediate the substrate mediums to be converted into the desired bioproducts.

Abstract: Methods and procedures for designing and constructing microbes with the ability to harvest light energy are described. In certain embodiments, these methods and procedures are used to construct a photosynthetic yeast based on proteorhodopsin (PR) expression. Proteorhodopsin is a light powered proton pump used by some ocean bacteria to scavenge light energy. By illuminating single yeast cells expressing PR, controlled amounts of energy can be delivered to these cells. A light-harvesting yeast is a unique bioenergetics research platform for investigating the interplay of biofuel production, cellular ATP levels, and the proton-motive-force (pmf). Also, a strain of yeast with light-boosted biomass to biofuel conversion efficiency possesses direct industrial and commercial utility.

Abstract: Glycerol or other reduced carbon sources may be used as a feedstock for the microbial production of chemical products under certain microaerobic conditions. For example, such production may occur under microaerobic or microrespiratory conditions in which electron acceptors are consumed in the reaction as quickly as they are added. In such reactions, the reaction product is at least as reduced as carbon source. Further, during such a reaction, at least some of the carbon source is used to generate cell mass. In addition, microorganisms with modified genomes are provided for carrying out the methods herein.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a protein having a dockerin, which is suited to production in yeasts and other eukaryotic microorganism in which sugar chain modification is predicted, and which provides excellent cohesin-dockerin binding ability, along with a use thereof. The present invention uses, as a protein for constructing a protein complex using a scaffolding protein having a type I cohesin from Clostridium thermocellum, a protein having a dockerin having at least one dockerin-specific sequence which is a dockerin-specific sequence associated with cohesin binding in type I dockerins from C. thermocellum, and which either has no intrinsic predicted N-type sugar chain modification site or has aspartic acid substituted for the asparagine of an intrinsic predicted N-type sugar chain modification site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformed microorganism capable of (a) a higher xylose isomerase activity than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (b) a higher growth rate in or on a growth medium comprising xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (c) a faster metabolism of xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (d) a higher production of ethanol when grown anaerobically on xylose as the carbon source than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the fermentative production of compactin, lovastatin, pravastatin or simvastatin comprising culturing a host, preferably a filamentous fungus, comprising the polynucleotide of the lovE transcription regulator gene from Aspergillus terreus. Furthermore, the invention provides a host for the production of above mentioned statines comprising the polynucleotide of the lovE transcription regulator gene from Aspergillus terreus.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods designed to increase value output of a fermentation reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a business method of increasing value output of a fermentation plant. The present invention also provides a modified fermentation residual of higher commercial value. Also provided in the present invention are complete animal feeds, nutritional supplements comprising the subject ferment residuals. Further provided by the present invention is a method of performing fermentation, a modified fermentative microorganism and a genetic vehicle for modifying such microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modulating a selected biological activity of a naturally occurring material having one or more biological activities in an extract of the naturally occurring material, the method comprising incubating the extract in a medium in the presence of an aerobically metabolizing microorganism, under suitable aerobic conditions, for a period of time sufficient to modulate the selected activity with respect to baseline activity of the unincubated extract. The invention also relates to the bioconverted material so prepared, and the use of same in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A process for producing a fermentation product from a lignocellulose-containing material includes pre-treating the lignocellulose-containing material; introducing chitosan or a chitosan-like polymer to the pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material; exposing the pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material to an effective amount of a hydrolyzing enzyme; and fermenting with a fermenting organism to produce a fermentation product.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing liquid koji having enhanced activity of a plant fiber degradation enzyme using liquid medium without using an expensive plant fiber degradation enzyme preparation and a recombinant bacterium and methods of producing liquid koji dry product and industrial alcohol (ethanol) using the liquid koji.

Abstract: In the invention, highly pure crystals of difructose dianhydride III (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride; hereinafter referred to as DFA III) are produced by adding 5% or less of powdered active carbon to a DFA III containing purified solution containing DFA III of 90% or more purity at a concentration of R-Bx 10-60, preferably 40-55, and after stirring, applying the mixture to solid-liquid separation (filtration with diatomaceous, filtration through a membrane filter, ultrafiltration, or continuous centrifugal separation) and concentrating the separated liquid part, followed by immediate crystallization. In the process of the invention, DFA III crystals can be produced efficiently and industrially, and the resulting crystals can be used for various purposes in pharmaceuticals or food and drink since they have no smell. This is characteristics of the invention different from the prior art products.

Abstract: The present invention describes a fungal modified chitosan adhesive for binding a fibrous material and the method of producing the adhesive. The adhesive is produced by providing a chitosan containing raw material; a fungal growing medium; a fungal culture; mixing the raw material, the growing medium and the fungal culture together to produce a suspension; incubating the suspension to produce a broth comprising a modified chitosan solid, an at least partially-consumed medium liquid and a fungal residue; separating the modified chitosan solid from the liquid and the fungal residue, and dissolving the modified chitosan solid to produce the adhesive resin.

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 about 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3 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.

Abstract: Provided are improved recombinant microorganisms, and methods of use thereof, for metabolizing biomolecules and producing commodity chemicals such as ethanol therefrom, and genetic constructs to achieve that end.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a substrate comprising C5 compound-containing material, in the growth of Saccharomyces yeast or the production of a product of Saccharomyces yeast, wherein the C5 compound-containing material is: (a) C5 compound-containing material obtained from lignocellulosic hydrolysate; (b) C5 compound-containing material obtained from fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysate; or (c) a mixture of (a) and (b). The invention also relates to a method of producing Saccharomyces yeast biomass or a product of Saccharomyces yeast using the substrate, and to methods of producing ethanol comprising incubating Saccharomyces yeast produced by the use or method. The invention further relates to strains of Saccharomyces yeast suitable for the use or methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a fermentation product from lignocellulosic biomass, to a reactor to carry out the method and to use of the reactor to produce a fermentation product.

Abstract: Some aspects of this invention provide methods and bioreactors for converting a carbon source into a lipid. In some embodiments, lipid production is carried out in an aerobic fermentor and carbon dioxide generated during lipid production is converted into a carbon substrate by CO2 fixation in an anaerobic fermentor. In some embodiments, the carbon substrate generated by CO2 fixation is used as the carbon source for lipid production, thus achieving total carbon utilization in lipid production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improving a host cell's ability to utilize the disaccharide cellobiose. In some embodiments, a transformed cell expresses intracellular ?-glucosidase. In other embodiments, a transformed host cell is able to grow on media wherein cellobiose is the sole carbon source. In other embodiments, selection methods are provided which improve a host cell's ability to grow on cellobiose-containing media.

Abstract: An endophyte or endophyte culture of N. lolii species is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterise the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods for processing a feedstock. Specifically, methods are provided for processing a feedstock by mixing the feedstock with an additive organism that comprises one or more transgenes coding for one or more enzymes. The expressed enzymes may be capable of breaking down cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials and converting them to a biofuel.

Abstract: There are provided microorganisms, for example, Mortierella alpina, having a property of producing a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids as constituent fatty acids and extracellularly secreting the produced lipid encapsulated in lipid vesicles, methods of screening said microorganisms, as well as methods of efficiently producing a fatty acid-containing lipid using said microorganisms. Furthermore, there are provided lipid vesicles encapsulating a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids, and foods, cosmetics, and animal feeds comprising said lipid vesicles added thereto. Artificially treated microorganisms or microorganisms collected from nature are grown on a solid medium, and microbial strains that form lipid vesicles at the periphery of the colonies and/or microbial strains that, when cultured in a transparent liquid medium, make the culture liquid cloudy are selected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for production of organic compounds using genetically engineered organisms expressing a S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent methyl halide transferase and, optionally modified at loci that affect flux through SAM metabolic pathways or affect intracellular halide levels. In one approach the organism, halides (chlorine, bromine and/or iodine); and a carbon source are incubated in a cultivation medium under conditions in which methyl halide is produced. The methyl halide may be collected and converted into non-halogenated organic molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of increasing fermentation product yield in processes for producing fermentation products from starch-containing material. More particularly, the process comprises the use of an invertase to increase fermentation product yield.

Abstract: Renewable materials made from inhibiting compounds. A method includes the step of consuming a fermentation inhibiting compound with a biological organism, and the step of producing a renewable material with the biological organism from at least a portion of the fermentation inhibiting compound. The methods may include a net balance of cofactor production and consumption.

Abstract: The invention provides biologically active compositions comprising oligosaccharides, and which are produced by growing a fungal culture, and are at least partially purified for use. The compositions of the invention have antibacterial, antifungal and nematicidal activity, and are thus useful to reduce the impact of such pathogens on growing plants, to reduce the occurrence of such pathogens on surfaces and in substances, and to treat infections caused by such pathogens in animals and humans. The invention also provides methods for producing such compositions from certain fungal cultures.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving the production of ethanol by a Saccharomyces spp. yeast in a fermentation medium are provided, where the method comprises adding to the fermentation medium an emulsion comprising a monoterpene and a surfactant in an amount sufficient to improve the production of ethanol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include genetically tractable industrial yeast strains and methods for their construction. In certain preferred embodiments, the genetically tractable industrial yeast strain is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, such as a derivative of the K1-V1116 wine yeast strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of polypeptides encoded by wild-type and codon-optimized variants of cbh1 and/or cbh2 from the fungal organisms Talaromyces emersonii (T. emersonii), Humicola grisea (H. grisea), Thermoascus aurantiacus (T. aurantiacus), and Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) in host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression in such host cells of the corresponding genes, and variants and combinations thereof, result in improved specific activity of the expressed cellobiohydrolases. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.

Abstract: A novel modified thermoplastic starch is manufactured from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by the fungus species Ophiostoma ulmi, by growing a culture in a yeast extract medium; adding the native starch; mixing, and harvesting the modified thermoplastic starch. The modified thermoplastic starch may be used in the manufacture of a biodegradable plastic which exhibits low water absorbency and high tensile strength. The plastic may be used to manufacture films or molding products by casting, extrusion, injection, or compression techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting a strain of an organism capable of improved consumption of a mixed substrate comprising two or more carbon sources as compared to a reference strain of the organism, which method comprises: growing a population of the reference strain of the organism in the presence of the two or more carbon sources, wherein the number of generations of growth of the said population on each of the said carbon sources is at least about 50% of the number of generations of growth on the carbon source most preferred by the organism; and selecting the resulting strain of the organism, thereby to select a strain of the organism capable of improved consumption of a mixed substrate comprising the two or more carbon sources as compared to the reference strain of the organism. The invention also relates to strains of organisms selected using such a method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing 20-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (Ginsenoside M1) by using Sanqis leaves and stems. The method of the invention includes the steps of: (a) provides powder of Sanqi leaves and stems; (b) provides a fungus for fermenting the Sanqi leaves and stems, wherein the fermentation temperature is ranged from 20-50° C., the fermentation humidity is ranged from 70-100%, the pH value is ranged from 4.0-6.0, and the fermentation period is ranged from 5-15 days; (c) extracts and collects the fermentation products; and (d) isolates 20-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol from the fermentation products.

Abstract: Glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and ?-glucan compositions suitable for human or animal consumption or use are disclosed. The glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and ?-glucan compositions are derived from fungal biomass containing chitin. Various methods of producing glucosamine, N-Acetylglucosamine and ?-glucan compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for converting biomass hydrolysate into biofuel, the process comprising the steps of: obtaining a biomass hydrolysate solution comprising monosaccharides; immobilizing Pachysolen tannophilus; contacting the solution with the immobilized Pachysolen tannophilus; and recovering a fermented biofuel.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes.

Abstract: A method of pre-treating lignocellulosic and cellulosic biomass for utilization of carbohydrate or lignin from the biomass, the method comprising the steps of inoculating the lignocellulosic biomass with lignocellulose degrading brown rot fungus and incubating the inoculated biomass under conditions in which growth of the lignocellulose degrading brown rot is promoted. The incubation may be under conditions in which growth of the lignocellulose degrading brown rot is promoted is terminated after less than 50 days or before substantial depletion of glucose in the biomass occurs.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a recombinant fission yeast strain useful for the improved production of human cytochrome P450s. The improvement in the cytochrome P450 rate is achieved by a coexpression of a functional human electron transfer chain e.g. CPR (cytochrome P450 reductase). The invention further relates to uses of the recombinant fission yeast and particularly the use of the recombinant fission yeast in methods to generate cytochrome P450 dependent metabolites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to yeast strains and, in particular, to yeast strains for use in fermentation processes. The invention also relates to methods of fermentation using the yeast strains of the invention either alone or in combination with other yeast strains. The invention further relates to methods for the selection of yeast strains suitable for fermentation cultures by screening for various metabolic products and the use of specific nutrient sources.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing tolerance of microorganisms to toxic agents, such as solvents; and for increasing production of solvents from solvent-generating microorganisms. The methods comprise engineering a microorganism of interest to express a heterologous heat-shock protein/chaperone, e.g., Group II chaperonin or a prefoldin such as ?-prefoldin, where the heterologous protein is from an extremophile, such as an archaean.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a nutritional, therapeutic or organoleptic product by growing non-recombinant yeast under aerobic conditions, in a medium that includes crude glycerol, as one possible carbon source to produce a yeast product. The yeast product can be processed to obtain such nutritional, therapeutic or organoleptic products as yeast paste, yeast metabolites, carbohydrates, proteins, functional proteins, nucleotides, yeast autolysates, yeast extract, yeast cell walls, beta-glucans, mannans or a product derived from a mineralized yeast product.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the ability to produce a desired product is significantly improved and the growth rate and the fermentation rate are maintained at excellent levels for yeast upon production of a desired product with the use of yeast A yeast used as a host is introduced with a foreign gene that encodes an enzyme involved in the production of a desired product and the HAP4 gene that can be constitutively expressed or a homologous gene thereof. Preferably a yeast mutant is a mutant strain having lowered alcohol productivity than that of a wild-type strain.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to methods of processing lignocellulosic biomass and to methods of pre-treatment of lignocellulosic pretreated with steam biomass. In particular, the invention provides methods which fix moisture levels in lignocellulosic biomass to levels near the inherent water holding capacity of the material.

Abstract: A new class of polymeric additives for papermaking is disclosed as well as a process for their manufacture, a method for their use and a paper sheet containing the addition. The additives can be used in paper manufacture as agents for improving retention, paper machine operation and the strength properties of the product. The additives are manufactured from a microbial biomass. The biomass that contains acetyl amino groups or other amides is chemically modified by hydrolysis of the amides to form primary amino groups. Under neutral or acidic conditions these primary amines become cationic, which assures a good absorption of the additive onto fibres and fines of pulp that is generally of anionic nature.

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: The invention relates to methods for treating pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a slurry comprising pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material to agitation in the presence of one or more chemicals and/or one or more enzymes; b) subjecting said slurry to liquid-solid separation; c) recycling at least a portion of the liquid to the agitated slurry; d) optionally transferring solids-containing material for downstream processing.

Abstract: Method for stereoselectively preparing a (R) or (S) gamma-lactone consists in microbially biosynthesizing gamma-lactone, wherein the biosynthesis is carried out from a substrate selected from C5 to C20 fatty acids with the aid of a strain selected from those enabling a stereoselective hydroxylation in C4 of the substrate, in particular Aspergollus sp or Mortierella sp. The biosynthesis of the gamma-lactone and the use thereof in perfumery and for food flavouring agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a valuable compound, comprising the steps of a) fermentation of a filamentous bacterial or fungal strain (e.g. a Streptomyces strain or an Aspergillus strain) in a fermentation medium wherein a carbohydrate during fermentation is added in a cyclic pulse dosing/pause way, wherein the pulse dosing time is shorter than the pause time and b) recovery of the valuable compound from the fermentation broth.