Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing genetically enhanced aquatic photoautotrophic organisms in a stable culture, causing the organisms to produce ethanol, and then separating, collecting, and removing the ethanol in situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of sugar hydrolysates from cellulosic material. The method may be used, for example for producing fermentable sugars for the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic material. Cellulolytic enzymes and their production by recombinant technology are described, as well as uses of the enzymes and enzyme preparations.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of isolating ferritin from plant and animal material. The isolated ferritin can be administered to humans or animals in need of iron, and can be used to treat or supplement iron deficiency. The isolated ferritin can be used in industrial applications, such as increasing the iron content in heat-processed food or beverages. The methods of the invention also include quantitation of iron derived from plant or animal ferritin.

Abstract: The methods are utilized to recover ammonium from waste water using CO2 acidified absorption water. The process is particularly suited for utilization of cellular matter and a CO2 rich tail gas from a syngas fermentation process and derives significant benefit from the recovery of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate. Ammonia and ammonium are recovered from the treatment of the syngas as an ammonium rich solution, at least a portion of which is recycled to the fermentation zone to aid in the production of liquid products. A carbon dioxide rich gas produced by fermentation is used to capture the ammonia and ammonium, forming the ammonium rich solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one neutral metalloprotease enzyme that has improved storage stability. In some embodiments, the neutral metalloprotease finds use in cleaning and other applications. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions comprising neutral metalloprotease(s) obtained from Bacillus sp. In some more particularly preferred embodiments, the neutral metalloprotease is obtained from B. amyloliquefaciens. In still further preferred embodiments, the neutral metalloprotease is a variant of the B. amyloliquefaciens neutral metalloprotease. In yet additional embodiments, the neutral metalloprotease is a homolog of the B. amyloliquefaciens neutral metalloprotease. The present invention finds particular use in applications including, but not limited to cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.

Abstract: Provided are: a capsule for non-ferrous metal collection that can collect a non-ferrous metal; and a method for collecting a non-ferrous metal using same. The capsule for non-ferrous metal collection comprises capsule contents and a covering section covering the capsule contents, and collects a non-ferrous metal within the capsule for non-ferrous metal collection by means of the capsule for non-ferrous metal collection being immersed in a solution containing a non-ferrous metal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chemically modified carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and soluble compositions, homogenous liquid formulations comprising them. The chemically modified carbonic anhydrase polypeptides have improved properties relative to the same carbonic anhydrase polypeptide that is not chemically modified including the improved properties of increased activity and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides methods of preparing the chemically modified polypeptides and methods of using the chemically modified polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of new and improved compounds/materials as vehicles to delivery degradative enzymes to remove/remedy environmental pollutants. The inventive material comprises a series of amide-functionalized ordered mesoporous carbon (AFOMC), which utilizes chemical conjugation techniques for the tethering of enzymes to the surface of the synthesized AFOMC. The delivery mechanism may be utilized to express a wide variety of toxin-degrading enzymes for removal/remediation of organic pollutants.

Abstract: A facility for complex processing of organic waste. The facility includes a waste preparation module, which includes waste separation, waste mixing and biotunnel. The facility further includes a module for waste pyrolysis and gasification, including a reactor for pyrolysis and partial gasification connected to a gasification reactor. The reactor for pyrolysis and partial gasification and the reactor for gasification contain melts of salts. Further, the reactors are connected with a gas storage tank which is connected with a reactor for power and heat generation.

Abstract: Non-hydrophobic beads and methods to reversibly bind, normalize, store and in situ deliver primers to reactions including PCR. Also provided are instructions for preparing the beads. In the presence of an appropriate binding buffer, a bead can be used to bind and desalt primers from a crude solution of DMT-off primers. In the presence of an appropriate binding buffer, a bead can be used to bind and purify primers from a crude solution of DMT-on primers. A bead may bind a picomolar amount of DMT-on primers from a solution containing a plurality of crude DMT-on primers. Upon detritylation and washing, the resulting DMT-off primer bound bead may be used in PCR. Primers are released from the bead upon cycling the temperature. Primer bound beads are coated or silanized with hydrophobic reagents which ensures a gradual release of primers during the thermal cycling of the PCR reaction. Coating or silanization in turn enhances primer stability and long term storage.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: A method for the degradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds is disclosed that involves dissolving ozone in a bipolar solvent comprising a non-polar solvent in which is of sufficiently non-polar character to solubilized the polycyclic aromatic compounds, and a polar-water-compatible solvent which is fully miscible with the non-polar solvent to form a single phase with the non-polar solvent. The bipolar solvent with dissolved ozone is contacted with the polycyclic aromatic compounds to solubilize the polycyclic aromatic compounds and react the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds with the ozone to degrade the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds to oxygenated intermediates. The bipolar solvent is then mixed with sufficient water to form separate non-polar and polar phases, the non-polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the oxygenated intermediates.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a resource utilizing method of refuses in urban and rural areas in which an acidification and anaerobic treatment tank, an additional anaerobic treatment tank, a biogas gathering tank and a gas generator set are provided and a gas inlet of said gas generator set is connected to the biogas gathering tank through pipes. The method comprises a refuses reception step, a uniform refuses distribution step, a primary magnetic separation step, a primary crushing step, a primary elutriation and floatation step, a uniform cutting step, an acidification and anaerobic treatment step, a selection and separation step, a buffering and adjusting step, an additional anaerobic treatment step and a sludge sedimentation and concentration step. In the present invention, the refuses need not pre-sort as the sorting and selection of the refuses are made throughout the overall process of the inventive refuses utilizing method.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides and more specifically to enzymes having isomerase activity, e.g., racemase activity, e.g., amino acid racemase activity, alanine racemase activity, and/or epimerase activity, and/or catalyze the re-arrangement of atoms within a molecule, catalyze the conversion of one isomer into another, catalyze the conversion of an optically active substrate into a raceme, which is optically inactive, catalyze the interconversion of substrate enantiomers, catalyze the stereochemical inversion around the asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having only one center of asymmetry, catalyze the stereochemical inversion of the configuration around an asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having more than one asymmetric center, and/or catalyze the racemization of amino acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel microorganisms having an excellent ability to reduce selenium acid compounds, a selenium acid compound-reducing agent comprising such microorganism(s) as an active ingredient, a method for reducing and a method for removing a selenium acid compound with use of such microorganism(s), and a process for producing metallic selenium. The microorganisms of the present invention are Aeromonas sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-1, Klebsiella sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-2, and Sulfurospirillum sp. strain JPCCY SEP-3. Also disclosed are a method for reducing a selenium acid compound comprising the step of co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound, and a process for producing metallic selenium comprising the steps of: co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound; and separating the thus produced culture product.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is an atmospheric bioremediation system focused to reduce the Carbon Dioxide content in the Earth's atmosphere. The disclosed system includes an apparatus to distribute iron in low oxidation states such as zero or plus two trough out the photic region of high nutrients low clorophylls (HNLC) oceans over a period of time. This special apparatus is needed to provide a slow and continuous release of the iron to prevent premature precipitation. It has been shown that microalgae growth is usually initiated by the addition of iron and its sustained feed in water whose only limiting nutrient to prevent algal growth is iron itself. It has also been shown that southern oceans are a possible large batch area where iron is the limiting nutrient.

Abstract: A method of degrading carbon nanomaterials includes mixing the carbon nanomaterials with a composition comprising a peroxide substrate and at least one catalyst selected from the group of an enzyme and an enzyme analog. The peroxide substrate undergoes a reaction in the presence of the catalyst to produce an agent interactive with the nanotubes to degrade the carbon nanomaterials. The peroxide substrate can, for example, be hydrogen peroxide or an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A method, device and system for producing preselected products, (either finished products or preselected intermediary products) from biobased precursors or CO2 and/or bicarbonate. The principal features of the present invention include a method wherein a binary culture is incubated with a biobased precursor in a closed system to transform at least a portion of the biobased precursor to a preselected product. The present invention provides a method of cultivation that does not need sparging of a closed bioreactor to remove or add a gaseous byproduct or nutrient from a liquid medium. This improvement leads to significant savings in energy consumption and allows for the design of photobioreactors of any desired shape. The present invention also allows for the use of a variety of types of waste materials to be used as the organic starting material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ?-class carbonic anhydrase polypeptides having improved properties including increased thermostability and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides formulations and uses of the polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing them.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

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: An enzyme-catalyzed desorption process for releasing CO2 gas from an ion-rich solution containing bicarbonate ions includes providing carbonic anhydrase in the ion-rich solution such that in a desorption unit the carbonic anhydrase is allowed to flow with the ion-rich solution while promoting conversion of the bicarbonate ions into CO2 gas and generating an ion-depleted solution and releasing the CO2 gas and the ion-depleted solution from the desorption unit. A CO2 capture process includes contacting a CO2-containing gas with a solution in an absorption unit, to convert CO2 into ions; feeding an ion-rich solution to a desorption unit wherein carbonic anhydrase is present within the ion-rich solution to generate an ion-depleted solution and, preferably, recycling the ion-depleted solution. Methods of decreasing the CO2 desorption temperature in a desorption unit, decreasing the CO2 desorption reactor size, and decreasing the CO2 desorption energy input in a desorption unit, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of heat-stable carbonic anhydrase in CO2 extraction, e.g., from flue gas, natural gas or biogas. Furthermore, the invention relates to isolated polypeptides having carbonic anhydrase activity at elevated temperatures and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides.

Abstract: The processes are utilized to recover ammonium from waste water using CO2 acidified absorption water. The process is particularly suited for utilization of cellular matter and a CO2 rich tail gas from a syngas fermentation process and derives significant benefit from the recovery of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate. Ammonia and ammonium are recovered from the treatment of the syngas as an ammonium rich solution, at least a portion of which is recycled to the fermentation zone to aid in the production of liquid products. A carbon dioxide rich gas produced by fermentation is used to capture the ammonia and ammonium, forming the ammonium rich solution.

Abstract: A thermophilic mannanohydrolase enzyme may be used as an enzyme breaker for fracturing fluids containing hydratable polymers of guar and underivatized guar. The amino acid sequence of the mannanohydrolase is at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: The use or process of use of a sequencing batch reactor for eliminating prion in specified risk materials and for measuring the efficacy of a sequencing batch reactor to degrade prior proteins in specified risk materials are disclosed. The specified risk material is fed to a sequencing batch reactor containing a layer of acclimatized anaerobic sludge, and the specified risk material reacts with the sludge at a temperature below 25° C. so as to allow degradation of the prion protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified carbonic anhydrase enzymes, and a process of using same for the extraction, production and purification of carbon dioxide gas. More particularly, modified carbonic anhydrase enzymes are used for the production, purification of carbon dioxide and the products of the hydration reaction, hydrogen and bicarbonate ions Also, this technology is used to enhance the production of carbon dioxide in blood or in reverse osmosis desalination to remove carbon dioxide. Specifically, the invention relates to a modified carbonic anhydrase enzyme possessing improved activity and a process whereby immobilized modified carbonic anhydrase contained within a reactor device catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of isolating ferritin from plant and animal material. The isolated ferritin can be administered to humans or animals in need of iron, and can be used to treat or supplement iron deficiency. The isolated ferritin can be used in industrial applications, such as increasing the iron content in heat-processed food or beverages. The methods of the invention also include quantitation of iron derived from plant or animal ferritin.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating a target nucleic acid including small target nucleic acids from a sample, said method comprising at least the following steps a) binding at least a portion of the target nucleic acid including small target nucleic acids to a nucleic acid binding solid phase comprised in a column by passing the sample through said column, b) performing an enzymatic and/or chemical treatment on the nucleic acid binding solid phase while the target nucleic acid is bound to said solid phase, c) collecting at least a portion of the small target nucleic acids released from the solid phase during said treatment of step b) as flow-through, d) contacting said flow-through which comprises small target nucleic acids mixed with a recovery solution with a nucleic acid binding solid phase for binding the contained small target nucleic acids to said nucleic acid binding solid phase, e) optionally performing an elution.

Abstract: Novel processes and compositions are described which use viral capsid proteins resistant to hydrolases to prepare virus-like particles to enclose and subsequently isolate and purify target cargo molecules of interest including nucleic acids such as siRNA's and shRNA's, and small peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The present invention also concerns materials and methods for removing aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) from a sample.

Abstract: A method to degrade or digest sludge, such as from pulp and/or paper manufacturing, is described. Compositions to use in the method are further described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disinfecting medical instruments are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a hood to provide a clean zone, a chamber to dispose within the clean zone, and an ultrasonicator. More specifically, the chamber can include a volume and can be configured to retain a fluid and receive medical instruments. The chamber can also include a portal through which fluids enter or leave the chamber. The ultrasonicator can be used to sonicate the volume when the fluid is present. A related method of disinfecting medical instruments can be accomplished using the systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: This anaerobic digestion method is a method to biologically treat precipitated sludge obtained by a precipitating operation to sewage or wastewater, sludge containing livestock waste sludge, or organic wastewater containing suspended solids of 5000 mg/L or more as a treatment object, by a fixed bed (20) using organism-attaching carriers (22) formed of spherical porous bodies. In addition, a part of the treatment object which has been supplied to the fixed bed (20) is extracted from an upper layer of the fixed bed (20). The extracted treatment object is supplied to a fixed layer (28) composed of the organism-attaching carriers (22), the fixed layer (28) constituting a lower layer of the fixed bed (20).

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering pure cellulose from a cellulose-containing sludge, the process comprising treating a sludge cellulose source under conditions permitting dissolution of non-cellulose material and suspension of the cellulose, wherein said dissolution conditions do not alter cellulose morphology.

Abstract: Compositions of bacteria which are effective for the nitrification of wastewater, particularly at low temperatures, are described. The compositions are comprised of 35 strains or populations of at least partially characterized isolated bacteria. These compositions may be used to treat wastewater contaminated with animal fecal waste and/or ammonia. In use, wastewater is contacted with the bacterial composition of the invention under aerobic conditions and for a period of time effective to oxidize ammonia therein.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.

Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and a method for treating organic sludge is constructed such that the sludge is first dewatered with a first dewatering device; the dewatered sludge is passed through a thermal hydrolysis reactor to hydrolyze polymers contained in the dewatered sludge, the hydrolyzed sludge is passed through a digester to digest the hydrolyzed sludge anaerobically, the digested sludge is passed through a second dewatering device to dewater the anaerobically digested sludge to form dewatered cake, solution generated in dewatering with the second dewatering device is passed through a crystallization reactor to crystallize and the remove phosphorus and nitrogen in the solution, and the dewatered cake by the second dewatering device is passed through an incineration or high temperature melt processing apparatus to incinerate or melt the dewatered cake.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ?-class carbonic anhydrase polypeptides having improved properties including increased thermostability and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides formulations and uses of the polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing them.

Abstract: This invention relates to bacteria having a function of reducing the content of heavy metals in plants, a method for reducing the content of heavy metals in plants with the use of such bacteria, and a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, such bacteria.

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 disclosure relates to isolation and identification of unique Pseudomonas stutzeri strains that can grow on crude oil under denitrifying conditions and are useful in oil recovery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ?-class carbonic anhydrase polypeptides having improved properties including increased thermostability and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides formulations and uses of the polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing them.

Abstract: A polycistronic expression cassette encoding proteins necessary for constructing a multi-enzyme complex was developed. Also disclosed herein is a host cell containing this polycistronic expression cassette and uses thereof in degrading biomass.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chemically modified carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and soluble compositions, homogenous liquid formulations comprising them. The chemically modified carbonic anhydrase polypeptides have improved properties relative to the same carbonic anhydrase polypeptide that is not chemically modified including the improved properties of increased activity and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides methods of preparing the chemically modified polypeptides and methods of using the chemically modified polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering.

Abstract: Methods of treating a dialysis component by providing a dialysis component and contacting the dialysis component with an enzyme are provided. The enzyme breaks down microbial contaminants in the dialysis component. The enzyme may be separated from the dialysis component to provide a purified dialysis component. The purified dialysis component may be substantially free of microbial contaminants that cause a cytokine response in humans.

Abstract: A synchronized water is disclosed, in which all single water molecules at the same time are arranged in an identical way to a stable homogeneous microstructure, wherein said synchronized water in a distilled condition and at atmospheric pressure has a) a density of from 0.997855 to 0.998836 g/ml at 22° C., b) a water temperature at the freezing point of from ?6.7° C. to ?8.2° C., c) a melting point of from 0.1° C. to 0.2° C., d) a surface tension of from 72.3 to 72.7 dyn/cm at 22 and e) a dielectric constant of from 82.4 to 82.6 F/m, as well as a method for preparation thereof and different uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing genetically enhanced aquatic photoautotrophic organisms in a stable culture, causing said organisms to produce ethanol, and then separating, collecting, and removing the ethanol in situ.

Abstract: A fermentation process for the production of cellulase mixtures is provided. The process comprises providing a genetically modified host filamentous fungus that overexpresses a Xyr1 transcription factor and/or that is partially or completely deficient in expressing one or more hemicellulase enzyme. The host filamentous fungus is cultured in a medium comprising a carbon source. The carbon source contains from about 60 wt % to about 100 wt % hemicellulose-derived carbohydrate and less than 5% of a cellulase-inducing carbohydrate or contains from about 25 wt % to about 100% wt % hemicellulose-derived sugar alcohol in combination with from about 0 wt % to about 75 wt % glucose, glycerol or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biological and chemical gas treatment are disclosed. The systems may generally include a biological treatment zone and a chemical oxidation zone. An oxidizing agent subsystem may deliver an oxidizing agent, such as chlorine dioxide, to the chemical oxidation zone. The oxidizing agent subsystem may generate the oxidizing agent in situ from a product of the biological treatment zone. The oxidizing agent subsystem may include a reaction chamber and a source of a reactant, such as an alkaline metal chlorite reservoir. A controller may be in communication with various sensors and other components to generally manage operation of the disclosed systems.