Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in safflower plants, particularly from seeds of safflower. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding one or more fatty acid desaturase sequences are used to generate transgenic safflower plants that contain and express one or more of these sequences and produce high levels of GLA in safflower seeds. Provided are transgenic safflower plants and seeds that produce high levels of GLA. Additionally provided are oils produced from seeds of this invention. The invention also relates to methods of treating a variety of diseases including nervous system disorders, inflammatory conditions, cancer and cardiovascular disorders using the oils of this invention.

Abstract: A process for producing triglycerides comprises: (a) subjecting a first triglyceride comprising at least 40% by moles of oleic acid residues, based on total acyl groups in the triglyceride, to a reaction with stearic acid, at least one ester of stearic acid or a mixture thereof, to obtain a composition comprising 1,3-distearoyl 2-oleoyl glyceride and trioleoyl glyceride; (b) treating the composition to form a first fraction having an increased amount by weight of oleoyl groups compared to said composition and a second fraction having an increased amount by weight of stearoyl groups compared to said composition; (c) hydrolysing the first fraction to form oleic acid; and (d) reacting said oleic acid or an ester thereof with a triglyceride comprising at least 50% by moles of palmitic acid residues, based on total acyl groups, to form a composition comprising 1,3-dioleoyl 2-palmitoyl glyceride.

Abstract: A method for processing of byproducts in an ethanol production process is provided. The method includes applying a mixture of a microorganism to a stillage stream, metabolizing gums in the stillage stream using the mixture to release oil in the gums carried by the stillage stream and recovering the oil. Methods of liberating or releasing bound oil present in stillage are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for extracting fatty acids from aqueous biomass in a membrane contactor module. The present invention also relates to an integrated process combining biomass concentration and/or diafiltration and fatty acid extraction in said membrane contactor module.

Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel precursor are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel precursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for isolation of oils from a micro organism slurry or an algae slurry comprising feeding the slurry into a three phase centrifugal separator having a stack of separating discs and operating under force of at least 4500 G, preferably under a force of at least 5000 G, obtaining three phases: one oil phase, one liquid phase and one bio-organic phase. The present invention relates also to use of the process for production of bio-diesel or bio-fuels.

Abstract: Methods and related systems efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of reducing the content of steryl glycoside in a bio-diesel composition which comprises a step of contacting the composition with an enzyme being capable of acylating the steryl glycoside.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing purified oil from an organism, whether these organisms are wild type, selectively bred or genetically modified, and are suitable for the large scale production of an oil product. The organism may be an animal, a plant or a microorganism such as yeast, bacteria or algae. The organism is processed to create a biomass which can be extracted to remove the lipids contained within the biomass. The extraction produces a crude extract rich in lipids and containing residual contaminants. These contaminants are removed by contacting the crude extract with a composition that comprises a nanomaterial. Subsequently an oil product is recovered which is substantially free from residual contaminants, such as pigments.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oil degumming method that is free of emulsification. This method includes the steps of treating crude oil first with immobilized phospholipase and then extracting the phospholipase-treated crude oil with pure water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biphasic microalgae extract comprising 15-95 wt. % of an aqueous phase and 5-85 wt. % of an oil phase, said extract containing at least 1% by weight of total fatty acids of ?3-fatty acids selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and combinations thereof, said extract further being characterized in that it contains: • 40-100% by weight of the oil phase of lipids selected from triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, phosphatides, free fatty acids and combinations thereof; • 0.01-10% of carotenoids by weight of the oil phase; • 0.5-10% of sodium chloride by weight of the aqueous phase; • 0-3 wt. % of non-dissolved material other than dispersed droplets of aqueous phase or oil phase; and • 0-10% of C1-5 monoalcohol by weight of the aqueous phase. Together the aqueous phase and oil phase of the biphasic extract contain essentially all the lipid material that was originally contained in the microalgae biomass, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing Ganoderma spore oil which is in the field of biotechnology. The method includes using Ganoderma spore powder and Ganoderma powder (obtained from grinding fruiting bodies) as raw materials, applying enzymatic Ganoderma sporoderm broken methods, one-step granulation, supercritical CO2 extraction method, as well as centrifugation and refining. The light yellow oleaginous substances obtained posses a variety of physiological functions such as strengthening immunity, protecting the liver and inhibiting tumor cell growth, etc. Ganoderma spore oil prepared with the present technology contains not only spore extracts, but also extracts from Ganoderma fruiting bodies and mycelium by CO2 supercritical extraction, with more types of triterpenoids. The inhibitory effects of Ganoderma spore oil is a onefold higher than spore oil prepared from the physical preparation of the sporoderm-broken spore.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating microalgae photoautotrophically outdoors to prepare concentrated microalgae products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) docosahexaenoic acid, two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil that are very important for human and animal health. It also provides concentrated microalgae products containing EPA and DHA and purified lipid products containing EPA and DHA purified from microalgae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for efficiently extracting and producing lipid components from crustaceans. A method for producing lipids, characterized by obtaining a squeezed liquid by squeezing a whole crustacean or a part thereof, heating the squeezed liquid to a temperature at which proteins contained in the squeezed liquid coagulate, carrying out solid-liquid separation so as to separate the heated squeezed liquid into a solid component that contains lipid components and an aqueous component that contains water-soluble components, washing the resulting solid containing lipids or a dried product thereof with water, dehydrating and/or drying, and then extracting lipids from the solid containing lipids or the dried product thereof.

Abstract: A multiphase culturing process for high density heterotrophic microalgal growth uses crude glycerol as the primary carbon source and produces ?-3 fatty acids. The process uses multiphase growth conditions that decouple the phases of increasing cell density and increasing cell size and fatty acid production. The entire process is integrated with biodiesel production.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the use of a lipolytic enzyme obtainable from one of the following genera: Streptomyces, Corynebacterium and Thermobifida in various methods and uses, wherein the lipolytic enzyme hydrolyzes a glycolipid or a phospholipid or transfers an acyl group from a glycolipid or phospholipids to an acyl acceptor. The present invention also relates to a lipolytic enzyme that hydrolyzes at least a galactolipid or transfers an acyl group from a galactolipid to one or more acyl acceptor substrates, wherein the enzyme is obtainable from Corynebacterium species.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process to remove impurities from triacylglycerol oil including mixing the oil and a fluidic agent, pumping the mixture through a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus at a pre-determined inlet pump pressure, creating hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture, maintaining the hydrodynamic cavitation for a pre-determined period of time, moving the impurities from the oil to the fluidic agent, and then separating the fluidic agent from the oil. The impurities can include phytosterols, sterol glucosides, acylated sterol glucosides, in which case the fluidic agent is water, an alkali hydroxide, an inorganic base, an organic base, phosphoric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a mixture thereof. The impurities may also include phosphatides, in which case and the fluidic agent comprises water and an enzyme such as phospholipase, a lipid acyltransferase or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A stable oil containing LC-PUFAs in the form of triacylglycerols, in particular arachidonic acid (ARA), dihomogammalinolenic acid (DHGLA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may be prepared by direct pressing of one or more biomasses obtained from the culture of a microorganism, especially of a fungus or of a microalga containing the acids ARA, DHGLA, DHA or EPA leading to a first press oil and by bringing a carrier oil entering into the composition of a foodstuff, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product, into contact with the biomass cake, followed by pressing leading to a second press oil, and then by combining the pressed oils and refining the mixture under controlled conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytases, polynucleotides encoding them, uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides having phytase activity under high temperature conditions, and phytases that retain activity after exposure to high temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable at low temperatures, in addition to higher temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be formulated as foods or feeds or supplements for either to, e.g., aid in the digestion of phytate. The foods or feeds of the invention can be in the form of pellets, liquids, powders and the like.

Abstract: A process controls enzymatic degumming characteristics which cause fouling of post-reactor equipment of industrial scale processing of edible oils. An anti-fouling agent including an organic or mineral acid is added after the reactor and before any post-reactor equipment such as heat exchangers and centrifuges. Typically the anti-fouling agent is added at greater than about 100 ppm of the oil, and typically the pH of the aqueous phase of the oil is between about 3.5 and 4.2.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

Abstract: A method for processing of byproducts in an ethanol production process is provided. The method includes applying a mixture of a microorganism to a stillage stream, metabolizing gums in the stillage stream using the mixture to release oil in the gums carried by the stillage stream and recovering the oil. Methods of liberating or releasing bound oil present in stillage are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining lipid from a composition comprising cells and water, said process comprising contacting the composition with a desiccant, and recovering the lipid from the cells. The invention also relates to a lipid obtainable by this process. The process according to then invention enables lipid of high quality to be obtained with a high yield, and does not require a heating step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new supply source of enzymes useful for modification of phospholipids for example, and also provides a method for producing 2-acyl lysophospholipid, a method for producing monoacylglycerol, and a method for producing ceramide, as well as a new method for degumming fat and oil. A novel microorganism is provided, which belongs to Moritella species and is capable of producing enzymes provided with: phospholipase A1 activity; phospholipase C activity; lysophospholipase C activity; and sphingomyelinase activity. By use of those enzymes, the following processes may be effected: hydrolysis of phospholipids for production of 2-acyl lysophospholipid and diacylglycerol; hydrolysis of sphingomyeline for production of ceramide; and degumming of fat and oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple and economically attractive process for the pretreatment of vegetable oils which involves (a) enzymatic degumming with commercially available phospholipase A1 from the sources like Aspergillus oryzae microorganism, (b) bleaching of the enzymatically degummed oil using bleaching earth and activated carbon, and (c) dewaxing (in case of rice bran oil) of degummed and bleached oil at lower temperature to obtain oil with less than 5 ppm of residual phosphorus which is amenable for physical refining.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides having phospholipase activity, including, e.g., phospholipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, phosphatidic acid phosphatases (PAP)) and/or lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity, nucleic acids encoding them and antibodies that bind to them. Industrial methods, e.g., oil degumming, and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided.

Abstract: A method for degumming an oil composition comprises the steps of (a) providing an oil composition containing a quantity of phospholipids, (b) contacting said oil composition simultaneously with one or more phospholipase A enzymes and one or more phospholipase C enzymes, under conditions sufficient for the enzymes to react with the phospholipids to create phospholipid reaction products, and (c) separating the phospholipids reaction products from the oil composition, the remaining oil composition after the separation being a degummed oil composition, whereby during step (b) the reaction of said one or more phospholipase A enzymes proceeds at a faster rate than it would in the absence of said one or more phospholipase C enzymes.

Abstract: A bacterial composition, a process and a facility for the pre-treatment of effluent rich in organic fats of animal or vegetable origin. The bacterial composition principally is the bacterial strain Klebsiella oxytoca. The process consists of supplying a homogenisation and/or processing vessel (1) with effluent to be pre-treated, as it is produced, activating a recirculation circuit (2) between the vessel and a biological reactor (3) to obtain a fat dilution rate situated between 0.400 h?1 and 1.500 h?1 for an initial fat concentration of 1 g/l, degrading the fats in the biological reactor (3) using the bacterial composition and discharging the pre-treated effluent to a final treatment unit such as a purification plant.

Abstract: A method for extracting contaminants and pollutants from an ecosystem. The method includes extracting from the ecosystem a quantity of animal tissue and grinding or macerating the animal tissue to form a slurry-like mixture and adding the mixture to a digestion vessel. The pH of the ground animal tissue is reduced to a range of from approximately 3.5 to approximately 4.5 and the ground tissue is allowed to decompose through the action of digestive enzymes released from the visceral tissue of the animal tissue by the maceration step. The decomposed tissue is separated into a lipid portion, a proteinaceous portion and a bone fragment or hard tissue portion. At least a part of the lipid portion may then be extracted from the decomposed tissue for further processing or disposal of contaminants and pollutants contained therein.

Abstract: A processing method used for separating bone and oil from marine byproducts in the preparation of an endproduct. The byproducts are ground and then warmed to a relatively low temperature of approximately 70 deg.C. or less. The warmed material is passed to a refiner to separate the bone from the meat portions. The meat portion is transferred to a digestion tank where the endogenous enzymes perform a first stage digestion. Exogenous enzymes may be added and further digestion may take place for increased liquefaction of the meat portion. The exogenous enzymes can survive temperatures higher than the 60-65 deg.C. range so the liquified material can be heated during the further digestion to increase hydrolysis and pasteurize the product. Oil may be removed from the product by centrifuge following completion of either digesting step. Evaporation of the product may be used to increase the percentage of solid material. Alternatively, the oil may be removed after digestion without mechanically deboning the byproducts.

Abstract: A conjugate vaccine for Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae comprising lipooligosaccharide from which esterified fatty acids have been removed conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. The vaccine is useful for prevention of otitis media and respiratory infections in mammals.

Abstract: A method of chromatographic isolation for non-glyceride components (squalenes, carotenes, vitamin E, sterols and/or the like) from a non-glyceride components-comprising compound by the steps of a. introducing the non-glyceride components-comprising compound onto a selective adsorbent to allow an adsorption of the non-glyceride components, and subsequently b. desorbing the non-glyceride components from the adsorbent, wherein the adsorption and/or desorption of the non-glyceride components is carried out under a supercritical fluid environment.

Abstract: A process for removing digestible fat from a crude reaction mixture comprising nondigestible fat and at least one digestible fat selected from the group consisting of digestible fats having fatty acid chains, comprising the steps of: (1) treating the crude reaction mixture with an aqueous solution comprising lipase at a pH sufficient to obtain soaps from the fatty acid chains; and (2) removing the soaps.

Abstract: A fat reforming method using an enzyme which has been activated by adding the enzyme to a system containing water and fat phases, activating the enzyme by a function of a boundary surface/layer between the water and fat phases, and removing the water and fat phases through freeze drying. Tetradecane may be used as the fat phase. Just after adding tetradecane into a water phase in which lipase is dissolved, though existing in water phase as shown in FIG. 4(a), the lipase moves towards the boundary surface since it has a tendency to gather around the boundary surface between the water and fat phases. The lipase moved to the boundary surface has hydrophobic portion at the side of the fat phase and a hydrophilic portion of the lipase at the side of the water phase, as shown in FIG. 4(b), and at the same time the lid covering the activating portion is opened by the function of the boundary surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses a Gram-positive microorganism, Bacillus megaterium that effectively and efficiently degrades fats, oils and grease. A composition comprising said microorganism and a method for degrading fatty acids and grease are also disclosed. Availability of glycerol to the biodegrading microorganism was discovered to enhance biodegradation.

Abstract: A bacterial composition, a process and a facility for the pre-treatment of effluent rich in organic fats of animal or vegetable origin. The bacterial composition principally is the bacterial strain Klebsiella oxytoca. The process consists of supplying a homogenisation and/or processing vessel (1) with effluent to be pre-treated, as it is produced, activating a recirculation circuit (2) between the vessel and a biological reactor (3) to obtain a fat dilution rate situated between 0.400 h−1 and 1.500 h−1 for an initial fat concentration of 1 g/l, degrading the fats in the biological reactor (3) using the bacterial composition and discharging the pre-treated effluent to a final treatment unit such as a purification plant.

Abstract: The invention concerns concentrates of shea sterols in glycerides with more than 12.5 wt % shea sterols, the preparation thereof by enzymic hydrolysis of glycerides in shea oils or fractions thereof and the application of the concentrates in aerated food products.

Abstract: A device and method for producing refined adipose tissue for use in autologous adipose transplantation or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for refining tissue comprising a first flexible container, a second flexible container having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first flexible container and the interior of the first enveloping flexible container, a first port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first flexible container and thereby provides a means for introducing fluids into the interior of the first flexible container and allowing waste effluent to exit the first container, a second flexible container, a second port for inserting tissue into the second container and expressing refined tissue out of the container, and a means for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second ports.

Abstract: Fish oil concentrates, having:.gtoreq.40% of long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids<20% of saturated fatty acids (C.sub.14 -C.sub.18)<15% oleic acid<12% C.sub.16:1 --fatty acidand with a weight-ratio:DHA=0.5-3.0EPAcan be obtained by a process involving the following stepssubjecting a fish oil to an enzymic conversionremoving free fatty acids or esters from conversion-productsubjecting product of above to enzymic hydrolysis, using 1.

Abstract: A method for extracting vegetable oils from oleaginous plants in which the solid parts of the plants, which contain oils embedded in macromolecular polysaccharide substances typical of the integument of the plants, are subjected to an enzyme attack by means of at least one enzyme which lyses at least that polysaccharide. Then the oil contained in the solid parts is recovered by means of conventional mechanical recovery stages without using a solvent-based extraction stage.

Abstract: Fish oil concentrates, having:.ltoreq.40% of long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids<20% of saturated fatty acids (C.sub.14 -C.sub.18)<15% oleic acid<12% C.sub.16:1 -fatty acidand with a weight-ratio: ##EQU1## can be obtained by a process involving the following steps subjecting a fish oil to an enzymic conversionremoving free fatty acids or esters from conversion-productsubjecting product of above to enzymic hydrolysis, using specific lipase or partial glyceride-specific lipasewash and dry productre-esterify dried product.

Abstract: A degumming step in the production of edible oils is disclosed. Vegetable oils from which hydratable phosphatides have preferably been eliminated by a previous aqueous degumming process, are freed from non-hydratable phosphatides by an enzymatic treatment, so that they may be physically refined. The main characteristic of the invention is the use of phospholipase from an Aspergillus strain. The process is gentle, economical and environment-friendly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for treating an oil composition containing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides, with at least some of the unsaturated fatty acids being polyunsaturated, in order to obtain a refined product with a higher concentration of the polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant antibody molecules comprising antigen binding regions derived from the heavy and/or light chain variable regions of a donor anti-CD3 antibody, e.g. OKT3, and which have anti-CD3 binding specificity, preferably of affinity similar to that of OKT3. The recombinant antibody is preferably a humanized antibody and may be a chimeric or CDR-grafted antibody. A method is disclosed for preparing CDR-grafted humanized antibodies in which, in addition to the CDR's, non-human antibody residues are preferably used at positions 23, 24, 49, 71, 73 and 78 of the heavy chain variable region and at positions 46, 48, 58, and 71 of the light chain variable region. The recombinant, especially the humanized, anti-CD3 antibodies may used for in vivo therapy or diagnosis.

Abstract: A mixture of fatty acids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids is esterified by enzymatic catalysis and then the reaction mixture is saponified, which provides an organic phase containing esters and an aqueous phase which contains fatty acids, the phases are separated and the fatty acids of the aqueous phase are extracted by a non-polar solvent to obtain the fatty acids in the solvent, after which the solvent may be removed from the fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from a biomass comprising the PHA, the process comprising: a) treating the biomass with a PHA solvent and a marginal nonsolvent for PHA; b) removing any insoluble biomass, thereby leaving behind a solution of PHA and marginal nonsolvent for PHA; and c) removing the PHA solvent from the solution, thereby resulting in a suspension of precipitated PHA in the marginal nonsolvent for PHA. Optionally, the process further comprises removing the marginal nonsolvent for PHA, thereby leaving behind the PHA. The present invention further relates to the suspension and the PHA produced by the process.

Abstract: A tissue dissociation method and system for washing and dissociating tissue and producing a cellular suspension for use in autologous, cell-based therapies or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for dissociating tissue comprising a housing unit, a first compartment having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the housing unit, a first inlet port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first compartment and thereby provides a means for introducing solutions into the interior of the first compartment, a second compartment, a second inlet port for introducing a tissue sample into the system, a means for agitating or rotating the second compartment in the housing unit, a means for controlling the exit of effluent from the housing unit, a first receptacle, and a centrifuge-ready second receptacle for collecting a resulting cell suspension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing contaminating hydrocarbons from regions which are subjected to extreme temperatures. The temperatures are generally outside the range of optimum growth of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms. The method can involve the steps of contacting the region with hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms, and adjusting the temperature of the region contacted with the microorganisms to optimize their growth.

Abstract: The method for processing of potatoes is characterized by the fact that the method is carried out in a potato processing plant, which comprises an oil separator, heating equipment and at least one enzyme reactor and which is modified in such a manner that it can also be used for processing of rape. It is not obvious that such modification is sufficiently small for achieving an economically sound method for processing of rape outside the potato season.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for the refining of oil and fat by which phospholipids in the oil and fat to be treated can be decomposed and removed efficiently. Particularly, it provides a process for the refining of oil and fat which comprises reacting, in an emulsion, the oil and fat with an enzyme having an activity to decompose glycerol-fatty acid ester bonds in glycerophospholipids (e.g., pancreas-derived phospholipase A.sub.2); and another process in which the enzyme-treated oil and fat is washed with water or an acidic aqueous solution. Preferably, the acidic aqueous solution to be used in the washing step is a solution of at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and salts thereof. Also, it is preferred that the emulsified condition is formed using 30 weight parts or more of water per 100 weight parts of the oil and fat.