Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing hemicellulose fractions from cereal crops, comprising pressurized hot water extraction of hemicellulose fractions from cereal crops in combination with subsequent enzymatic treatments and/or subsequent membrane ultrafiltration to further purify the extracts. The novel process described herein allows for sustainable and scalable extraction and isolation of valuable hemicellulose fractions, especially arabinoxylans (AXs), from cereal side products. The process allows the selective fractionation of arabinoxylans based on their molecular structure and inherent functionalities, which can e.g. be used for the preparation of carbohydrate-based materials with functional properties.

Abstract: A method for on-farm processing a biomass feedstock into a useful industrial chemicals includes the steps of (a) delignifying the biomass feedstock to produce a delignified biomass, (b) subjecting the delignified biomass to cellulase production, (c) subjecting the delignified biomass with attached cellulase to simultaneous cellulolytic and solventogenic reactions to produce useful industrial chemicals (d) collecting and separating the useful industrial chemical from the fermentation broth and (e) collecting the fermentation residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extract of cotton fibers, a cosmetic composition comprising, by way of an active principle, at least one extract of cotton fibers, formed by mono, di, tri and tetra saccharides, in a physiologically suitable medium. The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method for protecting keratin substrates, for reinforcing the skin's cutaneous barrier and/or for reinforcing protection of the hair and/or for enhancing keratin synthesis and/or for nourishing keratin substrates. The invention also relates to a method for producing an extract of cotton fibers and to the use thereof for the preparation of a cosmetic composition according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method to modify the lignin with particular fungal species, and procedure to synthesize phenolic adhesives with the modified lignin as raw materials, and the adhesives compositions and methods for making adhesive compositions, and methods for making lingo-cellulosic composites from renewable materials. Four fungi in examples are Lenzites elegans (Spreng.) Pat. (FTK 329A), Phanerochaete cremea (Bres.) Parmasto (FTK 332A), Pycnoporellus alboluteus (Ellis & Everh.) Kotl. & Pouz. (FTK 76A) and Meruliopsis taxicola (Pers.) Bondartsev (FTK 122B). Lignin used in examples are organosolv lignin, Kraft lignin, and ammonium lignosulfonate. The present invention includes methods to (1) modify of lignin with fungi; (2) in-situ polymerize modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde to generate bio-modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde adhesive in liquid form, and (3) manufacture composite panels with bio-modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated laccase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding them. Also provided are mediators for laccase reactions. Also provided herein are methods for using laccases to oxidize lignins and other phenolic and aromatic compounds, such as for bio-bleaching and decolorization of wood pulp under high temperature and pH conditions to facilitate a substantial reduction in use of bleaching chemicals, as well as for treatment of fibers.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for digesting a biomass comprising, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the biomass with a first solvent for dissolving the cellulose and/or the hemicellulose, (b) contacting the dissolved cellulose and/or hemicellulose with a precipitant for forming a precipitate comprising cellulose and/or hemicellulose and residual lignin, wherein the precipitant is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, ethers, and esters; and (c) contacting the precipitate with a second solvent for removing residual lignin from the precipitate. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing such a method.

Abstract: Animal bedding having one or more solvents and a lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing pelletized animal bedding is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from a cow which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, drying the first wet product to generate a first dry product, and densifying the first dry product to, in turn, generate pelletized animal bedding.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic fibrous composite having one or more solvents and a dried lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the dried lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing a lignocellulosic fibrous composite is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from an animal which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, and drying the first wet product to, in turn, generate a lignocellulosic fibrous composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for pre-treating non-wood lignocellulosic material containing less than 5 % (w/w) starch or sugar in a process for production of ethanol from lignocellulose, comprising the steps of: adding organic acid or organic acid-producing bacteria to the lignocellulosic material; storing the lignocellulosic material in the presence of the organic acid for a period of at least two weeks in an atmosphere of less than 5% oxygen to obtain organic acid-impregnated material; and heating the organic acid-impregnated material at a temperature of at least 160° C. to obtain pre-treated lignocellulosic material, wherein no, or substantially no, inorganic acid or base, including SO2, is added in the method.

Abstract: Novel fiber processing methods and the products obtained therefrom are disclosed. Methods may include thermochemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of fiber feedstocks including distillers' dried grains, distillers' dried grains with solubles, soyhull, miscanthus and switchgrass. Enzymatic hydrolysis includes hydrolysis with cellulase, hemicellulase, and protease.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol or animal foodstuff by treating lignocellulosic material by subjecting the material to microwave radiation at the resonant frequency of the lignin to dissociate the lignin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method for manufacturing textile, by treating textile with an isolated polypeptide having endoglucanase activity, especially in biostoning and bio-polishing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides having glucanase, e.g., endoglucanase, mannanase, xylanase activity or a combination of these activities, and polynucleotides encoding them. In one aspect, the glucanase activity is an endoglucanase activity (e.g., endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucano hydrolase activity) and comprises hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, cellulose derivatives (e.g., carboxy methyl cellulose and hydroxy ethyl cellulose) lichenin, beta-1,4 bonds in mixed beta-1,3 glucans, such as cereal beta-D-glucans or xyloglucans and other plant material containing cellulosic parts. In addition, methods of designing new enzymes and methods of use thereof are also provided. In alternative aspects, the new glucanases e.g., endoglucanases, mannanases, xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises methods, apparatus, components, and techniques for pretreatment of biomaterials using targeted wet oxidation. The targeted wet oxidation pretreatment is an upstream method for converting solid biomass into fuels and/or specialty chemicals. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise methods carried out on biomaterials to selectively oxidize lignin components of the biomass, thereby resulting in bio accessible/digestible biomass fibers. In embodiments of the present disclosure, such methods may comprise pretreatment processes to prepare the biomaterials for a subsequent fermentation or other like conversion may be carried out to result in useful bio fuels or other bioproducts.

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a process for producing purified cellulose, comprising: providing a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass; contacting the feedstock with sulfur dioxide, water, and a solvent for lignin, to produce intermediate solids and a liquid phase comprising hemicelluloses and lignin; mildly bleaching the intermediate solids to further delignify the intermediate solids, thereby generating cellulose-rich solids; and washing the cellulose-rich solids to generate purified cellulose with less than 2 weight percent lignin. The bleaching may employ bleaching agents including lignin-modifying enzymes. The bleaching and washing steps may be combined. It is also possible to carry out bleaching prior to, or simultaneously with, biomass fractionation in the digestor, which may help reduce downstream lignin precipitation. The purified cellulose may be utilized for making cellulose materials or cellulose derivatives, or for hydrolysis to produce glucose.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic fibrous composite having one or more solvents and a dried lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the dried lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing a lignocellulosic fibrous composite is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from an animal which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, and drying the first wet product to, in turn, generate a lignocellulosic fibrous composite.

Abstract: Animal bedding having one or more solvents and a lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing pelletized animal bedding is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from a cow which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, drying the first wet product to generate a first dry product, and densifying the first dry product to, in turn, generate pelletized animal bedding.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-glucuronidase 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 xylanases and to polynucleotides encoding the xylanases. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: Saccharification of polysaccharides of plants is provided, where release of fermentable sugars from cellulose is obtained by adding plant tissue composition. Production of glucose is obtained without the need to add additional ?-glucosidase. Adding plant tissue composition to a process using a cellulose degrading composition to degrade cellulose results in an increase in the production of fermentable sugars compared to a process in which plant tissue composition is not added. Using plant tissue composition in a process using a cellulose degrading enzyme composition to degrade cellulose results in decrease in the amount of cellulose degrading enzyme composition or exogenously applied cellulase required to produce fermentable sugars.

Abstract: Saccharification of polysaccharides of plants is provided, where release of fermentable sugars from cellulose is obtained by adding plant tissue composition. Production of glucose is obtained without the need to add additional ?-glucosidase. Adding plant tissue composition to a process using a cellulose degrading composition to degrade cellulose results in an increase in the production of fermentable sugars compared to a process in which plant tissue composition is not added. Using plant tissue composition in a process using a cellulose degrading enzyme composition to degrade cellulose results in decrease in the amount of cellulose degrading enzyme composition or exogenously applied cellulase required to produce fermentable sugars.

Abstract: A process for the production of ethanol wherein a hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass is fermented in the presence of a stillage residue. The fermentation of cellulosic hydrolysates is improved by adding prior to and/or during fermentation a stillage residue side stream from a corn starch-to-ethanol process as a nutrient source for the yeast organisms used in the fermentation. Stillage residues from the grain dry mill ethanol producing process, including the whole stillage, wet cake, thin stillage, and/or syrup are added to assist as a nitrogen and nutrient source for the fermentive processes. The stillage residue is produced by any grain-to-ethanol process.

Abstract: A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for processes for enzymatic refining of a pretreated cellulosic material for saccharification.

Abstract: A method of extracting fibers from decorticated plant bast skin involves pre-treating decorticated plant bast skin of a fiber plant with an aqueous solution containing trisodium citrate having a pH in a range of about 8-14 at a temperature of about 90° C. or less; and subsequently treating recovered fibers with a protease at alkaline pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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 present invention provides transgenic plant and methods of using them. In one embodiment, the methods include growing a transgenic plant under certain conditions, such as stress conditions, such as drought, heat, or salt, where the plant has decreased expression of a SUT polypeptide compared to a control plant. The transgenic plant may have a phenotype of increased growth, increased formation of woody tissue, increased drought tolerance, increased water use efficiency, increased nitrogen utilization efficiency, or a combination thereof, compared to the control plant. In another embodiment, the methods include using a transgenic plant to produce a pulp.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for high yields while using reduced enzyme loads in saccharification and fermentation processes. These methods increase the efficiency of enzymes and result in improved yields and composition of saccharification and fermentation end products.

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: Methods for obtaining concentrated sugar solution from polysaccharide enriched biomass by contacting biomass with water and at least one nucleophilic base to produce a polysaccharide enriched biomass comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction and then contacting the solid fraction with saccharification enzyme consortium to produce a saccharification product comprising at least about 7 percent by weight sugars in 24 hours. The methods include optionally adding at least one additive selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethoxylates, nonionic surfactants derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and a fatty acid, sodium lauriminodipropionate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, sodium tridecyl ether sulfate and a combination of these, such that enzyme loading of the saccharification enzyme consortium can be reduced.

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: There is described a nonwoven material comprising a multilayered stack, the multilayered stack comprising discrete interconnected layers, each of the layers, which may be the same or different, comprising a composite fibre of from about 80 to 100% w/w leaf or stem fibre and from about 1 to 20% w/w of a polymer, wherein the polymer is fusible at a temperature of about 180° C. or less. There is also described a novel method of enzyme degumming leaf and/or stem fibres.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic fibrous composite having one or more solvents and a dried lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the dried lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing a lignocellulosic fibrous composite is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from an animal which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, and drying the first wet product to, in turn, generate a lignocellulosic fibrous composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent glycoside hydrolase, comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 21, 94, 157, 205, 206, 247, 337, 350, 373, 383, 438, 455, 467, and 486 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, and optionally further comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2 a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the variants have glycoside hydrolase activity. The present invention also relates to nucleotide sequences encoding the variant glycoside hydrolases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleotide sequences.

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: 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 a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 76% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 76% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional polypeptide and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified family-8 cellulases that exhibit enhanced thermostability compared to the corresponding wild-type enzyme, polynucleotides encoding the modified cellulases, compositions comprising same and uses thereof. The variant family-8 cellulases are advantageous for the bioconversion process of cellulosic substrates.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for separating gas components from a gas stream. The methods are particularly advantageous in that an environmentally friendly biomass absorbent is used to assist in the separation process. The invention is particularly suited to separate water soluble gas components from a gas stream. The water soluble gas components can be used to condition the biomass for additional use, such as a conditioned feed for a biofuel. In general, the conditioned biomass will have increased enzyme digestibility, making the conditioned biomass highly suitable as feedstock for biofuel production.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for producing cellulose of market eucalyptus fibers having distinct features through the use of at least one enzymatic treatment with hydrolytic enzymes, such as for example, xylanases, cellulases or mixtures thereof, in association to at least one acidic treatment step. These treatments may be applied into different steps of the fibers process producing, wherein all of them happen before drying.

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: A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing the toxicity of lignocellulosic hydrolysates which comprise one or more inhibitors. One method reduces the amount of furfural inhibitor leading to a more effective process. Another method reduces the amount of xylitol produced during the fermentation of xylose present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Naturally occurring aldo/keto reductase enzymes, as well as, enzymes produced by recombinant cells or by selective adaptation may be employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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: 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 thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.