Abstract: This invention presents a method of improving enzymatic degradation of lignocellulose, as in the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, through the use of ultrasonic treatment. The invention shows that ultrasonic treatment reduces cellulase requirements by ⅓ to ½. With the cost of enzymes being a major problem in the cost-effective production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, this invention presents a significant improvement over presently available methods.

Abstract: Multi-component system for modifying, degrading or bleaching lignin, lignin-containing materials or similar substances, includes (a) if appropriate at least one oxidation catalyst; (b) at least one suitable oxidizing agent; and (c) at least one mediator, wherein the mediator is chosen from the group consisting of N-aryl-N-hydroxyamides.

Abstract: A method for making dissolving pulp from cellulosic fiber. The fiber is treated with a 3-stage sequence having a first alkali extraction stage, a xylanase treatment stage, and a second alkali extraction stage. Having the xylanase treatment stage sandwiched between 2 alkali extraction stages results in the dissolving pulp exhibiting both a very low xylan content of about 2.6% by weight or less and a very low mannan content of about 1.5% by weight or less. The low contents of these 2 components cannot be achieved with comparison treatments of only an alkali extraction stage, only a xylanase treatment stage, or only 2 stages of a xylanase treatment stage and an alkali extraction stage.

Abstract: A multicomponent system for modifying, degrading or bleaching lignin and lignin-containing materials or similar substances, includes an oxidoreductase and an oxidant suitable for the oxidoreductase and a mediator and at least one enzymatically active additive. The mediator does not inactivate the oxidoreductase and the enzymatically active additive, and the enzymatically active additive is selected from the group consisting of the hydrolases of the enzyme class 3.2.1.

Abstract: DNA encoding novel xylanases, vectors containing such DNA, hosts transformed with such DNA, enzyme preparations, and the use of such preparations are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermophilic alkaliphilic bacteria designated Thermopallium natronophilum and thermophilic alkaliphilic polypeptides obtainable therefrom. It also provides compositions, particularly detergent compositions comprising the polypeptides.

Abstract: An enzyme from Aspergillus aculeatus exhibiting endoglucanase activity encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18, and useful for degrading plant cell walls.

Abstract: A process for production of a lignocellulosic material modified by conjugation thereto of a phenolic substance comprising a substituent which, in the conjugated form of the phenolic substance, is, or may become, negatively or positively charged, respectively, comprises: reacting a lignocellulosic fibre material and the phenolic substance with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the oxidation of phenolic groups by the oxidizing agent; and reacting together the products of the reactions; with the proviso that the phenolic substance is not a phenolic polysaccharide. A strengthened lignocellulose-based product (e.g. a paper product) may be prepared by a procedure wherein a product produced in accordance with the latter process is treated with a strengthening agent having an ionic charge of sign opposite to that which is conferred on the modified lignocellulosic material by the charge-conferring substituent.

Abstract: Pectin degrading enzymes derived from or endogeneous to Bacillus licheniformis or other Bacillus species which are at least 99% homologous to Bacillus licheniformis based on aligned 16S rDNA sequences have optimum activity at pH higher than 8. The pectin degrading enzymes belongs to the enzyme classes pectate lyases (EC 4.2.2.2), pectin lyases (EC 4.2.2.10) and polygalacturonases (EC 3.2.1.15) and are useful in industrial processes under alkaline conditions such as in textile processing and as an active ingredient eg in laundry detergents and hard surface cleaning products.

Abstract: A highly active cellulase suitable for use in a removal of nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers, and its gene are provided. A novel cellulase NCE4 isolated from Humicola insolens is a highly active cellulase, and can be used for various treatments of cellulose-containing fibers.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a convenient method for restoring the various properties of BC even after it is once dried.The present invention relates to a method for processing a bacterial cellulose comprising dehydrating and drying under tension the bacterial cellulose produced in an agitated culture followed by homogenization, and to a method for processing a bacterial cellulose comprising dehydrating and drying the bacterial cellulose produced in an agitated culture under such conditions that a degree of planar orientation (h1/h2) (wherein h1 and h2 mean the height of a peak originating in the crystallographic plane (110) and the crystallographic plane (110), respectively, in a diffraction curve obtained with X-ray diffractometry by a reflection method) will be 2 or more, followed by homogenization.An excellent retention aid for fillers and sheet with a high strength may be prepared by using the bacterial cellulose obtained by the above methods.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a high yield process for producing high quality corn fiber gum by hydrogen peroxide treatment of corn fiber during alkaline extraction and/or after obtaining the alkaline extract of milled corn fiber. This process comprises the steps:a) mixing corn fiber with an alkaline solution to form a slurry and extract hemicellulose;b) treating the slurry with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 10.0 to 12.5; andc) separating out the insoluble fractions from the corn fiber slurry to yield corn fiber gum.The corn fiber gum produced by this process is highly soluble in water and provides low viscosity solutions which are nearly devoid of color over a wide pH range. The corn fiber gum lacks objectionable flavor and aroma. The corn fiber gum is useful for a variety of applications, including film formation and to thicken, emulsify, stabilize and/or extend aqueous solutions and suspensions.

Abstract: Methods of treating dehulled or hull-less oat, i.e. oat groats, to produce oat pearlings, oat flour and oat bran products are described. Oat groats are abrasion milled to remove up to 15% by weight and produce pearled oat groats and pearlings. The pearlings are extracted sequentially with aqueous ethanol and hexane to produce an anti-irritant and a light oat oil, or with hexane to produce a dark oat oil and lipase. The pearled oat groats are steeped in an aqueous medium for up to 4 hours and then macerated to produce an enriched oat bran, from which an enriched beta glucan may be extracted; a refined oat flour, from which oat starch and oat protein may be extracted; and a pearled oat groat extract from which further products, such as an oat anti-irritant can be recovered.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for the separation of a fermentation process byproduct into its constituent components and for the subsequent recovery of those constituent components. The process is remarkably simple--requiring only 1) heating of a mixture containing the byproduct so as to separate the oil from a base component of the byproduct to which the oil is bound, followed by 2) recovering the base product, oil, and possibly other substances such as molasses from the mixture. The process can be performed on a large scale and in a continuous fashion using a mechanical separator to recover fibers from a heated mixture to produce a solids stream and a liquor stream and by then removing oil and insoluble substances from the liquor stream in an evaporator assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cellulase treatment of cellulosic fabric to achieve biopolishing effects, reducing dust or lint and reducing pilling during at least one laundry cycle in said fabric comprising treating said fabric with cellulase after the scouring step and before the bleaching step.

Abstract: The present invention discloses enzymes having xylanase activity. The xylanases are characterized in that they are active at a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher. The enzymes are obtainable from anaerobic thermophilic bacteria. The enzymes are suited for use in paper and pulp production processes. The invention also describes cloning and expression of genes having xylanase activity obtained from the deposited strains.

Abstract: A glucanase enzyme is described. In addition, there is described a nucleotide sequence coding for the glucanase enzyme and a promoter for controlling its expression.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the archael bacterium AEPII1A. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 60.9 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of cellulose where desired.

Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55.degree. C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25.degree. C.).

Abstract: A method for enhancing the freeness of pulp made from secondary fiber is provided by adding an enzymatic mixture comprised of cellulase and pectinase enzymes to the pulp and treating under conditions to cause a reaction to produce an enzymatically treated pulp. The freeness of the enzymatically treated pulp is increased from the initial freeness of the secondary fiber pulp without a loss in brightness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cellulase composition obtainable from Bacillus sp. CBS 669.93. A preferred cellulase has a calculated molecular weight of approximately 63 kD, a calculated isoelectric point of about 5 and a pH optimum on CMC of about 6 at 40.degree. C. and 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to novel compositions of neutral and/or alkaline cellulase and methods for obtaining neutral and/or alkaline cellulase compositions from Chrysosporium cultures, in particular Chrysosporium lucknowense. This invention also provides mutants and methods of generating mutants of Chrysosporium capable of producing neutral and/or alkaline cellulase. This invention also relates to the genes encoding the enzymes comprising the neutral and/or alkaline cellulase composition. In addition, this invention provides methods of culturing Chrysosporium to produce neutral and/or alkaline cellulases. The neutral and/or alkaline cellulase compositions of the subject invention can be used in a variety of processes including stone washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking and biobleaching of paper & pulp and treatment of waste streams.

Abstract: A process for producing an emulsifier which comprises hydrolysis of water-soluble hemicellulose with purified rhamnogalacturonase, and emulsified compositions prepared using the emulsifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme preparations consisting essentially of an enzyme which has cellulytic activity and comprises a first amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acid residues having the following sequenceThr Arg Xaa Xaa Asp Cys Cys Xaa Xaa (SEQ ID NO:79) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - Xaa Cys Xaa Trp Xaa 10 11 12 13 14and a second amino acid sequence consisting of 5 amino acid residues having the following sequenceTrp Cys Cys Xaa Cys (SEQ ID NO:80) 1 2 3 4 5wherein, in position 3 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Trp, Tyr or Phe; in position 4 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Trp, Tyr or Phe; in position 8 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Arg, Lys or His; in position 9, 10, 12 and 14, respectively, of the first sequence, and in position 4 of the second sequence, the amino acid is any of the 20 naturally occurring amino acid residues with the provisos that, in the first amino acid sequence, (i) when the amino residue in position 12 is Ser, then the amino acid residue in posit

Abstract: Ascospores of wood-penetrating, pitch-grading fungi of the class of Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina, eg. Ophiostromas, may be screened to provide fungi combining the properties of good growth on non-sterile wood substrates and minimized or even enhanced brightness effects for use in pitch reduction of wood substrates, eg. logs and wood chips. A new and improved method of isolating such ascospores involving effective suspension in an oil consumable by the fungus, eg. a vegetable oil, and then treatment of the oil with a dispersing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to biocontrol formulations suitable for reducing the susceptibility of plants to fungal phytopathogens and for degrading turf thatch. In one aspect of the invention, a culture of strain Streptomyces sp. WYE 53 ATCC 55750 is incorporated into suitable delivery medium and applied to plant seeds and roots. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a composition comprising cultures of strains Streptomyces sp. WYE 53 ATCC 55750 and/or Streptomyces sp. YCED 9 ATCC 55660 and to a method for degrading turf thatch by contacting the turf thach with cultures of strains Streptomyces sp. WYE 53 ATCC 55750 and/or Streptomyces sp. YCED 9 ATCC 55660 which are incorporated into suitable delivery medium.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for providing a cellulosic material, such as a fabric or a paper and pulp product, with improved strength and/or shape-retention and/or anti-wrinkling properties, the process comprising contacting, in an aqueous medium, the cellulosic material with a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET).

Abstract: A cellulase preparation consisting essentially of a homogeneous endoglucanase component which is immunoreactive with an antibody raised against a highly purified .about.43 kD endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, or which is homogeneous to said .about.43 kD endoglucanase, may be employed in the treatment cellulose-containing fabrics for harshness reduction or color clarification or to provide a localized variation in the color of such fabrics, or it may be employed in the treatment of paper pulp.

Abstract: The isolation and cloning of Actinomadura spp. xylanases having a molecular weight of 35 kDa and 50 kDa are described. These xylanases are thermostable and useful in biobleaching of wood pulp.

Abstract: Enzyme compositions containing thermostabile xylanases of Chaetomium thermophilum, purified enzyme preparations of such xylanases, and the use of such compositions and preparations in the bleaching of plant pulp and in feed and baking applications are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the viscosity of a plant material, which process comprises treating the plant material with a xylanase having i) a WSPS per mg protein added which is higher than 0,06, and/or ii) a WSPU per mg protein added which is higher than 15, and/or iii) a specific activity of more than 0,053 FVRU/mg protein. Further, the invention relates to use of a xylanase preparation for separating a plant material, such as wheat, into separate useful components as well as processes for such viscosity reduction or separation.

Abstract: A partial amino acid sequence of an endo-.beta.-1,4-glucanase obtainable by means of Aspergillus aculeatus is described, and also corresponding recombinant DNA sequences, vectors and transformed hosts. Use of the endo-.beta.- 1,4-glucanase or a pectinase preparation enriched with the endo-.beta.-1,4-glucanase for degradation or modification of plant cell walls is described.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method of chemically treating plant biomass with an enzyme system that retains function at low pH and high temperature. Enzyme preparations enriched in xylanase enzymes which retain activity in low pH and high temperature are described. Such preparations may be utilized in a crude unpurified form, and are especially useful in the production of pulp and paper.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a well treatment in a well (e.g. fracturing, sand control, etc.) wherein a high-viscosity treatment fluid containing a gel (e.g. a polymeric gelling agent) is flowed down the well along with a bacteria selected from the generic classes of Enterococcus and Corynebacterium or a mixture of the two, which is capable of digesting and/or cleaving the gel to reduce the viscosity of the gel at the conclusion of the well treatment.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a target molecule from a mixture is described. The method employs oil bodies and their associated proteins as affinity matrices for the selective, non-covalent binding of desired target molecules. The oil body proteins may be genetically fused to a ligand having specificity for the desired target molecule. Native oil body proteins can also be used in conjunction with an oil body protein specific ligand such as an antibody or an oil body binding protein. The method allows the separation and recovery of the desired target molecules due to the difference in densities between oil bodies and aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Wood-penetrating fungi of the classes Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina may be used very effectively to degrade pitch in wood forms used in the making of cellulosic products. Such fungi include but are not limited to the blue stain fungi. The process of Ascospore selection may be used to provide fungi which exhibit good growth on wood substrate while having little or no effects on substrate brightness, or even a positive effect on brightness. The treatment positively influences strength properties of ultimate products such as paper. In one embodiment the pulpwood or pulp is treated with a pitch degrading fungus of the genus Ophiostoma.

Abstract: A method for enzymatically separating the non-inked cellulose fibers from the inked cellulose fibers in cellulosic materials. The cellulosic material, such as newsprint, is introduced into a first chamber containing a plastic canvas basket. This first chamber is in fluid communication, via plastic tubing, with a second chamber containing cellobiase beads in a plastic canvas basket. Cellulase is then introduced into the first chamber. A programmable pump then controls the flow rate between the two chambers. The action of cellulase and stirring in the first chamber results in the production of a slurry of newsprint pulp in the first chamber. This slurry contains non-inked fibers, inked fibers, and some cellobiose. The inked fibers and cellobiose flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereas the non-inked fibers remain in the first chamber because they are too large to pass through the pores of the plastic canvas basket. The resulting non-inked and inked fibers are then recovered.

Abstract: A method of destruction of sausage skins and other mainly cellulosic substances by means of dissolution with an enzyme solution. Enzymes are added to a reactor that contains a water solution, after or before which the substances to be dissolved are added to the reactor. The substances to be dissolved are dissolved partly or completely, after which a new amount of substances to be dissolved are added to the reactor. When the enzymes have been adsorbed into the new substances to be dissolved, the solution containing the substances dissolved are recovered by separating the solution and the substances to be dissolved from each other, whereby water is added to the substances to be dissolved and if desired, the four foregoing steps are repeated a wished amount of times.

Abstract: Wood pulps are bleached and/or delignified using soybean peroxidase. A protease, xylanase, ligninase, pectin esterase, pectin lyase or manganese peroxidase may also be used simultaneously or as a pretreatment or posttreatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme with .beta.-(1-6)-endoglucanase activity encoded by a DNA sequence, which DNA sequence a) comprises the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 3, or b) comprises an analogue of the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 3, which i) is homologous with the DNA sequences shown in or SEQ ID No. 3, and/or ii) hybridizes with the same oligonucleotide probe as the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 3, and/or iii) encodes a polypeptide which is homologous with the polypeptide encoded by a DNA sequence comprising the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 3, and/or iv) encodes a polypeptide which is immunologically reactive with an antibody raised against a purified .beta.-(1-6)-glucanase shown in SEQ ID No. 4 derived from Trichoderma harzianum, CBS 243.71.

Abstract: An enzyme composition and a means of reducing the stickiness of honeydew contaminated cotton is disclosed. The composition includes, and the method uses, enzymes such as transglucosidases and pectinases which are capable of hydrolyzing sugars that make-up honeydew.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating bleached hardwood brownstock pulp with the cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: A gene, encoding an endocellulase from a newly isolated mesophilic Clostridium strain IY-2 which can digest bamboo fibers, cellulose, rice straw, and sawdust, was isolated by shotgun cloning in an E. coli expression plasmid pLC2833. E. coli positive clones were selected based on their ability to hydrolyze milled bamboo fibers and cellulose present in agar plates. One clone contained a 2.8 kb DNA fragment that was responsible for cellulase activity. Western blot analyses indicated that the positive clone produced a secreted cellulase with a mass of about 58,000 daltons that was identical in size to the subunit of one of the three major Clostridium cellulases. The products of cellulose digestion by this cloned cellulase were cellotetraose and soluble higher polymers. The cloned DNA contained signal sequences capable of directing the secretion of heterologous proteins from an E. coli host.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: Thermus aquaticus biovar. Nov. SK542 (FERM BP-3382) is an absolute aerobic bacteria. It grows at temperature limit of 40.degree.-82.degree. C. in a normal concentration medium, but its best growth is achieved at 72.degree.-76.degree. C. It produces protein decomposing enzymes functional at a temperature of 75.degree.-85.degree. C. and active in a wide pH range of 4.0-11.3, and a yellow pigment of carotenoid groups. A method for improving the quality of soil comprising applying to the soil a biologically pure culture of an absolute aerobic bacterium Thermus aquaticus biovar. nov. SK542 (FERM BP-3382) having a growth temperature limit of 40.degree.-82.degree. C. in a normal concentration medium, a growth optimum temperature of 72.degree.-76.degree. C., and producing protein decomposing enzymes functional at temperature range of 75.degree.-85.degree. C. and being active in a wide pH range of 4.0-11.3, and a yellow pigment of carotenoid.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating hardwood brownstock (unbleached) pulp with a cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: A bioremediation process is provided comprising adding cedar pieces to a hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 15 wt. % based on the weight of the contaminated soil and applying sufficient nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients to the soil to provide a C:N:P ratio in the range of about 100:10:1 to about 100:1:0:1.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing the volume and mass of solid waste (A) by initially subjecting the solid waste to a digestive enzymatic solution (20) agitated by fluid jets (28) under conditions which convert substrate (12) into a liquid waste which is discharged through a conventional sewage system (30). Non-biodegradable plastic shells (10) may be collected in a strainer basket (24) to be removed for further solid waste treatment such as shredding and the like.