Abstract: The use of a peroxidase and violuric acid, or a derivative thereof in the bleaching of pulp, such as paper materials, such as paper, linerboard, corrugated paperboard, tissue, towels, corrugated containers and boxes. The peroxidases of the invention are classified as EC 1.11.1.7. The effect of peroxidase is bleaching and de-inking of the pulp, e.g. the paper pulp and the resulting paper material.

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: By combination of hydrophobic chromatography and strongly basic anion-exchange chromatography, a novel, highly hydrophobic ?-glucosidase was successfully identified from Acremonium cellulolyticus. Further, a gene corresponding to the identified ?-glucosidase was isolated. When multiple modifications were introduced into the base sequence of the gene, the gene was successfully expressed in Trichoderma viride at a high level, and the expression product successfully exhibited a high ?-glucosidase activity.

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

Abstract: What is aimed at is provision of an inexpensive and efficient saccharification method for lignocellulose using a thermostable xylanase and provision of a mutant xylanase that has a substitute amino acid residue, and that exhibits stable activity even under severe conditions in which enzymes easily inactivate, and that provides an initial rate of reaction not significantly reduced as compared to a wild-type xylanase corresponding to the mutant xylanase. Provided is a method of producing a saccharified product of lignocellulose, including contacting a lignocellulosic raw material with a thermostable xylanase, and a mutant xylanase that provides an initial rate of reaction that is at least 70% of that provided by a wild-type xylanase corresponding thereto, that has a xylanase activity after heat treatment at 50° C. for 24 hours that is at least 50% of its xylanase activity before the heat treatment, and that has a substitute amino acid residue.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

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: The present invention relates to a novel bilirubin oxidase from Magnaporthe oryzae, to the method of preparation thereof as well as use thereof notably for assay of bilirubin and for the application of enzymatic biofuel cells.

Abstract: A method for recycling a paper product sized, coated, or both sized and coated with a polymer, including: pulping an aqueous wastepaper suspension including a paper product in the presence of a hydrolase, the paper product being a paper product sized and/or coated with a polyester to obtain an aqueous solution, which is a waste paper suspension including a mixture of paper fibers and the polyester, and separating the polyester from the wastepaper suspension to recycle the paper fibers of the paper product, wherein the polyester is a polyester having a melt flow rate according to EN ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg weight) of from 2 to 50 cm3/10 min, and the hydrolase includes at least one of a carboxyesterase [3.1.1.1], a lipase [3.1.1.3], and a cutinase [3.1.1.74].

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: A system and method of manufacturing a fiber for use in manufacturing products including providing a feedstock including fiber derived from edible fruit of a plant. An agent that degrades pectin may be applied to the feedstock to form a feedstock mixture. The feedstock mixture may be agitated, and solution including the fiber from the feedstock mixture may be removed. The fiber may be isolated from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Bacillus pumilus bilirubin oxidase, to the method for preparing same and also to the use thereof in particular for assaying bilirubin and for using enzymatic biofuel cells.

Abstract: Methods to control lipophilic extractives in Acacia pulp and fibers are described. One method involves contacting the pulp or fibers with a composition containing at least one enzyme, such as at least one esterase or lipase or both, for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the lipophilic extractives present in the pulp or fibers.

Abstract: A method for recycling paper products sized and/or coated with polymers, in which the paper products sized and/or coated with polymers are initially taken in an aqueous wastepaper suspension, this wastepaper suspension a) is pulped in the presence of at least one hydrolase, b) is pulped in an alkaline medium, and/or c) is treated in an alkaline medium in a deinking process, and the polymers are then separated from the wastepaper suspension, the polymers being biodegradable polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a pulp mixture, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a wood material and a first liquor, b) treating the wood material in the first liquor in order to release wood fibers, c1) introducing an agricultural crop/residue before or during the treatment of the wood material, and during the treatment deriving a first fraction comprising hemicellulose from the agricultural crop/residue, and/or c2) introducing a suspension of a first fraction comprising hemicellulose and a residue liquor derived from agricultural crop/residue by a liquor treatment, the introduction being done before, during or after the treatment of the wood material. The invention further relates to a pulp mixture comprising 1-30% originating from agricultural crop/residue and 70-99% originating from wood material. The pulp mixture comprises non-wood hemicellulose and at least part of the non-wood hemicellulose is sorbed on the wood fibers.

Abstract: A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Abstract: A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Abstract: By combination of hydrophobic chromatography and strongly basic anion-exchange chromatography, a novel, highly hydrophobic ?-glucosidase was successfully identified from Acremonium cellulolyticus. Further, a gene corresponding to the identified ?-glucosidase was isolated. When multiple modifications were introduced into the base sequence of the gene, the gene was successfully expressed in Trichoderma viride at a high level, and the expression product successfully exhibited a high ?-glucosidase activity.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel purified polypeptide having laccase activity and the nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide. The disclosed polypeptide works at moderately high temperatures from below 20° C. to about 70° C., both acidic and alkaline pH conditions, high salt concentrations and in the presence of organo solvents. The high stability of the enzyme enables its wide applications under even extreme conditions. The invention also provides methods of producing the laccase enzyme.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for nucleic acid analysis includes a monolithic semiconductor body (13), a microfluidic circuit (10), at least partially accommodated in the monolithic semiconductor body (13), and a micropump (11). The microfluidic circuit (10) includes a sample preparation channel (18) formed on the monolithic semiconductor body (13) and at least one microfluidic channel (20, 22) buried in the monolithic semiconductor body (13). The micropump (11), includes a plurality of sealed chambers (40) provided with respective openable sealing elements (41) and having a first pressure therein that is different from a second pressure in the microfluidic circuit (10). In addition, the micropump (11) and the microfluidic circuit (10) are configured so that opening the openable sealing elements (41) provides fluidic coupling between the respective chambers (40) and the microfluidic circuit (10). The openable sealing elements (41) are integrated in the monolithic semiconductor body (13).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides having a lignocellulolytic activity, e.g., a glycosyl hydrolase, a cellulase, an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, a beta-glucosidase, a xylanase, a mannanse, a xylosidase (e.g., a ?-xylosidase), an arabinofuranosidase, and/or a glucose oxidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides that can enzymatically process (hydrolyze) sugarcane bagasse, i.e., for sugarcane bagasse degradation, or for biomass processing, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one embodiment, the invention provides thermostable and thermotolerant forms of polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to modified xylanase enzymes that exhibit increased thermostability and alkalophilicity, when compared with their native counterparts. Several modified xylanases exhibiting these properties are disclosed including xylanases with at least one modification at amino acid position 10, 27, 29, 75, 104, 105, 125, 129, 132, 135, 144, 157, 161, 162 or 165, or a combination thereof. Also included within the present invention is a modified xylanase that comprises at least one substituted amino acid residue and that may be characterized as having a maximum effective temperature (MET) between about 69° C. and about 78° C., wherein the modified xylanase is a Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. The present invention also includes a modified Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. characterized as having a maximum effective pH (MEP) between 5.8 and about 7.6. Modified xylanases characterized as having a MET between about 69° C. and about 78° C.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrolases, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., an esterase, acylase, lipase, phospholipase (e.g., phosphplipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity) or protease activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant hydrolase activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The hydrolase activities of the polypeptides and peptides of the invention include esterase activity, lipase activity (hydrolysis of lipids), acidolysis reactions (to replace an esterified fatty acid with a free fatty acid), transesterification reactions (exchange of fatty acids between triglycerides), ester synthesis, ester interchange reactions, phospholipase activity and protease activity (hydrolysis of peptide bonds).

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of ligninolytic enzymes, laccase and manganese peroxidase, from certain white-rot basidiomycetes fungi, using highly efficient fermentation techniques. The aim of this invention is to create a novel economically and time-effective overall procedure comprising use of specific mushroom strains, fermentation process and the isolation-purification techniques, for producing the aforesaid enzymes. In particular, a submerged fermentation of the specific strains on a variety of lignocellulosic substrates from organic wastes like waste of ethanol production from wheat grain, mandarin peels and bran is developed. Culturing conditions can be selected to modify the laccase/manganese peroxidase ratio in favour of the production of either laccase or manganese peroxidase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing pulp and paper using Rhodophyta, including immersing Rhodophyta in an extraction solvent able to dissolve agar gel for a predetermined time period to dissolve the agar gel in the extraction solvent, reacting the dissolved agar gel with a reaction solvent to be converted into a fiber, curing the fiber using a curing agent, and pulping the cured fiber. The method of the current invention is advantageous because of lower manufacturing costs, due to eliminating the need to purchase wood. Further, the use of chemicals for lignin removal and bleaching drastically decreases, thus preventing environmental contamination. Furthermore, since a final product does not contain harmful chemicals, humans and the environment are not negatively affected.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of fusion proteins between at least two plant cell-wall degrading enzymes, the enzymes being such that they do not contain a C-terminal carbohydrate-binding-molecule (CBM), and optionally a CBM, the enzymes and CBM being recombinant proteins corresponding to native proteins in fungi, or mutated forms thereof, for carrying out processes of plant cell-wall degradation in the frame of the preparation, from plants or vegetal by-products, of compounds of interest located in plant cell-wall, or in the frame of the bleaching of pulp and paper.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-ghicanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

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: The invention can be summarized as follows. There is provided a method of bleaching chemical pulp comprising the steps of exposing chemical pulp to a chemical bleaching state to produce a partially bleached pulp and treating the partially bleached pulp with a thermophilic, alkalophilic xylanase in an alkaline extraction stage at pH of 8 to 14. The method may be performed in a mill and may form part of a more complex pulp bleaching process. The invention also relates to the use of a thermophilic, alkalophilic xylanase in an alkaline extraction stage of a pulp bleaching process in a mill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a xylanase, or a modified xylanase enzyme comprising at least one substituted amino acid residue at a position selected from the group consisting of amino acid 11, 116, 118, 144 and 161, the position determined from sequence alignment of the modified xylanase with Trichoderma reesei xylanase II amino acid sequence. The xylanases described herein exhibit improved thermophilicity, alkalophilicity, expression efficiency, or a combination thereof, in comparison to a corresponding native xylanase.

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: The present invention relates to the cloning and high level expression of novel cellulase proteins or derivatives thereof in the in a host cell. Further aspects of the present invention relate to transformants that express the novel cellulases, and expression vectors comprising the DNA gene fragments or variants thereof that code for the novel cellulases derived from Actinomycete using genetic engineering techniques. The present invention is also directed to novel cellulase compositions and methods of use therefore in industrial processes. In particular, the present invention is related to treating textiles with a novel cellulase derived from Actinomycete spp. The present invention also relates to the use of cellulase derived from Actinomycete spp. to enhance the digestibility of animal feed, in detergents, in the treatment of pulp and paper and in the production of starch and treatment of by-products thereof.

Abstract: A modified Family 11 xylanase enzyme comprising a sequence that introduces a functional consensus glycosylation site is provided. Non-limiting examples of introduced glycosylation sites include mutation of the amino acid at position 34, 131, 180, 182, or a combination thereof, to an asparagine. The indicated amino acid position in the Family 11 xylanase is determined from sequence alignment of the xylanase of interest with that of a Trichoderma reesei xylanase II amino acid sequence. The introduced consensus glycosylation site facilitates increased expression efficiency of the modified xylanase when compared to the expression efficiency of a corresponding xylanase from which the modified xylanase was derived, using similar host strains and growth conditions.

Abstract: A liquid fiber mulching mat of a non-woody fiber and the production method thereof are disclosed. The production method of a liquid fiber mulching mat for a non-woody fiber includes steps of providing a biopulp of a non-woody fiber plant, a polymer and water, mixing the biopulp, the polymer and water well for preparing a fiber pulp of the non-woody fiber plant, and applying the fiber pulp of the non-woody fiber plant on a surface of an article for forming the liquid fiber mulching mat. Besides, a solid fiber mulching mat of a non-woody fiber is disclosed. The fiber mulching mat can be used in farms for protecting the weeds and used in mountainside land for preventing soil collapse. Also the fiber mulching mat can be used in arid area for decreasing water evaporation and preventing desertification and dust storm.

Abstract: Methods to control lipophilic extractives in Acacia pulp and fibers are described. One method involves contacting the pulp or fibers with a composition containing at least one enzyme, such as at least one esterase or lipase or both, for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the lipophilic extractives present in the pulp or fibers.

Abstract: A method of bleaching chemical pulp with xylanase after chemical bleaching is provided. The method comprises the steps of exposing chemical pulp to a chlorine dioxide bleaching stage to produce a partially bleached pulp, treating the partially bleached pulp with a xylanase in an enzyme treatment stage at a pH of about 3 to about 8, then carrying out an alkaline extraction of the pulp. The pulp bleaching method of the present invention may be performed in a pulp mill as part of a complex pulp bleaching process.

Abstract: A process for rendering a polyamine-epihalohydrin resin storage stable, is described. The process entails treating a polyamine-epihalohydrin resin composition, where the resin is formed in a reaction having a molar ratio of epihalohydrin to secondary amine group of less than about 0.5 and where the composition has a solids content of at least 15 wt % and includes CPD-forming species, with at least one enzymatic agent under conditions to inhibit, reduce or remove the CPD-forming species to obtain a gelation storage stable reduced CPD-forming resin so that the composition containing the reduced CPD-forming polyamine-epihalohydrin resin when stored for 24 hours at 50° C. and a pH of about 1.0 releases less than about 100 ppm dry basis of CPD.

Abstract: A deinking method using a cellulase which enables the load upon the environment to be reduced; and an evaluation method whereby a cellulase effective in deinking and the effective addition level of the cellulase can be appropriately determined. By proposing pulp-swelling activity (PSA) that elevates the water-retention value of pulp after pulp is reacted with cellulase, it becomes possible to select an enzyme that is effective in cellulase-deinking treatment without lowering the paper strength and to determine the effective enzyme dosage. Namely, a method of deinking waste paper is provided wherein the selection of an effective cellulase and the optimization of the enzyme dosage with the use of PSA as an indication make it possible to minimize the cellulase addition level and lessen the amount of the deinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopulping method, and more particularly to a biopulping method for non-woody fiber plants. A biopulping method for a non-woody fiber plant is provided. It includes steps of providing a culture solution, adding a non-woody fiber plant to the culture solution, adding a microorganism suspension to the culture solution, fermentatively culturing the culture solution for preparing a pulp solution, boiling the pulp solution, pulping the pulp solution, and screening the pulp solution for isolating the paper pulp from the pulp solution.

Abstract: Modified target molecules are disclosed comprising genetically modified molecules, preferably enzymes, that include a catalytic triad which alters the performance of the polypeptide. Optionally, such a catalytic triad in the modified target molecule comprises three members equivalent to amino acid residues Serine 227, Histidine 200, or Glutamate 139, respectively, in the Bacillus cellulase 103 sequence. Using the embodiments disclosed by the present invention, altered performance profiles, such as enzyme activity or stability, under alkaline conditions can be achieved. Methods of making and using modified target molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly process for the selective oxidation of carbohydrates. The process comprises the addition of a hydroperoxide, including hydrogen peroxide, to a carbohydrate having primary alcohol groups, particularly including polysaccharides, wherein said carbohydrate is contact with a nitroxyl radical mediator and the process is catalyzed by a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of halide ions.

Abstract: Enzyme-treated papermaking sludges are provided, as are methods of making the enzyme-treated sludge. Papermaking processes that incorporate the enzyme-treated papermaking sludges into papermaking pulp are also provided as are paper and paperboard products made from the resultant pulp.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, lyocell products can be made with unbleached pulps resulting in products with high amounts of hemicellulose and high amounts of lignin as compared to conventional lyocell products. The lyocell products of the present invention are advantageously less expensive to produce but retain the desirable strength of conventional lyocell products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environment friendly, safe, and efficient four-step method of bio-bleaching Kraft pulp using bacterial strains of accession no. MTCC 5096, MTCC 5094, MTCC 5095, and MTCC 5098, a microbial consortium comprising a synergistic mixture of ligninolytic bacterial isolates of accession no. MTCC 5094, MTCC 5095, and MTCC 5098, bacterial strains of accession Nos. MTCC 5096, MTCC 5094, MTCC 5095, and MTCC 5098, and a process of preparing an inoculum of the bacterial isolate of accession no. MTCC 5096, further, a process for the preparation of a consortium comprising the ligninolytic bacterial isolates of accession nos. MTCC 5094, MTCC 5095, and MTCC 5098, in addition, a process for the preparation of pulp suspension for the bio-bleaching.

Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with aliving culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent mechanical pulpting results in reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.

Abstract: The yield of active polysaccharides contained in Agaricus blazei, such as ?-glucan, can be improved, by decomposing and treating the mycelium or fruit body of Agaricus blazei or a liquid waste of the culture of the mycelium with an enzymatic agent principally comprising hemicellulase. By increasing the concentrations of the active polysaccharides, furthermore, the digestion and absorption of the biologically active substance of the present invention after the incorporation thereof into bodies is prominently elevated, so that the active substance can exert excellent immune activation effect on cancers and other adult diseases.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic materials which contain xylan-polymers, such as cellulose kraft pulps. According to a method of the present kind, at least a part of the hexenuronic acid groups present in the material is selectively removed in order to remove metal ions from the pulp, to change the surface charge thereof, to improve the brightness stability of the pulp and to render the material more suitable for enzymatic treatment.

Abstract: Lignocellulose pulp is bleached by bleaching a pulp in aqueous alkali solution with oxygen and treating the pulp with a hemicellulase, while a liquid fraction delivered from the enzyme treatment step is separated from the hemicellulase treated reaction mixture, and subjected to a penetration treatment through a separation membrane, for example, reverse osmosis membrane, to separate a permeated fraction from a non-permeated fraction; the permeated fraction is fed to the alkali-oxygen bleaching (oxygen delignification) step and is used as a liquid medium of the bleaching system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of certain lipolytic enzymes such as cutinases and lipases in the manufacture of paper and paper products from recycled paper. Examples of such enzymes are derived from strains of Humicola, Candida, Fusarium and Pseudomonas. By use of these enzymes, the problems relating to the so-called “stickies” derived from waste paper are reduced.