Abstract: Plant materials such as corn kernels which contain starch and fiber comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin are refined. The starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin are converted to sugars which are then fermented to ethanol. Additional sources of starch and fiber are optionally added to the refining process to further increase the yield of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing a fermentation product comprising (a) saccharifying starch-containing material below the initial gelatinization temperature in the presence of i) from 0.001-50 AGU/g DS, preferably 0.01 to 10 AGU/g DS alpha-glucosidase activity more than the native amount of endogenous alpha-glucosidase present in the starch-containing material, and ii) from 0 (zero) to 10 FAU-F/g DS of alpha-amylase activity, and (b) fermenting using a fermenting organism. The invention also relates to an enzymatic composition for use in a process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.

Abstract: A grain containing starch, such as corn, is refined. The grain is steeped in water at a temperature of about 125 to 160° F., which water is essentially free of sulfurous acid and contains recycled enzymes from downstream processes, in a counter-current steeping reactor for about 10 to 20 hours to produce an aqueous slurry of steeped grain having a moisture content of about 40 to 50 percent. The various components of the grain are then separated and the starch is converted to ethanol.

Abstract: A method for lignocellulose conversion to sugar with improvements in yield and rate of sugar production has been developed by using ionic liquid pretreatment. This new pretreatment strategy substantially improves the efficiency (in terms of yield and reaction rates) of saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. Cellulose and hemicellulose, when hydrolyzed into their sugars, can be converted into ethanol fuel through well established fermentation technologies. These sugars also form the feedstocks for production of variety of chemicals and polymers. The complex structure of biomass requires proper pretreatment to enable efficient saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose components to their constituent sugars. Current pretreatment approaches suffer from slow reaction rates of cellulose hydrolysis (by using the enzyme cellulase) and low yields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits altered properties, in particular improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid-stable alpha amylase (asAA) derived from a strain of Aspergillus kawachi, which has granular starch hydrolyzing (GSH) activity, the heterologous expression of the asAA having GSH activity in filamentous fungal host cells and enzyme compositions including the same which optionally include glucoamylase.

Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to the use of a glucoamylase derived from Talaromyces sp. and an acid alpha-amylase comprising a carbohydrate-binding module in a starch saccharification process in which starch is degraded to glucose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for liquefying starch-containing material, comprising treating the starch-containing material with a bacterial alpha-amylase at a temperature between 70-90° C. for 10-120 minutes and a pullulanase at a temperature in the range from 40-60° C. for between 20 and 90 minutes. The invention also relates to a saccharification process for saccharifying liquefied starch-containing material, comprising saccharifying a liquefied starch-containing material in the presence of a carbohydrate-source generating enzyme and a pullulanase. Finally, the invention also relates to a process of producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, comprising a liquefaction step and/or saccharification step carried out in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the co-expression and production of a heterologous alpha amylase and an endogenous glucoamylase in an Aspergillus strain and enzyme compositions including the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parental fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity using saccharide substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid-stable alpha amylase (asAA) derived from a strain of Aspergillus kawachi, which has granular starch hydrolyzing (GSH) activity, the heterologous expression of the asAA having GSH activity in filamentous fungal host cells and enzyme compositions including the same which optionally include glucoamylase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the co-expression and production of a heterologous alpha amylase and an endogenous glucoamylase in an Aspergillus strain and enzyme compositions including the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to the composition comprising a glucoamylase of the invention as well as the use such compositions for starch conversion processes, brewing, including processes for producing fermentation products or syrups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity (GSHE). Further the invention relates to a method for producing a glucose syrup comprising contacting a granular starch slurry obtained from a granular starch substrate simultaneously with an alpha amylase and a GSHE at a temperature equal to or below the gelatinization temperature of the granular starch to obtain a composition of a glucose syrup.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid absorber, a method for preparing a fluid absorber, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The disclosed method for preparing a fluid absorber generally comprises the steps of selecting a starch and an enzyme for hydrolysis of the starch, determining a fluid absorption optimum hydrolysis level for the starch, and ezymatically hydrolyzing the starch to approximately the optimum level thus determined. The starch alternatively may be hydrolyzed with acid hydrolysis without the use of an enzyme catalyst. The disclosed method for absorbing fluid from the skin includes the step of applying a fluid absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber thus prepared. Absorption properties of the fluid absorber of the invention are comparable to or exceed those of commercially available skin fluid absorbers, such as talc and unmodified corn starch.

Abstract: Disaccharides of formula (I) are derived from a-maltosyl fluoride, wherein R1 and R2 are defined. Such disaccharides are useful as glycosyl donors in transglycosylation reactions catalyzed by glycoside-hydrolazes or in transfer reactions catalyzed by transglycosylases during the preparation of oligosaccharides or polysaccharides.

Abstract: The invention relates to starch conversion processes using glucoamylases derived from Talaromyces emersonii and related glucoamylases.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and kits for measuring ?-amylase activity in grain and plant products such as flour or stock.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid absorber, a method for preparing a fluid absorber, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The disclosed method for preparing a fluid absorber generally comprises the steps of selecting a starch and an enzyme for hydrolysis of the starch, determining a fluid absorption optimum hydrolysis level for the starch, and ezymatically hydrolyzing the starch to approximately the optimum level thus determined. The starch alternatively may be hydrolyzed with acid hydrolysis without the use of an enzyme catalyst. The disclosed method for absorbing fluid from the skin includes the step of applying a fluid absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber thus prepared. Absorption properties of the fluid absorber of the invention are comparable to or exceed those of commercially available skin fluid absorbers, such as talc and unmodified corn starch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for economically producing N-acetylneuraminic acid without using expensive materials such as pyruvic acid and phosphoenolpyruvic acid. The process comprises: allowing (i) a culture of a microorganism having N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase activity or N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase activity, or a treated matter of the culture, (ii) a culture of a microorganism capable of producing pyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, or a culture of a microorganism capable of producing phosphoenolpyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, (iii) N-acetylmannosamine, and (iv) an energy source which is necessary for the formation of pyruvic acid or phosphoenolpyruvic acid to be present in an aqueous medium to form and accumulate N-acetylneuraminic acid in the aqueous medium; and recovering N-acetylneuraminic acid from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises genes for biosynthesizing acarbose and homologous pseudo-oligosaccharides; to oligonucleotide primers for the PCR amplification of the molecule; to proteins which can be obtained by expressing the genes located on a molecule; to vectors and host cells which comprise the above-mentioned DNA molecule; to proteins which are encoded by the DNA molecule; to proteins which are expressed by means of said vectors in said host cells; to processes for preparing acarbose by introducing the characterized genes into appropriate host organisms and/or eliminating these genes from the host organisms; to processes for completing the gene cluster of genes for biosynthesizing acarbose, to processes for isolating analogous gene clusters in organisms other than Streptomyces glaucescens GLA.

Abstract: A method for producing a monosaccharide-rich syrup from starch-containing produce. The method includes treating a starch-containing produce slurry with a first starch hydrolyzing enzyme that hydrolyzes starch to oligosaccharide and a second starch hydrolyzing enzyme that hydrolyzes starch or oligosaccharide to glucose. The starch-containing produce can be further treated with an enzyme that converts glucose to other monosaccharides, or treated with a microorganism that converts glucose to a fermentation product. Also within the scope of this invention is a method for producing a syrup rich in a disaccharide, such as trehalose.

Abstract: An enzyme isolated from an organism that metabolizes alpha-galactosyl containing saccharides, comprising an alpha-galactosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.22, alpha-D-galactoside galatohydrolase) with optimal activity in the neutral to alkaline pH range, and which hydrolyzes a variety of alpha-galactose containing saccharides, in particular raffinose. The enzyme is preferably a protein monomer and an ex-alpha-galactosidase.

Abstract: An alpha-amylase enzyme obtained from Bacillus acidocaldarius species is utilized to liquefy starch at a pH as low as 3.0 without the need to add thermostabilizing agents such as calcium. The alpha-amylase produces acceptable DE yields in a single liquefaction step and does not need to be inactivated prior to conducting saccharification which can proceed without adjustment of the pH of the liquefact. Alternatively, a secondary liquefaction process can be utilized, in which case two additions of the alpha-amylase are used resulting in a combined low dosage of the enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nitrogenous composition resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of an aqueous solution of maize gluten, having a ratio of the concentrations of inorganic phosphorus to total phosphorus (Pi/Pt) greater than or equal to 0.05, preferably from 0.05 to 0.5 and a ratio of the concentrations of amine nitrogen to total nitrogen (Na/Nt) greater than or equal to 0.025. The invention also relates to the use of a nitrogenous composition according to the invention in culture media for microorganisms which produce, in particular, organic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated thermostable glucoamylase derived from Talaromyces emersonii suitable for starch conversion processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the in vitro production of glycoconjugates. In particular, a preferred production system is provided that comprises a solid support, at least one sugar nucleotide producing enzyme, at least one glycosyltransferase, at least one bioenergetic, and at least one acceptor. The sugar nucleotide producing enzyme(s) is preferably immobilized on the solid support. The glycosyltransferase may be co-immobilized on the solid support with the sugar nucleotide producing enzyme(s), or may be provided to the solid support in solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a maltose-rich syrup comprising the steps of (a) carrying out liquefaction of a starch milk; (b) carrying out saccharification of the liquefied starch milk in the presence of a &bgr;-amylase and at least one debranching enzyme selected from the group comprising pullulanases and isoamylases; (c) carrying out molecular sieving of the liquefied and saccharified starch milk so as to collect a fraction enriched with maltose and a fraction enriched with glucose; and (d) bringing said fraction enriched with maltose into contact with a maltogenic &agr;-amylase with a view to obtaining a maltose-rich syrup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing oligosaccharide syrups, in particular to the production of syrups having a high concentration of saccharides with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, comprising the steps of: enzymatic reaction of a substrate at a temperature in the range of 50° C. to 100° C. obtaining a saccharide solution comprising monosaccharides and disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; nanofiltration of the saccharide solution at a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 100° C. obtaining a syrup essentially comprising disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; recovering said syrup; optionally recycling the permeate resulting from the nanofiltration step to the enzymatic reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step. In another specific aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a saccharide preparation, which method comprises an enzymatic saccharification step, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a maltose-rich syrup, comprising the successive stages consisting of: (a) carrying out a liquefaction of a starch milk; (b) carrying out a saccharification of the liquefied starch milk in the presence of a maltogenic &agr;-amylase; (c) continuing the saccharification of the liquefied starch milk in the presence of a &bgr;-amylase and at least one debranching enzyme chosen from the group consisting of pullulanases and isoamylases with a view to obtaining a syrup which is rich in maltose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated thermostable glucoamylase derived from Talaromyces emersonii suitable for starch conversion processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing optically pure (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid derivatives expressed by the following Formula 1 and more particularly, to a process that enables preparing optically pure (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid derivatives economically in large quantities, by: (a) Preparing &agr;-(1,4)-linked oligosaccharide with adequate sugar distribution by reacting amylopectin which is easily available from natural product with enzyme under a specific condition; and (b) Performing oxidation and esterification sequentially under a specific condition. wherein, R represents linear or branched alkyl group with 1˜5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Process for preparing surfactant, which comprises contacting cane trash, maize by-products, sorghum by-products, barley by-products, rice by-products, fruits, chicory pulp, tubers or cynara for at least 5 seconds with a hydrolysing agent selected from an aqueous acid solution at between 20 and 150.degree. C. and an enzymatic hydrolysing composition of a plant material at between 20 and 90.degree. C. to obtain a sugar syrup, freeing the sugar syrup from any solid residues and contacting the residue-free sugar syrup with a C.sub.4-22 -alcohol at a temperature of between 20 and 150.degree. C., preferably between 30 and 110.degree. C., until a solution of surfactant glycosides is obtained, and separating the surfactant glycosides from this solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step. In another specific aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a saccharide preparation, which method comprises an enzymatic saccharification step, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and recirculation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of a starch hydrolysate with high dextrose content comprising the stages of:(a) liquefying starch milk with the aid of an .alpha.-amylase so as to obtain a liquefied starch milk;(b) saccharifying the liquefied starch milk, with the aid of a glucogenic enzyme, to obtain a raw saccharified hydrolysate;(c) separating the raw saccharified hydrolysate by nanofiltration over membranes so as to collect a nanofiltration permeate constituting said starch hydrolysate with high dextrose content and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: Novel acid-stable and thermo-stable enzymes having .alpha.-1,4 hydrolytic activity and a .alpha.-1,6 hydrolytic activity which are derived from strains of the genus Sulfolobus. These enzymes are capable of expressing high levels of .alpha.-1,4 hydrolytic activity, including the maximum .alpha.-1,4 hydrolytic activity thereof, at highly acidic pHs of between about 2.5 and about 4.5. These .alpha.-amylases are further capable of expressing high levels of .alpha.-1,4 hydrolytic activity, including the maximum .alpha.-1,4 hydrolytic activity thereof, at high temperatures of between about 90.degree. C. and about 120.degree. C. Particularly disclosed herein are such enzymes which are derived from strains of the species S. acidocaldarius and, in particular, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius DSM 639. Modified starch degradation (liquefaction and saccharification) processes using these novel enzymes are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: High solids maltodextrin syrups, some of which are useful as the base for remoistenable adhesives, are prepared by a high solids alpha amylase enzyme conversion process. They are characterized by their high solids content (at least 55 wt. %) and light color. A granular chemically derivatized, optionally converted, starch having a degree of substitution of greater than about 0.01 and less than about 0.5 is used as the starting material. The maltodextrins have a reducing sugar content of about 5-19 dextrose equivalent and a distinct polymodal molecular weight distribution. When a granular highly esterified starch (D.S. of 0.5-1.8) is used as the starting material in the high solids process, the resulting enzyme-converted, esterified maltodextrins are characterized by their improved water dispersibility.

Abstract: A high solids, enzyme conversion process for preparing an enzyme-converted starch is carried out by adding to a modified or unmodified starch, preferably a granular starch, water and an enzyme in an amount sufficient to produce a single phase powdered mixture without a visible free water phase. The enzyme is activated by heating while maintaining a substantially constant moisture content in the mixture. The enzyme converted starch is recovered as a syrup, a granular converted starch, or mixtures thereof, or as a powder obtained by drying the syrup.

Abstract: The present process for producing a high .alpha.-monoglucosyl hesperidin content product is characterized in that it comprises the steps of contacting glucoamylase and .alpha.-L-rhamnosidase simultaneously or randomly with a solution containing .alpha.-glucosyl hesperidin and hesperidin to obtain a mixture; crystallizing and separating .alpha.-monoglucosyl hesperidin in and from the mixture; and collecting the resulting .alpha.-monoglucsyl hesperidin. From solutions containing .alpha.-glucosyl hesperidin and hesperidin, the present invention facilitates the production of a high .alpha.-monoglucosyl hesperidin content product which does not substantially contain hesperidin, .beta.-monoglucosyl hesperetin, and hesperetin, and has an extremely-superior water-solubility.

Abstract: Novel .alpha.-amylase enzymes are disclosed in which one or more disulfide bonds are introduced into the enzyme via addition or substitution of a residue with a cysteine. The disclosed .alpha.-amylase enzymes show altered or improved stability and/or activity profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant thermostable enzyme which has a molecular weight of about 69,000-79,000 daltons and a pI of about 5.4-6.4, and forms non-reducing saccharides having a trehalose structure as an end unit from reducing amylaceous saccharides having a degree of glucose polymerization of at least 3. The enzyme has satisfactorily high thermostability, i.e. it is substantially not inactivated even when incubated in an aqueous solution (pH 7.0) at 85.degree. C. for 60 min, and this facilitates the production of such non-reducing saccharides on an industrial scale and in a satisfactorily-high yield.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a carbohydrate or a glycoconjugate without forming any hydrolytic product of the remodeled sugar chain.A process for producing a carbohydrate or a glycoconjugate by a remodeling reaction in the presence of a glycosidase which performs the remodeling reaction in an aqueous medium containing a water-soluble ketone and/or dioxane. Examples of the glycosidase include endoglycosidases such as Endo-A. Examples of the ketone include acetone.

Abstract: Microorganisms which are able to produce maltose/trehalose conversion enzyme, a novel enzyme, are cultivated in nutrient culture media with malose. During the cultivation, the microorganisms readily convert maltose into trehalose to accumulate trehalose in the cultures which yield saccharide mixtures with high trehalose contents when separated from insoluble substances. Removal of contaminant saccharides and subsequent crystallization readily yield trehalose in crystalline trehalose hydrate or anhydrous crystalline form. The trehalose and saccharide mixture containing the same commonly bear desirable properties including mild sweetness and superior stability which render them very useful in a variety of compositions indlucing food products, cosmetics and medicines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified starches which are prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of a starch molecule using glucoamylase after the preparation of a starch derivative containing a hydrophobic group or both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group, particularly octenyl succinic anhydride starch hydrolyzed by glucoamylase. Such modified starches are useful as emulsifying and/or encapsulating agents, particularly in systems where high load and retention of the active ingredient, low surface oil exposure, and excellent oxidation resistance is desired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to remoistenable and non-remoistenable adhesives which contain at least about 50 wt % of a maltodextrin syrup having a reducing sugar content of about 5-19 dextrose equivalent and solids content of about 60-80 % water, and an effective amount of other conventional adhesive additives. When the adhesive is a remoistenable adhesive, a chemically derivatized starch having an amylose content of 40 % or less and a D.S. of about 0.01 to less than about 0.50 is used. A preferred remoistenable adhesive also contains polyvinyl acetate and/or ethylene vinyl acetate in an amount from about 15-90 wt. % The maltodextrin syrup is prepared from a converted or a non-converted, chemically derivatized or underivatized granular starch, by a high solids, single phase enzyme conversion process. When derivatized, the maltodextrin has (i) substituents in an amount sufficient to provide a degree of substitution between greater than about 0.01 and less than about 0.50.