Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase I activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Vectors for expression of proteins in plants are described. The proteins may be enzymes and the enzymes can be but are not limited to cell wall degrading enzymes. A number of plants designed to express specific cell wall degrading enzymes are provided. The plants may have industrial and/or agricultural applications. Methods and materials for making the expression vectors and for making the plants are provided. Processes for which the plants could be used in industrial and agricultural applications are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a pretreated or hydrolyzed lignocellulosic feedstock. The method comprises feeding a lignocellulosic feedstock to a plug formation device and forming a feedstock plug therein. The plug or segments thereof are fed into an elongate chamber that comprises steam addition means for direct steam addition and a rotating shaft mounted co-axially within the chamber having one or more disintegrating elements mounted on it. Disintegrated feedstock particles are produced in the elongate chamber by the disintegrating elements. The disintegrated feedstock particles are heated by contact with the steam introduced through the steam addition means. The disintegrated feedstock particles are then treated in a reactor to produce the pretreated or hydrolyzed lignocellulosic feedstock. Further provided is a feedstock composition comprising disintegrated feedstock particles.

Abstract: A method of hydrolysis of cellulose uses a filamentous fungus-derived cellulase as a carbohydrase and includes adding the carbohydrase to cellulose to perform primary hydrolysis and then subjecting the primary hydrolysate to solid-liquid separation into a primary sugar liquid and solids; adding water to the solids and performing secondary hydrolysis, followed by subjecting the secondary hydrolysate to solid-liquid separation into a secondary sugar liquid and a residue; and filtering the primary sugar liquid and/or secondary sugar liquid through an ultrafiltration membrane, and recovering the carbohydrase from the feed side and recovering a sugar solution from the permeate side.

Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] Provide is a saccharified-solution manufacturing method and a saccharified-solution manufacturing device, which increases the amount of sugar yielded as a saccharified-solution, when lignocellulose-based biomass is subjected to saccharifying enzyme treatment. [Solution] A substrate and ammonia water are mixed at a predetermined mass ratio to yield a substrate mixture, the mixture is retained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period for dissociating lignin from the substrate or swelling the substrate to yield a pretreated ammonia-containing product for saccharification. To a pretreated product for saccharification, which is yielded by separating ammonia from the pretreated ammonia-containing product for saccharification, an acid is added for pH adjustment, and also a saccharifying enzyme is added to yield a substrate/saccharifying enzyme mixture liquid containing a substrate of 15 to 30% by mass.

Abstract: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising 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 93% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 93% 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 a process for the production of an aqueous glucose solution from maize or maize kernels. The invention also relates to a glucose solution obtainable by this process, and to its use for the production of organic compounds. The process according to the invention comprises: a) fractionating dry milling of maize kernels, where the maize kernels are separated into a maize-starch-comprising endosperm fraction and a high-oil germ fraction and, if appropriate, a bran fraction; b) enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification of the maize starch in an aqueous suspension of the endosperm fraction, which gives an aqueous glucose solution comprising maize gluten; and c) depletion of the maize gluten and, if appropriate, any bran present from the aqueous glucose solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a variant of a parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and at least one altered property as compared to the parent alpha-amylase, comprises i) analyzing the structure of the parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase to identify at least one amino acid residue or at least one structural part of the Termamyl-like alpha-amylase structure, which amino acid residue or structural part is believed to be of relevance for altering the property of the parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase (as evaluated on the basis of structural or functional considerations), ii) constructing a Termamyl-like alpha-amylase variant, which as compared to the parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, has been modified in the amino acid residue or structural part identified in i) so as to alter the property, and, optionally, iii) testing the resulting Termamyl-like alpha-amylase variant with respect to the property in question.

Abstract: Provided are isolated cellobiohydrolases comprising a modified Glycoside Hydrolase (GH) Family 7 catalytic domain, a GH Family 7 catalytic domain and a modified Family 1 carbohydrate binding module (CBM), or both a modified Family 7 catalytic domain and a modified Family 1 CBM. Such isolated cellobiohydrolases exhibit from 45% to about 99.9% amino acid sequence identity to amino acids 1-436 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or to amino acids 1-438 of SEQ ID NO: 2 and improved activity on process substrates. Also provided are genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes for expressing the isolated cellobiohydrolases, a process for producing the isolated cellobiohydrolases, cellulase enzyme mixtures comprising the isolated cellobiohydrolase and a process for hydrolysing a cellulosic substrate with such cellulase enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: A method for processing lignocellulose-based biomass capable of yielding a saccharide solution with an adequately high concentration by carrying out an enzymatic saccharification reaction of a pre-treated lignocellulose-based biomass is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the hydrolytic pre-treatment of lignocellulosic and perennial herbaceous biomass. By the method, a material suitable for use in the production of saccharides and biofuels can be prepared from lignocellulosic biomass such as pine wood and oak tree wood and perennial herbaceous biomass such as flame grasses and reeds. It is characterized by wet-triturating, microwaving and popping processes. Also, a method is provided for the production of saccharides and bioethanol from the pre-treated biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellobiohydrolase variants having improved thermostability in comparison to wild-type CBH2a.

Abstract: To provide a fine fibrous cellulosic material capable of producing a saccharide in a high yield by hydrolysis; to provide a process for producing the fine fibrous cellulosic material from a cellulosic material; and to provide a process for producing the saccharide using the fine fibrous cellulosic material. The present invention is the fine fibrous cellulosic material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which the fine fibrous cellulosic material has a width of 1 ?m or less and a length of 5,000 ?m or less and is used for glycation reaction by hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides various GH61 protein variants comprising various amino acid substitutions. The GH61 protein variants have an improved ability to synergize with cellulase enzymes, thereby increasing the yield of fermentable sugars obtained by saccharification of biomass. In some embodiments, sugars obtained from saccharification are fermented to produce numerous end-products, including but not limited to alcohol.

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: A novel beta-glucosidase and nucleic acids encoding the beta-glucosidase. Also disclosed are cells, compositions, and methods relating to using the beta-glucosidase to convert ligocellulosic material to fermentable sugars.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for treating a biomass comprising a lignocellulosic material to produce fermentable sugars comprising the steps of treating the biomass to produce a biomass with a depolymerized lignin, adding a carbonyl scavenger to the biomass before, during, or after said treating step to inhibit repolymerization of the lignin, adding at least one of a laccase enzyme and a cellulases enzyme to the biomass with depolymerized lignin subsequently to the addition of the carbonyl scavenger, and producing a fermentable sugar from the action of the laccase enzyme and cellulases enzyme on the biomass with depolymerized lignin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a host cell comprising at least four different heterologous polynucleotides chosen from the group of polynucleotides encoding cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is capable of producing the at least four different enzymes chosen from the group of cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus and is capable of secretion of the at least four different enzymes. This host cell can suitably be used for the production of an enzyme composition that can be used in a process for the saccharification of cellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent cellobiohydrolase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the cellobiohydrolase variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the cellobiohydrolase variants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of process of producing a fermentation product, comprising: liquefying a starch-containing material to dextrins with an alpha-amylase in the presence of a GH61 polypeptide; saccharifying the dextrins to a sugar with a glucoamylase; and fermenting the sugar using a fermenting organism.

Abstract: A process for producing sugars from lignocellulosic materials such as corn stover by the addition of corn stillage as a carbon source is disclosed. The sugars are formed by treating the combination of the corn stillage and the lignocellulosic materials with hydrolytic enzymes. The sugars can be fermented to ethanol, and the process improves ethanol production economies with an increased sugar yield from the lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase 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: Compositions and methods are provided for treating lignocellulosic material with a dual activity enzyme having xylanase and cellulase activity. The enzyme is stable and active at increased pH and increased temperatures. The present invention therefore provides methods for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic material, especially cellulose and hemicellulose, which are major components of the cell wall of non-woody and woody plants. The methods for hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose can be used on any plant, wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to starch processing without a phytase pretreatment step and without adjustment of the slurry pH adjustment.

Abstract: An object is to identify endoglucanase and ?-glucosidase genes by isolating genomic DNA containing cellulase genes, which are classified into endoglucanases or ?-glucosidases, from Acremonium cellulolyticus, and sequencing the nucleotide sequences thereof. The inventors intensively compared the amino acid sequences of known endoglucanases and ?-glucosidases with each other to find conserved region of amino acid sequences in Acremonium cellulolyticus, and various primers were designed based on the information. PCR was carried out using the various primers thus designed and genomic DNA or cDNA as a template. As a result, gene fragments of endoglucanases and ?-glucosidases were obtained. Primers were designed based on the gene fragments, and PCR was carried out to amplify nine genes of endoglucanases and ?-glucosidases. The nucleotide sequences thereof were sequenced, and the present invention was completed.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a fermentable product intended for the production of metabolites by fermentation, includes the following steps: a) detoxification of a polluted ligno-cellulosic raw material including at least one polluting component; solid-liquid extraction in order to extract the polluting component(s) from the ligno-cellulosic raw material by solubilisation using at least one solvent; recovery of the cleaned ligno-cellulosic raw material; b) pre-treatment of the cleaned ligno-cellulosic raw material by defibration; c) enzymatic hydrolysis of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic raw material in the presence of cellulose, and obtaining a fermentable product; d) optional purification of the resulting fermentable product. The use of the resulting fermentable product for producing metabolites by fermentation, as well as to a specific method for producing ethanol from the fermentable product are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrolysis of mannan-containing poly- or oligo-saccharides by use of a polypeptide having endo-?-mannanase activity. In particular the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a bacterial endo-?-mannanase, polynucleotides encoding the endo-?-mannanase, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A process for pretreatment of a biomass material, comprising subjecting a biomass material to a biphasic mixture of water and supercritical CO2 at a temperature in the range of 150° C. to 250° C. under high pressure for a time of from 10 seconds to 100 minutes. In particular embodiments, the process is performed as a two-stage temperature process wherein an initial short high-temperature stage is conducted at a temperature of at least 200° C. for up to 20 minutes and a subsequent longer low-temperature stage is conducted at a temperature of at least 140° C. and up to 190° C. for 10-120 minutes.

Abstract: A cellobiohydrolase that can contribute to a synergistic effect on cellulose degradation and the use of such cellobiohydrolase in cellulose degradation are provided. The synergistic effect is achieved by an enzyme preparation for cellulose degradation containing a cellobiohydrolase originating in Phanerochaete chrysosporium and belonging to GHF6 or a variant thereof, and an endoglucanase originating in a different source other than Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent xylanase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: Described herein are starch hydrolysis processes for obtaining fermentable sugars from starch in milled plant material at temperatures below the starch gelatinization temperature and using exogenous plant alpha amylases further to the fermentation of the sugars to produce end products, such as ethanol.

Abstract: A method for producing a saccharified solution is provided, by which a saccharide recovered as a saccharified solution can be increased. The saccharified solution is obtained by treating a substrate solution containing lignocellulosic biomass as a substrate with a saccharifying enzyme produced by a microorganism to prepare a substrate/saccharifying enzyme mixture liquid, and removing a residue of the substrate from the substrate/saccharifying enzyme mixture liquid. The concentration of the substrate in the substrate/saccharifying enzyme mixture liquid is adjusted to be in the range of 15 to 30% by mass. In the removal of the residue of the substrate, a saccharide adsorbed on the residue is extracted.

Abstract: Methods, processes, and systems for the production of lipids and starch from modified algae are disclosed. In one embodiment, the modified algae over-expresses isoamylase and accumulates much higher amounts of starch than unmodified algae. In some embodiments, the modified algae comprises one or more copies of an isoamylase expression construct. In one embodiment, the modified algae is a sta7 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant with a starchless phenotype that has been complemented with one or more copies of the wild-type genomic STA7 isoamylase gene construct. The complemented, modified algae accumulates much greater amount of starch than an unmodified algae and may be used to produce large amounts of starch and/or lipids.

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 invention relates to an enzyme stabilizer comprising a lignin derivative produced by reaction between lignin and a hydrophilic compound, and to a method of saccharifying lignocellulosic biomass which employs the enzyme stabilizer. According to the invention it is possible to accomplish effective saccharification of cellulosic biomass with saccharifying enzymes, by enhancing saccharifying enzyme activity and preventing nonspecific adsorption of saccharifying enzyme onto substrate.

Abstract: A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.

Abstract: The invention relates to alpha amylases and to polynucleotides and polypeptides encoding the alpha amylases. In addition, methods of using the alpha amylases are also provided. The alpha amylases have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and at increased temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, compositions and methods for the conversion of lignocellulosic material to recalcitrant cellulose and hydrolyzed sugars and products produced therefrom (e.g., biofuel, nano-fibrillated cellulose). In particular, the invention provides novel fractionation processes configured to integrate production of hydrolyzed sugars (e.g., for biofuel production) and recalcitrant cellulose (e.g., for nano-fibrillated cellulose production) from lignocellulosic material and methods of using the same (e.g., in the production of biofuel and nano-fibrillated cellulose). The invention is also directed to nanocellulose with morphologies of having a less entangled and slightly branched fibril network, and having the same thermal stability as of that of the initial lignocellulose feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variant endoglucanases and particularly endoglucanases having improved properties over wild-type endoglucanase.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce a product such as a biofuel.

Abstract: In one embodiment the instant invention generally pertains to a method for producing glucose for fermentation. The method comprises first treating a biomass comprising a lignocellulosic material with a mixture comprising SO2 and steam at reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition mixture comprising cellulose suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. Specifically, the temperature, residence time, and SO2 concentration may be selected by calculating a crystallinity index (CrI) of the biomass and using the calculated crystallinity index as an indicator of enzymatic hydrolysis rate. In this manner cellulose may be enzymatically hydrolyzed glucose for aerobic or anaerobic fermentation.

Abstract: A method for producing starch hydrolysate that includes processing in a high shear device a hydrolytic solution having a component selected from the group consisting of acids, hydrolytic enzymes, and combinations thereof, and an aqueous starch solution to produce a dispersion, wherein the high shear device is configured with a rotor and a stator; and transferring the dispersion from the high shear device to a reactor from which a starch hydrolysate product comprising dextrose is removed, wherein the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained at a temperature of less than about 160° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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 for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched ?-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel ?-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched ?-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.

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: Alpha-amylases from Bacillus subtilis (AmyE), variants thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids are provided. Methods of using AmyE or variants thereof are disclosed, including liquefaction and/or saccharification of starch. Such methods may yield sugars useful for ethanol production or high fructose corn syrup production. In some cases, the amylases can be used at low pH, in the absence of calcium, and/or in the absence of a glucoamylase.

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: Provided is a method for degrading an organic material. Also provided is a useful low-molecular organic material. The method for degrading an organic material is characterized by comprising a step for preparing the organic material to be degraded, and a step for treating said organic material with mother cell lytic enzymes which are formed through cytolysis associated with the spore formation of a spore-forming aerobic bacterium.