Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing a plant fiber material to produce and separate a saccharide including glucose. The method includes a hydrolysis process of using a cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state to hydrolyze cellulose contained in the plant fiber material, and produce glucose. The cluster acid catalyst is subjected to a clustering enhancing treatment by which clustering of the cluster acid catalyst in a crystalline state is enhanced.

Abstract: We describe a plant and plant cell which is modified to enhance the production of plant-derived oil in particular in non-seed tissue and including methods for the processing of plant derived biomass materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for extracting and isolating glycosyl xanthone derivatives, in particular mangiferin and isomangiferin, from plants of the Rubiaceae family, especially of the Coffea genus. The invention also relates to extracts obtained using such methods, as well as compositions comprising such extracts that are useful in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the production of alginate having a mannuronic acid-content of at least 80 mole %, wherein said alginate is produced by: a) adding algae or seaweed to water under stirring, in a ratio of 1:3 to 1:20 respectively, at a pH above about 2.3, while maintaining a temperature above 20° C. for at least 30 minutes, and b) separating said alginate from the solid material of the suspension in a) by a standard separation method such as filtration, and optionallyc) recovering said alginate from the solution.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the purification and recovery of polysaccharide gums from an aqueous solution, particularly xanthan gum from a fermentation broth. An aqueous solution of at least one polysaccharide gum is mixed with a non-solvent stream comprising water and a subprecipitant level of a non-solvent of the polysaccharide gum. The mixture is concentrated to increase the polysaccharide gum concentration, and optionally undergoes a heat treatment. Additional non-solvent is added to the concentrated mixture to precipitate the polysaccharide gum. The precipitated gum is dried after being separated from the liquid component of the mixture. The removed liquid component can be recycled to the earlier step in the process in which the polysaccharide gum solution is mixed with the non-solvent stream.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV433540. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV433540, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV433540 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV433540.

Abstract: A new lignin degradation product, a method for producing the same, and methods for producing a saccharide raw material and a monosaccharide raw material are provided. The method for producing the new lignin degradation product includes: (a first step) mixing 100 parts by mass of a powder, obtained by pulverizing a lignocellulosic raw material and defatting the resulting powder with an organic solvent, with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an amount of 20 to 400 parts by mass in terms of hydrogen peroxide and heating the mixture for 5 to 120 minutes at a pressure of 0.1 to 1.5 MPa and a temperature of 80 to 200° C. while irradiating the mixture with microwaves; (a second step) separating insoluble matter from the aqueous hydrogen peroxide; (a third step) extracting the insoluble matter with a solvent to produce an extract; and (a fourth step) distilling the solvent away from the extract to yield a solubilized lignin as a residue.

Abstract: A continuous process for treating a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. This method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock under pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0. One or more than one soluble base is added to this pressurized, pretreated feedstock after it exits the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 to about pH 3.5. This pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock is then further processed at the intermediate pH. This may include flashing one or more than one time at the intermediate pH. The pH of the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock may then be adjusted with one or more than one base to produce a neutralized feedstock having a pH between about 4 and about 6. Prior to adjusting the pH to between about 2.5 and about 3.5, the pressurized, pretreated feedstock truly be partially depressurized.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution, under alkaline conditions, in the presence of one or more organo-mercaptan and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Methods for treating lignocellulosic biomass to produce readily saccharifiable carbohydrate-enriched biomass are provided. In one method, lignocellulosic biomass comprising lignin is treated with aqueous ammonia, then contacted with a gas comprising ozone at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 50° C. In another method, lignocellulosic biomass comprising lignin is contacted with a gas comprising ozone at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 50° C., then treated with aqueous ammonia. The readily saccharifiable carbohydrate-enriched biomass may be saccharified with an enzyme consortium to produce fermentable sugars.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia and optionally an additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin without loss of hemicellulose. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one of more sulfide (hydrosulfide) salt and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of elemental sulfur and optionally one or more alkylamine and/or one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass comprising lignin is treated with a solvent, such as organosolv, under alkaline conditions at elevated temperatures, filtered, then contacted with a gas comprising ozone to produce a readily saccharifiable biomass.

Abstract: A process is described for production of a chlorinated sucrose from a process stream containing a 6-O-protected chlorinated sucrose derived from chlorination of 6-O-protected sucrose wherein the process stream is treated under conditions which prevent or reverse deacylation of 6-O-protected chlorinated sucrose, extracting the same in a solvent, washing most of the dimethylformamide free from the solvent extract by repeated washing with saturated sodium chloride solution, isolating the 6-O-protected sucrose as a pure fraction and obtaining a chlorinated sucrose by deacylating the same.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this invention encompass a method for purifying a low purity steviol glycoside composition. In particular, this invention relates to a method for purifying low purity steviol glycoside compositions to obtain substantially pure steviol glycoside compositions comprising approximately 95% or greater steviol glycosides and approximately 75% or greater rebaudioside A with a single crystallization step.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: We describe glycosyltransferase polypeptides that modify sesquiterpenoids and including pharmaceutical compositions comprising glycosylated sesquiterpenoids; methods to treat diseases, in particular cancer, bacterial and fungal infections and also flavourings and scents comprising glycosylated sesquiterpenoids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of recovering galactose from a solution derived from plant-based biomass. In the process of the invention, the starting solution is subjected to one or more chromatographic fractionation steps, which may carried out with a strongly basic anion exchange resin and optionally with a strongly acid cation exchange resin, in any desired sequence, followed by recovering at least one fraction enriched in galactose. The galactose fraction thus obtained is further purified by crystallization to obtain crystalline galactose. The invention also relates to non-animal derived crystalline D-galactose.

Abstract: To find a substance which has a skin cosmeticizing effect such as prevention of skin aging, amelioriation of sensitive skin, or antipruritic action, and can serve as an effective ingredient for a hair-care product, thereby providing cosmetics comprising the effective ingredient. Concretely, there are provided cosmetics characterized in that the cosmetics comprise as an effective ingredient a compound selected from a fucoidan, a degradation product thereof, a sulfated monosaccharide or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering arabinogalactan from fibrous natural plant material, such as wood from larch trees, said method being a continuous two-step extraction with enrichment method (i.e. counter current extraction) in which preferably water is employed as a solvent.

Abstract: This invention generally refers to the process to obtain a compound and a standard pharmaceutical product from one or more parts of plant of the Stachytarpheta (Verhenaceae family) species, as well as roots, stems, barks, and leaves of plants in the form of extracts or enriched fractions, or pure isolated compounds or compounds obtained from synthesis, used alone or mixed with other natural or synthetic products, in different ratios, in order to integrate pharmaceutical compositions to be used by appropriate routes (topic or oral), particularly in the form of tablets, capsules, dyes, emulsions, W/O and O/W (creams and gels), liposomes, microcapsules, nanoparticles, aerosols, ointments, and the like, as well as formulations for slow-release implants, used to treat vitiligo.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of processing plant material by adding water to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and separating a liquid component from a solid-comprising component. At least one of the liquid component and the solid-comprising component undergoes additional processing. Processing of the solid-comprising component produces oils, and processing of the liquid component produces one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention includes a process of forming glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol from plant matter by adding water, heating and filtering the plant matter. The filtrate containing starch, starch fragments, hemicellulose and fragments of hemicellulose is treated to form linear poly-alcohols which are then cleaved to produce one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention also includes a method of producing free and/or complexed sterols and stanols from plant material.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting pentose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid in a two-stage process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants having an increased content of N-acetylated glucosamine derivatives. Furthermore, the present invention relates to plant cells and plants which synthesize glucosaminoglycans. The present invention also provides processes for producing said plants and compositions comprising said plant cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, wherein the genetic modification leads to the expression in plastids of such plant cells and plants of an enzyme having the activity of a mutansucrase. Furthermore, the present invention relates to means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. Plant cells and plants of this type synthesise a modified starch. The present invention therefore also relates to the starch synthesised by the plant cells and plants according to the invention as well as to methods for the manufacture of the starch and to the manufacture of starch derivatives of this modified starch.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV678981. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV678981, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV678981 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV678981 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV678981.

Abstract: A system has been developed for pretreating cellulosic biomass feed stock including: a first pressurized reactor receiving the feed stock, wherein the feed stock undergoes hydrolysis in the first pressurized reactor; a sealing device having a first pressurized coupling to a feedstock discharge port of the first pressurized reactor, and a second pressurized coupling to a second pressurized reactor; a drain for a liquid including dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the feed stock in at least one of the first pressurized reactor and the sealing and extraction device; the second pressurized reactor assembly receiving the pressurized feed stock from the sealing device at a pressure substantially greater than the pressure in the first pressurized reactor, wherein cells of the feed stock are infused with water in the second pressurized reactor, and an expansion device downstream of the second pressurized reactor assembly, wherein the expansion device rapidly releases the pressure of the feed stock disc

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of extracting crude polysaccharide by microwave-assisted from Artemisia sphaerocephala seed de-oiling dregs. In particular, the invention comprising: microwave-assisted extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, dialysis et. al. It provides a technique whereby the polysaccharide can be extracted effectively, in a relatively short period of time (20-30 min) with respect to conventional extraction methods and allows for an enhanced extraction yield (more than 30%). Furthermore, the invention also allows for the extraction of material with less solvent consumption, good reproducibility, excellent solubility, energy conservation, environmental protection, and showed great potential for efficient sample preparation and large-scale industrial application in the near future. With great resource advantage of Artemisia sphaerocephala in China, the invention has bright perspectives in promoting local economic development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants which synthesize an increased amount of hyaluronan, and to methods for preparing such plants, and also to methods for preparing hyaluronan with the aid of these plant cells or plants. Here, plant cells or genetically modified plants according to the invention have hyaluronan synthase activity and additionally an increased glutamine:fructose 6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) activity and an increased UDP glucose dehydrogenase (UDP-Glc-DH) activity, compared to wild-type plant cells or wild-type plants. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of plants having increased hyaluronan synthesis for preparing hyaluronan and food or feedstuff containing hyaluronan.

Abstract: A description is provided of a method for extraction of D-galactose, with the following steps: provision of an aqueous solution or suspension of galactoarabinan, wherein the aqueous solution or phase has a pH of less than or equal to 3; heating of the solution or suspension to a temperature in the range from 80 to 160° C. and maintaining it at this temperature for a period in the range from 1 to 40 hours; separation of the D-galactose formed, possibly in a mixture with other substances, from the resultant product mixture.

Abstract: The invention herein is an efficient, flexible biomass fractionation process comprising digesting a lignocellulosic-biomass material at about 120-220° C. and a pH of less than about 4, in an aqueous mixture containing an effective concentration of at least one solvent for lignin, and separating to recover a solid phase that contains a large fraction of the cellulose originally in the starting lignocellulosic material and a liquid phase that contains most of the lignin and hemicellulose originally in the starting lignocellulosic biomass. The process can produce a solid phase that contains at least 75% cellulose and less than 10% lignin. The cellulose-rich solid product can be converted very efficiently to glucose. The solid product can also be used in commercial pulp applications, such as papermaking or fluff pulp. Hemicellulose sugars and lignin can be used directly or converted to other products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a high molecular weight pectin-like polysaccharide from fruit pods of okra. The high molecular weight pectin-like polysaccharide, when dissolved in a buffer, exhibit viscoelastic properties, and is very useful in applications such as ophthalmic surgery, dermatology and orthopedics.

Abstract: A reactor for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose under high pressure and heat has an inlet and outlet each with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the reactor. The pressure and heat in the reactor forms a cellulose plug within the inlet and the outlet. The inlet plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. Cellulose begins to breakdown under heat, pressure, and if required an acid or a lubricant. The outlet plug slows downstream movement of cooking cellulose. Cellulose may be pre-treated by the addition of water, a weak acid, a lubricant, or a combination of the foregoing. The outer surface of the plug cooks faster than the inner core of the plug, becomes a liquefied slurry, and slides faster towards the outlet than the inner core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 0.9 million and arabinogalactan protein not less than 17% by weight obtained by heating Acacia senegal gum arabic and modified water-soluble gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 2.5 million and with protein containing high molecular weight components of not less than 25% by weight. Moreover, the present invention provides modified gum arabic with standardized and predictable molecular properties and methods for providing the modified gum arabic endowed with high emulsification efficiency and stability and for uniforming natural variations in unmodified gum arabic. The present invention changes the natural protein distribution of gum arabic, and increases AGP content.

Abstract: The object of the invention is formulations and methods without chaotropic components for the isolation of nucleic acids with binding to a solid phase, in particular of DNA, from arbitrary complex starting materials containing a lysis/binding buffer system manifesting at least one anti-chaotropic salt component, the concentration of the anti-chaotropic salt components being between 0.001 mM and 0.1 M, preferably 0.1 mM, and further a solid phase and washing and elution buffers which are known per se. The lysis/binding buffer system can exist as an aqueous solution or as a solid formulation in ready-to-use reaction vessels. As a solid phase, all carrier materials applied for isolation by means of chaotropic reagents can function, preferably glass fibre fleeces, glass membranes, silicone carriers, ceramics, zeoliths or materials possessing negatively functionalised surfaces or manifesting chemically modified surfaces which can be converted to a negative charging potential.

Abstract: A monosaccharide production system is disclosed. The production system can be directed to processes for producing a D-galactose preparation, a D-galactose preparation and an isoflavones preparation, a tagatose preparation, and a tagatose preparation and an isoflavones preparation.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of gelling carrageenans from seaweed, wherein the seaweed is subjected to a heterogenous reaction for alkali modification of at least one carrageenan precursor to at least one gelling carrageenan followed by a recovery process. In the recovery process one or more lye recovery sections for the recovery of aqueous alkaline medium are used and there is reusing in the heterogeneous reaction of used aqueous alkaline medium after processing of incoming seaweed and for each recovery section there is reusing of at least part of the used lye recovery solution to compensate for the deficiency of alkaline medium as a result of the heterogeneous reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting polymeric pentose, preferably xylan, from a polymeric pentose containing liquid/slurry, preferably black liquor, comprising the following steps: a) providing a polymeric pentose containing liquid/slurry; b) concentrating the polymeric pentose by membrane separation of a said polymeric pentose containing liquid/slurry; and c) adding alcohol to the concentrate obtained in step b) and subsequently acidifying said concentrate obtained in step b) for precipitating polymeric pentose whereby a polymeric pentose product, or an intermediate polymeric pentose product, is obtained. In this above way polymeric pentose, e.g. xylan, is separated whereby the use of methanol (less lignin must be kept in solution) and acid (less acid which buffers the pH-decrease) become much lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, wherein the genetic modification leads to the expression in plastids of such plant cells and plants of an enzyme having the activity of a dextransucrase. Furthermore, the present invention relates to means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. Plant cells and plants of this type synthesis a modified starch. The present invention therefore also relates to the starch synthesized by the plant cells and plants according to the invention as well as to methods for the manufacture of the starch and to the manufacture of starch derivatives of this modified starch.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and separation of the pentoses, xylose and arabinose from mixtures of saccharides by forming acetals is described. D-xylose is a precursor to xylitol, a sweetener, and L-arabinose is a precursor to the drug intermediate (R)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, carnitine and agrichemicals.

Abstract: A method for separating saccharide components and lignin fractions from a concentrated acid treated lignocellulosic biomass is disclosed. The method involves precipitating the saccharide components by adding an organic solvent to the biomass slurry. The acid may then be recovered, for example, by filtration or by countercurrent washing and the organic solvent may be flashed and recycled. During acid recovery and organic recovery steps, two main lignocellulose components (hemicellulose and lignin) as well as minor components such as acetic acid are separated as well. The method decreases the amount of cellulase required for hydrolysis, increases hydrolysis rates, reduces formation of inhibitor molecules, increase sugar yields, produces high value by-products such as high quality lignin and hemicellulose, and decreases energy and equipment costs.

Abstract: A process for recovering Rebaudioside A from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plants is provided and includes the steps of sequentially extracting plant material with a first solvent to obtain a first extract, filtering the first extract and passing the first extract through a polar resin to obtain a filtrate, and purifying the filtrate to obtain a crystalline-containing material. With further purification, a product containing over 99% Rebaudioside A is obtained. The present invention is also directed toward a method of purifying stevia glycosides to obtain purified Rebaudioside A. In one embodiment, the method includes silica gel column chromatography using an solvent comprising ethyl acetate and ethanol.

Abstract: A continuous process for treating a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. This method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock under pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0. One or more than one soluble base is added to this pressurized, pretreated feedstock after it exits the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 to about pH 3.5. This pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock is then further processed at the intermediate pH. This may include flashing one or more than one time at the intermediate pH. The pH of the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock may then be adjusted with one or more than one base to produce a neutralized feedstock having a pH between about 4 and about 6. Prior to adjusting the pH to between about 2.5 and about 3.5, the pressurized, pretreated feedstock may be partially depressurized.

Abstract: Disclosed are (i) a standardized method for the recovery of the polyphenolic contents from the seed coats of Tamarindus indica L. (ii) a standardized polyphenolic extract (10%-90%) from the seed coat of Tamarindus indica L. (standardized Indian date extract) and uses thereof as oral/topical, “skin care” and “hair care” nutra-cosmetic formulations. The standardized Indian Date extract of the present invention exhibits anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-5-alpha-reductase and anti-hyaluronidase activities. The standardized Indian date extract of the present invention is suitable for oral/topical, “skin care” and “hair care” nutra-cosmetic formulations either singly or as “cosmetic blends” with other carefully chosen natural plant actives.

Abstract: In certain aspects the invention features novel compositions and pharmaceutical preparations of the same. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ?- and/or ?-boswellic acid and/or their C-acetates in an amount greater than 65% by weight.

Abstract: Procedure for the obtaining of genin and sapogenins extracts by enzymatic hydrolysis of kernels derived of the family Sapotaceae, genus Calocarpum, Chrysophyllum and Lucuma. The enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis are exogenous ?-glucosidases, of vegetable or microbial origin. The process uses mainly diverse kernel (seeds removed of the endocarp) derived but can also use the cyanogenic glycoside, lucumin and the related similar glycosides directly. It is also object of protection the process for the obtaining of these glycosides, starting of those kernels derived and the usage of these in the obtaining of genin and sapogenins and its uses in cosmetic and dermatologic compositions. The genin and sapogenins extracts are the main products used with these basic similar aims. The obtained genin extract are used in topical compositions to promote the opening of the pore facilitating the epithelial penetration or it can be used as flavouring or scent agent in foods or in alternating similar uses like in perfumery.

Abstract: A method is described for treating hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis or for reducing total cholesterol while raising high-density lipoportoein cholesterol. It involves administering to a patient a substantially pure complex derived from flaxseed and containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), cinnamic acid glucosides and hydroxymethyl glutaric acid.