Embodiments of the present invention report compositions, systems and methods for obtaining xylo-oligosaccharide-rich extracts from agricultural by-product streams. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods are directed to producing xylo-oligosaccharide-rich extracts with increased amounts and/or concentrations of degrees of polymerization (DP) of 3 or greater (DP3+). In other embodiments, compositions and methods relate to the production of products containing high soluble fiber, for example, xylo-oligosaccharides of DP3 or greater, from oat hull by-products. In yet other embodiments, xylo-oligosaccharides-rich extracts derived from oat hulls can be further processed to generate useful liquids for example, liquids containing soluble solids and powdered sweeteners and other useful consumer products.

Embodiments of the present invention report compositions, systems and methods for obtaining xylo-oligosaccharide-rich extracts from agricultural by-product streams. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods are directed to producing xylo-oligosaccharide-rich extracts with increased amounts and/or concentrations of degrees of polymerization (DP) of 3 or greater (DP3+). In other embodiments, compositions and methods relate to the production of products containing high soluble fiber, for example, xylo-oligosaccharides of DP3 or greater, from oat hull by-products. In yet other embodiments, xylo-oligosaccharides-rich extracts derived from oat hulls can be further processed to generate useful liquids for example, liquids containing soluble solids and powdered sweeteners and other useful consumer products.

The present invention provides for a method of fermenting or saccharifying a biomass comprising: (a) (i) contacting a biomass comprising a polysaccharide, and an ionic liquid (IL) to form a first solution, or (ii) providing the first solution comprising the biomass and the IL, (b) contacting the first solution and carbon dioxide such that the first solution results in a lower pH, (c) introducing (i) an enzyme capable of enzymatically to breakdown at least one bond in the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, and/or (ii) a microorganism that capable of producing the enzyme and/or fermenting the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, such that the polysaccharide is at least partially broken down and the first solution is transformed into a second solution.

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and processes for the production of sugars and conversion products from biomass.

Temperature responsive phase change bio-complexes (PCBC) with tunable physicochemical properties and preparation method thereof. The phase change bio-complexes consist of a phase change material (PCM) (or mixture of PCMs) and a polysaccharide (or combination of polysaccharides). The polysaccharide provides mechanical and thermal stabilization and the PCM provides temperature responsive properties to the complexation. In order to undergo complexation with polysaccharides, sugar alcohols and salt hydrates classifications of PCMs are preferred which results in compatibility and homogeneity of the bio-complexes. Addition of multivalent cations (water soluble salts) and/or salts of an acid tunes the thermophysical properties of the bio-complexes such as tunable temperature and latent heat of fusion and structural and thermal stability. These environmentally benign phase change bio-complexes can be applied in different form-stable formats such as powdered, films, pellets, sheets, beads, sponge etc. for thermal management purposes including thermal energy storage and thermal protection via heat absorbing-releasing, for instance, in building, packaging, electronics, temperature sensitive items (black boxes) and wearables.

Temperature responsive phase change bio-complexes (PCBC) with tunable physicochemical properties and preparation method thereof. The phase change bio-complexes consist of a phase change material (PCM) (or mixture of PCMs) and a polysaccharide (or combination of polysaccharides). The polysaccharide provides mechanical and thermal stabilization and the PCM provides temperature responsive properties to the complexation. In order to undergo complexation with polysaccharides, sugar alcohols and salt hydrates classifications of PCMs are preferred which results in compatibility and homogeneity of the bio-complexes. Addition of multivalent cations (water soluble salts) and/or salts of an acid tunes the thermophysical properties of the bio-complexes such as tunable temperature and latent heat of fusion and structural and thermal stability. These environmentally benign phase change bio-complexes can be applied in different form-stable formats such as powdered, films, pellets, sheets, beads, sponge etc. for thermal management purposes including thermal energy storage and thermal protection via heat absorbing-releasing, for instance, in building, packaging, electronics, temperature sensitive items (black boxes) and wearables.

It is an object of the present invention to provide fine fibrous cellulose capable of enhancing transparency and suppressing coloring, when the fine fibrous cellulose are processed into a dispersed solution or a sheet. The present invention relates to fine fibrous cellulose, in which the amount of substituents introduced is less than 0.5 mmol/g and the fiber width is 1 to 10 nm. Moreover, the present invention relates to a dispersed solution and a sheet, each of which comprises fine fibrous cellulose. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing fine fibrous cellulose, comprising: (A) removing at least a part of substituents from fine fibrous cellulose with a fiber width of 1000 nm or less having the substituents, and (B) performing a uniform dispersion treatment on the resulting fine fibrous cellulose after completion of the (A).

A woody material, where a ratio (HB/HA) between a height (HA) of an absorption peak derived by C−H stretching vibration detected at a wavenumber from 2850 cm-1 to 2950 cm-1 and a height (HB) of an absorption peak derived by skeletal vibration of an aromatic ring detected at a wavenumber from 1480 cm-1 to 1540 cm-1 is 1.10 or less in an ATR spectrum of an inside or a surface of the woody material by an infrared spectroscopic analysis method.

A treated cellulosic material comprising a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising a polymer comprising a modified cellulose polymer; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine, a metal ion, or a quat. The present disclosure further describes a method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising (a) providing a cellulosic material; (b) a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a dispersion comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a modified cellulose polymer; and (c) a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine, a metal ion, or a quat.

The invention relates to a system of producing MFC (micro fibrillated cellulose) having a process device (30) of a pulper, a refiner or a screen configured to process MFC suspension to consistency of 0.5-5%. The system has a continuous pressing means (15; 25, 26) configured to dry the MFC suspension to a consistency of 6-60%. A method of producing MFC has at least one process stage (30) which processes a MFC suspension to a consistency of 0.5-5% by a process device (30). In the process stage the MFC suspension is pulped in a pulping stage in a pulper and/or refined in a refining stage by a refiner and/or screened in a screening stage by a screen. The MFC suspension having the consistency of 0.5-5% is dried in a drying stage of continuous pressing (15, 25, 26) by continuous a pressing device (15, 25, 26) to a consistency of 6-60%.