In one aspect, methods of treating lignocellulosic materials are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of treating a lignocellulosic material comprises degrading lignin of the lignocellulosic material with at least one fungus and hydrolyzing cellulose of the lignocellulosic material with at least one microorganism.

Methods for obtaining a carboxylic acid product from a lactose-containing feedstock include contacting the lactose-containing feedstock and a first mixture of microorganisms in a first bioreactor under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of about 45 C. to about 55 C. and a pH of from about 4 to about 6 for a period of time such that lactic acid is formed; contacting the lactic acid with a second mixture of microorganisms in a second bioreactor under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of about 25 C. to about 35 C. and a pH of from about 4 to about 6 for a period of time such that the lactic acid is converted to one or more C.sub.3-C.sub.12 carboxylic acid products; and isolating the one or more C.sub.3-C.sub.12 carboxylic acid products. The lactose-containing feedstock has a pH greater than 4.5.

The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases or materials.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases or materials.

The present invention relates to methods for producing isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicaceae material and lactic acid bacteria for use in such methods. The present invention also relates to isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicaceae material produced by such methods.

Provided herein are novel proteins and protein domains from newly discovered anaerobic fungal species. The anaerobic fungal species have unique enzymatic capabilities, including the ability to digest diverse lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks and to synthesize secondary metabolites. The scope of the invention encompasses novel engineered proteins comprising glycoside hydrolase enzymes, dockerin domains, carbohydrate binding domains, and polyketide synthase enzymes. The invention further encompasses artificial cellulosomes comprising novel proteins and domains of the invention. The scope of the invention further includes novel nucleic acid sequences coding for the engineered proteins of the invention, and methods of using such engineered organisms to degrade lignocellulosic biomass and to create polyketides.

Provided herein are novel proteins and protein domains from newly discovered anaerobic fungal species. The anaerobic fungal species have unique enzymatic capabilities, including the ability to digest diverse lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks and to synthesize secondary metabolites. The scope of the invention encompasses novel engineered proteins comprising glycoside hydrolase enzymes, dockerin domains, carbohydrate binding domains, and polyketide synthase enzymes. The invention further encompasses artificial cellulosomes comprising novel proteins and domains of the invention. The scope of the invention further includes novel nucleic acid sequences coding for the engineered proteins of the invention, and methods of using such engineered organisms to degrade lignocellulosic biomass and to create polyketides.

The subject invention provides microbe-based products and efficient methods of producing them. In specific embodiments, methods are provided for symbiotic cultivation of Acinetobacter venetianus RAG1 and Bacillus subtilis B1, as well as growth by-products thereof. Methods are also provided for using the subject microbe-based products, for example, in microbially enhanced oil recovery (MEOR).