Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass comprising lignocellulosic material into biofuels and biochemicals that contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for the removal or reduction of impurities during lignocellulosic biomass processing to enhance biorefinery production of biofuels and biochemicals.

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass comprising lignocellulosic material into biofuels and biochemicals that contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for the removal or reduction of impurities during lignocellulosic biomass processing to enhance biorefinery production of biofuels and biochemicals.

The present disclosure provides a process for production of glucose having purity greater than 98% from pretreated cellulosic biomass comprising 50-95% cellulose, using thermo-chemical and enzymatic treatments. The process of the disclosure involves mild acid and/or alkali treatment of the pretreated cellulosic biomass for production of treated cellulosic biomass residue comprising polysaccharides containing greater than 98% glucose. The treatment results in high purity cellulose that is highly amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis and yields glucose having purity greater than 98%. The process of the disclosure also involves membrane separation of enzymes and oligosaccharides for recycling and separation of glucose to avoid product feedback inhibition.

The present disclosure provides a process for production of glucose having purity greater than 98% from pretreated cellulosic biomass comprising 50-95% cellulose, using thermo-chemical and enzymatic treatments. The process of the disclosure involves mild acid and/or alkali treatment of the pretreated cellulosic biomass for production of treated cellulosic biomass residue comprising polysaccharides containing greater than 98% glucose. The treatment results in high purity cellulose that is highly amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis and yields glucose having purity greater than 98%. The process of the disclosure also involves membrane separation of enzymes and oligosaccharides for recycling and separation of glucose to avoid product feedback inhibition.

A method of producing a sugar liquid from biomass includes decomposing a fermentation inhibitor contained in a sugar aqueous solution obtained from biomass with a microorganism incapable of utilizing glucose and/or xylose or a crude enzyme derived from the microorganism, wherein the fermentation inhibitor includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of courmaric acid, coumaramide, ferulic acid, ferulamide, vanillin, vanillic acid, acetovanillone, furfural, and 3-hydroxymethylfurfural.

A method of producing a sugar liquid from biomass includes decomposing a fermentation inhibitor contained in a sugar aqueous solution obtained from biomass with a microorganism incapable of utilizing glucose and/or xylose or a crude enzyme derived from the microorganism, wherein the fermentation inhibitor includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of courmaric acid, coumaramide, ferulic acid, ferulamide, vanillin, vanillic acid, acetovanillone, furfural, and 3-hydroxymethylfurfural.

A two-step method for activating a cellulosic feedstock is described. The feedstock is subjected to a first high temperature activation step at a temperature greater than 190? C. and a second activation step at a lower temperature under alkali conditions. Also described are methods and compositions for the enzymatic hydrolysis of activated cellulose using one or more cellulase enzymes, a surfactant and polyaspartic acid. Also described are products of the methods.

A two-step method for activating a cellulosic feedstock is described. The feedstock is subjected to a first high temperature activation step at a temperature greater than 190? C. and a second activation step at a lower temperature under alkali conditions. Also described are methods and compositions for the enzymatic hydrolysis of activated cellulose using one or more cellulase enzymes, a surfactant and polyaspartic acid. Also described are products of the methods.