Provided are a lignin degradation catalyst that exhibits excellent lignin degradability and that is readily separated after degradation reaction, a method for producing the catalyst, and a method for degrading lignin. The lignin degradation catalyst according to the present invention contains a substrate and at least one metal compound immobilized on the substrate, wherein the at least one metal compound contains a copper compound. The method for producing a lignin degradation catalyst according to the present invention includes the step of brining a porous copper substrate into contact with a solution containing an oxidant to obtain a substrate having a copper compound immobilized thereon, or the step of subjecting a porous copper substrate to electro-oxidation to obtain a substrate having a copper compound immobilized thereon.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320 C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320 C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320 C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to have reduced levels or activity of one or more alcohol dehydrogenases or aldehyde reductase thereby increasing the production of vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to have reduced levels or activity of one or more alcohol dehydrogenases or aldehyde reductase thereby increasing the production of vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.

The present invention primarily relates to multicomponent crystals comprising a compound of formula 1 and a second compound selected from the group consisting of menthol and vanillin. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such multicomponent crystals. Furthermore, the invention relates to processes for preparing said multicomponent crystals. The invention also relates to several aspects of using said multicomponent crystals or pharmaceutical compositions to treat a disease.

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The present invention primarily relates to multicomponent crystals comprising a compound of formula 1 and a second compound selected from the group consisting of menthol and vanillin. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such multicomponent crystals. Furthermore, the invention relates to processes for preparing said multicomponent crystals. The invention also relates to several aspects of using said multicomponent crystals or pharmaceutical compositions to treat a disease.

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The invention relates to a natural vanillin, which is in the form of an amorphous solid of which the color, in ethanolic solution at 10% by weight, is less than or equal to 200 Hazen, preferably less than or equal to 100 Hazen.

The invention relates to a natural vanillin, which is in the form of an amorphous solid of which the color, in ethanolic solution at 10% by weight, is less than or equal to 200 Hazen, preferably less than or equal to 100 Hazen.