Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.

The present invention relates to the provision of genetically modified fungal cells, such as yeast cells with an improved ability for producing different fatty acids and specifically fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), the main components of biodiesel. An increased in fatty acid production, and hence in FAEE, is obtained in the first place by expressing different heterologous polypeptides in combination with the down-regulation, attenuation, deletion or over-expression of specially selected genes, wherein said genes encode enzymes involved in the fatty acids synthesizing pathway, fatty acid consuming pathways, carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways or enzyme acting as wax ester transporters or a combination thereof. The methods and products of the invention would allow large-scale production of FAEE with carbohydrates as the only externally-supplied substrate.

Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for forming discrete biomass receptacles from a base material that is created via cultivating or processing algae for biofuel production. The apparatus includes a supplier to supply heat softened biomaterial; a rotatable molder to receive the heat softened biomaterial that includes a heated hollow mold; a rotator configured to rotate the rotatable molder; and a controller configured to control the rotator to rotate the heated hollow mold such that the heat softened biomaterial disperses and adheres to walls of the heated hollow mold, the controller also being configured to control the rotator to continue rotating the heated hollow mold as the heat softened biomaterial cools so as to impede sagging and deformation of the biomass receptables being formed, such that the receptacles that are formed are configured to house algae via at least one of the cultivating and processing of the algae.

Systems and methods for producing carbohydrate (e.g., sugar) streams (and recycling enzymes) from a pretreated or untreated biomass such as cellulosic feedstock, including, for example, “brown stock” feedstock, or waste or recycled fiber sludge produced in the pulp and paper industry, such as for biochemical (e.g., biofuel) production, are provided. In one example, the system and method can produce high purity C6 (glucose and/or fructose) and/or C5 (xylose) sugar streams, and other carbohydrates and/or fibrous materials, from cellulosic feedstocks, such as brown stock or waste fiber sludge, that can be effectively converted into various biochemical products, such as ethanol.

The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors. Alternatively a system may include a pretreatment system, a hydrolysis system, a sugar separation system, and one or more bioreactors.

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to a method for modifying oil, and specifically to a process for increasing the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid in an oil composition.

The present invention provides a method for reducing the level of free fatty acids in biodiesel/fatty acid alkyl esters. The method comprises providing a composition comprising fatty acid alkyl esters, free fatty acids and/or a fatty acid feedstock, reacting said free fatty acids and/or said fatty acid feedstock with alcohol in the presence of one or more liquid lipolytic enzymes to produce fatty acid alkyl esters; and/or reacting the free fatty acids and/or said fatty acid feedstock with alcohol in the presence of one or more non-enzymatic catalysts to produce fatty acid alkyl esters.

The present invention provides a method for reducing the level of free fatty acids in biodiesel/fatty acid alkyl esters. The method comprises providing a composition comprising fatty acid alkyl esters, free fatty acids and/or a fatty acid feedstock, reacting said free fatty acids and/or said fatty acid feedstock with alcohol in the presence of one or more liquid lipolytic enzymes to produce fatty acid alkyl esters; and/or reacting the free fatty acids and/or said fatty acid feedstock with alcohol in the presence of one or more non-enzymatic catalysts to produce fatty acid alkyl esters.

The invention encompasses systems and processes for the extraction of, for example, consumer, animal, and industrial end products from algal biomass. In various embodiments, the invention encompasses ecofriendly methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal products. These components include, but are not limited to, lipids, proteins, antioxidants, synthesized by algae, or the use of these compounds for further biochemical processes for synthesis of product compounds such as ethanol or biopolymer. The invention further encompasses method for the recovery algae residual biomass (ARB), its packing and transfer the deep-sea for carbon storage. These methods include energy efficient methods of filtration and packing and spread to the ocean surface to further allow reaching the seabed.

The invention encompasses systems and processes for the extraction of, for example, consumer, animal, and industrial end products from algal biomass. In various embodiments, the invention encompasses ecofriendly methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal products. These components include, but are not limited to, lipids, proteins, antioxidants, synthesized by algae, or the use of these compounds for further biochemical processes for synthesis of product compounds such as ethanol or biopolymer. The invention further encompasses method for the recovery algae residual biomass (ARB), its packing and transfer the deep-sea for carbon storage. These methods include energy efficient methods of filtration and packing and spread to the ocean surface to further allow reaching the seabed.