Disclosed herein are cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof, and polynucleotides encoding same, where the cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof, have endoglucanase activity. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising the cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof; vectors and/or host cells comprising the polynucleotides encoding the cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof; and methods for making and/or using the cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof and/or compositions containing same; where the cellulase variants, or active fragments thereof, have endoglucanase activity.

The present invention relates to processes for individualizing trichome fibers from a trichome source, such as a leaf and/or a stem. One process comprises contacting the plant biomass with pectin hydrolyzing enzymes, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes. A second process comprises contacting the plant biomass with an acidic aqueous solution, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes. A third process comprises contacting the plant biomass with an acidic aqueous solution and with pectin hydrolyzing enzymes, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes.

Methods for reducing the effects of wetlapping, drying, and hornification of pulp fibers and consequently increasing the pulp drainage and strength properties in the final product (i.e., paper) are provided. The method which has been developed creates a value-added product by the wastepaper supplier or at the pulp and/or deinking (recycled paper) milla wastepaper load/bale, wet pulp stock or wet lap, or dried pulp treated with or impregnated with enzymes that enhance the quality of the pulp or paper product when it is repulped and processed at the paper mill.

Methods for reducing the effects of wetlapping, drying, and hornification of pulp fibers and consequently increasing the pulp drainage and strength properties in the final product (i.e., paper) are provided. The method which has been developed creates a value-added product by the wastepaper supplier or at the pulp and/or deinking (recycled paper) milla wastepaper load/bale, wet pulp stock or wet lap, or dried pulp treated with or impregnated with enzymes that enhance the quality of the pulp or paper product when it is repulped and processed at the paper mill.

The present invention relates to new enzymes with improved properties and to compositions comprising these enzymes suitable for use in the production of a food, feed, or malt beverage product, such as in a brewing process.

An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes.

Enzyme compositions comprising laccase, lipase, cationic polymer, and optionally laccase activator, for papermaking application are disclosed. It also relates to the use of the enzyme composition to improve dry strength property of a paper product made from lignocellulosic-containing materials before or after mechanical refining in a papermaking process.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated aqueous enzymatic preparation obtained from the reaction of at least one oxidoreductase enzyme, preferably a laccase, and at least one natural or synthetic product, preferably a natural compound, said natural or synthetic product comprising, in the structure thereof, at least one phenol or alcohol group, which optionally has one or more hydrophobic chains, or at least one sterol group. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of said isolated aqueous enzymatic preparation in the functionalization of the surface of paper or cellulosic substrates.

The present invention relates to new enzymes with improved properties and to compositions comprising these enzymes suitable for use in the production of a food, feed, or malt beverage product, such as in a brewing process.

An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes.