Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided that produce products from the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway (fatty acid derivatives), as well as methods of their use. The products are particularly useful as biofuels.

Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided that produce products from the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway (fatty acid derivatives), as well as methods of their use. The products are particularly useful as biofuels.

A method of producing fatty acid alkyl ester from an organic oil source containing at least one free fatty acid, wherein the vegetable and/or animal waste oil has an acid number of at least 30 mg KOH/g and wherein the method comprises the steps of a) reacting the oil source with glycerol at a temperature, which is at least 110° C. and does not exceed 180° C. during the reaction, in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least methane sulfonic acid or the homo anhydride thereof; and b) acidic transesterification at a temperature, which is at least 110° C. and does not exceed 160° C. during the reaction of the reaction product from step a) with an alkanol; and c) isolating the fatty acid alkyl ester from the reaction product of step b).

A method of producing fatty acid alkyl ester from an organic oil source containing at least one free fatty acid, wherein the vegetable and/or animal waste oil has an acid number of at least 30 mg KOH/g and wherein the method comprises the steps of a) reacting the oil source with glycerol at a temperature, which is at least 110° C. and does not exceed 180° C. during the reaction, in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least methane sulfonic acid or the homo anhydride thereof; and b) acidic transesterification at a temperature, which is at least 110° C. and does not exceed 160° C. during the reaction of the reaction product from step a) with an alkanol; and c) isolating the fatty acid alkyl ester from the reaction product of step b).

The present invention relates to a process for the production of olefinic compounds that can be used for the production of detergents, additives, lubricants and/or plastic materials, or components which can be used in the field of oil explorations and productions, and a hydrocarbon fuel or a fraction thereof, which comprises subjecting a mixture of glycerides having at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, to metathesis reaction and, after separating the olefinic mixture obtained, effecting a hydrodeoxygenation and subsequently hydroisomerization process, so as to obtain the hydrocarbon fuel or a fraction thereof.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of olefinic compounds that can be used for the production of detergents, additives, lubricants and/or plastic materials, or components which can be used in the field of oil explorations and productions, and a hydrocarbon fuel or a fraction thereof, which comprises subjecting a mixture of glycerides having at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, to metathesis reaction and, after separating the olefinic mixture obtained, effecting a hydrodeoxygenation and subsequently hydroisomerization process, so as to obtain the hydrocarbon fuel or a fraction thereof.

The invention relates to the use of a specific type of calcium catalyst (C) for the preparation of alkoxylated glycerol esters, alkoxylated glycerol esters prepared in the presence of the catalyst and a process for the preparation of the alkoxylated glycerol esters. It was found that in the presence of the above-mentioned calcium catalyst (C) the alkoxylation reaction requires a significantly smaller amount of time. Furthermore, it has been found that the ethoxylated glycerol esters prepared in the presence of calcium catalyst (C) lead to more homogeneous products with significantly lower hydroxyl values, less decomposition and improved processability.

The invention relates to the use of a specific type of calcium catalyst (C) for the preparation of alkoxylated glycerol esters, alkoxylated glycerol esters prepared in the presence of the catalyst and a process for the preparation of the alkoxylated glycerol esters. It was found that in the presence of the above-mentioned calcium catalyst (C) the alkoxylation reaction requires a significantly smaller amount of time. Furthermore, it has been found that the ethoxylated glycerol esters prepared in the presence of calcium catalyst (C) lead to more homogeneous products with significantly lower hydroxyl values, less decomposition and improved processability.

The present invention relates to a process for carbonylating allyl alcohols at low temperature, low pressure and/or low catalyst loading. In an alternative embodiment, an acylation product of the allyl alcohol is used for the carbonylation. The present invention likewise relates to the preparation of conversion products of these carbonylation products and specifically of (−)-ambrox.

The present invention relates to a process for carbonylating allyl alcohols at low temperature, low pressure and/or low catalyst loading. In an alternative embodiment, an acylation product of the allyl alcohol is used for the carbonylation. The present invention likewise relates to the preparation of conversion products of these carbonylation products and specifically of (−)-ambrox.