The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of monoethylene glycol (MEG) or glycolic acid (GA), or MEG and one or more co-product, from one or more pentose and/or hexose sugars. Also provided are methods of producing MEG (or GA), or MEG (or GA) and one or more co-product, from one or more pentose and/or hexose sugars using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or the products MEG (or GA), or MEG and one or more co-product.

Provided is a process of forming a vanilla extract wherein green ripe vanilla beans are exposed to a high drying temperature, extracted with a solvent, and treated with beta-glucosidase enzyme to convert glucovanillin to vanillin enzymatically, thereby providing a vanilla extract with a good vanillin yield and complex well-balanced vanilla aroma lacking undesirable off-notes.

Provided is a process of forming a vanilla extract wherein green ripe vanilla beans are exposed to a high drying temperature, extracted with a solvent, and treated with beta-glucosidase enzyme to convert glucovanillin to vanillin enzymatically, thereby providing a vanilla extract with a good vanillin yield and complex well-balanced vanilla aroma lacking undesirable off-notes.

Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as isobutanol are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating isobutanol at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed.

Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as isobutanol are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating isobutanol at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed.

The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of unsaturated C.sub.6-C.sub.24 fatty alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates which may be useful as insect pheromones, fragrances, flavors, and polymer intermediates. The recombinant microorganisms may express enzymes or enzyme variants useful for production of and/or may be modified to downregulate pathways to shunt production toward unsaturated C.sub.6-C.sub.24 fatty alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates. The C.sub.6-C.sub.24 fatty alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates described herein may be used as substrates for metathesis reactions to expand the repertoire of target compounds and pheromones. The application further relates to recombinant microorganisms co-expressing a pheromone pathway and a pathway for the production of a toxic protein, peptide, oligonucleotide, or small molecule suitable for use in an attract-and-kill pest control approach. The application further relates to microorganisms modified to express or downregulate enzymes useful for production of unsaturated short chain fatty alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates which may be useful as insect pheromones, fragrances, flavors, and polymer intermediates. Also provided are methods of producing unsaturated C.sub.6-C.sub.24 fatty alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or optionally one or more of the product alcohols, aldehydes, or acetates.

The present disclosure relates to a novel method of producing vanillin and/or derivatives thereof by applying improved biocatalysts. Also provided herein are expression systems for preparing said improved biocatalysts. Moreover provided herewith are novel enzyme mutants, corresponding coding sequences and vectors applicable in the biochemical production of vanillin. The present disclosure further provides recombinant host cells or organisms genetically modified for improved functional expression of biocatalysts, as well as recombinant host cells or organisms useful to produce vanillin.

The present disclosure relates to a novel method of producing vanillin and/or derivatives thereof by applying improved biocatalysts. Also provided herein are expression systems for preparing said improved biocatalysts. Moreover provided herewith are novel enzyme mutants, corresponding coding sequences and vectors applicable in the biochemical production of vanillin. The present disclosure further provides recombinant host cells or organisms genetically modified for improved functional expression of biocatalysts, as well as recombinant host cells or organisms useful to produce vanillin.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms selectively produce a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid of a specified length. Also provided are non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms further include an acetyl-CoA pathway. In some aspects, the microbial organisms of the invention have select gene disruptions or enzyme attenuations that increase production of fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes or fatty acids. The invention additionally provides methods of using the above microbial organisms to produce a fatty alcohol, a fatty aldehyde or a fatty acid.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms selectively produce a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid of a specified length. Also provided are non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms further include an acetyl-CoA pathway. In some aspects, the microbial organisms of the invention have select gene disruptions or enzyme attenuations that increase production of fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes or fatty acids. The invention additionally provides methods of using the above microbial organisms to produce a fatty alcohol, a fatty aldehyde or a fatty acid.