Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.

A system and method for the production of microbial consortiums and by-product material is provided. A physical containment system comprising phase spaces arranged in a discrete order to favor specific biological reactions is also provided. Phase profiles and phase data sets include the pre-determined physical and biological parameters for the phase space transitions. Movement of material from one phase to the next is hydraulically balanced enabling working fluid to continuously move in a fixed direction and rate of flow. Continuous monitoring of phase profiles and phase data sets provide feedback to the system enabling alteration of the conditions in the system to control reactions therein.

A system and method for the production of microbial consortiums and by-product material is provided. A physical containment system comprising phase spaces arranged in a discrete order to favor specific biological reactions is also provided. Phase profiles and phase data sets include the pre-determined physical and biological parameters for the phase space transitions. Movement of material from one phase to the next is hydraulically balanced enabling working fluid to continuously move in a fixed direction and rate of flow. Continuous monitoring of phase profiles and phase data sets provide feedback to the system enabling alteration of the conditions in the system to control reactions therein.

The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences encoding bacterial xylose isomerases that upon transformation of a eukaryotic microbial host cell, such as yeast, to confer to the host cell the ability of isomerising xylose to xylulose. The nucleic acid sequences encode xylose isomerases that originate from bacteria such as Eubacterium sp., Clostridium cellulosi and others. The invention further relates to fermentation processes wherein the transformed host cells ferment a xylose-containing medium to produce ethanol or other fermentation products.

The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences encoding bacterial xylose isomerases that upon transformation of a eukaryotic microbial host cell, such as yeast, to confer to the host cell the ability of isomerising xylose to xylulose. The nucleic acid sequences encode xylose isomerases that originate from bacteria such as Eubacterium sp., Clostridium cellulosi and others. The invention further relates to fermentation processes wherein the transformed host cells ferment a xylose-containing medium to produce ethanol or other fermentation products.

Among other things, the present disclosure provides biosynthesis polypeptides, methods, and non-naturally occurring microbial organisms for preparing various compounds such as 1,5-pentanediol, adipic acid, 1,6-hexanediol, 6-hydroxy hexanoic acid, and 2-keto carboxylic acids.

Among other things, the present disclosure provides biosynthesis polypeptides, methods, and non-naturally occurring microbial organisms for preparing various compounds such as 1,5-pentanediol, adipic acid, 1,6-hexanediol, 6-hydroxy hexanoic acid, and 2-keto carboxylic acids.

A method of depolymerizing a polymer by combining together the polymer with an enzyme (a hydrolytic enzyme capable of catalyzing cleavage of said (CO)—O bond of an ester or carbonate linkage of the polymer) and an aqueous liquid to provide a reaction mixture. The polymer comprises a (CO)—O bond of an ester or carbonate linkage. The reaction mixture defines a ratio eta (η) of liquid volume, in μL, to total solids, in mg, that is less than 2 μL/mg. Then, allowing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction of the enzyme with the polymer to take place thereby forming a reaction product.

A method of depolymerizing a polymer by combining together the polymer with an enzyme (a hydrolytic enzyme capable of catalyzing cleavage of said (CO)—O bond of an ester or carbonate linkage of the polymer) and an aqueous liquid to provide a reaction mixture. The polymer comprises a (CO)—O bond of an ester or carbonate linkage. The reaction mixture defines a ratio eta (η) of liquid volume, in μL, to total solids, in mg, that is less than 2 μL/mg. Then, allowing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction of the enzyme with the polymer to take place thereby forming a reaction product.

The inventive biorefinery system and method accepts municipal solid waste, sewage sludges, and/or ag-wastes and processes it through three primary conversion unit operations to produce a variety of value-added products. In a preferred embodiment, the three primary conversion units are gasification, thermal depolymerization or torrefaction/pyrolysis, and biotreatment.