The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits based on a novel two-enzyme system. This system uses a combination of an appendage dependent endoxylanase and xylobiohydrolase activity to produce xylobiose and xylan-derived oligosaccharides using lignocellulosic biomass material, an enriched xylan fraction thereof, or an extracted, purified xylan material as a starting material.

Disclosed are methods for the pre-treatment of lignocellulose by adding an alkali or acid reagent(s) during the densification thereof, and for the biotransformation thereof. In the method, an alkali reagent(s) or acid reagent(s) is added to a lignocellulosic raw material for a densification pre-treatment to form an alkali- or acid-containing densified lignocellulose with a compressed compact shape, thereby achieving the pre-treatment. The acid or alkali in the pre-treated lignocellulose can further pre-treat the lignocellulosic raw material in a mild manner during the subsequent transportation and storage processes. If a subsequent pre-treatment is needed, then the severity thereof is reduced substantially; in addition, the uniform mixing of the acid or alkali with the lignocellulose and a large density of the raw material promote a high efficiency and a high loading capacity of the subsequent pre-treatment of the densified lignocellulose. The method is simple and efficient. The resulting lignocellulosic raw material has a large density, will not easily degrade or rot due to the inclusion of an acid or alkali, which is conducive to transportation and storage, and a high equipment utilization rate during the subsequent treatment is achieved.

Disclosed are methods for the pre-treatment of lignocellulose by adding an alkali or acid reagent(s) during the densification thereof, and for the biotransformation thereof. In the method, an alkali reagent(s) or acid reagent(s) is added to a lignocellulosic raw material for a densification pre-treatment to form an alkali- or acid-containing densified lignocellulose with a compressed compact shape, thereby achieving the pre-treatment. The acid or alkali in the pre-treated lignocellulose can further pre-treat the lignocellulosic raw material in a mild manner during the subsequent transportation and storage processes. If a subsequent pre-treatment is needed, then the severity thereof is reduced substantially; in addition, the uniform mixing of the acid or alkali with the lignocellulose and a large density of the raw material promote a high efficiency and a high loading capacity of the subsequent pre-treatment of the densified lignocellulose. The method is simple and efficient. The resulting lignocellulosic raw material has a large density, will not easily degrade or rot due to the inclusion of an acid or alkali, which is conducive to transportation and storage, and a high equipment utilization rate during the subsequent treatment is achieved.

The present invention relates to polypeptides having xylanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the polypeptides of the invention and the use of the polypeptides of the invention to release xylose and in animal feed.

The present invention relates to polypeptides having xylanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the polypeptides of the invention and the use of the polypeptides of the invention to release xylose and in animal feed.

An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a sugar and/or fermentation product from lignocellulosic material.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a sugar and/or fermentation product from lignocellulosic material.

The present invention provides for a method of fermenting or saccharifying a biomass comprising: (a) (i) contacting a biomass comprising a polysaccharide, and an ionic liquid (IL) to form a first solution, or (ii) providing the first solution comprising the biomass and the IL, (b) contacting the first solution and carbon dioxide such that the first solution results in a lower pH, (c) introducing (i) an enzyme capable of enzymatically to breakdown at least one bond in the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, and/or (ii) a microorganism that capable of producing the enzyme and/or fermenting the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, such that the polysaccharide is at least partially broken down and the first solution is transformed into a second solution.