Method of cell culture, comprising adding a redox active compound with a redox potential of between 0.116 to 0.253 to a culture capable of forming hydrogen via a hydrogenase so that the redox potential is diverted from hydrogen to form a longer chain acids, e.g., butryic acid.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

Methods and compositions (e.g., engineered hosts) are disclosed for use in converting biomass to 3-hydropropionic acid. In particular embodiments, the methods include use of an engineered Rhodosporidium yeast, such as R. toruloides, the engineered R. toruloides having the RT04_8975 gene deleted from its genome, combined with a lignocellulosic hydrolysate, sourced, for example, from a biomass. A promoter for enhancing transport of 3HP is also incorporated by addition to the R. toruloides genome, for example, by modified lithium acetate transformation.

Methods and compositions (e.g., engineered hosts) are disclosed for use in converting biomass to 3-hydropropionic acid. In particular embodiments, the methods include use of an engineered Rhodosporidium yeast, such as R. toruloides, the engineered R. toruloides having the RT04_8975 gene deleted from its genome, combined with a lignocellulosic hydrolysate, sourced, for example, from a biomass. A promoter for enhancing transport of 3HP is also incorporated by addition to the R. toruloides genome, for example, by modified lithium acetate transformation.

A method for asymmetrically preparing L-phosphinothricin by oxidation-reduction reaction through biological multienzyme coupling, where D,L-phosphinothricin as a raw material is catalyzed by an enzyme catalysis system to obtain L-phosphinothricin, wherein the enzyme catalysis system comprises a D-amino acid oxidase mutant for catalyzing D-phosphinothricin in D,L-phosphinothricin into 2-carbonyl-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphono] butyric acid and a transaminase for catalytic reduction of the 2-carbonyl-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphono] butyric acid into L-phosphinothricin; the D-amino acid oxidase mutant is obtained by mutation of D-amino acid oxidase in wild strain Rhodotorula taiwanensis at one of the following sites: (1) M213S-N54V-F58E; (2) M213S-N54V-F58E-D207A; (3) M213S-N54V-F58E-D207A-S60T. According to the present invention, the D-amino acid oxidase mutant provides better catalytic efficiency, and when racemic D,L-phosphinothricin is used as a substrate for catalytic reaction, the conversion rate is much higher than that of the wild type enzyme, and the PPO yield is also greatly improved.

A method for asymmetrically preparing L-phosphinothricin by oxidation-reduction reaction through biological multienzyme coupling, where D,L-phosphinothricin as a raw material is catalyzed by an enzyme catalysis system to obtain L-phosphinothricin, wherein the enzyme catalysis system comprises a D-amino acid oxidase mutant for catalyzing D-phosphinothricin in D,L-phosphinothricin into 2-carbonyl-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphono] butyric acid and a transaminase for catalytic reduction of the 2-carbonyl-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphono] butyric acid into L-phosphinothricin; the D-amino acid oxidase mutant is obtained by mutation of D-amino acid oxidase in wild strain Rhodotorula taiwanensis at one of the following sites: (1) M213S-N54V-F58E; (2) M213S-N54V-F58E-D207A; (3) M213S-N54V-F58E-D207A-S60T. According to the present invention, the D-amino acid oxidase mutant provides better catalytic efficiency, and when racemic D,L-phosphinothricin is used as a substrate for catalytic reaction, the conversion rate is much higher than that of the wild type enzyme, and the PPO yield is also greatly improved.

The invention relates to methods for enriching monomer content in a cycloalkane oxidation process mixed organic waste stream. In particular, the methods involve combining a biocatalyst with a mixed organic waste stream from a cycloalkane oxidation process, and enzymatically converting dimeric and/or oligomeric components of said waste stream into monomeric components. The methods may enrich the content of diacids, adipic acid, and/or other ,-difunctional C6 alkanes in the mixed organic waste stream. Additionally, the treated mixed organic waste streams may have improved burning efficiency.

The invention relates to methods for enriching monomer content in a cycloalkane oxidation process mixed organic waste stream. In particular, the methods involve combining a biocatalyst with a mixed organic waste stream from a cycloalkane oxidation process, and enzymatically converting dimeric and/or oligomeric components of said waste stream into monomeric components. The methods may enrich the content of diacids, adipic acid, and/or other ,-difunctional C6 alkanes in the mixed organic waste stream. Additionally, the treated mixed organic waste streams may have improved burning efficiency.

The present invention relates to a novel cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) enzyme which is obtainable from Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4, N1-4(HMT) or N1-504. The invention further relates to nucleic acids encoding the enzyme, vectors and host cells, and uses of the CGTase.