Biocatalytic conversion systems and methods of producing and using same that have improved yields are disclosed. The systems and methods involve co-fermentation of sugars and gaseous substrates for alcohol, ketone, and/or organic acid production. The systems and methods may include biocatalytically converting at least one sugar substrate into at least one of alcohol, at least one ketone, and/or at least one organic acid. The systems and methods may further include biocatalytically converting gases that comprise CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to at least one alcohol and/or at least one organic acid, thereby adding extra revenue to biorefineries.

The invention involves mutant genes that enable a Bacillus or other bacterial strain, such as Bacillus subtilis or B. licheniformis strain to overproduce acids. These genes can be inserted into a suitable strain and the resulting mutant strain can be used as a probiotic, preferably for use in animal health.

The present invention provides a method of producing a product for waste degradation, a microbial consortium or a mixed microbial composition, a product for waste degradation, and a waste degradation method. The method of producing the product for waste degradation comprises providing at least one isolated microbial strain from excreta, providing at least one lactic acid and/or acetic acid producing microbial strain, providing at least one yeast strain, providing at least one Bacillus sp., and combining the microbial strains to produce a microbial consortium for waste degradation.

The present invention provides a method of producing a product for waste degradation, a microbial consortium or a mixed microbial composition, a product for waste degradation, and a waste degradation method. The method of producing the product for waste degradation comprises providing at least one isolated microbial strain from excreta, providing at least one lactic acid and/or acetic acid producing microbial strain, providing at least one yeast strain, providing at least one Bacillus sp., and combining the microbial strains to produce a microbial consortium for waste degradation.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes utilizing a microorganism for the converting of a substrate to an acid contained in a mixture that includes the acid and water, maintaining a pH of the mixture to less than 5, and treating the mixture with a first stream comprising an organic.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes utilizing a microorganism for the converting of a substrate to an acid contained in a mixture that includes the acid and water, maintaining a pH of the mixture to less than 5, and treating the mixture with a first stream comprising an organic.

A process for fermenting syngas is provided which is effective for decreasing an amount of time needed to inoculate a main reactor. The process includes propagating a culture of acetogenic bacteria to provide an inoculum for a main reactor and fermenting syngas in the main reactor.

A process for fermenting syngas is provided which is effective for decreasing an amount of time needed to inoculate a main reactor. The process includes propagating a culture of acetogenic bacteria to provide an inoculum for a main reactor and fermenting syngas in the main reactor.

The invention relates to a method for producing a sugar syrup comprising fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass containing paper waste, in particular printable paper, printed paper or cardboard, said method comprising the following steps: a. optionally, a step of shredding said lignocellulosic biomass containing paper waste; b.i. a step of impregnating said lignocellulosic biomass containing paper waste or shredded lignocellulosic biomass obtained on completion of step a. in an aqueous medium, and ii. a thermal pretreatment step implemented, without the addition of acid, at a temperature of between 80° C. and 150° C., at a pH between 6.5 and 8.5, in particular between 6.5 and 8, in order to obtain a pretreated product, said impregnation and thermal pretreatment steps being carried out simultaneously or successively according to i. and then ii; c. a step of enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated product obtained on completion of step b. in order to convert the cellulose and hemicellulose into a sugar syrup comprising fermentable sugars; and d. a step of recovering the sugar syrup comprising fermentable sugars obtained on completion of step c.

Methods for increasing carbon-based chemical product yield in an organism by perturbing redox balance in an organism as well as nonnaturally occurring organisms with perturbed redox balance and methods for their use in producing carbon-based chemical products are provided.