Implementations of wax ester compositions may include: a product of transesterifying oleyl oleate, stearyl stearate, and behenyl behenate using one of a chemical or an enzyme catalyst. The ratio of the oleyl oleate to stearyl stearate to behenyl behenate in the mixture prior to transesterification is one of 65%/23%/12%, 56%/29%/15%, or 36%/34%/30%, respectively, measured by weight. The product may demonstrate a substantially equivalent physical property to a physical property of a transesterified wax ester composition including a jojoba ester.

The present invention provides an enzymatic method for producing a fatty acid bornyl ester including using borneol and a fatty acid as a substrate for reaction and adding a lipase in a solvent system or a solvent-free system to catalyze the esterification reaction for a period of time to obtain fatty acid bornyl ester. The present method preferably uses fatty acids or their derivatives as acyl donors to prepare fatty acid bornyl esters. By utilizing the characteristics of the substrate, the synthesis process is simple; the reaction efficiency is high; and the content of fatty acid bornyl ester is up to 97%.

Genes encoding mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are introduced into host cells. Certain of the mutants enhance the production of shorter-chain fatty acids and derivatives by the cell than do the wild-type (unmutated) enzymes. In other cases, the chain length is not significantly affected, but productivity is enhanced. In specific cases, both a shift toward lower chain length and higher productivity is seen. Cells producing the mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are especially suitable for producing C6-C10 fatty acids and derivatives.

Genes encoding mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are introduced into host cells. Certain of the mutants enhance the production of shorter-chain fatty acids and derivatives by the cell than do the wild-type (unmutated) enzymes. In other cases, the chain length is not significantly affected, but productivity is enhanced. In specific cases, both a shift toward lower chain length and higher productivity is seen. Cells producing the mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are especially suitable for producing C6-C10 fatty acids and derivatives.

The production of substituted 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA molecules by a novel reaction is described. The reaction involves the condensation of formyl-CoA with a carbonyl-containing molecule. Such carbonyl-containing molecules include a substituted aldehyde and a ketone. The reaction is catalyzed by enzymes using a TPP-dependent mechanism. Also described is the production of unsubstituted and substituted 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA molecules comprising the condensation of formyl-CoA with a carbonyl-containing molecule, wherein the condensation is catalyzed by a prokaryotic HACL. The 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA can be converted to chemical products having broad applications by using enzyme catalysts. The combination of enzyme catalysts comprises novel biochemical reaction pathways that can be deployed either as polypeptides in a reaction buffer or genetically encoded in recombinant microorganisms.

The disclosure relates to engineered plant acyl-ACP thioesterases having improved activity for the production of medium-chain fatty acid derivatives including e.g., eight carbon and ten carbon fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives. The disclosure further relates to recombinant host cells comprising the engineered plant acyl-ACP thioesterases having improved activity for the production of medium-chain fatty acid derivatives. The disclosure also relates to methods of decreasing toxicity and improving production of medium-chain fatty acids and derivatives.

The subject invention provides microbe-based products and efficient methods of producing them. In specific embodiments, methods are provided for enhanced production of microbial biosurfactants, the methods comprising co-cultivating Myxococcus xanthus and Bacillusamyloliquefaciens. In preferred embodiments, co-cultivation is carried out continuously for an indefinite period of time. Microbe-based products produced according to the subject methods are also provided, as well as their uses in, for example, agriculture, oil and gas recovery, and health care.

The subject invention provides microbe-based products and efficient methods of producing them. In specific embodiments, methods are provided for enhanced production of microbial biosurfactants, the methods comprising co-cultivating Myxococcus xanthus and Bacillusamyloliquefaciens. In preferred embodiments, co-cultivation is carried out continuously for an indefinite period of time. Microbe-based products produced according to the subject methods are also provided, as well as their uses in, for example, agriculture, oil and gas recovery, and health care.

A microbial oil comprising: a specific amount of at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid having at least 20 carbon atoms in fatty acid alkyl ester form and/or in free fatty acid form; and specific amount of thermally-produced fatty acid having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms in a fatty acid alkyl ester form and/or a free fatty acid form. A production method thereof comprising: providing a starting oil containing at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid having at least 20 carbon atoms in an alkyl ester form and/or a free fatty acid form obtained from microbial biomass; performing a rectification of the starting oil under specific conditions; and obtaining the aforementioned microbial oil. A concentrated microbial oil obtained using the production method described above, and a production method thereof. An agent for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease comprising the microbial oil or the concentrated microbial oil.

A microbial oil comprising: a specific amount of at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid having at least 20 carbon atoms in fatty acid alkyl ester form and/or in free fatty acid form; and specific amount of thermally-produced fatty acid having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms in a fatty acid alkyl ester form and/or a free fatty acid form. A production method thereof comprising: providing a starting oil containing at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid having at least 20 carbon atoms in an alkyl ester form and/or a free fatty acid form obtained from microbial biomass; performing a rectification of the starting oil under specific conditions; and obtaining the aforementioned microbial oil. A concentrated microbial oil obtained using the production method described above, and a production method thereof. An agent for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease comprising the microbial oil or the concentrated microbial oil.