Methods to reduce sticky and fluff induced rewinder breaks by reducing the adhesive character of adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants in fibers are described. One method involves contacting the fibers with a composition containing at least one of each of a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a -glucosidase, a lipase, an esterase, a pectinase, a pectate lyase and a laccase for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the removal or controlling adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants present in the fibers. Preferably, the fibers are recycled fibers originating from a variety of sources such as old corrugated containers, old newsprint, mixed office waste, and the like. Resulting paper products formed from the processed fibers are also described as well as methods to make them.

This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.

The invention relates to a plastic compound comprising at least one polyolefin and a biological entity that degrades said polyolefin. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a plastic article wherein at least one polyolefin and one biological entity that degrades said polyolefin are mixed at a temperature at which the polyolefin is in a partially or totally molten state.

The present invention provides a novel method for improving microbial laccase production, which relates to the field of microbial fermentation. The present invention is to add beta-carotene and other types of carotenoids, or microorganisms that produces carotenoids, or a mixture comprising carotenoids into a fermentation system during fermentation of Pleurotus ferulae and other higher fungi. The present invention can improve the laccase production 12 times more than before. With the advantage of a simple process and high yield, the present invention has a bright application prospect.

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to lignin-modifying enzymes and systems and methods of their manufacture. In many embodiments, the lignin-modifying enzymes are lignin-degrading enzymes capable of breaking down lignin into component parts that are usable for other purposes. Several embodiments are directed to systems for producing lignin-modifying enzymes in vivo, including in yeast and/or plant species, and certain embodiments are directed to methods of creating these systems, including transfecting the species to produce lignin-modifying enzymes.

A cleaning agent comprising a supporting substrate with an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized thereon wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme is selected from oxidoreductase enzymes having an enzyme classification number selected from the group consisting of E.C. 1.1-1.10 and E.C. 1.12-1.99.

Devices, systems, and compositions of matter involving enzyme-mediated bioelectrocatalysis are disclosed and described. An enzyme electrode can include an electrode, a bioelectric material coupled to the electrode, the bioelectric material further including a water-permeable polymer matrix, a planar linker covalently coupled to the water-permeable polymer matrix and noncovalently coupled to the electrode, and electrochemically active oxidoreductase enzyme molecules functionally embedded in the water-permeable polymer matrix.

There is provided a transgenic insect comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a fungal laccase wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is integrated in the insect genome, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is operably linked to a promoter, and expression of the laccase allows for production of an active fungal laccase in the insect. The insect or laccase preparations comprising meal or powder made from the insect are used to reduce or remove phenolic contaminants (such as BPA) or aromatic components (such as indigo dyes) from waste.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric matrix or a gel containing functional enzymes capable of re-creating under culture conditions the cell microenvironment existing in vivo. The present invention also relates to devices for cell cultures comprising such compositions, in particular hydrogel and the use thereof to control the chemical microenvironment of a cell culture or mimic physiological or pathological conditions of the in vivo cells. The compositions and the devices described herein could be also used in vitro for evaluating the therapeutic effect of a compound on a determined cell line or on primary cells.

A lignocellulolytic multi-enzyme complex in the form of a cellulosome, which includes a lignin-modifying enzyme and a carbohydrate-active enzyme, is provided herewith, as well as bifunctional chimeric enzymes having lignin and cellulose/hemicellulose degrading capacity. Also provided are methods of degrading lignocellulolytic biomass, and compositions and systems for effecting the same.