The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.

The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.

Chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions that allow bacteria to assimilate dinitrogen gas (N.sub.2) as a nitrogen source during bio-ethanol production are disclosed herein. Methods of bioethanol production using the chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions are also disclosed.

Chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions that allow bacteria to assimilate dinitrogen gas (N.sub.2) as a nitrogen source during bio-ethanol production are disclosed herein. Methods of bioethanol production using the chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions are also disclosed.

The invention relates to compositions and methods, including polynucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, recombinant host cells and recombinant host cell cultures engineered to produce fatty acid derivative compositions comprising fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes, fatty esters, alkanes, terminal olefins, internal olefins or ketones. The fatty acid derivative composition is produced extracellularly with a higher titer, yield or productivity than the corresponding wild type or non-engineered host cell.

The invention relates to compositions and methods, including polynucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, recombinant host cells and recombinant host cell cultures engineered to produce fatty acid derivative compositions comprising fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes, fatty esters, alkanes, terminal olefins, internal olefins or ketones. The fatty acid derivative composition is produced extracellularly with a higher titer, yield or productivity than the corresponding wild type or non-engineered host cell.

An enzymatic process for the preparation of C16 alkyl polyglycosides and/or C18 alkyl polyglycosides by reacting C16 alkyl glycoside and/or C18 alkyl glycoside with a glycosyl donor containing monosaccharide residues to form an alkyl polyglycoside intermediate which can be fractionated to form an alkyl polyglycoside product, wherein the mole-average degree of polymerization mean DP) of the glycoside chains is greater than or equal to 3.0 units and the molar concentration of alkyl triglycoside (DP3) is greater than alkyl monoglycoside (DPI). The C16/C18 alkyl polyglycoside product is particularly useful in health care formulations, especially in combination with and/or as a solubilizer for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

A process for the preparation of C4 to C24 alkyl polyglycosides by the use of an enzyme to react C4 to C24 alkyl glycoside with a glycosyl donor containing monosaccharide residues, wherein the C4 to C24 alkyl polyglycosides have a mole-average degree of polymerization (mean DP) of the glycoside chains of greater than 1.5 units. The C4 to C24 alkyl polyglycosides are particularly useful in personal care formulations.

The present disclosure relates to genetically engineered host cells and methods of producing a lipid-derived compound by employing such host cells. In particular embodiments, the host cell includes a first mutant gene encoding a cytoplasmic tRNA thiolation protein. Optionally, the host cell can include other mutant genes for decreasing fatty alcohol catabolism, decreasing re-importation of secreted fatty alcohol, or displaying other useful characteristics, as described herein.

Provided herein are methods for generating cellular biomass in continuous aerobic fermentation systems. The biomass yield, and the concentration of polyhydroxyalkanoate within the biomass, are each directed to advantageous levels by operating the continuous fermentation system under particular nutrient limitation conditions. Also provided are biomass produced using the provided methods, and animal feed compositions including the provided biomass.