The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways leading to propanol, alcohol or polyol formation in a consolidated bioprocessing system (CBP), where lignocellulosic biomass is efficiently converted to such products. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism, where the microorganism expresses one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes; where the one or more enzymes function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve: (1) conversion of a carbohydrate source to 1,2-propanediol, isopropropanol, ethanol and/or glycerol; (2) conversion of a carbohydrate source to n-propanol and isopropanol; (3) conversion of a carbohydrate source to isopropanol and methanol; or (4) conversion of a carbohydrate source to propanediol and acetone; wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated or downregulated.

The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways leading to propanol, alcohol or polyol formation in a consolidated bioprocessing system (CBP), where lignocellulosic biomass is efficiently converted to such products. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism, where the microorganism expresses one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes; where the one or more enzymes function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve: (1) conversion of a carbohydrate source to 1,2-propanediol, isopropropanol, ethanol and/or glycerol; (2) conversion of a carbohydrate source to n-propanol and isopropanol; (3) conversion of a carbohydrate source to isopropanol and methanol; or (4) conversion of a carbohydrate source to propanediol and acetone; wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated or downregulated.

The present disclosure discloses: a bifunctional Cu/Ce—Zr-based catalyst suitable for reacting a ketone and alcohol which are contained in a fermented product of biomass and have a low molecular weight, and converting same into an aliphatic ketone having an increased carbon number; a method for producing the catalyst; and a method for producing a fuel-range aliphatic ketone, such as gasoline and air fuel, by using the catalyst.

The present disclosure discloses: a bifunctional Cu/Ce—Zr-based catalyst suitable for reacting a ketone and alcohol which are contained in a fermented product of biomass and have a low molecular weight, and converting same into an aliphatic ketone having an increased carbon number; a method for producing the catalyst; and a method for producing a fuel-range aliphatic ketone, such as gasoline and air fuel, by using the catalyst.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and/or other renewable chemicals is provided wherein the process utilises one or more of the group comprising by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as draff, pot ale and/or spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process comprises treating a substrate to hydrolyse it and fermenting the treated substrate at an initial pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.0. Also provided is a biofuel comprising butanol manufactured according to the process of the invention.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and/or other renewable chemicals is provided wherein the process utilises one or more of the group comprising by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as draff, pot ale and/or spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process comprises treating a substrate to hydrolyse it and fermenting the treated substrate at an initial pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.0. Also provided is a biofuel comprising butanol manufactured according to the process of the invention.

The present disclosure provides for novel metabolic pathways to increase acetone and isopropanol formation. More specifically, the present disclosure provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising a plurality of first native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in a first engineered metabolic pathway to convert fructose-6-phosphate to acetyl-CoA and acetate (e.g., phosphoketolase and acetate kinase), wherein the plurality of first native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, or overexpressed. The recombinant microorganism further comprises a plurality of second native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in a second engineered metabolic pathways to convert acetyl-CoA and acetate to isopropanol (e.g., thiolase, CoA transferase and acetoacetate decarboxylase), wherein the plurality of second native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, or overexpressed. Also provided are methods for making isopropanol or acetone using the recombinant microorganisms.

The present disclosure provides for novel metabolic pathways to increase acetone and isopropanol formation. More specifically, the present disclosure provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising a plurality of first native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in a first engineered metabolic pathway to convert fructose-6-phosphate to acetyl-CoA and acetate (e.g., phosphoketolase and acetate kinase), wherein the plurality of first native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, or overexpressed. The recombinant microorganism further comprises a plurality of second native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in a second engineered metabolic pathways to convert acetyl-CoA and acetate to isopropanol (e.g., thiolase, CoA transferase and acetoacetate decarboxylase), wherein the plurality of second native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, or overexpressed. Also provided are methods for making isopropanol or acetone using the recombinant microorganisms.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and other renewable chemicals utilizes one or more of by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as pot ale and spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process includes treating a substrate to hydrolyze it and fermenting the treated. Also provided is a biofuel including butanol manufactured according to the process.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and other renewable chemicals utilizes one or more of by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as pot ale and spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process includes treating a substrate to hydrolyze it and fermenting the treated. Also provided is a biofuel including butanol manufactured according to the process.