Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method using sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL). More specifically, it relates to a sulfite-based chemical process for pretreating biomass in solutions to reduce access barriers of enzymes to the lignocellulose, resulting in efficient conversion through enzymatic saccharification.
Abstract:
A system is provided for reducing non-specific binding of an enzyme to lignin to enhance an enzymatic processing of a lignocellulosic material. The enhancements provide economic and process advantages to any process that converts a lignocellulosic biomass into a product using an enzyme. Systems are provided comprising a reaction vessel; a lignocellulosic feedstock comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a hardwood, a softwood, or a non-wood material; an enzyme component including a cellulase, a hemicellulase, or a combination thereof; and, water. The reaction vessel can contain a combination of the lignocellulosic feedstock, the water, and the enzyme component at a pH ranging from about 5.2 to about 6.2; and, the lignocellulosic feedstock can be saccharified in the reaction vessel. Moreover, the systems can include a lignosulfonate, with or without a pH of about 5.2 to about 6.2, to also reduce non-specific binding and enhance enzymatic activity.
Abstract:
The present invention is capable of producing glucose and hemicellulose sugars from lignocellulosic biomass. In some variations, a process includes optionally pre-steaming a biomass feedstock; extracting the feedstock with liquid hot water to produce glucan-rich solids and an extract liquor containing dissolved solids, which include hemicellulosic oligomers and lignin; washing the glucan-rich solids; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers by contacting the extract liquor with an acid catalyst or enzymes possessing hemicellulase activity; separately hydrolyzing the glucan by contacting the glucan-rich solids stream with an acid catalyst or enzymes possessing glucanase activity, optionally with removing the glucose in situ by microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration; and recovering or fermenting each of the hemicellulosic monomers and the glucose. Preferred configurations and conditions are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods for facilitating sugar release from lignocellulosic biomass and for utilizing the sugars for microbial lipid (e.g. biofuel) production are provided. The methods involve pretreating lignocellulosic biomass using various oxidizing agents (ozone, peroxone, etc.) at a temperature not higher than 50° C. and pressure no higher than 1.5 atm to render the biomass more accessible to enzymatic hydrolytic degradation into sugars and utilizing soluble sugars for fermenting oleaginous microorganism to produce microbial lipids.
Abstract:
A method for thermo-catalytically producing C4+ hydrocarbons from lignocellulosic biomass solids is provided by reducing the water content of the biomass feed prior to biomass hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion.
Abstract:
A fungal α-amylase is provided from Aspergillus clavatus (AcAmy1). AcAmy1 has an optimal pH of 4.5 and is operable at 30-75° C., allowing the enzyme to be used in combination with a glucoamylase in a saccharification reaction. This obviates the necessity of running a saccharification reaction as a batch process, where the pH and temperature must be readjusted for optimal use of the α-amylase or glucoamylase. AcAmy1 also catalyzes the saccharification of starch substrates to an oligosaccharide composition significantly enriched in DP2 and (DP1+DP2) compared to the products of saccharification catalyzed by an α-amylase from Aspergillus kawachii. This facilitates the utilization of the oligosaccharide composition by a fermenting organism in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process, for example.
Abstract:
A process for mechanical destructuring of starch-based biomass was developed that makes use of a short application of high compression, impact, and shearing forces. The biomass may be destructured using a specific energy input that is less than 40% of the total combustible energy of the biomass. The destructured starch-based biomass, with or without saccharification and/or in-feed glycosyl hydrolase enzymes, may be used in feed applications. The destructured starch-based may saccharified to produce syrups and fermentable sugars, and for production of products including ethanol using a biocatalyst.
Abstract:
A process for mechanical destructuring of cellulosic biomass was developed that makes use of a short application of high compression, impact, and shearing forces. The biomass may be destructured using a specific energy input that is less than 40% of the total combustible energy of the biomass. The destructured biomass, with or without saccharification and/or in-feed glycosyl hydrolase enzymes, may be used in feed applications.
Abstract:
Processes are described for producing furfural from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses, by dehydrating and cyclizing pentoses to provide furfural using a water-soluble acid at elevated temperatures in the presence of a low-boiling, water-immiscible organic solvent, such as toluene, which is effective for extracting the furfural into an organic phase portion. In certain embodiments, a fermentation step occurs prior to the dehydration step to convert hexoses in the mixed pentoses and hexoses to ethanol while conserving pentoses therein for making furfural.