Fuels, Chemicals and Metals from Bioprocesses

4985355

E T H A N O L P R O D U C T I O N BY Z Y M O M O N A S C U L T U R E D IN Y E A S T - C O N D I T I O N E D M E D I A

Robyn J Millichip assigued to University of Queensland

A process for producing ethanol in the substan- tial absence of fusel oils by Zymomonas fermen- tation wherein fermentation is carried out under conditions unfavorable tbr the growth and replication of yeast. In the preferred embodi- ment. Zymomonas are initially inoculated into a carbohydrate containing medium undergoing active fermentation by yeast, then the fermenta- tion conditions altered to inhibit growth and replication of yeast.

4987081

C H E M I C A L / B I O L O G I C A L P R O C E S S T O O X I D I Z E

M U L T I M E T A L L I C S U I . P H I D E O R E S

Ralph P Hackl, Frank R Wright, Albert Bruynesteyn, North Vancouver. Canada as- signed to GB Biotech Inc

This application relates to an improved meth¢,d for oxidizing muhimetallic sulphidc ores antt concentrates, using a combination chem- ical/biological leaching proccss and at least three different types of" bacteria. The treatment pro- cess for multi-metallic ores such as arsenopyrite can be made to work rapidly and to as much as 98",i sulphide oxidation, when the finely ground ore or concentrate is leached in agitated, air spar- ged tanks, with strains of three different bacteria. T. thiooxidans, T. ferrooxidans, and Leptospiril-

lum ferrooxidans. L. ferrooxidans is quite similar to T. lerrooxidans and obtains its energy for growth from the oxidation of ferrous iron. The process of the invention may conveniently bc a continuously operating process utilizing more than one stage. Most of the chem- ical,'biological action using the bacterium T. thiooxidans preferably takes place in the first stage, while in the subsequent stages the activity of'l', thiooxidans is decreased in favour of the ac- tivity of the bacteria T. ferrooxidans and L. fer- rooxidans, which oxidize the by then more readily available sulphide portion of the pyrite minerals prcsent in most arsenopyrite ores and concentrates. According to the invention, bac- terial cultures ofT. thiooxidans. T. ferrooxidans and L. fcrrooxidans used are first adapted to high dissolved ar~nic concentrations and low pl-| by subjecting the cultures in a solution con- taining dissolved arsenic, to successive incremental concentrations of arsenic while operating in a continuous mode.

540

4992179

M E T A L R E C O V E R Y

James Brierley, Corale L Bricrlcy. Raymond I- l)ecker. George Goyak assigned to Vistatech Partnership l.td

A relatively solid, stable biomass reaction pro- duct is provided produced from microorganisms having metal uptake properties when contacted by an aqueous solution containing metal cations. The biomass reaction product is produced by treating cells thereof with a caustic solution, whereby the biomass reaction product after drying is characterized in the particulate state of having substantially enhanced uptake of metal cations from aqueous solutions as compared to the metal uptake property of the microorganism

PATENT ABSTRACTS 541

before treatment. The biomass reaction product in the particulate state is preferably immobilized in an insoluble binder.

4995943

A method of drying a water-containing food- stuff or beverage at a temperature above amb- ient, is characterized by incorporating trehalose into the foodstuff or beverage which is to be dried.

P R E T R E A T M E N T O F C E L L U L O S I C M A T E R I A L W I T H

C A R B O N D I O X I D E

Karl Rehberg

Pretreatment of cellulosic material with carbon dioxide gas, preparatory to being converted chemically, as by hydrolysis, etc. Biomass material, such as branches, stalks, brush, or foliage, or cellulosic products, such as waste paper or cardboard, is reduced to finely divided dry form and is exposed to carbon dioxide in an anhydrous environment, is compressed to super- atmospheric pressure and then is decompressed to subatmospheric pressure, expelling air and other gases, particulates, water, other volatiles, etc. Then the cellulosic material is returned to at- mospheric pressure, and subsequently is either recycled through such compression and decom- pression and return, or is compressed to even high pressure. Such environment is enriched in carbon dioxide, such as comprising it in substan- tial or major part or consisting essentially thereof.

5 0 2 4 ~ 5

P R O C E S S F O R O B T A I N I N G S A R C O S I N E O X I D A S E F R O M

M I C R O O R G A N I S M S

5026640

P R O C E S S F O R T H E C O N V E R S I O N O F C O R R I N O I D S

P R O D U C E D BY M I C R O O R G A N I S M S I N T O

C Y A N O C O R R I N O I D S

Agnes Kelemen, Pechany Eva Cserey, Istvan Jaksa, Budapest, Hungary assigned to Richter Gedeon Vegyeszeti Gyar Rt

The invention relates to a process for the conver- sion of corrinoids produced by microorganisms into cyanocorrinoids by reaction with cyanides. According to the invention a fermentation broth obtained by disruption of microorganism cells in a known manner, preferably by heat treatment in the presence or absence of sulfite ions, optionally after purification steps known per se, is con- tacted with a suitable adsorbent or ion exchange resin, the corrinoids adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent or ion exchange resin are treated with an aqueous solution containing cyanide ions or a compound capable of supplying cyanide ions, in an amount providing cyanide ions in a I.l to 2.0-fold molar excess related to the corrinoids, the adsorbent or ion exchange resin is washed with water, and the cyano- corrinoids obtained is eluted in a known manner, preferably with aqueous ethanol.

Ulrich Mayr, Helmgar Gauhl, Hans Seidel, Rosenheim, Federal Republic Of Germany as- signed to Boehringer Mannheim GmbH

The present invention provides a process for oh- mining sarcosine oxidase from micro-organisms by culturing thereof and obtaining the enzyme from the biomass or from the culture broth, wherein a Pseudomonas strain is cultured.

5026566

D R I E D F O O D C O N T A I N I N G T R E H A L O S E A N D M E T H O D F O R

P R E P A R I N G S A M E

Bruce J Roser, Cambridgeshire, United King- dom assigned to Quadrant Bioresources Limited

5026642

P R O C E S S F O R T H E E N Z Y M A T I C P R O D U C T I O N O F K E T O N E S

Hans-Eckar Radunz, Harry Schwartz, Martin Heinrich, Mfederal Republic Of Germana as- signed to Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung

In a process for the reduction of ketones, the keto compounds are enantioselectively reduced to give secondary alcohols by means of micro- organisms. Keto compounds of the formula See Patent for Tabular Presentation PS in which R I, R2 and R3 have the meanings defined herein are used as starting compounds.