Syngenta Participations Ag

George W Aux

Christopher J Batie

Edward S Cates

Jay Austin Dinwiddie

Jason Abbas

Mark P Seymour

Joe Byrum

My Nguyen

Gregg Crabb

Kirk Noel

Carl A Miller

Aron Silverstone

Rene Quadt

Greg Crabb

The presently disclosed subject matter provides a process for starch liquefaction using at least two classes of &#x3b1;-amylase enzymes, wherein the starch hydrolysis pattern from at least two of these classes is different. At least one class of enzyme is provided to the liquefaction process in the form of transgenic plant material expressing at least one class of &#x3b1;-amylase enzyme or is provided in the form of a purified or partially-purified &#x3b1;-amylase enzyme preparation. The second or subsequent class(es) of &#x3b1;-amylase enzymes may be provided in the form of additional transgenic plant material expressing the second or subsequent class(es), or may be provided in the form of a second or subsequent purified or partially-purified &#x3b1;-amylase enzyme preparation.

Methods for producing ethanol

Methods for starch hydrolysis

Methods for producing a biofuel

A system with a first analytical testing device configured collect a first and second signal associated with a characteristic parameter of a sample material, wherein the characteristic parameter is capable of enabling evaluation of ethanol production yield for plant material corresponding to the sample material. A drying unit is configured to drive the sample material to a substantially standard moisture level. A fermentation unit is configured to ferment the sample material. A second analytical testing device is configured to collect a reference measurement associated with the characteristic parameter. The reference measurement is capable of being correlated to the first and second signals for building a calibration model used to evaluate ethanol production yield of plant material corresponding in composition to the sample material. Associated methods are also provided.

System for providing a calibration for a testing device used to evaluate ethanol production yield, and associated method

Provided herein are high throughput methods for converting starch-containing plant material to ethanol, wherein the conversion process is performed at a small scale. This high-throughput screening platform permits the evaluation of the ethanol obtained from starch-containing plant material in a rapid and efficient manner. The methods include obtaining a plurality of samples of starch-containing plant material and drying the samples to achieve a desired moisture level. The dried samples are liquefied under conditions sufficient to hydrolyze the starch-containing plant material to soluble dextrinized substrates. The liquefied samples are fermented in small volume headspace vials for a period of less than about 96 hours, and fermentation is terminated by pasteurization. Ethanol production is evaluated using headspace gas chromatography.

High throughput screening platform for high ethanol production

The presently disclosed subject matter provides improved processes for processing starch from plant sources, including processes for starch liquefaction, for simultaneous liquefaction and saccharification, and for the preparation of ethanol. These processes can be performed without a pH adjustment and at relatively low temperatures. The processes can involve the use of starch-containing plant material derived from plants that express starch-digesting enzymes. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to improved processes for the preparation of other starch-derived products, including dried distiller grain (dried distiller grain) and dried distiller grain and solubles (dried distiller grain and solubles), and to the starch-derived products, themselves.

Process for starch liquefaction and fermentation

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

George W Aux