U.S. patent application number 14/888874 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for saccharides and saccharide compositions and mixtures.
The applicant listed for this patent is XYLECO, INC.. Invention is credited to Marshall MEDOFF.
Application Number | 20160249662 14/888874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55524537 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160249662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MEDOFF; Marshall |
September 1, 2016 |
SACCHARIDES AND SACCHARIDE COMPOSITIONS AND MIXTURES
Abstract
Described herein are products comprising a xylose (e.g.,
D-xylose or L-xylose and another sweetener such as glucose).
Exemplary products include cosmetic products, oral care products,
therapeutic products, nutraceutical products, diagnostic,
beverages, animal food products, and human food products. Methods
of making the xylose containing products from biomass is
provided.
Inventors: |
MEDOFF; Marshall;
(Brookline, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
XYLECO, INC. |
Wakefield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55524537 |
Appl. No.: |
14/888874 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
August 28, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US15/47572 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14554887 |
Nov 26, 2014 |
9364015 |
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14888874 |
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62055349 |
Sep 25, 2014 |
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62052913 |
Sep 19, 2014 |
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62055349 |
Sep 25, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23V 2002/00 20130101;
A61K 2800/10 20130101; A61K 9/08 20130101; A61Q 19/00 20130101;
A23L 2/60 20130101; A61K 8/60 20130101; A61K 2800/5922 20130101;
A61K 31/7004 20130101; A61K 47/26 20130101; A61K 2800/92 20130101;
A61K 45/06 20130101; A23K 20/163 20160501; A61K 9/0095 20130101;
A61K 31/7016 20130101; A61P 31/16 20180101 |
International
Class: |
A23L 2/60 20060101
A23L002/60; A61K 47/26 20060101 A61K047/26; A61K 8/60 20060101
A61K008/60; A23K 20/163 20060101 A23K020/163; A61Q 19/00 20060101
A61Q019/00 |
Claims
1. A sugar-containing product comprising sugar composition
comprising xylose and glucose, wherein the xylose/glucose ratio is
substantially similar to the xylose/glucose ratio of a selected
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
2. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the sugar
composition is derived from an enzymatically saccharified
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
3. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the sugar
composition is a blend of xylose and glucose.
4. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, further comprising an
additional sugar.
5. The sugar-containing product of claim 4, wherein the additional
sugar is selected from the group consisting of mannose, galactose,
rhamnose, and arabinose.
6. The sugar-containing product of claim 5, wherein the additional
sugar present in an amount to provide a xylose/glucose/additional
sugar ratio that is substantially similar to the
xylose/glucose/additional sugar ratio of the selected cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass.
7. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 35/50 and about 250/50.
8. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 and about 100/50.
9. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 45/50 and about 95/50.
10. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the xylose
comprises food grade xylose.
11. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the product is
substantially free of fermentation products.
12. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the product is
substantially free of sugar degradation products.
13. The sugar-containing product of claim 12, wherein the
sugar-degradation products include furan aldehydes and organic
acids.
14. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, wherein the product is
selected from the group consisting of cosmetic product, oral care
product, therapeutic product, nutraceutical product, diagnostic,
beverages, animal food product, and human food product.
15. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, the product is an
intermediate compositions useful for further processing or chemical
modification.
16. The sugar-containing product of claim 14, wherein the product
is a human or animal food product.
17. The sugar-containing product of claim 16, wherein the food
product has a glycemic index less than 50.
18. The sugar-containing product of claim 16, wherein the food
product has a glycemic index less than 30.
19. The sugar-containing product of claim 16, wherein the food
product has a glycemic index less than 15.
20. The sugar-containing product of claim 16, wherein the product
is a human food product selected from the group consisting of
packaged food product, a candy, dessert or snack, a condiment, or a
frozen treat.
21. The sugar-containing product of claim 16, wherein the food
product comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of
vitamins, minerals, preservatives, antioxidants, amino acids,
caffeine, emulsifying agents, CO2, stabilizers, humectants,
anticaking agents, and herbal extracts.
22. The sugar-containing product of claim 14, wherein the product
is a cosmetic product selected from the group consisting of lip
stick, lip gloss, face preparations, body preparations and
soaps.
23. The sugar-containing product of claim 14, wherein the product
is an oral care product selected from the group consisting of
dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo and mouth rinse.
24. The sugar-containing product of claim 14, wherein the product
is a diagnostic product selected from the group consisting of
imaging preparations.
25. The sugar-containing product of claim 14, wherein the product
is a therapeutic product selected from the group consisting of
pharmaceutical products.
26. The sugar-containing product of claim 25, wherein the
pharmaceutical product is selected from the group consisting of flu
and cold preparations, dietary supplements, surgical preparations,
procedure preparations, fibers, fiber supplements, pain relievers,
and nasal spray.
27. The sugar-containing product of claim 1, further comprising
another carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener.
28. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein the other
carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener is selected from the group
consisting of glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, erythose, ribose,
ribulose, fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup,
sedoheptulose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, cellobiose, stevia,
aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K),
saccharin, advantame and cyclamates.
29. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein less than 10
percent by weight of the product comprises the other sugar.
30. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein less than 5
percent by weight of the product comprises the other sugar.
31. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein less than 1
percent by weight of the product comprises the other sugar.
32. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein less than 10
percent of the calorie content of the product is from the other
sugar.
33. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein less than 5
percent of the calorie content of the product is from the other
sugar.
34. The sugar-containing product of claim 27, wherein the glycemic
index of the product is less than 50.
35. The sugar-containing product of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic
or lignocellulosic biomass is selected from the group consisting of
starchy materials, sugar cane, agricultural waste, paper, paper
products, paper waste, paper pulp, pigmented papers, loaded papers,
coated papers, filled papers, magazines, printed matter, printer
paper, polycoated paper, card stock, cardboard, paperboard, cotton,
wood, particle board, forestry wastes, sawdust, aspen wood, wood
chips, grasses, switchgrass, miscanthus, cord grass, reed canary
grass, grain residues, rice hulls, oat hulls, wheat chaff, barley
hulls, agricultural waste, silage, canola straw, wheat straw,
barley straw, oat straw, rice straw, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo,
sisal, abaca, corn cobs, corn stover, soybean stover, corn fiber,
alfalfa, hay, coconut hair, sugar processing residues, bagasse,
beet pulp, agave bagasse, algae, seaweed, plankton manure, sewage,
offal, agricultural or industrial waste, arracacha, buckwheat,
banana, barley, cassava, kudzu, oca, sago, sorghum, potato, sweet
potato, taro, yams, beans, favas, lentils, peas, or mixtures of any
of these.
36. A method of making a sugar-containing product, comprising:
subjecting a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass to a
pretreatment comprising ionizing radiation; enzymatically
saccharifying the pretreated biomass to obtain a sugar composition
comprising xylose and glucose, wherein the xylose/glucose ratio is
substantially similar to the xylose/glucose ratio of the selected
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass; and adding the sugar
composition to a product, the product being selected from the group
consisting of cosmetic product, oral care product, therapeutic
product, nutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage, animal food
product, and human food product.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the sugar composition is
fractionated prior to addition to the product.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein the sugar composition is
concentrated prior to addition to the product.
39. A method of making a sugar composition, comprising: identifying
a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass having a selected
xylose/glucose ratio; and blending xylose and glucose to obtain a
sugar composition comprising a xylose/glucose ratio substantially
similar to the xylose/glucose ratio of the selected cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising adding the sugar
composition to a product, the product being selected from the group
consisting of cosmetic product, oral care product, therapeutic
product, nutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage, animal food
product, and human food product.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Ser. No. 14/554,887, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/052,913, filed Sep. 19,
2014; and U.S. Provisional Application 62/055,349, filed Sep. 25,
2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to compositions
including saccharides and mixtures of saccharides and related
compounds. The present invention further generally relates to
methods for producing the compositions described herein. The
present invention also provides methods for using such
compositions, e.g., as health care products, or as a sweetener in a
product such as a beverage sweetener or syrup.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Xylose is a natural sugar that is found (in polymeric form)
in some woody materials such as straw, birch trees, pecan shells,
cottonseed hulls, and corncobs. Xylose tastes sweet, and can
inhibit the absorption of other sugars in the body. On the glycemic
index, which measures the rate of the absorption of sugar by the
body, sugar is a 100 while xylose is only a 7. Moreover, xylose
does not contribute to tooth decay. Xylose is safe for use in foods
and has additional desirable properties including beneficial
antibacterial and antifungal activity. However, xylose can be
expensive to produce, making it more difficult to incorporate into
products such as food and beverage products. Artificial sweeteners
and genetically modified foods can destroy the body's flora and can
encourage the wrong type of bacterial overgrowth, resulting in
incorrect physiological responses in the human body, such as in
your GI tract, which can lead to glucose intolerance (Nature 514,
191-186, October 2014).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Applicant has discovered that health benefits are increased
and are associated with the proper use of compositions of sugars
and/or sweeteners and related compounds. Health benefits are
improved by consideration of the physiology of the use of sugars
and sweeteners and/or related compounds, e.g., sugar alcohols.
Applicant has further discovered that, for example, both corn and
cane sugars have been manufactured as only 6-carbon products or
disaccharides of 6-carbon sugars even though the corn and sugar
cane plants themselves carry both 6-carbon sugars and 5-carbon
sugars (in polymeric form). It is a concern of the applicant that
the benefit of using both 5- and 6-carbon sugars in the proper
ratio increases good health and nutritional well-being.
[0005] While it is generally understood that the consumption of
unprocessed or lightly processed foods, such as whole, raw,
unpeeled fruits and vegetables, is associated with substantial
health benefits, such as a reduction in cardiovascular disease,
lowering of blood pressure, improved brain activity, reduction in
incidence of cancer, improved intestinal health and improved
vision, it is generally poorly understood as why this is the case.
Applicant believes that such benefits, at least in part, are
associated with the fact that such whole foods have a more balanced
and natural carbohydrate content in terms of simple sugars, e.g.,
glucose, mannose, galactose and xylose and polymeric sugars, e.g.,
cellulose and hemicellulose. Processed foods generally enrich foods
in unnatural ratios of sugars. Perturbing the natural ratios of
sugars or enriching one or more sugars can have significant health
consequences, including many that are non-beneficial.
[0006] Applicant believes that although only small amounts of
hemicellulose is broken down to simple sugars, e.g., xylose,
mannose, galactose and glucose, along the digestive tract, even
small amounts of these sugars not normally found in processed foods
can induce positive health benefits. Applicant suggests that the
breakdown of hemicellulose is a in the digestive tract is an
example of a natural force action as such breakdown naturally
stimulates various biological processes in those organisms in the
digestive tract that would not be so stimulated if not for the
presence of the described hemicellulose sugars. Such stimulation
can allow for the uptake of more nutrients, such as micronutrients,
and produce health benefits in the body.
[0007] Applicant has further discovered cost efficient ways to make
compositions that include small sugars, such as xylose. Described
herein are products and compositions that include xylose. Exemplary
products and compositions include syrups and beverage products
comprising xylose. In some embodiments, the compositions include
xylose and one of more of any saccharide, such as a mono-, di-,
tri- or oligosaccharide, or an associated sugar alcohol. The
saccharides can be in any stereoisomeric form. The saccharides
include 3, 4, 5, 6, or more e.g., 7, 8 or more, e.g., 9-16 carbon
atoms. Exemplary saccharides include glyceraldehyde,
dihydroxyacetone, erythose, ribose, ribulose, arabinose, glucose,
fructose, mannose, galactose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup,
sedoheptulose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, and cellobiose. In some
embodiments the composition includes xylose and glucose. In other
embodiments, the compositions include xylose and glucose, along
with other saccharides, such as galactose, sucrose, arabinose,
mannose, fructose and oligomeric saccharides, such as di-, tri-,
tetra-, penta- and hexasaccharides. In particular embodiments, the
composition includes greater than 75 percent by weight glucose plus
xylose, e.g., greater than 80, 85, 90, or greater than 95 percent
by weight glucose plus xylose.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the sugar-containing product
contains xylose (a 5-carbon sugar) and glucose (a 6-carbon sugar)
in a ratio that is substantially similar to the naturally occurring
ratio of these sugars found in a cellulosic or lignocellulosic
biomass from which it is derived.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the compositions contain xylose and
glucose in a ratio that is substantially similar to the naturally
occurring ratio of these sugars found in a cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass. The composition can be obtained by
degradation of a source biomass or by blending xylose and glucose
to a target ratio that is substantially similar to the ratio found
in a specific cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
[0010] In certain embodiments, the sugar-containing product
contains additional sugars. In one or more embodiments, the
sugar-containing product includes xylose, glucose and one or more
of mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose in a ratio that is
substantially similar to the naturally occurring ratio of these
sugars found in a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass from which
it is derived. In some instances, the pretreatment method utilized
to reduce the recalcitrance of the biomass degrades less than 5
percent by weight of the hemicellulose in the biomass, such as less
than 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 or less, e.g., 0.75,
0.5, 0.25 percent or less, e.g., less than 0.1 percent by weight of
the hemicellulose is degraded by the pretreatment method. In
preferable embodiments, the pretreatment method includes an
ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays or a beam of
electrons. Reducing the amount of hemicellulose degradation can be
important for maintaining the natural ratios of sugars in the
biomass because hemicellulose is rich in monomers including
glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose, which
can have certain health benefits, especially in their approximately
natural ratios, as described herein.
[0011] Significant degradation of hemicellulose, especially the
xylose portions, can be detrimental for a number of reasons. First,
xylose is an expensive useful sugar and degrading the xylose
represents a loss of a valuable sugar. Another reason it can be
detrimental is that when the xylose is degraded, it is often
degraded to toxic side products, such as furan aldehydes, such as
5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and furfural alcohol.
Organic acid can also be generated, e.g., acetic acid, formic acid
and levulinic acid. When these products are generated, they often
must be removed from desired sugars and products (at great expense)
because of their toxicity and because they can inhibit the
fermentation of saccharified sugars. The preferred pretreatment
methods described herein generate less than 0.5 percent by weight
HMF, such as less than 0.25, 0.1 or less, such as less than 0.075,
less than 0.05 or less, such as less than 0.01 percent by weight.
As a result, the preferred methods generate a non-hazardous waste
stream, that is, one that is not considered hazardous by the
USEPA.
[0012] Advantages can include one or more of the following
benefits. Low glycemic index compositions are provided. The
deleterious effects related to the overuse of some sugars, such as
glucose, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, corn sugar and high
fructose corn syrup (HFCS), can be reduced, even with the addition
of relatively small amounts of xylose. The deleterious effects
related to the use or overuse of sugar substitutes, such as stevia,
aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K),
saccharin, advantame and cyclamates, can be reduced. The
compositions can be useful for those with diabetes and can be
useful for reducing obesity. The compositions can be blended with
sugar substitutes and sugar alcohols. Unique mouth-feel products
can be produced with consumer appeal. Synergistically sweet
compositions can be provided with blends of xylose and any compound
described herein. Compositions can be provided that have a longer
shelf life and that have a lower tendency to be contaminated with
microorganisms. Non-crystallizing compositions can be provided.
Compositions can be provided that are useful in cooking and are
easier to brown during cooking The compositions can have oral
health benefits, such as the reduction of dental caries and
gingivitis. The compositions can be useful in fighting cancer. The
compositions can be useful in balancing gut bacteria, which can
lead to improved health, better digestion, improved memory and
mental health. The compositions can reduce risk of stroke,
diabetes, obesity, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease and
high blood pressure. The compositions can also improve vision.
[0013] In one aspect, the invention features a product comprising
xylose and another material described herein, e.g., another
carbohydrate, sugar, sweetener or related compounds; [0014] a.
wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a
cosmetic product, oral care product, therapeutic product,
nutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage, animal food product,
and human food product.
[0015] In an embodiment, the other material or materials, e.g.,
carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener is selected from the group
consisting of glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, erythose, ribose,
ribulose, arabinose, glucose, fructose, manose, galactose, corn
syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sedoheptulose, sucrose, maltose,
lactose, cellobiose, stevia, aspartame, sucralose, neotame,
acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), saccharin, advantame and
cyclamates.
[0016] In an embodiment, the cosmetic product is lip stick, lip
gloss, face and body preparations, or soaps. In an embodiment, the
oral care product is dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, or mouth
rinse.
[0017] In an embodiment, the product is a therapeutic product such
as a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical product. Exemplary
therapeutic products include flu and cold preparations, dietary
supplements, surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers,
such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers and fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0018] In an embodiment, the product is a diagnostic product such
as an imaging preparation, e.g., CT scan imaging preparation.
[0019] In an embodiment, the product is a beverage such as tea,
flavored water, alcohol (e.g., beer, wine or a spirit), a drink mix
such as an alcohol mixer, an energy drink, coffee, a coffee
flavored drink, a coffee product, coconut water, soda pop, or a
sports drink. In an embodiment, the beverage has a pH of from about
3 to about 9 (e.g., from about 3.5 to about 8.5 or from about 4 to
about 7.5),In an embodiment, the product is an animal food product,
such as dog, cat, canine, or equine food.
[0020] In an embodiment, product is a human food product, for
example a packaged food product, a candy (e.g., a jelly candy), a
dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat. Exemplary
packaged food products include baby food desserts and snacks such
as, seasonings, sauces, cheese, vegetables, nuts and nut mixes,
cookies, pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot
cocoa mix, donuts, noodles such as egg noodles, chips, potato
chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, rice cakes, oatmeals, cereals,
rice mixtures, cake mixes, chili, meats, e.g., deli meats, pasta,
meals ready to eat, sports bars, and energy bars. In an embodiment,
the food product is a frozen treat. Exemplary frozen treats include
ice cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen pops. In an
embodiment the product is a candy. Exemplary candies include
gelatin candies, hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars,
lollypops, and caramel.
[0021] In an embodiment, the food product is a condiment. Exemplary
condiments include: seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, mustard, salad
dressings, chip dip, and chip sauces.
[0022] In an embodiment, the product includes an additional
carbohydrate or sugar (e.g., another sugar). In an embodiment, less
than 10 percent by weight of the product (e.g., less than 5
percent, less than 2 percent or less than 1 percent) includes the
other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g., glucose or fructose). In an
embodiment, less than 10 percent of the calorie content of the
product (e.g., less than 5 percent, less than 2 percent or less
than 1 percent) is from the other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g.,
glucose or fructose). In an embodiment, the glycemic index of the
product is less than 50, 40, 30, 15, such as less than 10.
[0023] In another aspect, the invention features a product
comprising xylose and glucose, wherein the product is selected from
the group consisting of a cosmetic product, oral care product,
therapeutic product, neutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage,
animal food product, and human food product.
[0024] In an embodiment, the cosmetic product is lip stick, lip
gloss, face and body preparations, or soaps. In an embodiment, the
oral care product is dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, or mouth
rinse.
[0025] In an embodiment, the product is a therapeutic product such
as a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical product. Exemplary
therapeutic products include flu and cold preparations, dietary
supplements, surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers,
such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers and fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0026] In an embodiment, the product is a diagnostic product such
as an imaging preparation, e.g., CT scan imaging preparation.
[0027] In an embodiment, the product is a beverage such as tea,
flavored water, alcohol (e.g., beer, wine or a spirit), a drink mix
such as an alcohol mixer, an energy drink, coffee, a coffee
flavored drink, a coffee product, coconut water, soda pop, or a
sports drink. In an embodiment, the beverage has a pH of from about
3 to about 9 (e.g., from about 3.5 to about 8.5 or from about 4 to
about 7.5).
[0028] In an embodiment, the product is an animal food product,
such as dog, cat, canine, or equine food.
[0029] In an embodiment, product is a human food product, for
example a packaged food product, a candy (e.g., a jelly candy), a
dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat. Exemplary
packaged food products include baby food desserts and snacks such
as, seasonings, sauces, cheese, vegetables, nuts and nut mixes,
cookies, pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot
cocoa mix, donuts, noodles such as egg noodles, chips, potato
chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, rice cakes, oatmeals, cereals,
rice mixtures, cake mixes, chili, meats, e.g., deli meats, pasta,
meals ready to eat, sports bars, and energy bars. In an embodiment,
the food product is a frozen treat. Exemplary frozen treats include
ice cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen pops. In an
embodiment the product is a candy. Exemplary candies include
gelatin candies, hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars,
lollypops, and caramel.
[0030] In an embodiment, the food product is a condiment. Exemplary
condiments include: seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, mustard, salad
dressings, chip dip, and chip sauces.
[0031] In an embodiment, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between
about 30/50 and about 1000/50, e.g., between about 35/50 and about
250/50, between about 40/50 and about 100/50 or between about 45/50
and about 95/50. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to about 95/50, e.g., between
about 45/50 and about 90/50. In an embodiment, the glycemic index
of the product is less than 50, 40, 30, 15, such as less than
10.
[0032] In an embodiment, less than 10 percent by weight of the
product includes glucose. In an embodiment, less than 10 percent of
the calorie content of the product is from glucose. In an
embodiment, the glycemic index of the product is less than 50, 40,
30, 15, such as less than 10.
[0033] In another aspect, the invention features a method of making
a product, the method comprising, [0034] saccharifying a cellulosic
or lignocellulosic biomass to liberate a sugar; purifying the
liberated sugar; and [0035] adding the purified sugars to a
product, wherein the product comprises a cosmetic product, oral
care product, therapeutic product, neutraceutical product,
diagnostic, beverage, animal food product, or human food
product.
[0036] In an embodiment, the cosmetic product is lip stick, lip
gloss, face and body preparations, or soaps.
[0037] In an embodiment, the oral care product is dental floss,
toothpaste, shampoo, or mouth rinse.
[0038] In an embodiment, the product is a therapeutic product such
as a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical product. Exemplary
therapeutic products include flu and cold preparations, dietary
supplements, surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers,
such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers and fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0039] In an embodiment, the product is a diagnostic product such
as an imaging preparation, e.g., CT scan imaging preparation.
[0040] In an embodiment, the product is a beverage such as tea,
flavored water, alcohol (e.g., beer, wine or a spirit), a drink mix
such as an alcohol mixer, an energy drink, coffee, a coffee
flavored drink, a coffee product, coconut water, soda pop, or a
sports drink. In an embodiment, the beverage has a pH of from about
3 to about 9 (e.g., from about 3.5 to about 8.5 or from about 4 to
about 7.5).
[0041] In an embodiment, the product is an animal food product,
such as dog, cat, canine, or equine food.
[0042] In an embodiment, product is a human food product, for
example a packaged food product, a candy (e.g., a jelly candy), a
dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat. Exemplary
packaged food products include baby food desserts and snacks such
as, seasonings, sauces, cheese, vegetables, nuts and nut mixes,
cookies, pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot
cocoa mix, donuts, noodles such as egg noodles, chips, potato
chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, rice cakes, oatmeals, cereals,
rice mixtures, cake mixes, chili, meats, e.g., deli meats, pasta,
meals ready to eat, sports bars, and energy bars. In an embodiment,
the food product is a frozen treat. Exemplary frozen treats include
ice cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen pops. In an
embodiment the product is a candy. Exemplary candies include
gelatin candies, hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars,
lollypops, and caramel.
[0043] In an embodiment, the food product is a condiment. Exemplary
condiments include: seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, mustard, salad
dressings, chip dip, and chip sauces.
[0044] In an embodiment, the liberated sugar comprises xylose. In
an embodiment, the method includes liberating and purifying a
plurality of sugars, wherein the sugars comprise xylose and
glucose. In an embodiment, the plurality of sugars is purified as a
mixture. In an embodiment, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between
about 30/50 and about 1000/50, e.g., between about 35/50 and about
250/50, between about 40/50 and about 100/50 or between about 45/50
and about 95/50. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to about 95/50, e.g., between
about 45/50 and about 90/50.
[0045] In an embodiment, the xylose and glucose are co-produced.
Co-produced, as used herein means made in the same reaction or
obtained from the same precursor molecule such as cellulose, and
subjected to at least one common purification procedure (e.g.,
filtration). In embodiments a common purification procedure
includes producing a product having at least 5% by weight of xylose
and glucose (e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at
least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%
or at least 75%).
[0046] In another aspect, the invention features a method of making
a product, the method comprising, [0047] adding a blend of sugars
comprising xylose obtained from saccharifying cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass to a product, the product being selected
from the group consisting of a cosmetic product, oral care product,
therapeutic product, neutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage,
animal food product, and human food product.
[0048] In an embodiment, the cosmetic product is lip stick, lip
gloss, face and body preparations, or soaps. In an embodiment, the
oral care product is dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, or mouth
rinse.
[0049] In an embodiment, the product is a therapeutic product such
as a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical product. Exemplary
therapeutic products include flu and cold preparations, dietary
supplements, surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers,
such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers and fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0050] In an embodiment, the product is a diagnostic product such
as an imaging preparation, e.g., CT scan imaging preparation.
[0051] In an embodiment, the product is a beverage such as tea,
flavored water, alcohol (e.g., beer, wine or a spirit), a drink mix
such as an alcohol mixer, an energy drink, coffee, a coffee
flavored drink, a coffee product, coconut water, soda pop, or a
sports drink. In an embodiment, the beverage has a pH of from about
3 to about 9 (e.g., from about 3.5 to about 8.5 or from about 4 to
about 7.5).
[0052] In an embodiment, the product is an animal food product,
such as dog, cat, canine, or equine food.
[0053] In an embodiment, product is a human food product, for
example a packaged food product, a candy (e.g., a jelly candy), a
dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat. Exemplary
packaged food products include baby food desserts and snacks such
as, seasonings, sauces, cheese, vegetables, nuts and nut mixes,
cookies, pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot
cocoa mix, donuts, noodles such as egg noodles, chips, potato
chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, rice cakes, oatmeals, cereals,
rice mixtures, cake mixes, chili, meats, e.g., deli meats, pasta,
meals ready to eat, sports bars, and energy bars. In an embodiment,
the food product is a frozen treat. Exemplary frozen treats include
ice cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen pops. In an
embodiment the product is a candy. Exemplary candies include
gelatin candies, hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars,
lollypops, and caramel.
[0054] In an embodiment, the food product is a condiment. Exemplary
condiments include: seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, mustard, salad
dressings, chip dip, and chip sauces.
[0055] In an embodiment, the blend of sugars comprises glucose. In
an embodiment, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 30/50
and about 1000/50, e.g., between about 35/50 and about 250/50,
between about 40/50 and about 100/50 or between about 45/50 and
about 95/50. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of xylose/glucose
is between about 40/50 to about 95/50, e.g., between about 45/50
and about 90/50.
[0056] In an embodiment, the product described herein has a
glycemic index relative to the product that does not include xylose
which is lower by at least 5% (e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at
least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50%).
[0057] In an embodiment, the xylose and glucose are co-produced. In
embodiments a common purification procedure includes producing a
product having at least 5% by weight of xylose and glucose (e.g.,
at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least
40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 75%).
[0058] In another aspect, the invention features a method of
combining a co-produced mixture of xylose and glucose with a
component in a product described herein.
[0059] In another aspect, the invention features receiving a
co-produced mixture of xylose and glucose from an entity that
produces or distributes co-produced a mixture of xylose and glucose
and combining with a component to produce a product described
herein.
[0060] In another aspect, the invention features a food grade or
cosmetic grate composition of co-produced xylose and glucose.
[0061] In one aspect, the disclosure features an aqueous
composition comprising food grade xylose, wherein the composition
can be substantially free of solid materials having a diameter of
greater than 1000 nm and wherein the composition can have a color
of less than about 100 as measured by the Platinum-Cobalt
method.
[0062] In some embodiments, the composition can be substantially
free of ethanol. In some embodiments, the composition further
comprises glucose. In some embodiments, the composition can have a
viscosity of from 5,000 to 75,000 at a concentration of 60 percent
by weight at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. In some
embodiments, the composition can be a syrup. In some embodiments,
the composition can have a glycemic index of less than or equal to
than 30. In some embodiments, the xylose can have a concentration
of from 30 to 55 percent by weight. In some embodiments, the
glucose can have a concentration of from 35 to 50 percent by
weight. In some embodiments, the xylose can have a concentration of
from 40 to 50 and the glucose has a concentration of from 30 to 50
percent by weight. In some embodiments, the composition can be
substantially free of lignin. In some embodiments, the composition
can be substantially free of cellulose. In another aspect, the
disclosure features liquid compositions comprising xylose, wherein
the composition can have a turbidity below 10 NTU.
[0063] In another aspect, the disclosure features liquid
compositions comprising food grade xylose, wherein the glycemic
index can be less than 30.
[0064] In some embodiments, the liquid composition further
comprises glucose. In another aspect, the disclosure features a
beverage comprising xylose. In some embodiments, the beverage can
be a carbonated beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage is an
alcoholic beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage can further
comprise glucose. In some embodiments, the beverage can further
comprise a colorant. In some embodiments, the beverage can further
comprise an electrolyte. In some embodiments, the beverage can
further comprise a vitamin. In another aspect, the disclosure
features chewing gum comprising xylose. In another aspect, the
disclosure features a dentifrice comprising xylose. In another
aspect, the disclosure features a mouth rinse comprising
xylose.
[0065] Any composition described herein can be used in any form
desired. For example, any composition, with or without additives
described herein, can be in the form of a pill, tablet or capsule.
Compositions can also be, for example, in the form of solutions,
e.g., medical solutions, such as intravenous solutions or
diagnostic solutions, for example, for the study of malabsorption
of carbohydrates, industrial solutions, biological solutions, such
as biological media, and chemical solutions, e.g., as an
intermediate, such as a solution that can be converted to a mixture
of xylitol and sorbitol via hydrogenation.
[0066] The products described herein can include any one or more of
the following features. The product can be selected from a cosmetic
product, oral care product, therapeutic product, nutraceutical
product, diagnostic, beverage, animal food product, and human food
product. In an embodiment, the cosmetic product is lip stick, lip
gloss, face and body preparations, or soaps. In an embodiment, the
oral care product is dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, or mouth
rinse.
[0067] In an embodiment, the product is a therapeutic product such
as a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical product. Exemplary
therapeutic products include flu and cold preparations, dietary
supplements, surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers,
such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers and fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0068] In an embodiment, the product is a diagnostic product such
as an imaging preparation, e.g., CT scan imaging preparation.
[0069] In an embodiment, the product is a beverage such as tea,
flavored water, alcohol (e.g., beer, wine or a spirit), a drink mix
such as an alcohol mixer, an energy drink, coffee, a coffee
flavored drink, a coffee product, coconut water, soda pop, or a
sports drink. In an embodiment, the beverage has a pH of from about
3 to about 9 (e.g., from about 3.5 to about 8.5 or from about 4 to
about 7.5),In an embodiment, the product is an animal food product,
such as dog, cat, canine, or equine food.
[0070] In an embodiment, product is a human food product, for
example a packaged food product, a candy (e.g., a jelly candy), a
dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat. Exemplary
packaged food products include baby food desserts and snacks such
as, seasonings, sauces, cheese, vegetables, nuts and nut mixes,
cookies, pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot
cocoa mix, donuts, noodles such as egg noodles, chips, potato
chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, rice cakes, oatmeals, cereals,
rice mixtures, cake mixes, chili, meats, e.g., deli meats, pasta,
meals ready to eat, sports bars, and energy bars. In an embodiment,
the food product is a frozen treat. Exemplary frozen treats include
ice cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen pops. In an
embodiment the product is a candy. Exemplary candies include
gelatin candies, hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars,
lollypops, and caramel.
[0071] In an embodiment, the food product is a condiment. Exemplary
condiments include: seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, mustard, salad
dressings, chip dip, and chip sauces.
[0072] In an embodiment, the sugar-containing product can be an
intermediate product that can be transformed or further chemically
transformed. For example, the sugar content can be process to form
derivation products such as furan or furfural. It can also be used
as an ethanol feedstock.
[0073] In an embodiment, the product includes an additional
carbohydrate or sugar (e.g., another sugar). In an embodiment, less
than 10 percent by weight of the product (e.g., less than 5
percent, less than 2 percent or less than 1 percent) includes the
other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g., glucose or fructose). In an
embodiment, less than 10 percent of the calorie content of the
product (e.g., less than 5 percent, less than 2 percent or less
than 1 percent) is from the other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g.,
glucose or fructose). In an embodiment, the glycemic index of the
product is less than 50, 40, 30, 15, such as less than 10.
[0074] The product can include an additional material described
herein, e.g., another carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener. Exemplary
carbohydrates, sugars and sweeteners include glyceraldehyde,
dihydroxyacetone, erythose, ribose, ribulose, arabinose, glucose,
fructose, manose, galactose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup,
sedoheptulose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, cellobiose, stevia,
aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K),
saccharin, advantame and cyclamates.
[0075] In an embodiment, the product includes an additional
carbohydrate or sugar (e.g., another sugar). In an embodiment, less
than 10 percent by weight of the product (e.g., less than 5
percent, less than 2 percent or less than 1 percent) includes the
other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g., glucose or fructose). In an
embodiment, less than 10 percent of the calorie content of the
product (e.g., less than 5 percent, less than 2 percent or less
than 1 percent) is from the other sugar, e.g., sweetener (e.g.,
glucose or fructose). In an embodiment, the glycemic index of the
product is less than 50, 40, 30, 15, such as less than 10.
[0076] In an embodiment, the product includes both xylose and
glucose.
[0077] In an embodiment, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between
about 30/50 and about 1000/50, e.g., between about 35/50 and about
250/50, between about 40/50 and about 100/50 or between about 45/50
and about 95/50. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to about 95/50, e.g., between
about 45/50 and about 90/50. In an embodiment, the glycemic index
of the product is less than 50, 40, 30, 15, such as less than
10.
[0078] In an embodiment, less than 10 percent by weight of the
product includes glucose. In an embodiment, less than 10 percent of
the calorie content of the product is from glucose. In an
embodiment, the glycemic index of the product is less than 50, 40,
30, 15, such as less than 10. In an embodiment, the product
described herein has a glycemic index relative to the product that
does not include xylose which is lower by at least 5% (e.g., at
least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%,
or at least 50%).
[0079] In an embodiment, the product is made from a method wherein
a liberated sugar comprises xylose. In an embodiment, the method
includes liberating and purifying a plurality of sugars, wherein
the sugars comprise xylose and glucose. In an embodiment, the
plurality of sugars is purified as a mixture. In an embodiment, the
ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 30/50 and about 1000/50,
e.g., between about 35/50 and about 250/50, between about 40/50 and
about 100/50 or between about 45/50 and about 95/50. In preferred
embodiments, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to
about 95/50, e.g., between about 45/50 and about 90/50.
[0080] In an embodiment, the product includes a blend of sugars
comprising glucose. In an embodiment, the ratio of xylose/glucose
is between about 30/50 and about 1000/50, e.g., between about 35/50
and about 250/50, between about 40/50 and about 100/50 or between
about 45/50 and about 95/50. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to about 95/50, e.g., between
about 45/50 and about 90/50.
[0081] In one aspect, a sugar-containing product includes a sugar
composition having xylose and glucose, wherein the xylose/glucose
ratio is substantially similar to the xylose/glucose ratio of a
source cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
[0082] In one or more embodiments, the sugar composition is derived
from an enzymatically saccharified cellulosic or lignocellulosic
biomass.
[0083] In one or more embodiments, the sugar composition is a blend
of xylose and glucose.
[0084] In any of the preceding embodiments, the sugar-containing
product further includes an additional sugar, and for example the
additional sugar is selected from the group consisting of mannose,
galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose, and further, the additional
sugar can be present in an amount to provide a
xylose/glucose/additional sugar ratio that is substantially similar
to the xylose/glucose/additional sugar ratio of the source
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
[0085] In one or more embodiments, the ratio of xylose/glucose is
between about 35/50 and about 250/50, or the ratio of
xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 and about 100/50, or the
ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 45/50 and about 95/50.
[0086] In one or more embodiments, the xylose comprises food grade
xylose.
[0087] In one or more embodiments, the product is substantially
free of a fermentation products.
[0088] In one or more embodiments, the product is substantially
free of a sugar degradation products, and for example, the
sugar-degradation products include furan aldehydes and organic
acids.
[0089] In one or more embodiments, the product is selected from the
group consisting of cosmetic product, oral care product,
therapeutic product, nutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverages,
animal food product, and human food product.
[0090] In one or more embodiments, the product is a human or animal
food product and for example, the food product has a glycemic index
less than 50, or the food product has a glycemic index less than
30, or the food product has a glycemic index less than 15.
[0091] In one or more embodiments, the product is an human food
product selected from the group consisting packaged food product, a
candy, dessert or snack, a condiment, or a frozen treat.
[0092] In one or more embodiments, the food product comprises an
additive selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals,
preservatives, antioxidants, amino acids, caffeine, emulsifying
agents, CO2, stabilizers, humectants, anticaking agents, and herbal
extracts.
[0093] In one or more embodiments, the product is an intermediate
compositions useful for further processing or chemical
modification.
[0094] In one or more embodiments, the product is a cosmetic
product selected from the group consisting of lip stick, lip gloss,
face preparations, body preparations and soaps.
[0095] In one or more embodiments, the product is an oral care
product selected from the group consisting of dental floss,
toothpaste, shampoo and mouth rinse.
[0096] In one or more embodiments, the product is a diagnostic
product selected from the group consisting of imaging
preparations.
[0097] In one or more embodiments, the product is a therapeutic
product selected from the group consisting pharmaceutical products,
and for example the pharmaceutical product is selected from the
group consisting of flu and cold preparations, dietary supplements,
surgical preparations, procedure preparations, fibers, fiber
supplements, pain relievers, and nasal spray.
[0098] In any of the preceding embodiments, the sugar-containing
product further includes another carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener,
and for example, the other carbohydrate, sugar or sweetener is
selected from the group consisting of glyceraldehyde,
dihydroxyacetone, erythose, ribose, ribulose, fructose, corn syrup,
high fructose corn syrup, sedoheptulose, sucrose, maltose, lactose,
cellobiose, stevia, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame
potassium (Ace-K), saccharin, advantame and cyclamates, and for
example, less than 10 percent by weight of the product comprises
the other sugar, or less than 5 percent by weight of the product
comprises the other sugar, or less than 1 percent by weight of the
product comprises the other sugar, or less than 10 percent of the
calorie content of the product is from the other sugar, or less
than 5 percent of the calorie content of the product is from the
other sugar, or wherein the glycemic index of the product is less
than 50.
[0099] In any of the preceding embodiments, the cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass is selected from the group consisting of
starchy materials, sugar cane, agricultural waste, paper, paper
products, paper waste, paper pulp, pigmented papers, loaded papers,
coated papers, filled papers, magazines, printed matter, printer
paper, polycoated paper, card stock, cardboard, paperboard, cotton,
wood, particle board, forestry wastes, sawdust, aspen wood, wood
chips, grasses, switchgrass, miscanthus, cord grass, reed canary
grass, grain residues, rice hulls, oat hulls, wheat chaff, barley
hulls, agricultural waste, silage, canola straw, wheat straw,
barley straw, oat straw, rice straw, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo,
sisal, abaca, corn cobs, corn stover, soybean stover, corn fiber,
alfalfa, hay, coconut hair, sugar processing residues, bagasse,
beet pulp, agave bagasse, algae, seaweed, plankton manure, sewage,
offal, agricultural or industrial waste, arracacha, buckwheat,
banana, barley, cassava, kudzu, oca, sago, sorghum, potato, sweet
potato, taro, yams, beans, favas, lentils, peas, or mixtures of any
of these.
[0100] In another aspect, a method of making a sugar-containing
product includes subjecting a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass
to a pretreatment comprising ionizing radiation; enzymatically
saccharifying the pretreated biomass to obtain a sugar composition
comprising xylose and glucose, wherein the xylose/glucose ratio is
substantially similar to the xylose/glucose ratio of the source
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass; and adding the sugar
composition to a product, the product being selected from the group
consisting of cosmetic product, oral care product, therapeutic
product, nutraceutical product, diagnostic, beverage, animal food
product, and human food product.
[0101] In one or more embodiments, the sugar composition is
fractionated prior to addition to the product.
[0102] In one or more embodiments, the sugar composition is
concentrated prior to addition to the product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0103] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
[0104] The term "a" and "an" refers to one or to more than one
(i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.
By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one
element.
[0105] The term "biomass", as used herein, refers to any
non-fossilized, organic matter. The various types of biomass
include plant biomass (e.g., lignocellulosic and cellulosic
biomass), microbial biomass, animal biomass (any animal by-product,
animal waste, etc.) and municipal waste biomass (residential and
light commercial refuse with recyclables such as metal and glass
removed). Plant biomass refers to any plant-derived organic matter
(woody or non-woody). Plant biomass can include, but is not limited
to, agricultural or food crops (e.g., sugarcane, sugar beets or
corn kernels) or an extract therefrom (e.g., sugar from sugarcane
and corn starch from corn), agricultural crop wastes and residues
such as corn stover, wheat straw, rice straw, sugar cane bagasse,
and the like. Plant biomass further includes, but is not limited
to, trees, woody energy crops, wood wastes and residues such as
softwood forest thinnings, barky wastes, sawdust, paper and pulp
industry waste streams, wood fiber, and the like. Additionally,
grass crops, such as switchgrass and the like have potential to be
produced on a large-scale as another plant biomass source. For
urban areas, the best potential plant biomass feedstock includes
yard waste (e.g., grass clippings, leaves, tree clippings, and
brush) and vegetable processing waste.
[0106] The term "biomass degrading enzymes", as used herein, refers
to enzymes that break down components of the biomass matter
described herein into intermediates or final products. For example,
biomass-degrading enzymes include at least ligninases,
endoglucancases, cellobiases, xylanases, and cellobiohydrolases.
Biomass-degrading enzymes are produced by a wide variety of
microorganisms, and can be isolated from the microorganisms, such
as T. reesei.
[0107] The term "cellobiase", as used herein, refers to an enzyme
that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a dimer, trimer, tetramer,
pentamer, hexamer, heptamer, octamer, or an oligomer of glucose, or
an oligomer of glucose and xylose, to glucose and/or xylose. For
example, the cellobiase is beta-glucosidase, which catalyzes
beta-1,4 bonds in cellobiose to release two glucose molecules.
[0108] The term "cellobiase activity", as used herein, refers to
activity of a category of cellulases that catalyze the hydrolysis
of cellobiose to glucose, e.g., catalyzes the hydrolysis of
beta-D-glucose residues to release beta-D-glucose. Cellobiase
activity can be determined according to the assays described
herein, e.g., in Example 6. One unit of cellobiase activity can be
defined as [glucose] g/L/[Cel3a] g/L/30 minutes.
[0109] The term "cellobiohydrolase" as used herein, refers to an
enzyme that hydrolyzes glycosidic bonds in cellulose. For example,
the cellobiohydrolase is 1,4-beta-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase, which
catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glucosidic linkages in
cellulose, cellooligosaccharides, or any beta-1,4-linked glucose
containing polymer, releasing oligosaccharides from the polymer
chain.
[0110] The term "endoglucanase" as used herein, refers to an enzyme
that catalyzes the hydrolysis of internal .beta.-1,4 glucosidic
bonds of cellulose. For example, the endoglucanase is endo- 1
,4-(1,3; 1,4)-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, which catalyzes
endohydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose,
cellulose derivatives (such as carboxymethyl cellulose and
hydroxyethyl cellulose), lichenan, beta-1,4 bonds in mixed beta-1,
3 glucans such as cereal beta-D-glucans or xyloglucans, and other
plant material containing cellulosic components.
[0111] The term "ligninase" as used herein, refers to an enzyme
that catalyzes the breakdown of lignin, commonly found in the cell
walls of plants, such as by an oxidation reaction.
[0112] All references (e.g., patents, patent applications,
publications) cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety for all that they contain.
Compositions and Products
[0113] Described herein are compositions and products, e.g., a
solid, liquid or vaporous product, that includes xylose, and in
some embodiments, xylose and glucose, optionally along with other
saccharides, e.g., smaller amounts of other saccharides. Health
benefits are associated with the compositions and products
described herein. In some embodiments, the product is a consumer
product such as a food or beverage. In some embodiments, the
product is a component used in a consumer product such as a food or
beverage, for example, a syrup used in a drink such as a cola,
sports beverage, or flavored water (e.g., vitamin water). Using
processes described herein, biomass material can be converted to
one or more products, including xylose. In some embodiments the
product includes a mixture of xylose and glucose in a cost
efficient manner. Such products can be incorporated into products
such as a beverage or a syrup. Other examples that can include the
saccharide compositions described herein include, bake goods,
chewing gum or oral compositions, including toothpastes and mouth
rinses.
[0114] In certain embodiments, the sugar compositions are obtained
by degradation of a source biomass into its component sugars. The
compositions contain xylose (a 5-carbon sugar) and glucose (a
6-carbon sugar) in a ratio that is substantially similar to the
naturally occurring ratio of these sugars found in cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass from which it is derived.
[0115] In other embodiments, the sugar compositions are obtained by
blending xylose and glucose to a target ratio that is substantially
similar to the ratio of xylose and glucose found in a specific
cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass.
[0116] "Substantially similar to the naturally occurring ratio" as
used herein refers to an amount that is similar to the naturally
occurring ratio, but takes into consideration slight variations in
final composition arising, for example, due to losses on
purification and processing and the natural variation that occurs
within a biomass source. In practice, natural variation among
biomass of the same source or type results in a range of ratios all
of which are encompassed within the naturally occurring ratio of
the sugars. In one or more embodiments, naturally occurring biomass
will vary .+-.15% from the average value. For example, the amount
of glucose in corn stover is about 37.5 wt %, but can vary from
33-41 wt % of dry weight and the amount of xylose in corn stover is
about 21.7 wt % but can vary from 19.8-25.8 wt % of dry weight
according to one source. See, SGINC1-07 June 2007
http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/SGINC1 -07.pdf, which is
incorporated by reference. "Substantially similar to the naturally
occurring ratio" therefore encompasses a ratio that varies by 20%
or less from the naturally occurring ratio of a specific biomass
source or a ratio that varies by 20% or less from an average value
typical for a selected biomass source. In other embodiments, the
xylose/glucose ratio varies by 15% or less, or varies by 10% or
less , or varies by 5% or less than the naturally occurring ratio
of an established biomass source or a ratio from an average value
typical for a selected biomass source.
[0117] In one or more embodiments, the sugar compositions also
include one or more additional sugars. These additional sugars are
present in the source biomass and are obtained by degradation of a
source biomass into its component sugars. Exemplary sugars include
mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and/or arabinose. In one or more
embodiments, one or more of the additional sugars are included in a
xylose/sugar ratio that is substantially similar to the naturally
occurring ratio of these sugars found in cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass from which it is derived.
[0118] In one or more embodiments, the sugar composition contains
xylose, glucose and one or more of mannose, galactose, rhamnose,
and arabinose in a ratio that is substantially similar to the
naturally occurring ratio of these sugars found in cellulosic or
lignocellulosic biomass from which it is derived.
[0119] Sugar compositions are obtained in certain embodiments by
saccharification of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass. A
biomass is optimally pretreated, e.g., to reduce the recalcitrance,
and saccharified by a saccharification process that involves
incubating the treated biomass with biomass-degrading, or
cellulolytic, enzymes to produce sugars (e.g., glucose and/or
xylose). In preferred embodiments, the pretreatment method includes
an ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays or a beam of
electrons. The processes described herein have been selected to
reduce recalcitrance and provide a sugar yield in a manner that
does not degrade the sugars or significantly alter the sugar
compositions of the saccharified product. Once the saccharification
process is complete, a saccharification composition rich in glucose
and xylose (and other sugars present in the source biomass) is
obtained. The saccharification composition can be purified and/or
concentrated to provide a sugar composition containing xylose and
glucose at a ratio that is substantially similar to the ratio found
in the source cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass. The sugar
composition can be further processed into sugar-containing products
as described herein.
[0120] Although methods of pretreatment and saccharification are
known in the art, these methods do not result in a sugar
composition in which the xylose/glucose ratio is substantially
similar to the naturally occurring ratio of these sugars found in
the cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass from which it is derived,
as described herein. For example, many saccharification processes
rely on acid hydrolysis to break down the cellulose and
hemicellulose components of biomass into their component sugars.
Acids and in particular the strong inorganic acids typically used
in saccharifications processes also are known to degrade sugars,
leading to undesirable degradation products such as furfural and
furfural alcohol.
[0121] The process degrades glucose and xylosedifferently, with the
rates of degradation varying with concentration and acid strength.
Qi et al. (Chinese Journal of Process Engineering, Vol. 8(6) 2008
1132-1137) investigated the degradation kinetics of xylose and
glucose in hydrolysate containing sulfuric acid and noted that the
degradation reaction of xylose is quicker than that of glucose. The
different degradation rates of sugars result in a sugar composition
in which the xylose/glucose ratio varies from the natural ratio of
the source biomass.
[0122] To reduce or avoid sugar degradation and obtain a sugar
ratio that closely resembles that of the source biomass, the
biomass is subjected to pretreatment method using an ionizing
radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays or a beam of electrons. The
ionizing radiation reduces the recalcitrance of the biomass without
degrading the hemicellulose. In some instances, the pretreatment
method utilized to reduce the recalcitrance of the biomass degrades
less than 5 percent by weight of the hemicellulose in the biomass,
such as less than 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 or less,
e.g., 0.75, 0.5, 0.25 percent or less, e.g., less than 0.1 percent
by weight of the hemicellulose is degraded by the pretreatment
method. In preferable embodiments, the pretreatment method includes
an ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays or a beam of
electrons. Preferable energy levels include photons or electrons
having an energy level of between about 0.5 MV and 8.7 MV, such as
between 0.7 MV and 5.0 MV or between about 1.0 MV and 3 MV.
Reducing the amount of hemicellulose degradation can be important
for maintaining the natural ratios of sugars in the biomass because
hemicellulose is rich in monomers including glucose, xylose,
mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose, which can have certain
health benefits, especially in their approximately natural ratios,
as described herein.
[0123] Significant degradation of hemicellulose, especially the
xylose portions, can be detrimental for a number of reasons. First,
xylose is an expensive useful sugar and degrading the xylose
represents a loss of a valuable sugar. Another reason it can be
detrimental is that when the xylose is degraded, it is often
degraded to toxic side products, such as furan aldehydes, such as
5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and furfural alcohol.
Organic acid can also be generated, e.g., acetic acid, formic acid
and levulinic acid. When these products are generated, they often
must be removed from desired sugars and products (at great expense)
because of their toxicity and because they can inhibit the
fermentation of saccharified sugars. The preferred pretreatment
methods described herein generate less than 0.5 percent by weight
HMF, such as less than 0.25, 0.1 or less, such as less than 0.075,
less than 0.05 or less, such as less than 0.01 percent by weight.
As a result, the preferred methods generate a non-hazardous waste
stream, that is, one that is not considered hazardous by the
USEPA.
[0124] In one or more embodiments, saccharification is accomplished
by enzymatic degradation of the cellulose and hemicellulose of the
biomass. Enzymatic processing is milder than acid hydrolysis and
therefore results in less degradation of the component sugars,
particularly the xylose fraction.
[0125] In other embodiments, sugar compositions can be prepared by
blending of individual sugars in a ratio that is substantially
similar to a sugar ratio of a naturally occurring biomass. The
blended sugars including glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose,
rhamnose, and arabinose, can have certain health benefits,
especially in their approximately natural ratios.
[0126] Exemplary compositions include sugar compositions derived
from enzymatically saccharified cellulose or lignocellulose biomass
or sugar blends having xylose/glucose ratios that are substantially
similar to any one of the biomass selected from the group
consisting of starchy materials, sugar cane, agricultural waste,
paper, paper products, paper waste, paper pulp, pigmented papers,
loaded papers, coated papers, filled papers, magazines, printed
matter, printer paper, polycoated paper, card stock, cardboard,
paperboard, cotton, wood, particle board, forestry wastes, sawdust,
aspen wood, wood chips, grasses, switchgrass, miscanthus, cord
grass, reed canary grass, grain residues, rice hulls, oat hulls,
wheat chaff, barley hulls, agricultural waste, silage, canola
straw, wheat straw, barley straw, oat straw, rice straw, jute,
hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, corn cobs, corn stover, soybean
stover, corn fiber, alfalfa, hay, coconut hair, sugar processing
residues, bagasse, beet pulp, agave bagasse, algae, seaweed,
plankton manure, sewage, offal, agricultural or industrial waste,
arracacha, buckwheat, banana, barley, cassava, kudzu, oca, sago,
sorghum, potato, sweet potato, taro, yams, beans, favas, lentils,
peas, or mixtures of any of these.
[0127] In one or more embodiments, the composition of corn stover
has a typical range of about 33.8-41 wt % glucose, 19.8-25.8 wt %
xylose, 1.7-6.1 wt % arabinose, 0.7-3% galactose, 0.3-1.8% mannose,
all based on % of dry matter. In one or more embodiments, the
composition of wheat grass has a typical range of about 31.5-32.6
wt % glucose, 19.2-19.7 wt % xylose, 2.4-3.2 wt % arabinose,
0.8-1.5 galactose, 0.3-0.9% mannose, all based on % of dry
matter.
[0128] In one or more embodiments, the composition of switchgrass
has a typical range of about 31.4-38 wt % glucose, 20.2-24 wt %
xylose, 2.7-3.8 wt % arabinose 0.7-1.9% galactose, 0.3-0.4%
mannose, all based on % of dry matter.
[0129] Additional information on cellulosic and lignocellulosic
biomass composition can be found at SGINC1-07 June 2007
http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/SGINC-07.pdf and
http:/www.afdc.energy.gov/biomass/progs/search1.cgi, the contents
of which are incorporated by reference.
[0130] In an embodiment, the product is a cosmetic product, oral
care product, therapeutic product, nutraceutical product,
diagnostic, beverage, animal food product, or human food product.
Other specific examples of compositions and products include ice
cream, ice milk, sorbet, sherbet, gelatin candies, baby food,
animal food, e.g., dog, cat, canine, or equine food, seasonings,
sauces, cosmetics, dietary supplements, lip stick, lip gloss, face
and body preparations, pharmaceuticals, such as flu and cold
preparations, nutraceuticals, surgical preparations, procedure
preparations, imaging preparations, e.g., CT scan imaging
preparations, pain relievers, nasal spray, cheese, vegetables,
mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, nuts and nut mixes, cookies,
pastries, fruit flavored snacks, pancakes, waffles, hot cocoa mix,
caramel, shampoo, dental floss, donuts, egg noodles, lollypops,
frozen pops, soda pop, chips, potato chips, tortilla chips, corn
chips, sports drinks, rice cakes, oatmeals, teas, cereals, rice
mixtures, flavored water, alcohol, alcohol mixers, soaps, energy
drinks, coffee, coffee flavored drinks, coffee products, cake
mixes, chili, chip dip, chip sauces, fibers, such as cellulosic and
lignocellulosic fibers and fiber supplements, meats, e.g., deli
meats, drink mixes, pasta, meals ready to eat, coconut water,
candies, e.g., hard and soft candies, chocolate, candy bars, sports
bars and energy bars.
[0131] In an aspect, the product is a food composition, e.g.,
including food grade xylose, xylose plus glucose or xylose and
glucose plus small amounts, e.g., less than 10 percent, less than 5
percent, less than 2 percent or less than 1 percent of other
saccharides. In some embodiments the product further includes
glucose, for example, food grade glucose. "Food grade," as used
herein, refers to the minimum standard for a substance (e.g.,
xylose or glucose) to qualify as fit for human consumption or
permitted to come in contact with food. These guidelines are
defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
[0132] Compositions and products described herein can have one or
more of the following properties: the composition can be free or
substantially free of certain components (e.g., solids, impurities,
or processing by-products), have a defined color limit, or have
certain defined physical properties such as concentration,
turbidity, conductivity, viscosity, etc. In embodiments, where the
composition or product includes both xylose and glucose, each of
the xylose and glucose can be present in the composition or product
in a ratio as defined herein.
[0133] A composition or product described herein can be made using
a process described herein.
[0134] In some embodiments, the a product or a composition
comprising xylose as described herein (e.g., a purified composition
comprising xylose or xylose and glucose) is substantially free of a
solid component, for example, a composition such as a liquid can
include less than about 1 percent suspended solids, such as less
about 0.75 percent, less than about 0.5 percent, less than about
0.4 percent, less than about 0.3 percent, less than about 0.25
percent, less than about 0.20 percent, less than about 0.15
percent, less than about 0.10 percent, less than about 0.05
percent, less than about 0.025 percent, or even less than about
0.010 percent. In some embodiments, a suspended solid in a
composition described herein can have a particle size range of from
about 0.05 micron to about 50 micron, such as from about 0.1 micron
to about 25 micron, from about 0.2 micron to about 10 micron, from
about 0.22 micron to about 5 micron, or from about 0.25 micron to
about 1 micron. In an embodiment, the composition or product
substantially free of a solid component is formulated as a
beverage.
[0135] In an embodiment, the composition or product (e.g., a
composition comprising xylose or a combination of xylose) is
substantially free of a fermentation product such as ethanol. In an
embodiment, the composition is substantially free of polysaccharide
or oligosaccharide (e.g., cellulose). In yet other embodiments, the
compositions or products include from about 0.1 to about 5 percent
by weight, such as between about 0.2 and 2 percent
oligosaccharides. In an embodiment, the composition or product is
mixed with additional components to form a food or beverage
product.
[0136] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
can have a color of less than about 100 as measured by the
Platinum-Cobalt method, such as less than about 50, less than about
40, less than about 30, less than about 20, less than about 10,
less than about 5 and even less than about 1.
[0137] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
has a concentration of xylose of at least about 50 g/L (e.g., at
least about 100 g/L, at least about 150 g/L, at least about 200
g/L, at least about 250 g/L, at least about 300 g/L, at least about
350 g/L, at least about 400 g/L, at least about 450 g/L). In an
embodiment, a composition or product described herein has a
concentration of xylose of from about 50 g/L to about 500 g/L, such
as from about 100 g/L to about 400 g/L, from about 150 g/L to about
350 g/L or from about 175 g/L to about 275 g/L.
[0138] In some embodiments, a composition or product is produced
from a biomass liquid entering a simulated moving bed
chromatography system (e.g., simulated moving bed chromatography
("SMB"), improved simulated moving bed chromatography, sequential
simulated moving bed chromatography and/or related systems) at a
first concentration and exit the simulated moving bed
chromatography (e.g., with undesired components removed) at a
second concentration that is from about 0.1 to about 0.90 times the
entering concentration (e.g., such as between about 0.25 to about
0.8, from about 0.3 to about 0.7, or from about 0.40 to about
0.65). Alternatively stated, at least one of the components exits
the SMB system at 0.1 to about 0.9 times the concentration of the
concentration that it enters the SMB system, for example, if the
initial concentration of at least one component in the liquids is
100 g/mL, the final concentration can be from about 10 to about 90
g/L.
[0139] In some embodiments, the composition or product, e.g., a
purified syrup, has a conductivity at 25 degrees Celsius of less
than about 10 microsiemens/cm, e.g., less than 8, 6, 4, or less
than 1 microsiemens/cm. In some embodiments, the composition has a
conductivity of between about 0.055 and 10, e.g., between about 0.8
and 5 or between about 1 and 3 microsiemens/cm.
[0140] In an embodiment, the composition or product has low
turbidity, for example measured to be less than about 100
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) (e.g., less than about 50 NTU,
less than about 25 NTU, less than about 10 NTU or less than about 5
NTU). In an embodiment, a composition or product was made by the
removal of un-dissolved solids from a preparation. The un-dissolved
solids (e.g., residues) can be removed via filtration (e.g., Rotary
Vacuum Drum Filtration) and centrifugation (e.g., continuous
centrifugation). Some of the dissolved impurities, may be
precipitated out by treating the solution with solvents such as
methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, ethyl ether and
tetrahydrofuran, and then the precipitates can be removed via
filtration or centrifugation. In addition a composition described
herein can be formed by removal of enzymes from a preparation. For
example, a preparation containing xylose (e.g., containing xylose
or a combination of xylose and glucose) can have, for example, up
to about 10 wt. % enzymes (e.g., up to about 9 wt. %, up to about 8
wt. %, up to about 5 wt. %, up to about 2 wt. %, up to about 1 wt.
%, between about 0.1 and 5 wt. %, between about 1 wt. % and 5 wt.
%, between about 2 wt. % and 5 wt. %, between about 0.1 wt. % and 1
wt. %, between about 0.01 wt. % and 1 wt. %, between about 0.001
wt. % and 0.1 wt. %). Enzymes (e.g., parts of enzymes, proteins),
can be precipitated by denaturing (e.g., adding an acid, a base, by
heating and/or adding solvents). Treatment with carbon dioxide and
calcium hydroxide (e.g., over liming) can also be effective in
precipitating compounds such as lignin derived products/impurities
and enzymes and proteins. In some instances these compounds can be
desirable (unwanted) or desirable.
[0141] In certain embodiments, the composition or product has a
relative sweetness of between about 10 percent and 70 percent of
that of sucrose, e.g., between about 10 and about 60 percent,
between about 15 and 50 percent or between about 20 and 40 percent
of the sweetness of sucrose.
[0142] In an embodiment, the composition or product has a viscosity
at 20 degrees Celsius of from about 50 to about 100,000 cP.
Viscosity is the ratio of shear stress to shear rate, expressed as
dynes-second/cm.sup.2, or poise. A centipoise (cP) is one
one-hundredth of a poise.
[0143] A composition or product may have a viscosity greater than
water (about 1.0 cP at 20.degree. C.), e.g., about 100, 200, 300,
400, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000,
6000, 7000, 8000, 9000 cP or more, e.g., 10,000, 25,000, 50,000,
75,000, 100,000 cP or more, e.g., 200,000 cP. Viscosity may be
measured with, e.g., a rheometer or viscometer, though additional
methods of measuring viscosity are known in the art.
[0144] In particular embodiments, a composition or product
described herein comprises a purified saccharide syrups at a
concentration of 60 percent by weight saccharides and at a
temperature of 20 degrees C. are between about 1,000 and 100,000
cP, e.g., between 2,000 and 75,000 cP or between about 5,000 and
60,000 cP.
[0145] Viscosity modifiers may be added to a composition or product
described herein. Exemplary viscosity modifiers include, for
example, collagen, gellan gum, carbohydrate gel-forming polymers,
carob bean gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, alginates (e.g.,
alginic acid, sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium
alginate, and calcium alginate), agar, guar gum, xanthan gum,
carboxymethyl cellulose, clear starch, pectin, gelatin, arrowroot,
cornstarch, katakuri starch, potato starch, sago, tapioca,
furcellaran, and sodium pyrophosphate. A viscosity modifier may be
present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to 10%
by weight based on the total volume of the composition (e.g., 0.01,
0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%), though the viscosity
modifier may be present in lower or higher concentrations. In an
embodiment, the composition or product is a syrup.
[0146] In an embodiment, the composition or product has a glycemic
index less than 50, 40, 30, 15 or less, such as less than 10.
[0147] In certain embodiments, a composition or product described
herein includes a purified saccharide syrup at a concentration of
60 percent by weight, have a viscosity at 20 degrees C. of from
about 5,000 to about 75,000 cP, a sweetness of from about 10 to 40
percent of that of sucrose and a glycemic index of from about 10 to
about 40.
[0148] In an embodiment, the composition or product is formulated
as a beverage. By "beverage" is meant a composition that is not in
solid or gas form, such as a liquid or semi-liquid that is designed
to enter into the mouth of a subject and be orally consumed or
ingested. A beverage may be in a ready-to-drink liquid form (e.g.,
may be consumed without modification) or in a liquid, solid, or
concentrated form, which can be transformed into a ready-to-drink
liquid form with an addition of another liquid (e.g., water).
[0149] In an embodiment, the composition or product includes an
additional component selected from one of an electrolyte,
sweetener, flavor, vitamin, mineral, amino acid, or
preservative.
[0150] In some embodiments, the composition or product (e.g., a
syrup or beverage) includes a flavor or colorant. In some
embodiments, the composition or product (e.g., a syrup or beverage)
includes a fragrance. Exemplary flavors, fragrances and colorants
include natural and/or synthetic materials. In an embodiment, the
flavor, fragrance or colorant is a food grade flavor, fragrance or
colorant. These materials can be one or more of a compound, a
composition or mixtures of these (e.g., a formulated or natural
composition of several compounds). Optionally, the flavors,
fragrances, antioxidants and colorants can be derived biologically,
for example, from a fermentation process (e.g., fermentation of
saccharified materials as described herein). Alternatively, or
additionally these flavors, fragrances and colorants can be
harvested from a whole organism (e.g., plant, fungus, animal,
bacteria or yeast) or a part of an organism. The organism can be
collected and or extracted to provide color, flavors, fragrances
and/or antioxidant by any means including utilizing the methods,
systems and equipment described herein, hot water extraction,
supercritical fluid extraction, chemical extraction (e.g., solvent
or reactive extraction including acids and bases), mechanical
extraction (e.g., pressing, comminuting, filtering), utilizing an
enzyme, utilizing a bacteria such as to break down a starting
material, and combinations of these methods. The compounds can be
derived by a chemical reaction, for example, the combination of a
sugar (e.g., as produced as described herein) with an amino acid
(Maillard reaction). The flavor, fragrance, antioxidant and/or
colorant can be an intermediate and or product produced by the
methods, equipment or systems described herein, for example and
ester and a lignin derived product.
[0151] Some examples of flavor, fragrances or colorants include
polyphenols. Polyphenols are pigments responsible for the red,
purple and blue colorants of many fruits, vegetables, cereal
grains, and flowers. Polyphenols also can have antioxidant
properties and often have a bitter taste. The antioxidant
properties make these important preservatives. On class of
polyphenols are the flavonoids, such as Anthocyanidines,
flavanonols, flavan-3-ols, s, flavanones and flavanonols. Other
phenolic compounds that can be used include phenolic acids and
their esters, such as chlorogenic acid and polymeric tannins
[0152] Among the colorants inorganic compounds, minerals or organic
compounds can be used, for example titanium dioxide, zinc oxide,
aluminum oxide, cadmium yellow (E.g., CdS), cadmium orange (e.g.,
CdS with some Se), alizarin crimson (e.g., synthetic or
non-synthetic rose madder), ultramarine (e.g., synthetic
ultramarine, natural ultramarine, synthetic ultramarine violet),
cobalt blue, cobalt yellow, cobalt green, viridian (e.g., hydrated
chromium(III)oxide), chalcophylite, conichalcite, cornubite,
cornwallite and liroconite. Black pigments such as carbon black and
self-dispersed blacks may be used.
[0153] Additional examples of flavors, fragrances and colorants are
described in WO2014/138553, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0154] In an embodiment, the composition or product can include an
additional sweetener. Exemplary sweeteners include high fructose
corn syrup, mannose, maltose, glucose polymers, sucrose (e.g., cane
sugar or beet sugar), glucose, dextrose, lactose, galactose,
fructose, polysaccharides (e.g., malodextrins), rice syrup, honey,
and natural fruit juices (e.g., orange juice, papaya juice,
pineapple juice, apple juice, grape juice, apricot juice, pear
juice, tomato juice, agave nectar, or cranberry juice).
Additionally, non- or low-caloric sweeteners can be. Examples of
such non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners include, but are not
limited to, saccharin, cyclamates, acetosulfam, sorbitol,
sucralose, xylitol, erythritol, Stevia extract,
L-aspartyl-L-phenyl-alanine ester (e.g., aspartame),
L-aspartyl-D-alanine alkyl amides,
L-aspartyl-L-1-hydroxymethylalkaneamide, and
L-aspartyl-1-hydroxyethylalkaneamide. In an embodiment, a sweetener
described herein may be present in a composition or product at a
concentration range of about 2% to about 20% by weight based on the
total volume of the composition (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20%). In an embodiment, a
compound, e.g., a beverage described herein is substantially free
of a non-caloric or low-calorie sweetener described herein.
[0155] In an embodiment a composition or product described herein
can include an additional sugar such as glucose. In some
embodiments, the composition or product further comprises glucose.
In embodiments, the concentration of glucose is at least about 50
g/L (e.g., at least about 100 g/L, at least about 150 g/L, at least
about 200 g/L, at least about 250 g/L, at least about 300 g/L, at
least about 350 g/L, at least about 400 g/L, at least about 450
g/L). In an embodiment, a composition described herein has a
concentration of glucose of from about 50 g/L to about 500 g/L,
such as from about 100 g/L to about 400 g/L, from about 150 g/L to
about 350 g/L or from about 175 g/L to about 275 g/L. In
embodiments, wherein the composition or product includes glucose,
the ratio of xylose to glucose in the composition can be, for
example, from about 10:1 to about 1:10, e.g., from about 8:1 to
about 1:8 from about 5:1 to about 1:5, from about 3:1 to about 1:3,
from about 2:1 to about 1:2, or about 1:1. In some embodiments, the
ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 30/50 and about 1000/50,
e.g., between about 35/50 and about 250/50, between about 40/50 and
about 100/50 or between about 45/50 and about 95/50. In preferred
embodiments, the ratio of xylose/glucose is between about 40/50 to
about 95/50, e.g., between about 45/50 and about 90/50. Even small
amounts of xylose can have a positive impact on health.
[0156] In an embodiment, a composition or product such as a
beverage, includes an electrolyte. Exemplary electrolytes include
potassium salts, chloride salts, bromide salts, sodium salts,
magnesium salts, calcium salts, citrate salts, acetate salts,
phosphate salts, salicylates, bicarbonate salts, lactate salts,
sulphate salts, tartrate salts, benzoate salts, selenite salts,
molybdate salts, iodide salts, oxides, and combinations thereof. An
electrolyte may be present in a composition at a concentration
range of about 0.01% to about 10% by weight based on the total
volume of the composition (e.g., 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1,
0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10).
[0157] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
includes a vitamin or mineral. Exemplary vitamins and minerals that
may be included in the compositions described herein include, e.g.,
choline bitartate, niacinamide, thiamin, folic acid, d-calcium
pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B.sub.1
hydrochloride, vitamin B.sub.2, vitamin B.sub.3, vitamin B.sub.6
hydrochloride, vitamin B.sub.12, vitamin D, vitamin E acetate,
vitamin K, and salts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc,
iodine, iron, and copper. When included in a composition of the
invention, the composition contains at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,
35, 40, 45, or 50% of the U.S. recommended daily intake (RDI) for
such vitamins and minerals.
[0158] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
includes a preservative. Exemplary preservatives include, for
example, sorbate, benzoate, and polyphosphate preservatives (e.g.,
sorbic acid, benzoic acid, calcium sorbate, sodium sorbate,
potassium sorbate, calcium benzoate, sodium benzoate, potassium
benzoate, and mixtures thereof). When included in a composition,
the preservative can be at levels from about 0.0005% to about 0.5%
(e.g., 0.0005, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.5%) by weight
based on the total volume of the composition.
[0159] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
includes an antioxidant. Exemplary antioxidants include vitamin C
and vitamin E; beta-carotene, lutein, or other carotenoids;
cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, or other anthocyanidins; apigenin,
luteolin, or other flavones; hesperitin, naringenin, or other
flavonones; isorhamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol or other flavonols;
and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epicatechin, thearubigins, or other
flavan-3-ols.
[0160] In an embodiment, a composition or product described herein
includes an amino acid (e.g., leucine, isoleucine, lysine,
methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), a
stimulant (e.g., caffeine), an mulsifying agent, carbon dioxide
(e.g., to carbonate a liquid composition), a stabilizer, a
humectant, an anticaking agents, or an extract such as an herbal
extract.
[0161] In certain embodiments of any compositions or products
described herein, the composition or product is a beverage or gel
that is made by reconstituting a dry powder with an aqueous fluid
(e.g., water).
[0162] In some instances, any composition or product described
herein can include fibers, such as cellulosic and lignocellulosic
fibers, such as any of those described herein.
[0163] In other embodiments of any compositions or products
described herein, the composition or product is a packaged
beverage. In some embodiments, the packaged beverage is provided in
a unit that contains between 10-1000 mL (e.g., between 10-500 mL)
of the beverage.
[0164] The compositions or products described herein may be bottled
or packaged in, for example, glass bottles, plastic bottles and
containers (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate or foil-lined ethylene
vinyl alcohol), metal cans (e.g., coated aluminum or steel), lined
cardboard containers, pouches, packs, wrappers, or any other
packaging known to one of skill in the art. For example, a
ready-to-drink beverage can be bottled or packaged in a unit that
contains between 10-1000 mL of the beverage. For example, the
packaging can contain 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
700, 800, 900, or 1000 mL of the beverage. Alternatively, the
packaging can contain 200, 250, 330, 350, 355, 375, 440, or 500 mL
of the beverage. A ready-to-drink beverage can also be bottled or
packaged in a unit that contains between 1-32 fluid ounces of
beverage (e.g., the unit may contain 1, 2, 5, 6.75, 8, 8.3, 8.4,
8.45, 9.6, 10, 12, 15, 15.5, 16, 18.6, 20, 23, 24, or 32 fluid
ounces). Where a shelf-stable composition or solution is desired,
the packaging is appropriately sterilized before being filled by
the pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, or sterilized composition or
solution. Where required for mutual stability of two or more
components (for example if a component is unstable at low pH), the
packaging may feature multiple containers that can be mixed shortly
before ingestion or that can be consumed serially.
Methods of Making
[0165] A composition or product described herein can be made using
a process described herein. For example, a composition described
herein can be made by converting or processing a biomass into a
composition comprising xylose. In some embodiments, the composition
comprises xylose and glucose. Exemplary methods include those
described in WO2014/138553, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
[0166] Methods for converting a biomass to products, such as sugar
products, are known in the art, for example, as described in US
Patent Application 2014/0011258, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Briefly, a biomass is
optimally pretreated, e.g., to reduce the recalcitrance, and
saccharified by a saccharification process that involves incubating
the treated biomass with biomass-degrading, or cellulolytic,
enzymes to produce sugars (e.g., glucose and/or xylose). The sugar
products can then be further processed to produce a final product,
e.g., by fermentation or distillation.
[0167] Using the processes described herein, the biomass material
can be converted in a cost efficient manner to a composition
described herein.
Biomass
[0168] The biomass may include, but is not limited to starchy
materials, sugar cane, agricultural waste, paper, paper products,
paper waste, paper pulp, pigmented papers, loaded papers, coated
papers, filled papers, magazines, printed matter, printer paper,
polycoated paper, card stock, cardboard, paperboard, cotton, wood,
particle board, forestry wastes, sawdust, aspen wood, wood chips,
grasses, switchgrass, miscanthus, cord grass, reed canary grass,
grain residues, rice hulls, oat hulls, wheat chaff, barley hulls,
agricultural waste, silage, canola straw, wheat straw, barley
straw, oat straw, rice straw, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal,
abaca, corn cobs, corn stover, soybean stover, corn fiber, alfalfa,
hay, coconut hair, sugar processing residues, bagasse, beet pulp,
agave bagasse, algae, seaweed, plankton manure, sewage, offal,
agricultural or industrial waste, arracacha, buckwheat, banana,
barley, cassava, kudzu, oca, sago, sorghum, potato, sweet potato,
taro, yams, beans, favas, lentils, peas, or mixtures of any of
these. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass comprises agriculture
waste, such as corn cobs, e.g., corn stover. In another embodiment,
the biomass comprises grasses.
[0169] In one embodiment, the biomass is treated prior to contact
with the compositions described herein. For example, the biomass is
treated to reduce the recalcitrance of the biomass, to reduce its
bulk density, and/or increase its surface area. Suitable biomass
treatment process may include, but are not limited to: bombardment
with electrons, sonication, oxidation, pyrolysis, steam explosion,
chemical treatment, mechanical treatment, and freeze grinding.
Preferably, the treatment method is bombardment with electrons.
[0170] The biomass is subjected to pretreatment method using an
ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays or a beam of
electrons. The ionizing radiation reduces the recalcitrance of the
biomass without degrading the hemicellulose. In some embodiments,
electron bombardment is performed until the biomass receives a
total dose of at least 0.5 Mrad, e.g. at least 5, 10, 20, 30, or at
least 40 Mrad. In some embodiments, the treatment is performed
until the biomass receives a dose a of from about 0.5 Mrad to about
150 Mrad, about 1 Mrad to about 100 Mrad, about 5 Mrad to about 75
Mrad, about 2 Mrad to about 75 Mrad, about 10 Mrad to about 50
Mrad, e.g., about 5 Mrad to about 50 Mrad, about 20 Mrad to about
40 Mrad, about 10 Mrad to about 35 Mrad, or from about 20 Mrad to
about 30 Mrad. In some implementations, a total dose of 25 to 35
Mrad is preferred, applied ideally over a couple of seconds, e.g.,
at 5 Mrad/pass with each pass being applied for about one second.
Applying a dose of greater than 7 to 9 Mrad/pass can in some cases
cause thermal degradation of the feedstock material.
[0171] The biomass material (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass,
paper, and municipal waste biomass) can be used as feedstock to
produce useful intermediates and products such as organic acids,
salts of organic acids, anhydrides, esters of organic acids and
fuels, e.g., fuels for internal combustion engines or feedstocks
for fuel cells. Systems and processes are described herein that can
use as feedstock cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials that
are readily available, but often can be difficult to process, e.g.,
municipal waste streams and waste paper streams, such as streams
that include newspaper, kraft paper, corrugated paper or mixtures
of these.
[0172] In order to convert the feedstock to a form that can be
readily processed, the glucan- or xylan-containing cellulose in the
feedstock can be hydrolyzed to low molecular weight carbohydrates,
such as sugars, by a saccharifying agent, e.g., an enzyme or acid,
a process referred to as saccharification. The low molecular weight
carbohydrates can then be used, for example, in an existing
manufacturing plant, such as a single cell protein plant, an enzyme
manufacturing plant, or a fuel plant, e.g., an ethanol
manufacturing facility.
[0173] The feedstock can be hydrolyzed using an enzyme, e.g., by
combining the materials and the enzyme in a solvent, e.g., in an
aqueous solution. The enzymes can be made/induced according to the
methods described herein.
[0174] Specifically, the enzymes can be supplied by organisms that
are capable of breaking down biomass (such as the cellulose and/or
the lignin portions of the biomass), or that contain or manufacture
various cellulolytic enzymes (cellulases), ligninases or various
small molecule biomass-degrading metabolites. These enzymes may be
a complex of enzymes that act synergistically to degrade
crystalline cellulose or the lignin portions of biomass. Examples
of cellulolytic enzymes include: endoglucanases,
cellobiohydrolases, and cellobiases (beta-glucosidases).
[0175] During saccharification a cellulosic substrate can be
initially hydrolyzed by endoglucanases at random locations
producing oligomeric intermediates. These intermediates are then
substrates for exo-splitting glucanases such as cellobiohydrolase
to produce cellobiose from the ends of the cellulose polymer.
Cellobiose is a water-soluble 1,4-linked dimer of glucose. Finally,
cellobiase cleaves cellobiose to yield glucose. The efficiency
(e.g., time to hydrolyze and/or completeness of hydrolysis) of this
process depends on the recalcitrance of the cellulosic
material.
Saccharification
[0176] The reduced-recalcitrance biomass is treated with the
biomass-degrading enzymes discussed above, generally by combining
the reduced-recalcitrance biomass and the biomass-degrading enzymes
in a fluid medium, e.g., an aqueous solution. In some cases, the
feedstock is boiled, steeped, or cooked in hot water prior to
saccharification, as described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2012/0100577
A1 by Medoff and Masterman, published on Apr. 26, 2012, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein.
[0177] Provided herein are mixtures of enzymes that are capable of
degrading the biomass, e.g., an enzyme mixture of biomass-degrading
enzymes, for use in the saccharification process described
herein.
[0178] The saccharification process can be partially or completely
performed in a tank (e.g., a tank having a volume of at least 4000,
40,000, or 500,000 L) in a manufacturing plant, and/or can be
partially or completely performed in transit, e.g., in a rail car,
tanker truck, or in a supertanker or the hold of a ship. The time
required for complete saccharification will depend on the process
conditions and the biomass material and enzyme used. If
saccharification is performed in a manufacturing plant under
controlled conditions, the cellulose may be substantially entirely
converted to sugar, e.g., glucose in about 12-96 hours. If
saccharification is performed partially or completely in transit,
saccharification may take longer.
[0179] In a preferred embodiment, the saccharification reaction
occurs at a pH optimal for the enzymatic reactions to occur, e.g.,
at the pH optimal for the activity of the biomass-degrading
enzymes. Preferably, the pH of the saccharification reaction is at
pH 4-4.5. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharification reaction
occurs at a temperature optimal for the enzymatic reactions to
occur, e.g., at the temperature optimal for the activity of the
biomass-degrading enzymes. Preferably, the temperature of the
saccharification reaction is at 42.degree. C.-52.degree. C.
[0180] It is generally preferred that the tank contents be mixed
during saccharification, e.g., using jet mixing as described in
International App. No. PCT/US2010/035331, filed May 18, 2010, which
was published in English as WO 2010/135380 and designated the
United States, the full disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0181] The addition of surfactants can enhance the rate of
saccharification. Examples of surfactants include non-ionic
surfactants, such as a Tween.RTM. 20 or Tween.RTM. 80 polyethylene
glycol surfactants, ionic surfactants, or amphoteric
surfactants.
[0182] It is generally preferred that the concentration of the
sugar solution resulting from saccharification be relatively high,
e.g., greater than 40%, or greater than 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or even
greater than 95% by weight. Water may be removed, e.g., by
evaporation, to increase the concentration of the sugar solution.
This reduces the volume to be shipped, and also inhibits microbial
growth in the solution.
[0183] Alternatively, sugar solutions of lower concentrations may
be used, in which case it may be desirable to add an antimicrobial
additive, e.g., a broad spectrum antibiotic, in a low
concentration, e.g., 50 to 150 ppm. Other suitable antibiotics
include amphotericin B, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin,
gentamicin, hygromycin B, kanamycin, neomycin, penicillin,
puromycin, streptomycin. Antibiotics will inhibit growth of
microorganisms during transport and storage, and can be used at
appropriate concentrations, e.g., between 15 and 1000 ppm by
weight, e.g., between 25 and 500 ppm, or between 50 and 150 ppm. If
desired, an antibiotic can be included even if the sugar
concentration is relatively high. Alternatively, other additives
with anti-microbial of preservative properties may be used.
Preferably the antimicrobial additive(s) are food-grade.
[0184] A relatively high concentration solution can be obtained by
limiting the amount of water added to the biomass material with the
enzyme. The concentration can be controlled, e.g., by controlling
how much saccharification takes place. For example, concentration
can be increased by adding more biomass material to the solution.
In order to keep the sugar that is being produced in solution, a
surfactant can be added, e.g., one of those discussed above.
Solubility can also be increased by increasing the temperature of
the solution. For example, the solution can be maintained at a
temperature of 40-50.degree. C., 60-80.degree. C., or even
higher.
[0185] In the processes described herein, for example after
saccharification, xylose (e.g., glucose and xylose) can be
isolated. For example, xylose can be isolated by precipitation,
crystallization, chromatography (e.g., simulated moving bed
chromatography, high pressure chromatography), centrifugation,
extraction, any other isolation method known in the art, and
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the isolate product
includes xylose or a mixture of glucose. Once isolated, the xylose
containing composition, or xylose and glucose containing
composition can be formulated into a product described herein such
as a beverage or a syrup.
[0186] Other examples of suitable biomass-degrading enzymes for use
in the enzyme mixture of the present invention include the enzymes
from species in the genera Bacillus, Coprinus, Myceliophthora,
Cephalosporium, Scytalidium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Pseudomonas,
Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, Chrysosporium and
Trichoderma, especially those produced by a strain selected from
the species Aspergillus (see, e.g., EP Pub. No. 0 458 162),
Humicola insolens (reclassified as Scytalidium thermophilum, see,
e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307), Coprinus cinereus, Fusarium
oxysporum, Myceliophthora thermophila, Meripilus giganteus,
Thielavia terrestris, Acremonium sp. (including, but not limited
to, A. persicinum, A. acremonium, A. brachypenium, A.
dichromosporum, A. obclavatum, A. pinkertoniae, A. roseogriseum, A.
incoloratum, and A. furatum). Preferred strains include Humicola
insolens DSM 1800, Fusarium oxysporum DSM 2672, Myceliophthora
thermophila CBS 117.65, Cephalosporium sp. RYM-202, Acremonium sp.
CBS 478.94, Acremonium sp. CBS 265.95, Acremonium persicinum CBS
169.65, Acremonium acremonium AHU 9519, Cephalosporium sp. CBS
535.71, Acremonium brachypenium CBS 866.73, Acremonium
dichromosporum CBS 683.73, Acremonium obclavatum CBS 311.74,
Acremonium pinkertoniae CBS 157.70, Acremonium roseogriseum CBS
134.56, Acremonium incoloratum CBS 146.62, and Acremonium furatum
CBS 299.70H. Biomass-degrading enzymes may also be obtained from
Chrysosporium, preferably a strain of Chrysosporium lucknowense.
Additional strains that can be used include, but are not limited
to, Trichoderma (particularly T. viride, T. reesei, and T.
koningii), alkalophilic Bacillus (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,844,890 and EP Pub. No. 0 458 162), and Streptomyces (see, e.g.,
EP Pub. No. 0 458 162).
[0187] In embodiments, the microorganism is induced to produce the
biomass-degrading enzymes described herein under conditions
suitable for increasing production of biomass-degrading enzymes
compared to an uninduced microorganism. For example, an induction
biomass sample comprising biomass as described herein is incubated
with the microorganism to increase production of the
biomass-degrading enzymes. Further description of the induction
process can be found in US 2014/0011258, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0188] The biomass-degrading enzymes produced and/or secreted by
the aforementioned microorganisms can be isolated and added to the
enzyme mixture of the present invention. Alternatively, in one
embodiment, the aforementioned microorganisms or host cells
expressing the biomass-degrading enzymes described herein and above
are not lysed before addition to the saccharification reaction.
EXAMPLES
[0189] The glucose and xylose content of corn cob were determined.
The ratio of xylose/glucose of a dried, ground sample of natural,
untreated corn cob was measured and determined to be 0.833. The
corn cob was then subjected to ionizing radiation and the ratio of
xylose/glucose was measured and determined to be 0.833. Thus, the
xylose and glucose ratio was unchanged. The irradiated corn cob
sample was then subjected to enzymatic saccharification; the ratio
of xylose/glucose was measured and determined to be 0.864. The
represents a change in the xylose/glucose ratio of 3.5%, or less
than 4%. Glucose and xylose content was determined using UPLC
(ultra pressure liquid chromatography) following the guidelines set
out in NREL Determination of Structural Carbohydrates and Lignin in
Biomass, Laboratory Analytical Procedure; Issue date April 2008,
Rev. August 2012 (ver Aug. 3, 2012), available electronically at
http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/analytical_procedures.html
[0190] Without further description, it is believed that one of
ordinary skill in the art can, using the preceding description and
the following illustrative examples, make and utilize the compounds
of the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The
following working examples specifically point out various aspects
of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting
in any way the remainder of the disclosure.
Equivalents
[0191] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent
application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has
been disclosed with reference to specific aspects, it is apparent
that other aspects and variations of this invention may be devised
by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit
and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be
construed to include all such aspects and equivalent
variations.
* * * * *
References