Dyadic International patents enzyme process geared toward converting ag residuals to fermentable sugars.
Dyadic International Inc., Jupiter, Fla., says it has been issued a U.S. patent relating to compositions and methods of developing and producing novel enzymes that convert different sources of plant biomass to fermentable sugars.
The patent, titled “Construction of highly efficient cellulase compositions for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose,” was issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The patent provides “broader intellectual property rights” relating to methods of using enzymes to create fermentable sugars, says Dyadic. The sugars can be used to produce biofuels and bio-based chemicals.
Methods include processes for degrading plant material using enzyme mixtures and specified enzyme combinations. Enzyme compositions are used to break down specific components of plant biomass into a variety of fermentable sugars. In addition to claims covering the production of these patented enzymes using an existing Dyadic system, a variety of additional production methods are covered by the patent, including bacteria, yeast, algae, other fungi and plants.
“Plant biomass provides a plentiful source of potential energy in the form of sugars that can be utilized to produce advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals,” says Dyadic President and CEO Mark Emalfarb. “We anticipate that broadening our rights for these applications will allow us to further attract additional blue chip customers, partners and collaborators.”
The new patent is the 14th U.S. patent issued to Dyadic, adding to its portfolio of 41 international patents, 23 pending international and 10 pending U.S. patent applications. Dyadic bills itself as a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of enzymes and other proteins for the bioenergy, bio-based chemical, biopharmaceutical and industrial enzyme industries.