Fermentation processes and compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides improved fermentation processes, including for use in an ethanol production process. The improved fermentation processes include applying at least one fatty acid oxidizing enzyme (such as a lipoxygenase) in a fermentation process. The improved fermentation process may also involve the addition of various additional enzymes and growth stimulators for the fermenting microorganisms, including vitamins and mineral.

1 . A process for producing a fermentation product in a fermentation medium which process comprises a fermentation step, comprising subjecting the fermentation medium to at least one fatty acid oxidizing enzyme.  
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said fatty acid oxidizing enzyme is a lipoxygenase.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said fermenting microorganism is a yeast.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said fermentation product is ethanol.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein fermentation step which is part of a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process (SSF) or a liquefaction, saccharification, and fermentation process (LSF).  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation is carried out in the presence of one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of an esterase, phytase, cellulase, xylanase, laccase, protease, alpha-amylase, and glucoamylase.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation is part of a dry milling process or of a wet milling process.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the raw material for milling process is a starch-containing raw material, such as corn, wheat, barley, or milo.  
     
     
         9 . A process for producing ethanol, comprising 
 (a) milling whole grains;    (b) liquefying the product of step (a);    (c) saccharifying the liquefied material;    (d) fermenting the saccharified material using a microorganism, wherein the fermentation process further comprises contacting the fermentation media with at least one fatty acid oxidizing enzyme.    
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9 , further comprising distilling the fermented material.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said process is a simultaneous liquefaction and saccharification process (SSF) or a simulataneous liquefaction, sacchariifcation and fermentation process (LSF).  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said process comprises adding one or more enzyme from the group of esterase, such as lipase or cutinase, phytase, cellulase, xylanase, alpha-amylase, glucoamylase or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fatty acidi oxidizing enzyme is a lipoxygenase.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said microorganism is a yeast.  
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising a fatty acid oxidizing enzyme and one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of an esterase, phytase, cellulase, xylanase, laccase, protease, alpha-amylase, glucoamylase, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the fatty acid oxidizing enzyme is a lipoxygenase.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15 , further comprising a lipase.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein said lipoxygenase is derived from  Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium