Detoxifying pre-treated lignocellulose-containing materials

Abstract

The invention relates to a process of detoxifying pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material comprising subjecting the pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material to one or more phenolic compound oxidizing enzymes.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A process for producing a fermentation product from lignocellulose-containing material, comprising the steps of:
 (a) pre-treating lignocellulose-containing material;   (b) detoxifying comprising subjecting the pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material to one or more phenolic compound oxidizing enzymes and/or one or more enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity;   (c) hydrolyzing; and   (d) fermenting using a fermenting organism, wherein the detoxification is carried out simultaneously with hydrolysis or fermentation.   
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more phenolic compound oxidizing enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a catechol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1), laccase (EC 1.10.3.2), o-aminophenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.4); and monophenol monooxygenase (EC 1.14.18.1). 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity is selected from the group consisting of a peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), haloperoxidase (EC1.11.1.8 and EC 1.11.1.10); lignin peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.14); manganese peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.13); and lipoxygenase (EC.1.13.11.12). 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein the solids after pre-treating the lignocellulose-containing material in step (a) are removed/separated from the liquor before detoxification. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein the lignocellulose-containing material is chemically, mechanically and/or biologically pre-treated in step (a). 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein hydrolysis and/or fermentation is carried out using one or more carbohydrases selected from the group consisting of cellulase, hemicellulase, amylase, protease, esterase, endoglucanase, beta-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, xylanase, alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, glucoamylase, protease and lipase. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein the fermenting organism is a yeast strain of the genus  Saccharomyces.    
     
     
         28 . The process of claim  1 , wherein the fermentation product is an alcohol.