METHODS AND MICROBIAL CULTURES FOR IMPROVED CONVERSION OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure pertains to methods and microbial cultures for converting lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals.

BACKGROUND

In general, fermentation products are produced by degradation of starch-containing material into fermentable sugars by liquefaction and saccharification followed by conversion of the sugars directly or indirectly into the desired fermentation product using a fermenting organism.

However, the industrial production of fermentation products such as ethanol and lactic acid is facing the challenge of redirecting the production process from fermentation of relatively easily convertible but expensive starchy materials, to the complex but inexpensive lignocellulosic biomass such as plant biomass.

Unlike starch, which contains homogenous and easily hydrolyzed polymers, lignocellulosic biomass contains variable amounts of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and small amounts of protein, pectin, wax and other organic compounds. Cellulosic biomass is a vast poorly exploited resource, and in some cases a waste problem. However, hexoses from cellulose can be converted by yeast to fuel ethanol for which there is a growing demand. Pentoses from hemicellulose cannot yet be converted to ethanol commercially but several promising ethanologenic microorganisms with the capacity to convert pentoses and hexoses are under development.

Typically, the first step in utilization of lignocellulosic biomass is a pre-treatment step, in order to fractionate the components of lignocellulosic material and increase their surface area. The pre- treatment method most often used is acid hydrolysis, where the lignocellulosic material is subjected to an acid such as sulphuric acid whereby the sugar polymers cellulose and hemicellulose are partly or completely hydrolysed to their constituent sugar monomers and the structure of the biomass is destroyed facilitating access of hydrolytic enzymes in subsequent processing steps. Another type of lignocellulose hydrolysis is steam explosion, a process comprising heating of the lignocellulosic material by steam injection to a temperature of 190-230°C. A further method is wet oxidation wherein the material is treated with oxygen at 150-185 °C. The pre-treatments can be followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to complete the release of sugar monomers. This pre-treatment step results in the hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose while hemicellulose is partially or completely transformed into the pentoses xylose and arabinose and the hexoses glucose, mannose and galactose. Thus, in contrast to starch, the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass results in the release of pentose sugars in addition to hexose sugars. This implies that useful fermenting organisms need to be able to convert both hexose and pentose sugars to desired fermentation products such as ethanol.

After the pre-treatment, the lignocellulosic biomass processing schemes involving enzymatic or microbial hydrolysis commonly involve five biologically mediated transformations: (1) the production of saccharolytic enzymes (cellulases and hemicellulases); (2) the hydrolysis of carbohydrate components present in pretreated biomass to sugars; (3) the fermentation of hexose sugars (e.g. glucose, mannose, and galactose); (4) the fermentation of pentose sugars (e.g., xylose and arabinose) and (5) the conversion of sugar alcohols like sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol.

Each processing step can make the overall process more costly and, therefore, decreases the economic feasibility of producing biofuel or carbon-based chemicals from cellulosic biological material. Thus, there is a need to develop methods that reduce the number of processing steps needed to convert cellulosic biological material to biofuel and other commercially desirable materials.

The five biologically mediated transformations may occur in a single step in a process configuration called consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), which is distinguished from other less highly integrated configurations in that CBP does not involve a dedicated process step for cellulase and/or hemicellulase production. CBP offers the potential for higher efficiency than processes requiring dedicated cellulase production.

Current CBP processes include extensive and costly pretreatment of the material by mechanical, thermochemical, and biochemical processes. Generally, the goals of such pretreatment processes include (1) rendering the cellulosic and hemicellulosic polymers more accessible to microorganisms, and (2) converting the complex cellulosic and hemicellulosic polysaccharides into simpler, fermentable sugars or other simple compounds, that are more readily converted into fuels and other chemicals by microorganisms. The mechanical, thermochemical, and biochemical processes frequently used in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material constitute a major cost and are not completely effective.

Furthermore, the microorganisms currently used for the production of fuels and other chemicals from lignocellulosic material lack the necessary cellular machinery for both breaking down the complex plant polysaccharides into sugars (saccharification) and then converting the various resulting sugars into fuels and other chemical products in an efficient manner.

Ideally, desirable characteristics of different microorganisms could be utilized simultaneously by fermenting lignocellulosic biomass with co-cultures of the microorganisms. However, the optimal conditions for fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass vary greatly from species to species. Under the most favorable conditions, monocultures of bacteria can replicate very quickly and efficiently produce the desired fermentation product. However, due to evolutionary pressure, when a co- culture of microorganisms is present, the species that can grow the fastest often dominates. Many variables influence the success of bacterial fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass, including but not limited to: temperature, pH, growth medium, and pre-treatment protocol. Identifying the small window of conditions suitable for co-culturing at least two microorganisms, while the organisms simultaneously ferment lignocellulosic biomass, presents a significant challenge.

Thus, there remains a substantial unmet need for bioconversion processes that take advantage of better microorganisms and/or combinations of microorganisms in order to convert a broader spectrum of lignocellulosic biomass and saccharify complex polysaccharides to fermentable sugars for fermenting fuels and other chemicals.

Therefore, the availability of novel microorganisms and/or combinations of microorganisms for converting lignocellulosic biomass to high levels of carbon-based chemicals would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to novel microbial co-cultures and methods using these co-cultures for the production of biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals.

In a first aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for producing a biofuel and/or another carbon- based chemical comprising:

a) Providing a lignocellulosic biomass

b) Contacting the lignocellulosic biomass with a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, wherein the first microorganism converts at least a portion of the biomass into mono-, di-, and/or polysaccharides; and

c) Contacting the lignocellulosic biomass with a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter, wherein the second microorganism converts at least a portion of the mono-, di-, and/or polysaccharides to a biofuel and/or another carbon-based product.

In a second aspect, the disclosure pertains to microbial cultures suitable for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a biofuel and/or another carbon-based chemical comprising a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter.

In a third aspect, the disclosure pertains to methods for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a biofuel or other carbon-based product, comprising the step of contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a microbial culture according to the present disclosure for a period of time at an initial temperature and an initial pH, thereby producing an amount of a biofuel and/or other carbon-based chemicals. In still another aspect, embodiments of this disclosure relate to methods of producing lactic acid and/or ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass, wherein the method comprises contacting the microorganisms or the microbial culture according to the present disclosure and the biomass in a medium; and fermenting the biomass under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce lactic acid, a salt or a ester thereof, and/or ethanol, in a single step process as part of a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) system, with a cell, strain, microbial culture and/or a microorganism according to the present disclosure under suitable conditions.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure related to processes for producing a biofuel such as ethanol and/or other carbon-based chemicals. In one embodiment, the process comprises subjecting biomass which includes cellulose and hemi-cellulose containing plant materials to fermentation under thermophilic conditions in the presence of co-cultures of novel isolated cellulolytic thermophilic bacterial cells belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and novel isolated saccharolytic and/or xylanolytic thermophilic bacterial cells belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter.

Accordingly, the present disclosure pertains to the use of microbial strains selected from the group consisting of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ accession number 25177), Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ accession number 25178), Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ accession number 25771), Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ accession number 25772), Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ accession number 25773), Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ accession number 25774) and Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ accession number 25775), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSMZ accession number 25179), Thermoaanaerobacter sp. DIB101G (DSMZ accession number 25180), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X (DSMZ accession number 25181), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X (DSMZ accession number 25308), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB87G (DSMZ accession number 25777), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSMZ accession number 25776), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSMZ accession number 25778), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSMZ accession number 25779) as well as any combination of said strains and any homologs thereof for the production of biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals.

Before the disclosure is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the devices described or process steps of the methods described as such devices and methods may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include singular and/or plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is moreover to be understood that, in case parameter ranges are given which are delimited by numeric values, the ranges are deemed to include these limitation values.

To provide a comprehensive disclosure without unduly lengthening the specification, the applicant hereby incorporates by reference each of the patents and patent applications cited herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bar graph displaying product formation of the strains Caldicellulosiruptor sp.

DIB004C (A) and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (B) alone or in co-culture of both strains (C) for various technical substrates.

FIG. 2 shows a bar graph displaying the factorial increases in total product formation and ethanol formation comparing the hydrolytic strain Caldicellulosiruptor DIB004C and the co-culture of this strain with Thermoanaerobacter DIB004G.

FIG.3 is a diagram showing the product formation during growth of Caldicellulosiruptor sp.

DIB004C on 20 g/L dry weight concentration of poplar wood pretreated by steam explosion (PO-STEX)

FIG.4 is a diagram showing the product formation during growth of a co-culture comprising Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G on 20 g/L dry weight concentration of poplar wood pretreated by steam explosion (PO-STEX)

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a direct comparison of total product formation in between Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C alone and a co-culture of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004 with Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G on 20 g/L dry weight concentration of poplar wood pretreated by steam explosion (PO-STEX)

FIG. 6 illustrates a neighbor-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons of isolated Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strains and selected bacteria. Bootstrap values were based on 1,000 replicates. The scale bar represents 0.01 change per nucleotide position. GenBank accession numbers are given in parentheses. T, type strain.

FIG.7 illustrates a neighbor-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons of isolated Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains and selected bacteria. Bootstrap values were based on 1,000 replicates. The scale bar represents 0.01 change per nucleotide position. GenBank accession numbers are given in parentheses. T, type strain.

FIG.8 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB004C eel (SEQ ID NO. 1)

FIG.9 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB041C eel (SEQ ID NO. 2)

FIG.10 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB087C eel (SEQ ID NO. 3)

FIG.11 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIBlOlC eel (SEQ ID NO. 4)

FIG.12 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB103C eel (SEQ ID NO. 5)

FIG.13 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB104C eel (SEQ ID NO. 6)

FIG.14 shows a 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor sp.DIB107C eel (SEQ ID NO. 7)

FIG.15 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G cell (SEQ ID NO. 8) FIG.16 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G cell (SEQ ID NO. 9)

FIG.17 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X cell (SEQ ID NO. 10)

FIG.18 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101G cell (SEQ ID NO. 11)

FIG.19 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X cell (SEQ ID NO. 12)

FIG.20 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X cell (SEQ ID NO. 13)

FIG.21 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X cell (SEQ ID NO. 14)

FIG.22 shows a 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X cell (SEQ ID NO. 15)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to novel consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) methods by which the efficiency of the production of biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals from cellulosic biomass-containing materials can be increased. In particular, the present disclosure provides numerous microbiological co-cultures for increasing the efficiency of ethanol and/or lactic acid production from biomass.

The present disclosure relates to methods, microorganisms and microbial co-cultures useful for processing lignocellulosic biomass. The disclosure relates, in certain aspects, to microorganisms which are able to convert lignocellulosic biomass such as, for example, poplar wood chips or grass like miscanthus, to an economically desirable product such as, for example, a biofuel (e.g., an alcohol and/or hydrogen gas (H2)), polymer, and/or commodity carbon-based chemical like lactic acid.

Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to methods, microorganisms, and compositions useful for converting sugars like poly-, oligo, di- and/or mono-saccharides, in particular di- and/or monosaccharides of hexoses and/or poly-, oligo, di- and/or monosaccharides of pentoses to produce carbon based chemicals like ethanol and/or lactic acid.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to methods for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuel and/or another carbon based chemical utilizing co-cultures of at least two extremely thermophilic microorganisms, a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter.

The term "co-culture" and/or "microbial culture" as used in the present disclosure is a mixture of at least two different microorganisms (a first and a second microorganism) that have been reproduced in predetermined culture media under controlled laboratory conditions, either together or separately. Further the term "co-culture" means a mixture of at least two different microorganisms, wherein the microorganisms are first mixes within the reaction container e.g. the container for converting the biomass to carbon-based chemicals like ethanol and/or lactic acid. The co-culture can be added to the biomass simultaneously, independently and/or with a time shift between the addition of the first microorganism and the second microorganism.

The term "xylanolytic" is intended to include the ability to hydrolyze glycosidic linkages in oligopentoses and polypentoses. The term "cellulolytic" is intended to include the ability to hydrolyze partially, substantially or completely cellulose or any of its constituents. Cellulolytic activity may also include the ability to depolymerize or debranch cellulose and hemicellulose.

By "extremely thermophilic" is meant an organism capable of growing at a temperature of 70 °C or higher. By "mesophilic" is meant an organism that thrives at a temperature of about 20 °C - 45 °C.

The terms "lignocellulosic biomass" and "cellulosic biomass" mean any type of biomass comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, or combinations thereof, such as but not limited to woody biomass, forage grasses, herbaceous energy crops, non-woody-plant biomass, agricultural wastes and/or agricultural residues, forestry residues and/or forestry wastes, paper-production sludge and/or waste paper sludge, waste-water-treatment sludge, municipal solid waste, corn fiber from wet and dry mill corn ethanol plants, and sugar-processing residues. In particular, the term "lignocellulosic biomass" according to the present disclosure should be also understood in its broadest sense, so that it apart from wood, agricultural residues, energy crops also comprises different types of waste from both industry and households. It may be any biomass containing cellulose and/or hemicellulose including grass, switchgrass, cord grass, rye grass, reed canary grass, mixed prairie grass, miscanthus, sugar-methoding residues, sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane straw, agricultural wastes, rice straw, rice hulls, barley straw, corn cobs, cereal straw, wheat straw, canola straw, oat straw, oat hulls, corn fiber, stover, soybean stover, corn stover, forestry wastes, recycled wood pulp fiber, paper sludge, sawdust, hardwood, and softwood, pressmud from sugar beet, cotton stalk, banana leaves, palm oil processing residues and lignocellulosic biomass material obtained through processing of food plants. In advantageous embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass material is grass and / or hardwood, preferably miscanthus grass and / or poplar wood. In particular, it is intended to designate an untreated lignocellulosic biomass and/or a lignocellulosic biomass which has been subjected to a pre- treatment step whereby e.g. lignocellulosic material has been at least partially separated into cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin thereby having increased the surface area of the material.

As used herein "efficient" growth refers to growth in which cells may be cultivated to a specified density within a specified time.

Cellobiose is a disaccharide derived from the condensation of two glucose molecules linked in a β(1->4) bond. It can be hydrolyzed to give glucose. Cellobiose has eight free alcohol (OH) groups, one either linkage and two hemiacetal linkages, which give rise to strong inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds. It is a type of dietary carbohydrate also found in mushrooms. The term "organic acid" is art-recognized. The term "lactic acid" refers to the organic acid 2- hydroxypropionic acid in either the free acid form, the salt form as well as to its esters or anhydrides. The salt form of lactic acid is "lactate" regardless of the neutralizing agent, i.e., calcium carbonate or ammonium hydroxide.

The term "acetic acid" refers to the organic acid methanecarboxylic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, in either free acid or salt form. The salt form of acetic acid is referred to as "acetate."

A strain, cell or microorganism "homolog" as used herein is considered any microorganisms that is not significantly different by means of DNA homology as defined above and exhibits the same or comparable physiological properties as described in the examples herein.

The term "mutant" as used herein refers to a bacterial cell in which the genome, including one or more chromosomes or potential extra-chromosomal DNA, has been altered at one or more positions, or in which DNA has been added or removed.

The term "progeny" is refers to a product of bacterial reproduction, a new organism produced by one or more parents.

The term "DNA-DNA relatedness" in particularly refers to the percentage similarity of the genomic or entire DNA of two microorganisms as measured by the DNA-DNA hybridization / renaturation assay according to De Ley et al. (1970) Eur. J. Biochem. 12, 133-142 or Hu et al. (1983) Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 4, 184-192. In particular, the DNA-DNA hybridization assay preferably is performed by the DSMZ (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany) Identification Service.

The term "16S rDNA gene sequence similarity" in particular refers to the percentage of identical nucleotides between a region of the nucleic acid sequence of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) gene of a first microorganism and the corresponding region of the nucleic acid sequence of the 16S rDNA gene of a second microorganism. Preferably, the region comprises at least 100 consecutive nucleotides, more preferably at least 200 consecutive nucleotides, at least 300 consecutive nucleotides or at least 400 consecutive nucleotides, most preferably about 480 consecutive nucleotides.

The term "a microorganism" as used herein may refer to only one unicellular organism as well as to numerous single unicellular organisms. For example, the term "a microorganism of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor" may refer to one single Caldicellulosiruptor bacterial cell of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor as well as to multiple bacterial cells of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor. For example, the term "a microorganism of the genus Thermoanaerobacter"may refer to one single Thermoanaerobacter bacterial cell of the genus Thermoanaerobacter as well as to multiple bacterial cells of the genus Thermoanaerobacter. In general, the term "a microorganism" refers to numerous cells. In particular, said term refers to at least 10 ³ cells, preferably at least 10 ⁴ cells, at least 10 ^s or at least 10 ^s cells. By exploiting certain desirable characteristics from each organism in the microbial culture according to the present disclosure, unexpectedly high levels of e.g. ethanol and/or lactic acid are produced in comparison to the levels of ethanol and/or lactic acid produced in monocultures of the individual microorganisms. A first microorganism capable of utilizing cellulose and hemicellulose (cellulolytic and saccharolytic) is combined with a second microorganism capable of utilizing poly-, oligo, di- and/or monosaccharides (xylanolytic and/or saccharolytic) in certain embodiments of the disclosure. In this respect, the efforts of the microorganisms are orthogonal, but complementary. Processes utilizing co-cultures, therefore, offer significant benefits over standard monoculture-based processes. Surprisingly, the specific combination of a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter results in higher production rates of carbon-based chemicals like ethanol and/or lactic acid than achieved by either strain alone.

By virtue of a novel integration of processing steps, commonly known as consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), aspects of the present invention provide for more efficient production of a biofuel and/or another carbon based chemical like lactic acid from cellulosic-biomass-containing raw materials like lignocellulosic biomass from plants.

The incorporation of the extremely thermophilic microorganisms in the processing of lignocellulosic biomass allows for fermentation steps to be conducted at higher temperatures, thereby improving process economics. For example, reaction kinetic is typically a function of temperature, so higher temperatures are generally associated with increases in the overall rate of production. Additionally, higher temperatures facilitate the removal of volatile products from the broth, and reduce the need for cooling of the substrate after pretreatment (a preceding step that is typically conducted at an elevated temperature). Operating CBP processes at thermophilic temperatures offers several important benefits over conventional mesophilic fermentation temperatures of 30-37 °C. In particular, costs associated with having a process step dedicated to cellulase production are eliminated for CBP. Costs associated with fermenter cooling and heat-exchange before and after fermentation are also expected to be reduced for CBP. Moreover, processes featuring thermophilic biocatalysts may be less susceptible to microbial contamination as compared to processes featuring conventional mesophilic biocatalysts.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of converting hardwoods pretreated by autohydrolysis to ethanol via fermentation with a co-culture of a first anaerobic cellulolytic and of a second anaerobic saccharolytic microorganism, without the use of exogenous enzymes.

The application of the present technology has the potential to render production of carbon-based chemicals and biofuels more economically feasible and to allow a broader range of microorganisms to utilize lignocellulosic biomass. The use of cellulosic materials as sources of bioenergy is currently limited by typically requiring preprocessing of the cellulosic material. Such preprocessing methods can be expensive. Thus, methods that reduce dependence on preprocessing of cellulosic materials may have a dramatic impact on the economics of the use of recalcitrant biomass for biofuels production. One challenge in converting biomass into fermentation products is the recalcitrance and heterogeneity of the biological material.

The present inventors have found that microorganisms of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor in combination with microorganisms of the genus Thermoanaerobacter show a variety of advantageous properties for the use in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass material to biofuel and/or carbon- based chemicals, preferably to lactic acid, in a single step process as part of a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) system.

The specific combination of the above mentioned microorganisms in the production methods according to the present disclosure offers benefits relating to: a) High growing and process temperatures, resulting e.g. in a lower contamination risk in the production process and e.g. ethanol as a production product can be simultaneously distilled during the fermentation process

b) High ethanol tolerance (tolerance of approximately 4 % ethanol and more)

c) High inhibitor tolerance

d) Broad substrate specificity, and capable of utilizing pentoses such as xylose and arabinose and of hexoses such as glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose as well as cellulose and xylan

e) Improved ratio of ethanol:lactate:actetate

It is an advantage of the combination of the two different microorganisms that in co-culture these microorganisms are able to convert highly complex poylsaccharides like cellulose and / or xylan with higher efficiency and better yields of carbon based chemicals like ethanol and / or lactic acid than either microorganism alone.

In particular, these microorganisms are extremely thermophile and show a broad substrate specificities and high natural production of ethanol and/or lactic acid. As mentioned above, carbon- based chemical fermentation at high temperatures, for example over 70 °C has many advantages over mesophilic fermentation. One advantage of thermophilic fermentation is the minimization of the problem of contamination in continuous cultures, since only a few microorganisms are able to grow at such high temperatures in un-detoxified lignocellulose biomass material.

It is also an advantage that microbial cultures comprising microorganisms of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and microorganisms of the genus Thermoanaerobacter grow on pre-treated as well as on untreated lignocellulosic biomass material. These microbial cultures are further capable of growing and producing fermentation products on very high dry-matter concentrations of lignocellulosic biomass material. The microbial cultures according to the present disclosure have broad substrate specificity, and are capable of utilizing pentoses such as xylose and arabinose and of hexoses such as glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose as well as utilizing cellulose and xylan. The microbial cultures further have the advantage of being extremely thermophilic and thus are capable of growing at very high temperatures resulting in high productivities and substrate conversion rates, low risk of contamination and facilitated product recovery.

Furthermore, the present inventors have found that the use of the combination of the first and the second microorganism e.g. in a microbial co-culture have a variety of advantageous properties in the conversion of polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, disaccharides and/or monosaccharides of hexoses and pentoses, in particular derived from lignocellulosic hydrolysates, to high level of ethanol and/or lactic acid while producing low level of acetic acid. In particular, these microorganisms are also extreme thermophiles and show a broad substrate specificities and high natural production of ethanol as well as lactic acid.

It is also an advantage that microbial cultures comprising extremely thermophilic microorganisms of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and extremely thermophilic microorganisms of the genus Thermoanaerobacter grow on pre-treated as well as on untreated lignocellulosic biomass material. These microbial cultures are further capable of growing and producing fermentation products on very high dry-matter concentrations of lignocellulosic biomass material.

It was surprisingly found that microorganisms according to the present disclosure are capable of growing in a medium comprising a lignocellulosic biomass having a dry- matter content of at least 10 percent wt/wt, such as at least 15 percent wt/wt, including at least 20 percent wt/wt, and even as high as at least 25 percent wt/wt.

The microorganisms according to the present disclosure can also grow efficiently on hydrolysis products of cellulose (e.g. disaccharide cellobiose), cellulose deriven hexoses (e.g. glucose), hemicellulose deriven pentoses (e.g. xylose) and steam exploded poplar. In particular, the main products when grown on cellobiose, glucose and xylose may be ethanol and lactic acids, The main products when grown on pre-treated biomass substrates were ethanol and lactic acid, for example, when the microorganisms were grown on steam explosion treated poplar wood the ethanol yield is high. The microorganisms according to the present disclosure also grew efficiently on cellobiose.

Furthermore, the microorganisms according to the present disclosure grew efficiently on the soluble materials obtained after heat treating of lignocellulosic biomass.

Lignocellulosic biomass material and lignocellulose hydrolysates contain inhibitors such as furfural, phenols and carboxylic acids, which can potentially inhibit the fermenting organism. Therefore, it is an advantage of the microorganisms according to the present disclosure that they are tolerant to these inhibitors.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to method for producing a biofuel and/or another carbon-based chemical comprising:

a) Providing a lignocellulosic biomass

b) Contacting the lignocellulosic biomass with a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, wherein the first microorganism converts at least a portion of the biomass into mono-, di-, and/or polysaccharides; and

c) Contacting the lignocellulosic biomass with a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter, wherein the second microorganism converts at least a portion of the mono-, di-, and/or polysaccharides to a biofuel and/or another carbon-based product.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulosic material from biomass into biofuel such as ethanol or other chemicals. The method comprises treating the biomass in a closed container with a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor under conditions wherein the first microorganism produces cellulolytic and/or saccharolytic enzymes sufficient to substantially convert the biomass into monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligo and/or polysaccharides and introducing a culture of a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter, wherein the second organism is capable of substantially converting the saccharides into biofuel and/or other carbon-based chemicals.

In particular, the first anaerobic cellulolytic microorganism has the ability to break down cellulose and hemicellulose, and to metabolize both hexose and pentose sugars resulting from the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. While anaerobic microorganisms can simultaneously saccharify lignocellulosic biomass and transform the full range of hexose and pentose sugars resulting from biomass into fuels and/or chemicals, the rate at which each type of hexose or pentose sugar is converted to fuels and/or chemicals will vary. Consequently, some sugars will be transformed by the anaerobic biocatalyst to fuels and/or chemicals more quickly than others. Therefore, one embodiment of the present disclosure allows for a sufficient contact time between the lignocellulosic material and the first anaerobic cellulolytic-fermenting biocatalyst to achieve substantially complete saccharification, but only partial conversion of sugars to fuels and/or products. Then the second anaerobic saccharolytic microorganism is added to the lignocellulosic biomass comprising the sugars.

In one embodiment, a first anaerobic microorganism capable of hydrolyzing cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulosic material and producing mainly convertible sugars is added to a portion of a biomass and a second anaerobic microorganism capable of converting the sugars to biofuel and/or other chemical at a high rate is added simultaneously to the lignocellulosic material or with a time shift. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a biofuel or other carbon-based product, comprising the step of contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a first and a second extremely thermophilic anaerobic microorganism for a period of time at an initial temperature and an initial pH, thereby producing an amount of a biofuel and/or other carbon-based chemicals.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to microbial cultures suitable for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a biofuel and/or another carbon-based chemical comprising a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and a second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter.

In some embodiments, the biomass material can be subjected to optional mechanical, thermochemical, and/or biochemical pretreatment prior to being used in a bioprocess for the production of fuels and other carbon-based chemicals. Mechanical processes can reduce the particle size of lignocellulosic material so that it can be more conveniently handled in the bioprocess and can increase the surface area of the feedstock to facilitate contact with chemicals/biochemicals/biocatalysts. The lignocellulosic material can also be subjected to thermal and/or chemical pretreatments to render plant polymers more accessible, but because various embodiments can incorporate multiple steps of lignocellulose treatment it may be possible to use milder and less expensive thermochemical pretreatment conditions.

Mechanical processes include, but are not limited to, washing, soaking, milling, size reduction, screening, shearing, and size classification processes. Chemical processes include, but are not limited to, bleaching, oxidation, reduction, acid treatment, base treatment, sulfite treatment, acid sulfite treatment, basic sulfite treatment, and hydrolysis. Thermal processes include, but are not limited to, sterilization, steam explosion, holding at elevated temperatures in the presence or absence of water, and freezing. Biochemical processes include, but are not limited to, treatment with enzymes and treatment with microorganisms. Various enzymes that can be utilized include cellulases, amylase, β- glucosidase, xylanase, gluconase, and other polysaccharases, lysozyme, laccase, and other lignin- modifying enzymes, lipoxygenase, peroxidase, and other oxidative enzymes, proteases, and lipases.

One or more of the mechanical, chemical, thermal and biochemical processes can be combined or used separately. Such combined processes can also include those used in the production of paper, cellulose products, microcrystalline cellulose, and cellulosics and can include pulping, kraft pulping or acidic sulfite processing. The feedstock can be a side stream or waste stream from a facility that utilizes one or more of these processes on a cellulosic, hemicellulosic or lignocellulosic material, such as a paper plant, cellulosic plant, cotton processing plant, or microcrystalline cellulose plant. The feedstock can also include cellulose- containing waste materials

The pre-treatment method most often used is acid hydrolysis, where the lignocellulosic material is subjected to an acid such as sulfuric acid or sulfurous acid whereby the sugar polymers cellulose and hemicellulose are partly or completely hydrolysed to their constituent sugar monomers. Another type of lignocellulose hydrolysis is steam explosion, a process comprising heating of the lignocellulosic material by steam injection to a temperature of 175-230 °C and subsequent sudden release of pressure. A third method is wet oxidation wherein the material is treated with oxygen at 150-185 °C. Yet another pretreatment can be chemical swelling of cellulose fibres in high concentrations of appropriate chemicals or solvents including but not limited to ammonia, lime, caustic soda or phosphoric acid.

The pre-treatments can be followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to complete the release of sugar monomers. This pre-treatment step results in the hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose while hemicellulose is transformed into the pentoses xylose and arabinose and the hexoses glucose, mannose and galactose. The pre-treatment step may in certain embodiments be supplemented with treatment resulting in further hydrolysis of the cellulose and hemicellulose. The purpose of such an additional hydrolysis treatment is to hydrolyse oligosaccharide and possibly polysaccharide species produced during the acid hydrolysis, wet oxidation, or steam explosion of cellulose and/or hemicellulose origin to form fermentable sugars (e.g. glucose, xylose and possibly other monosaccharides). Such further treatments may be either chemical or enzymatic. Chemical hydrolysis is typically achieved by treatment with an acid, such as treatment with aqueous sulphuric acid, at a temperature in the range of about 100-150 °C. Enzymatic hydrolysis is typically performed by treatment with one or more appropriate carbohydrase enzymes such as cellulases, glucosidases and hemicellulases including xylanases.

In an advantageous embodiment, the isolated cells, strains, microorganisms, compositions and microbial cultures convert lignocellulosic biomass material which has been only mechanically treated to biofuel and/or carbon-based chemicals, preferably to ethanol and/or lactic acid, preferably in a single step process as part of a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) system.

In other advantageous embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated with mechanical comminution and a subsequent treatment with sulfurous acid or its anhydride under heat and pressure with a sudden release of pressure. In advantageous embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass is milled before converted in biofuels and/or carbon-based chemicals like lactic acid. In one embodiment, the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated biomass from Populus spp, preferably pretreated with steam explosion. In another embodiment, the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated biomass from Miscanthus spp, preferably pretreated with steam explosion.

In some embodiments, the anaerobic microorganism according to the present disclosure can ferment biomass directly without the need of a pretreatment.

In some embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass may be pretreated, such as by thermal, mechanical, and/or chemical means. Such pretreatment may at least partially hydrolyze carbohydrates or proteins present, disrupt cellular structure, increase the surface area, or render carbohydrates more accessible to microorganisms or enzymes. In some embodiments, process steps include- 1) contacting a pre-treated biomass material under anaerobic conditions with a first anaerobic microorganism belonging to the genus of Caldicellulosiruptor, where the bacterium is capable of converting at least a portion of the biomass into carbohydrates like monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, alcohols and/or lactic acid, 2) contacting the resulting treated feedstock with an anaerobic saccharolytic microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter that is capable of fermenting at least a portion of the carbohydrates to fuels and/or other chemicals, 3) separating the fermentation product(s), e.g. by distillation. With the methods, the microorganisms and/or the microbial cultures according to the present disclosure a number of different fermentation products are generated, including acids, alcohols, ketones and hydrogen. In one embodiment, the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, butanol, propanol, methanol, propanediol and butanediol. In a further embodiment the acid is an organic acid like lactic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, butyric acid or formic acid and the ketone is acetone. In advantageous embodiments a biofuel, in particular ethanol and/or lactic acid is produced.

To produce a fermentation product, the lignocellulosic biomass is contacted with a first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, in particular with a novel species of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor or novel subspecies of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus. In one embodiment, the Caldicellulosiruptor microorganisms are cellulolytic and xylanolytic.

For example, the genus Caldicellulosiruptor includes different species of extremely thermophilic (temperature optima for growth higher than 70 °C) cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic strictly anaerobic non-sporeforming bacteria. The first bacterium of this genus, Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticum strain Tp8T (DSM 8903) has a temperature optimum of 70 °C and was isolated from a thermal spring in New Zealand (Rainey et al. 1994; Sissons et al. 1987). It hydrolyses a variety of polymeric carbohydrates with the production of acetate, lactate and trace amounts of ethanol (Donnison et al. 1988). Phylogenetic analysis showed that it constitutes a novel lineage within the Bacillus/Clostridium subphylum of the Gram-positive bacteria (Rainey et al. 1994).

In advantageous embodiments, the microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor is selected from the group consisting of the microorganisms listed in table 1.

Table 1

DSMZ accession 16SrDNA

Genus Species Name number Deposition date SEQ ID NO.

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C DSM 25177 15.09.2011 1

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C DSM 25771 15.03.2012 2

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C DSM25772 15.03.2012 3 Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC DSM 25178 15.09.2011 4

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C DSM 25773 15.03.2012 5

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C DSM 25774 15.03.2012 6

Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C DSM 25775 15.03.2012 7

The strains listed in table 1 have been deposited in accordance with the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the notified deposition dates with DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstr. 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany, under the above notified DSMZ accession numbers by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne (DE).

In an advantageous embodiment, the first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor comprises a 16S rDNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO 1, SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, SEQ ID NO 4, SEQ ID NO 5, SEQ ID NO 6 and SEQ ID NO 7 and any combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor comprises a 16S rDNA sequence at least 99, at least 99,3, at least 99,5, at least, 99,7, at least 99,9, at least 99,99 percent identical to SEQ ID NO 1. In further embodiments, the first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor comprises a 16S rDNA sequence at least 99, at least 99,3, at least 99,5, at least, 99,7, at least 99,9, at least 99,99 percent identical to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, SEQ ID NO 4, SEQ ID NO 5, SEQ ID NO 6 or SEQ ID NO 7 and any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) and/or a Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain listed in table 1, cells derived there from, mutants there from, progenies or homologs are used as the first microorganism in the production methods according to the present disclosure.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure refers to a microorganism which preferably has one or more of the following characteristics: it is a microorganism of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor ;

in a DNA-DNA hybridization assay, it shows a DNA-DNA relatedness of at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, at least 95%, more preferred at least 98%, most preferred at least 99% with one Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain listed in table 1, respectively; and/or it displays a level of 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity of at least 98%, preferably at least 99% or at least 99,5%, more preferably 100% with one Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain listed in table 1, respectively; and/or

it is capable of growing in high temperature conditions above 70 °C, and or it is a Gram-positive bacterium. Preferably, at least two or at least three, and more preferred all of the above defined criteria a) to e) are fulfilled.

The used Caldicellulosiruptor microorganisms according to the present disclosure have several highly advantageous characteristics needed for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass material. Thus, these base strains possess all the genetic machinery for the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicelluloses and for the conversion of both pentose and hexose sugars to various fermentation products such as lactic acid and ethanol. As will be apparent from the below examples, the examination of the complete 16S rDNA sequence showed that the seven strains of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. listed in table 1 may all be related to Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus although the 16S rDNA sequences clearly place them in a separate subspecies or even a different species

In a preferred embodiment, the first microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: a) Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C, deposited on September 15, 2011 under the accession number DSM 25177 according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne (DE),

b) a microorganism derived from Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C or

c) a Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C homolog.

In another preferred embodiment, the first microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: a) Any Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain listed in table 1 except Caldicellulosiruptor DIB004C, deposited under the respective accession number inidicated in table 1 according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne (DE),

b) a microorganism derived from such Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain or

c) a homolog of such Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain

All strains listed in table 1 belong to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and are strictly anaerobic, non- sporeforming, non-motile, gram-positive bacteria. Cells are straight rods 0.4-0.5 μιη by 2.0-4.0 μιη, occuring both singly and in pairs. After 7 days incubation at 72 °C on solid medium with agar and cellulose as substrate all seven strains form circular milky colonies of 0.5 - 1 mm in diameter. Clearing zones around the colonies are produced indicating cellulose degradation. In advantageous embodiments, the second microorganism is a novel species of the genus Thermoanaerobacter. The Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains according to the present disclosure as listed in table 2 are saccharolytic (ferment hexoses and pentoses to ethanol, lactate and traces of acetate). Five strains listed in table 2 are related to Thermoanaerobacter mathranii and three strains are related to Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus.

For example, the genus Thermoanaerobacter includes different species of extremely thermophilic (temperature optima for growth higher than 70 °C) and thermophilic hemicellulolytic and saccharolytic strictly anaerobic bacteria (Lee et al. 1993). Thermoanaerobacter mathranii DSM 11426 is an extremely thermophilic bacterium. It has a temperature optimum between 70 and 75 °C and was isolated from a hot spring in Iceland (Larsen et al. 1997). It uses a number of sugars as carbon sources, but did not utilize microcrystalline cellulose. Fermentation end products on xylose were ethanol, acetate, low amounts of lactate, C0 ₂ , and H ₂ (Larsen et al. 1997). Thermoanaerobacter brockii subsp. finnii is a thermophilic saccharolytic bacterium. It has a temperature optimum between 55 and 60 °C and was isolated from an oil field at a depth of 2,100 m (Cayol et al. 1995). It uses a number of sugars as carbon sources, but cannot utilize xylan or cellulose. Fermentation end products on glucose were lactate, acetate, ethanol, H ₂ , and C0 ₂ (Coyol et al. 1995).

In advantageous embodiments, the microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter is selected from the group consisting of the microorganisms listed in table 2.

Table 2

The strains listed in table 2 have been deposited in accordance with the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the notified deposition dates with DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstr. 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany, under the above notified DSMZ accession numbers by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne (DE).

In one embodiment, the second microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter comprises a 16S rDNA sequence at least 99, at least 99,3, at least 99,5, at least, 99,7, at least 99,9, at least 99,99 percent identical to SEQ ID NO 8. In further embodiments, the first microorganism belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter comprises a 16S rDNA sequence at least 99, at least 99,3, at least 99,5, at least, 99,7, at least 99,9, at least 99,99 percent identical to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO 9, SEQ ID NO 10, SEQ ID NO 11, SEQ ID NO 12, SEQ ID NO 13, SEQ ID NO 14 or SEQ ID NO 15, and any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains listed in table 2, cells derived there from, mutants there from, progenies or homologs are used as the second microorganism in the production methods according to the present disclosure.

In an advantageous embodiment, Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSMZ Accession number 25179) and/or Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101G (DSMZ Accession number 25180), cells derived there from, mutants there from, progenies or homologs are used as the second microorganism in the production methods according to the present disclosure.

The second microorganism can be Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G and/or any Thermoanaerobacter strain listed in table 2 that contains 16S rDNA sequences 100 percent and/or 99.99 percent identical to any of the sequences SEQ ID 8 - SEQ ID 15, respectively.

In further embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass is contacted and/or treated with a second microorganism having one or more of the following characteristics: a) it is a microorganism of the genus Thermoanaerobacter, and/or

b) in a DNA-DNA hybridization assay, it shows a DNA-DNA relatedness of at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, at least 95%, more preferred at least 98%, most preferred at least 99% with any of the Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains listed in table 2 with the respectively indicated accession numbers and deposition dates; and/or c) it displays a level of 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity of at least 98%, preferably at least 99% or at least 99,5%, more preferably 100% with any of the Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains listed in table 2 with the respectively indicated accession numbers and deposition dates, respectively; and/or

d) it is capable of growing in high temperature conditions above 70 °C, and/or e) it is a Gram-positive bacterium.

Preferably, at least two or at least three, and more preferred all of the above defined criteria a) to e) are fulfilled.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: a) Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G, deposited on September 15, 2011 under the accession number DSM 25179 according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche

Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE), or

b) a microorganism derived from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G, or

c) a Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G homolog.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: a) any Thermoanaerobacter sp. strain except Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G listed in table 2 with their respectively indicated deposition dates and accession numbers deposited according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE), or

b) a microorganism derived from either of these Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains or

c) a homolog of either of these strains

All Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains listed in table 2 belong to the genus Thermoanaerobacter and are extremely thermophilic (growth at temperatures higher than 70 °C), saccharolytic, strictly anaerobic and Gram-positive bacteria. Cells are straight rods 0.3-0.4 μιη by 2.0-6.0 μιη, occuring both singly and in pairs. DIB004G and DIB101G grow on various sugars as substrate, including cellobiose, glucose, and xylose. The main fermentation products on these sugars are ethanol and lactate. Trace amounts of acetate are also formed. In a further embodiment, Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX deposited as DSM 25181 and/or Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X deposited as DSM 25308, cells derived there from, mutants there from, progenies or homologs are used as the second microorganism in the production methods according to the present disclosure. It is a great advantage that Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX deposited as DSM 25181 and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X deposited as DSM 25308 are xylanolytic and saccharolytic (ferment hemicelluloses, e.g. xylan, hexoses and pentoses to ethanol, lactate and small amounts of acetate).

The strain DIBIOIX has been deposited in accordance with the terms of the Budapest Treaty on September 15, 2011 with DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstr. 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany under DSMZ accession number DSM 25181 by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE).

The strain DIB97X has been deposited in accordance with the terms of the Budapest Treaty on October 27, 2011 with DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstr. 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany under DSMZ accession number DSM 25308 by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE). In further embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass is contacted and/or treated with a second microorganism having one or more of the following characteristics: a) it is a microorganism of the genus Thermoanaerobacter; and/or

b) in a DNA-DNA hybridization assay, it shows a DNA-DNA relatedness of at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, at least 95%, more preferred at least 98%, most preferred at least 99% with Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X or Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X deposited as DSM 25181 or DSM 25308, respectively; and/or

c) it displays a level of 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity of at least 98%, preferably at least 99% or at least 99,5%, more preferably 100% with Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X or Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X deposited as DSM 25181 or DSM 25308, respectively; and/or

d) it is capable of growing in high temperature conditions above 70 °C, and/or e) it is a Gram-positive bacterium.

Preferably, at least two or at least three, and more preferred all of the above defined criteria a) to e) are fulfilled.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: d) Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X, deposited on September 15, 2011 under the accession number DSM 25181 according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE), or

e) a microorganism derived from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X, or

f) a Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X homolog.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second microorganism used in the methods according to the present disclosure is: d) Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X, deposited on October 27 , 2011 under the accession number DSM 25308 according to the requirements of the Budapest Treaty at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Inhoffenstra e 7B, 38124 Braunschweig (DE) by DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Nattermannallee 1, 50829 Cologne, Germany (DE), or

e) a microorganism derived from Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X or

f) a Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB97X homolog. Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101X (DSM 25181) and DIB97X (DSM 25308) belong to the genus Thermoanaerobacter and are extremely thermophilic (growth at temperatures higher than 70 °C), xylanolytic and saccharolytic, strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. Cells are straight rods 0.3-0.4 μιη by 2.0-6.0 μιη, occuring both singly and in pairs. DIB101X and DIB97X grow on various sugars as substrate, including xylan, xylose, cellobiose, and glucose. The main fermentation products on these substrates are ethanol and lactate. Low amounts of acetate are also formed.

As is apparent from the following, the preferred strains of the present disclosure have been deposited. Other cells, strains, bacteria, microorganisms and/or microbial cultures of the present disclosure can therefore be obtained by mutating the deposited strains and selecting derived mutants having enhanced characteristics. Desirable characteristics include an increased range of sugars that can be utilized, increased growth rate, ability to produce higher amounts of fermentation products such as ethanol and/or lactic acid, etc. Suitable methods for mutating bacteria strains and selecting desired mutants are described in Functional analysis of Bacterial genes: A practical Manual, edited by W. Schumann, S. D. Ehrlich & N. Ogasawara, 2001.

In advantageous embodiments the microorganisms may be modified in order to obtain mutants or derivatives with improved characteristics. Thus, in one embodiment there is provided a bacterial strain according to the disclosure, wherein one or more genes have been inserted, deleted or substantially inactivated. The variant or mutant is typically capable of growing in a medium comprising a lignocellulosic biomass material.

In another embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing variants or mutants of the microorganisms according to the present disclosure, wherein one or more genes are inserted, deleted or substantially inactivated as described herein.

In some embodiments one or more additional genes are inserting into a microorganism according to the present disclosure, in particular in the first microorganism belonging to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, in particular in Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSM 25177) and/or another Caldicellulosiruptor sp. strain listed in table 1. Thus, in order to improve the yield of the specific fermentation product, it may be beneficial to insert one or more genes encoding a polysaccharase into the strain according to the invention. Hence, in specific embodiments there is provided a strain and a process according to the invention wherein one or more genes encoding a polysaccharase which is selected from cellulases (such as EC 3.2.1.4); beta-glucanases, including glucan-1,3 beta- glucosidases (exo-1,3 beta-glucanases, such as EC 3.2.1.58), 1,4-beta-cellobiohydrolases (such as EC 3.2.1.91) and endo-l,3(4)-beta-glucanases (such as EC 3.2.1.6); xylanases, including endo-l,4-beta- xylanases (such as EC 3.2.1.8) and xylan 1,4-beta-xylosidases (such as EC 3.2.1.37); pectinases (such as EC 3.2.1.15); alpha-glucuronidases, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases (such as EC 3.2.1.55), acetylesterases (such as EC 3.1.1.-), acetylxylanesterases (such as EC 3.1.1.72), alpha-amylases (such as EC 3.2.1.1), beta-amylases (such as EC 3.2.1.2), glucoamylases (such as EC 3.2.1.3), pullulanases (such as EC 3.2.1.41), beta-glucanases (such as EC 3.2.1.73), hemicellulases, arabinosidases, mannanases including mannan endo-l,4-beta-mannosidases (such as EC 3.2.1.78) and mannan endo- 1,6-alpha-mannosidases (such as EC 3.2.1.101), pectin hydrolases, polygalacturonases (such as EC 3.2.1.15), exopolygalacturonases (such as EC 3.2.1.67) and pectate lyases (such as EC 4.2.2.10), are inserted. In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of producing a fermentation product comprising culturing a strain according to the invention under suitable conditions is also provided.

The strains according to the disclosure are strictly anaerobic microorganisms, and hence it is preferred that the fermentation product is produced by a fermentation process performed under strictly anaerobic conditions. Additionally, the microorganisms according to the disclosure are extremely thermophillic microorganisms, and therefore the process may perform optimally, when it is operated at temperature in the range of about 45-95 degrees centigrade, such as the range of about 50-90 degrees centigrade, including the range of about 60-85 degrees centigrade, such as the range of about 65-75 degrees centigrade. In an advantageous embodiment the temperature is 70°C and higher.

For the production of certain fermentation products, it may be useful to select a specific fermentation process, such as batch fermentation process, including a fed-batch process or a continuous fermentation process. Also, it may be useful to select a fermentation reactor such as an immobilized cell reactor, a fluidized bed reactor or a membrane bioreactor.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (DSM 25179) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB087G (DSM 25777) as the second microorganism.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB097X (DSM 25308) as the second microorganism. In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIG (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIG (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIG (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIG (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101G (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101G (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB101G (DSM 25180) as the second microorganism.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIBIOIX (DSM 25181) as the second microorganism. In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB103X (DSM 25776) as the second microorganism. In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB104X (DSM 25778) as the second microorganism.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (DSMZ Accession number 25177) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C (DSMZ Accession number 25771) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C (DSMZ Accession number 25772) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIBIOIC (DSMZ Accession number 25178) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C (DSMZ Accession number 25773) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism.

In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C (DSMZ Accession number 25774) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism. In another advantageous embodiment, the microbial culture comprises Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C (DSMZ Accession number 25775) as the first microorganism and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB107X (DSM 25779) as the second microorganism. In certain embodiments, the microorganisms used in the methods of the present disclosure grow and produce ethanol most efficiently at a certain initial temperature. As mentioned above, it is an advantage of the methods of the present disclosure that the temperature can be high, preferably higher than 65 °C, more preferably 70°C and higher until a maximum temperature of at 90°C, preferably 80 °C, more preferably 75°C since the used microorganisms are extremely thermophilic. This results in lower contamination risk and faster reaction times.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the period of time is about 10 hours to about 300 hours. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the period of time is about 50 hours to about 200 hours. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the period of time is about 80 hours to about 160 hours. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the period of time is about 80 hours (h), about 85 h, about 90 h, about 95 h, about 100 h, about 105 h, about 110 h, about 115 h, about 120 h, about 125 h, about 130 h, about 135 h, about 140 h, about 145 h, about 150 h, about 155 h, or about 160 h.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the period of time is about 120 hours. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial temperature is about 45 °C to about 80 °C. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial temperature is about 65 °C to about 80 °C. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial temperature is about 70 °C to about 75 °C. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial temperature is about 72 °C.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial pH is between about 5 and about 9. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial pH is between about 6 and about 8. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial pH is about 5, about 5.5, about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, or about 9. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to any one of the above-mentioned methods, wherein the initial pH is about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, or about 8.

As mentioned above, the used microbial co-culture for producing the fermentation product from biomass shows several features that distinguishes them from currently used microorganisms: (i) high yield and low product inhibition, (ii) simultaneous utilization of lignocellolytic biomass material and/or sugars, and (iii) growth at elevated temperatures. The microorganisms in the microbial co- culture are robust thermophilic organisms with a decreased risk of contamination. They efficiently convert an extraordinarily wide range of biomass components to carbon-based chemicals like lactic acid or ethanol.

The expression "comprise", as used herein, besides its literal meaning also includes and specifically refers to the expressions "consist essentially of" and "consist of". Thus, the expression "comprise" refers to embodiments wherein the subject-matter which "comprises" specifically listed elements does not comprise further elements as well as embodiments wherein the subject-matter which "comprises" specifically listed elements may and/or indeed does encompass further elements. Likewise, the expression "have" is to be understood as the expression "comprise", also including and specifically referring to the expressions "consist essentially of" and "consist of".

The following methods and examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Methods and Examples

In the following examples, materials and methods of the present disclosure are provided including the determination of properties of the strains according to the present disclosure. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purpose only and are not to be construed as limiting this disclosure in any manner. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Example 1: Isolation and Cultivation

All procedures for enrichment and isolation of strains employed anaerobic technique for strictly anaerobic bacteria (Hungate 1969). The strains were enriched from environmental samples at temperatures higher than 70 °C with crystalline cellulose and beech wood as substrate. Isolation was performed by picking colonies grown on solid agar medium at 72 °C in Hungate roll tubes (Hungate 1969).

The cells are cultured under strictly anaerobic conditions applying the following medium:

Basic medium

NH4CI 1.0 g

NaCI 0.5 g

MgS04 x 7 H20 0.3 g

CaCI2 x 2 H20 0.05 g

pyridoxin-HCI 10 mg

Distilled water 200.0 ml

Add 1 ml of the vitamine stock solution to 1 liter of the medium

All ingredients except sulfide are dissolved in deionized water and the medium is flushed with nitrogen gas (purity 99,999%) for 20 min at room temperature. After addition of sulfide, the pH-value is adjusted to 7.0 at room temperature with 1 M HCI. The medium is then dispensed into 100ml serum flasks under nitrogen atmosphere and the vessels are tightly sealed. After autoclaving at 121 °C for 20 min pH-value should be in between 6.8 and 7.0.

Glucose, xylan , steam explosion treated substrates and microcrystalline cellulose Avicel are added to serum flasks to a concentration of 10 g/l (dry weight) prior autoclaving. Subsequent to autoclaving, cultures are inoculated by injection of a seed culture through the seal septum and incubated in an incubator at 72 °C and 100 rpm for the time indicated. Seed cultures were grown for 48 h on microcrystalline cellulose (cellulolytic strains, e.g. DIB004C, DIBIOIC), glucose (saccharolytic strains, e.g. DIB004G, DIB101G) or xylan (saccharolytic/xylanolytic strains, e.g. DIB97X, DIB101X).

Example 2: HPLC

Sugars and fermentation products were quantified by H PLC-RI using a Via Hitachi LaChrom Elite (Hitachi corp.) fitted with a Rezex ROA Organic Acid H+ (Phenomenex). The analytes were separated isocratically with 2.5 mM H ₂ S0 ₄ and at 65 °C.

Example 3: Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA genes

Genomic DNA was isolated from cultures grown as described above and 16SrDNA amplified by PCR using 27F (AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTCAG) as forward and 1492R (GGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT) as reverse primer. The resulting products were sequenced and the sequences analyzed using the Sequencher 4.10.1 software (Gene Codes Corporation). The NCBI database was used for BLAST procedures. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene analyses were performed by the neighbor-joining method (Saitou and Nei 1987) using the program Mega 4 (Tamura et al. 2007)

Example 4: Production of ethanol and lactate on different substrates

Experiments on growth and fermentation of steam explosion treated substrates DDGS-STEX, BP- STEX, SCB-STEX, CORNST-STEX, CORN PL-STEX, MISC-STEX, SORG-STEX, SPR-STEX as well as microcrystalline cellulose Avicel were performed by cultivation in sealed 100 ml flasks with 30 ml medium described in Example 1. Strains DIB004C and DIBIOIC grew well on all these substrates including microcrystalline cellulose. Strains DIB004G, DIB101G, DIB97X and DIB101X grew well on all steam explosion treated substrates, but could not grow on microcrystalline cellulose.

All strainsgrew well on media containing 20 g/l (dry weight) S0 ₂ steam explosion treated poplar wood (2% PO-STEX) when cultivated in 100 ml sealed flasks with 30 ml medium described in Example 1. Figure 1 shows the results of the product formation of the strains Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C (A), Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G (B) alone and in co-culture of both strains (C) for various steam explosion treated technical substrates. For each substrate, 10 g/l dry weight concentrations were applied. Abbreviations for the individual substrates are DDGS-STEX: Dried distillers grains and solubles, pretreated by steam explosion; BP-STEX: beet pulp, pretreated by steam explosion; SCB- STEX: sugar cane bagasse, pretreated by steam explosion; CORNST-STEX: corn stalks, pretreated by steam explosion; CORN PL-STEX: whole corn plants incl. stalk, cob and kernel, pretreated by steam explosion; MISC-STEX: Miscanthus plants, pretreated by steam explosion; SORG-STEX: sweet sorghum whole plant, pretreated by steam explosion; SPR-STEX: spruce wood, pretreated by steam explosion

The main fermentation products were ethanol, acetate and lactate. As clearly indicated in Figure 1 showing product concentrations after 7 days of cultivation for (A) DIB004C, (B) DIB004G and (C) co- culture of both strains, for all substrates product concentration is significantly increased in the co- culture compared to both individual cultures.

Figure 2 shows the factorial change in overall product formation in between culture of DIB004C alone and the co-culture of DIB004C with DIB004G. As well as in Figure 1 it is clearly displayed that not only total product formation is increased but furthermore that ethanol formation is over proportionally increased compared to both individual cultures.

Example 5: Fermenter batch experiments.

Batch experiments with e.g. DIB004C as well as with co-cultures of DIB004C and DIB004G were performed by cultivation on the medium described above with addition of 20 g/L poplar wood pretreated by "S0 ₂ steam explosion" comprising heating in the presence of dilute acid followed by sudden release of pressure.

Temperature is controlled to 72 °C and the pH-value is controlled to 6.5 ± 0.25 throughout the fermentation. The fermenter is purged with nitrogen to remove excess oxygen before sodium sulphide is added as described above.

The fermentation is started by addition of a seed culture prepared as described in example 1.

The results of the H PLC analysis as described in example 2 show parallel production of ethanol, lactic acid and acetic acid with ethanol being the predominant product and acetate being produced only in a minor proportion. The results of the product formation during a fermentation of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C on pretreated poplar wood is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows an identical fermentation approach applying a co-culture of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C and Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G.

Figure 5 shows a direct comparison in between total product concentration (ethanol + lactate + acetate) during both fermentation runs. It is clearly displayed that product formation during fermentation of both strains is both more rapid and enduring for a longer period of time. This is a clear indication for a synergistic effect of the both cultures leading to an overall increased product formation. A possible explanation for this synergistic effect would be that the strain Thermoanaerobacter sp. DIB004G would consume soluble sugar species more rapidly than the Caldicellulosiruptor strain leading to an improved de-repression of cellulolytic enzymes.

Example 6: Phylogeny

Sequencing of 16S rDNA from Caldicellulosiruptor strains listed in table 1 revealed that all of these strains had (at least) one copy of a 16S rDNA operon which was most closely related to Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus strain Tp8T (DSM 8903) in the available public databases (Figure 6).

Sequencing of 16S rDNA from Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains listed in table 2 revealed that all Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains had (at least) one copy of a 16S rDNA operon. Based on 16S rRNA sequences the Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains DIB004G, DIB097X, DIBIOIX, DIB103X and DIB107X were most closely related to Thermoanaerobacter mathranii strain A3 (DSM 11426) whereas the Thermoanaerobacter sp. strains DIB087G, DIB101G and DIB104X were most closely related to Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus strain E100-69 (DSM 567).AIignments were carried out using ClustalW (Chenna et al. 2003) and the phylogenetic tree was constructed by the neighbor- joining method (Saitou and Nei 1987) using the program M EGA 4 (Tamura et al. 2007).

LIST OF ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:

Cayol JL,Ollivier B,Patel BKC, Ravot M, Magot M, Ageron E, Grimont PAD, Garcia JL. (1995) Description of Thermoanaerobacter brockii subsp. lactiethylicus subsp. nov., isolated from a deep subsurface french oil well, a proposal to reclassify Thermoanaerobacter finnii as Thermoanaerobacter brockii subsp. finnii comb, nov., and an emended description of Thermoanaerobacter brockii. Int J Syst Bacteriol 45:783-789.

Chenna R, Sugawara H, Koike T, Lopez R, Gibson TJ, Higgins DG, Thompson JD. (2003) Multiple sequence alignment with the Clustal series of programs. Nucleic Acids Res 13:3497-3500. Donnison AM, Brockelsby CM, Morgan HW, Daniel RM. (1989) The degradation of lignocellulosics by extremely thermophilic microorganisms. Biotechnol Bioeng 33:1495-1499.

Hungate RE. (1969) A roll tube method for cultivation of strict anaerobes. In: Methods in Microbiology Eds. Norris JR and Ribbons DW. pp 118-132. New York: Academic Press. Larsen L, Nielsen P, Ahring BK. (1997) Thermoanaerobacter mathranii sp. nov., an ethanol-producing, extremly thermophilic anaerobic bacterium from a hot spring in Iceland. Arch Microbiol 168:114-119.

Lee Y-E, Jain MK, Lee c. Lowe SE, Zeikus JG (1993) Taxonomic distinction of saccharolytic thermophilic anaerobes: Description of Thermoanaerobacterium xylanolyticum gen. nov., sp. nov., and Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum gen. nov., sp.nov.; Reclassification of Thermoanaerobium brockii, Clostridium thermosulfurogenes, and Clostridium thermohydrosulfiricum EIO0-69 as Thermoanaerobacter brockii comb, nov., Thermoanaerobacterium thermosulfurigenes comb, nov., and Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus comb, nov., respectively; and transfer of Clostridium hermohydrosulfuricum 39E to Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus. Int J Syst Bacteriol 43:41-51.

Rainey FA, Donnison AM, Janssen PH, Saul D, Rodrigo A, Bergquist PL, Daniel RM, Stackebrandt E, Morgan HW. (1994) Description of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov: an obligately anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium. FEMS Microbiol Lett 120:263- 266.

Saitou N, Nei M (1987) The neighbor-joining method: a new method for reconstructing phylogenetic trees. Mol Biol Evol 4:406-425.

Sissons CH, Sharrock KR, Daniel RM, Morgan HW. (1987) Isolation of cellulolytic anaerobic extreme thermophiles from New Zealand thermal sites. Appl Environ Microbiol. 53:832-838.

Tamura K, Dudley J, Nei M, Kumar S (2007) MEGA4: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software version 4.0. Mol Biol Evol 24:1596-1599. US patent US 6,555,350

International patent application WO 2007/134607

International patent application WO 2010/075213

International patent application WO 2009/108908 1 /6

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