{
  "patent_number": "US RE50567",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Enzymes Help Turn Corn Into Ethanol More Efficiently",
  "original_title": "USRE50567E1 - Fermentation product production processes",
  "summary": "A process for making ethanol from starch by using specific enzymes to break down proteins, which helps the fermentation process run more smoothly.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a method to improve the production of ethanol from starch-based materials like corn. It involves a specific sequence: first, liquefying starch using an alpha-amylase enzyme, then adding a protease enzyme to break down proteins in the mixture. By degrading these proteins before the saccharification step—where sugars are generated—the process becomes more efficient. Finally, the mixture is fermented by an organism to produce alcohol, which can then be distilled.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover processes that omit the specific protease treatment step before saccharification.",
    "Does not cover production of ethanol from non-starch sources like cellulose or sugar cane juice.",
    "Does not cover fermentation processes that do not use alpha-amylase for initial liquefaction."
  ],
  "filed": "2006-02-07",
  "granted": "2025-09-02",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Novozymes North America Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/novozymes-north-america-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Mads Torry Smith",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/mads-torry-smith"
    },
    {
      "name": "John Ress",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/john-ress"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kevin S. Wenger",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/kevin-s-wenger"
    },
    {
      "name": "Rikke Monica Festersen",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/rikke-monica-festersen"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "energy"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present invention relates to a process for producing a fermentation product from starch-containing material, comprising liquefying said starch-containing material with an alpha-amylase; treating with a protease; saccharifying in the presence of a carbohydrate-source generating enzyme; fermenting in the presence of a fermenting organism.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE50567/io-electric-toothbrush",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE50567/io-electric-toothbrush/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE50567",
  "relatedPatents": []
}