Biological conversion of biomass-derived sugars to value added chemicals

A growth medium comprising:

• a minimal growth medium admixed with an aqueous solution of carbohydrates made by a process comprising:
• reacting biomass or a biomass-derived reactant with a solvent system comprising (i) an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of beta-, gamma-, and delta-lactones, and combinations thereof, and (ii) at least about 1 wt % water;
• in the presence of an acid catalyst for a time and under conditions to yield a product mixture wherein at least a portion of water-insoluble C6-sugar-containing polymers or oligomers, or water-insoluble C5-sugar-containing polymers or oligomers, if present in the biomass or biomass-derived reactant, are converted to water-soluble C6-sugar monomers, C5-sugar monomers, or any combination thereof;
• and then
• partitioning or extracting the product mixture into an organic layer and a substantially immiscible aqueous layer which is the aqueous solution of carbohydrates.

A method of making a growth medium for microorganisms, the method comprising

• (a) making an aqueous solution of carbohydrates by a process comprising reacting biomass or a biomass-derived reactant with a solvent system comprising (i) an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of beta-, gamma-, and delta-lactones, and combinations thereof, and (ii) at least about 1 wt % water;
• in the presence of an acid catalyst for a time and under conditions to yield a product mixture wherein at least a portion of water-insoluble C6-sugar-containing polymers or oligomers, or water-insoluble C5-sugar-containing polymers or oligomers, if present in the biomass or biomass-derived reactant, are converted to water-soluble C6-sugar monomers, C5-sugar monomers, or any combination thereof;
• and then partitioning or extracting the product mixture into an organic layer and a substantially immiscible aqueous layer which is the aqueous solution of carbohydrates;
• and
• (b) admixing the aqueous solution of carbohydrates with a growth medium.