US Patent 9340767 Propagating an organism and related methods and compositions

The present invention is related to methods of propagating one or more organisms by using a carbon source that includes xylose (e.g., xylose syrup from pretreating lignocellulosic feedstock) and/or a nutrient source that includes a stillage component (e.g., thin stillage derived from a corn-to-ethanol process) in the propagation medium. The organisms include those that can convert one or more monosaccharides into an alcohol via fermentation, such as yeast. The present invention is also directed to related compositions.