Abstract: A process for catalytically isomerizing Z-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol to E-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol is provided. This process includes contacting a stereoisomeric mixture containing Z-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol and E-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol with a source of bromine radicals in a two-phase reaction mixture having an aqueous phase and a stereoisomeric mixture phase, intermixing the reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature from about −10° C. to about 100° C.

Abstract: A levodione reductase having the following physical properties is provided: molecular weight: from about 142,000 to about 155,000±10,000 (consisting of four homologous subunits having a molecular weight of 36,000±5,000); co-factor: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (AND/NADH); substrate specificity: active on levodione; optimum temperature: about 15° C. to about 20° C. at pH 7.0; optimum pH: 7.5; and activator: K+, Cs+, Rb+, Na+ and NH4+. The levodione reductase according to the present invention produces actinol, an important intermediate for the production of zeaxanthin, from levodione. This enzyme may be produced from a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, preferably the microorganism Corynebacterium aquaticum AKU 611 (FERM BP-6448) or a functional equivalent, subculture, mutant or variant thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3-hydroxypropionitrile is provided. This process includes (a) reacting acrylonitrile with water at a defined molar ratio in the presence of a weak base under specific temperature and pressure conditions until a conversion in the range of about 40% to about 80% has been achieved; (b) after cooling the mixture obtained in (a), separating off its aqueous phase; (c) distilling off the acrylonitrile from the organic phase remaining after (b); (d) subjecting the mixture obtained in (c) to pyrolysis at specific temperature and pressure conditions in the presence of a basic catalyst to obtain a mixture consisting mainly of 3-hydroxypropionitrile and acrylonitrile; and (e) isolating the desired 3-hydroxypropionitrile by fractional distillation from the mixture obtained in (d). Such a process in which the basic aqueous phase and the acrylonitrile that has been distilled off are recycled represents a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: Substituted pyranes such as 2-ethinyl-tetrahydro-2,6,6-trimethylpyran are prepared from dehydrolinalool or higher homologues thereof by heating or treatment with microwaves in the presence of a solid acid.

Abstract: A hair care composition is provided. This hair care composition includes (a) about 0.01% (wt) to about 2.5% (wt) of a UV-A filter; (b) about 0.01% (wt) to about 10% (wt) of a UV-B filter; and (c) about 0.01% (wt) to about 2.5% (wt) of phytantriol. Methods of making and using such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of d,l-&agr;-tocopherol by the acid-catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol in ethylene or propylene carbonate or a mixture of both carbonates, or in a mixture of one or both of the carbonates and a non-polar solvent, comprises carrying out the condensation in the presence of at most 0.4 weight percent based on the weight of isophytol or phytol of 12-tungstophosphoric acid, 12-molybdophosphoric acid or 12-tungstosilicic acid. The product of the process is the most active and industrially important member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions containing a fat soluble substance in a glassy carbohydrate matrix having maltose or a mixture of low-molecular weight carbohydrates, and, optionally, a high-molecular weight carbohydrate. The compositions can be used for multivitamin tablets, hard gelatin capsules, dry food and feed compositions and for enriching sugar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production process of biotin by fermentation using a genetically engineered microorganism, and DNA sequences and vectors to be used in such process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing tocol acylate or tocopherol acylate having the following steps: a) combining tocol or tocopherol with an acylating agent to form a reaction mixture; b) irradiating the reaction mixture with microwave energy to from tocol acylate or tocopherol acylate; and c) isolating the tocol acylate or tocopherol acylate from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing beadlets containing fat soluble substances in a gelatin matrix which comprises crosslinking the gelatin by radiation or enzymatically. Specifically, the invention relates to a process for preparing beadlets containing fat soluble substances having the steps of: (1) forming an aqueous emulsion of a fat soluble substance, a gelatin, a reducing agent; (2) converting the emulsion into a dry powder; and (3) crosslinking the gelatin matrix in the coated particles by exposing the coated particles to radiation or, in the case of a crosslinking enzyme being present, by incubating the coated particles.

Abstract: A process for making (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone by contacting (6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanedione with a microorganism which is selected from microorganisms of the genera Cellulomonas, Corynebacterium, Planococcus and Arthrobacter and which is capable of the selective asymmetric reduction of (6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanedione to (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone, and recovering the resulting (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone from the reaction mixture. The selective asymmetric reduction can be effected in the presence of a co-factor, such as, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), or said co-factor with glucose and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), and/or in the presence of a surfactant. The product is useful for the synthesis of carotenoids, such as, zeaxanthin.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding proteins with D-sorbitol dehydrogenase activity or which function to activate D-sorbitol dehydrogenase proteins, in vivo, vectors and recombinant organisms which contain such polynucleotides, and methods of making D-sorbitol dehydrogenase and L-sorbose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing (6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexene-1,4-dione. This process includes contacting, in a reactor, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione with a yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces rouxii (Zygosaccharomyces rouxii), Saccharomyces delbrueckii (Saccharomyces unisporus, Tonilaspora delbrueckii), Saccharomyces willianus, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Candida tropicalis, functional equivalents, subcultures, mutants, and variants thereof, in water, a water-miscible organic solvent, or a mixture of water and the water-miscible. organic solvent containing at least one assimilable carbon source; and isolating (6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1,4-dione produced by the yeast from the reaction medium.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a microemulsion of the oil-in water type, containing at least one polyglycerol ester as the emulsifier and at least one lipophilic substance as the internal phase. The emulsifier contains a triglycerol monofatty acid ester and the lipophilic substance is one from the group carotenoids, especially, &bgr;-carotene, vitamins A, D, E and K and their derivatives and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing of d,l-&agr;-tocopherol by the catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol. This process includes carrying out the condensation in the presence of bis-(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)amine [HN(SO2CF3)2] or a metal salt thereof of the formula Met (N(SO2CF3)2)n (I) as the catalyst and supercritical carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide as the solvent, wherein Met is a metal atom such as for example boron, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, scandium, titanium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, rhodium, palladium, silver, tin, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, europium, dysprosium, ytterbium, hafnium, platinum and gold, and n is the corresponding valency (1, 2, 3, or 4) of the metal atom Met. A cosolvent may also be used, which is a lower aliphatic alkanol, ketone or hydrocarbon. The product of the process is the most active member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel indanylidene compounds which are effective in absorbing ultra violet radiation and to light screening compositions including the indanylidene compounds of the general formula I wherein X is O or NH; R1 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkyl in which at least one methylene group is replaced by oxygen, C3-C20 alkenyl, C3-C20 alkynyl or a group YS; R2 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkyl in which at least one methylene group is replaced by oxygen, C3-C20 alkenyl, C3-C20 alkynyl or a group YS; or R1 and R2 may combine on adjacent C-atoms to form a dioxomethylene ring; R3 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkyl in which at least one methylene group is replaced by oxygen, C3-C20 alkenyl, C3-C20 alkynyl or a group YS; R4, R5, R6 are each independently H or C1-C20 alkyl; n is 0, 1 or 2; Y is a linker group; S is a silane-, an oligosiloxane- or a polysiloxane-moiety; with the proviso that at least one of the R1, R2or R3 residues is YS.

Abstract: A process for producing pulverous, i.e., powdered, preparations from sparingly soluble solid materials is disclosed. The process utilizes dimethyl ether under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to dissolve the solid material. Upon release of the pressure, the solid material precipitates as a fine powder and the gaseous dimethyl ether is released or drawn off.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pulverous preparation having a finely divided carotenoid, retinoid or natural colorant is provided, which process comprises the steps of: a) forming a suspension of the active ingredient in a water-immiscible organic solvent optionally containing an antioxidant and/or an oil; b) feeding the suspension of step a) to a heat exchanger; c) heating the suspension to 100-250° C., whereby the residence time in the heat exchanger is less than 5 sec to provide a solution; d) rapidly mixing the solution of step c) with an aqueous solution of a swellable colloid and optionally a stabilizer such that the resulting mixture is at a temperature in the range of 20-100° C.; e) removing the organic solvent; and f) converting the dispersion of step e) into a pulverous preparation; where steps b) to f) are carried out continuously and in sequence.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cytochrome c551 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides.

Abstract: An improved process and composition are disclosed for isolation of steroids containing a 5,7-diene functionality from a sterol mixture that comprises formation of a Diels-Alder reaction product of the ster-5,7-dienol in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of an ethylenically unsaturated C12-C24 fatty carboxylic acid.