Abstract: A process for preparing D-lysine using a microorganism which has the ability to asymmetrically degrade L-lysine in a reaction medium is disclosed. The process is performed by first bringing racemic lysine into contact with a culture or a treated culture of the microorganism, and then collecting and isolating the D-lysine from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strain, Ganoderma lucidum IY 009 which produces a proteoglycan G 009 possessed of antitumoral and immunostimulating effects, separated from the said cultured strain, containing: .beta.-glucose, .alpha.-glucose, galactose, .alpha.-mannose and fructose as saccharide components, and glycine, alanine, histidine, arginine, valine, aspartic acid, threonine, isoleucine, serine, leucine, glutamic acid, tyrocine, proline, phenylalanine and methionine as protein components. The Ganoderma lucidum IY 009 is deposited under accession number KCCM 10045.

Abstract: A process for biologically decomposing a halogenated organic acid using Renobacter sp. FERM BP-5353 is disclosed. The microorganism has dehalogenase activity and is capable of decomposing the halogenated organic acid. The halogenated acids include chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and dichloropropionic acid, etc. The polluted environments in which the processes may be carried out include the soil, ground water and waste water. Furthermore, the processes may be useful for decomposing aliphatic organochlorine compounds using various microorganisms such as those from the genera Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium.

Abstract: Methods using in vitro processes are disclosed for inducing or enhancing expression of enteric bacterial antigens or virulence factors. The methods, therefore, produce antigenically enhanced enteric bacteria. Also disclosed are methods for using the antigenically enhanced bacteria, as well as vaccines containing the enteric bacteria. Specifically, a whole enteric bacteria or components thereof are provided by Campylobacter species. In addition to this species there are other enteric bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori, which are useful for inducing or enhancing expression of enteric bacterial antigens and/or virulence factors.

Abstract: The combination of a phosphatase enzyme with a biocompatible carrier material produces materials which are useful in the repair of the skeleton and the promotion of new bone growth. The combination preferably involves covalent coupling between the enzyme and the carrier. The preferred carrier materials include fibrillar collagen and may be obtained by the demineralization of calcified tissues. The materials may include phosphoproteins or dentinal phosphophoryns which may be residual or may be added during the preparation of the materials. The incorporation of other organophosphates and inorganic phosphates may improve the rate of mineralization especially in older animals.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to Bacillus subtilis and having aflatoxin decomposing ability, as well as a fungal growth inhibitor, fermentation promoter and livestock fattening agent, all containing the bacterium as an active or effective ingredient. The Bacillus subtilis is strain FERM BP-3418. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or controlling a pathogenic fungus on a plant or animal.

Abstract: A method for the production of taxanes such as taxol. The method includes inducing formation of callus cells by contacting an explant tissue with a liquid medium without complete submergence of the tissue in the medium. The callus cells formed are employed in a liquid suspension cell culture to produce one or more taxanes.

Abstract: A method for controlling fungal diseases in turfgrasses using a Pseudomonas aureofaciens. The Pseudomonas aureofaciens is particularly useful in inhibiting dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) in turfgrasses. The method is environmentally safe and economical.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an enzymatically generated iodine microbiocide and more specifically to the use of such a microbiocide for the inactivation of pathogenic organisms that are contaminants in sensitive biological materials. The biocidal agent from the enzymatic reaction is free molecular iodine generated so as to (1) establish a minimum level above 10 ppm of free molecular iodine and (2) to establish defined ratios of free molecular iodine to other iodine species such that free molecular iodine comprises at least 10% of the total iodine species present on a molar basis.

Abstract: Anthraquinone compounds inhibit methane production by methanogenic bacteria in the rumen of ruminant animals, increasing production of volatile fatty acids and feed utilization efficiency. Preferred anthraquinones are unsubstituted anthraquinone, 1-aminoanthraquinone, 1-chloroanthraquinone, 2-chloroanthraquinone, 2-chloro-3-carboxyanthraquinone, 1-hydroxyanthraquinone, and 9,10-dihydroanthraquinone.

Abstract: An anti-bacterial agent for controlling the growth of certain lactic acid bacteria is provided. The anti-bacterial agent, or bacteriocin, is produced by Propionibacterium jensenii, and specifically by the P126 and P1264 strains of the particular species. The process employs the bacteriocins to inhibit the growth of other bacterial cultures, including yogurt starter cultures. The bacteriocins are stable across a broad range of pHs and are stable at relatively high and prolonged temperatures and have a wide activity spectrum against bacteria. The bacteriocins are particularly useful in controlling the over-acidification of yogurt to decrease the sour taste often found in yogurt.

Abstract: Cultures of microorganisms, particularly in freeze dried form, include an ascorbic acid antioxidant and a monocarboxylic .alpha.-amino acid each of which are present at a mass fraction of 0.05 to 0.3. The acid acts as a potentiator for the antioxidant. The cultures are more stable for extended storage, particularly at relatively high temperatures, than unstabilized cultures. Further, additional components include a carbohydrate in an amount of 25 to 45 weight percent, particularly inositol or sucrose, a viscosity inducer and a cryoprotectant. The latter two need not be different materials to the carbohydrate. The invention is suitable for stabilizing cultures of microorganisms such as lactic acid producing strains of Lactobacillus or Streptococcus; and the cultures are useful as additives and forage, especially silage.

Abstract: A nutrient concentrate for stimulation of growth for the accelerated cultivation and growth of hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms as well as a process for their use in bioremediation is disclosed. The concentrate is an admixture of water-soluble and/or oil-soluble compounds of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) and other components. The concentrate is in the form of a liquid water-based preparation and contains an ester of phosphoric acid as both an emulsifier and a P source. Further, from 10 to 40% by weight urea is contained in the concentrate as a N source. The invention also relates to the treatment of polluted soils, waters, and articles using a diluted aqueous solution of the concentrated admixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which inhibit farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. The invention is further directed to chemotherapeutic compositions containing the compounds of this invention and methods for inhibiting farnesyl-protein transferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. Furthermore, Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 55532 and Streptomces sp. ATCC 55550 are microorganisms which are capable of producing the disclosed compounds which are classified as carboxylic acid esters. In addition a method for preparing the compounds is disclosed which includes cultivating strain ATCC 55532 or strain ATCC 55550. The strains are independently capable of producing the carboxylic acid ester compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new ice nucleus-forming bacterium strain, Xanthomonas campestris INXC-1 (FERM BP-4191), a process for the cultivation of the new ice nucleus-forming bacterium, an ice nucleus-forming substance containing the ice nucleus-forming bacterium, and the uses of the ice nucleus-forming substance. In particular a method for freezing a substance is disclosed wherein the strain FERM BP-4191 is incorporated into an ice nucleus forming substance and added to a food substance. For example, the addition is conducted by contacting the surface of the substance or by blending, or by pouring thereon the ice nucleus forming substance onto the substance to be frozen.

Abstract: A biocompatible microcapsule containing living cells encapsulated in a membrane is disclosed. The membrane is a complex formed by the cohesion of two polymer layers. An inner layer comprises a substrate biopolymer and an outer layer comprises a synthetic polyelectrolyte having an electrolytic charge opposite that of the substrate biopolymer. Droplets of a solution of substrate biopolymer containing a suspension of living cells can be added to a solution comprising the synthetic polyelectrolyte to form the encapsulates. The membrane is formed by the cohesion of the oppositely-charge polymer layers to form a complex of substrate biopolymer and synthetic polyelectrolyte. Preferably, the inner layer contains a cationic biopolymer, such as collagen modified to have a pKI of 9, or an anionic biopolymer such as esterified or modified hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: An isolated bacterium of the genus Helicobacter, characterized by the 16S ribosomal RNA encoding nucleotide sequence defined in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:1 is provided. An isolated nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence defined in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:1 is provided. Such a nucleic acid can be used for diagnosis of infection with H. hepaticus. A nucleic acid of the present invention in a vector suitable for expression of the nucleic acid is also provided. The vector can be in a host suitable for expressing the nucleic acid. A purified antigen specific for H. hepaticus is provided. A method of making an animal model for chronic Helicobacter infection is also provided.

Abstract: A method for degrading coal tar, coal tar distillation fractions, and organic compounds, specially those compounds having three or more fused rings of the type often associated with coal tar, whether derived from coal tar or synthesized independently. According to the present invention degradation takes place by means of the nonspecific degradation reaction used by white rot fungi to degrade lignin. The degradation reaction occurs in part by means of a lignin degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, both produced by white rot fungi.

Abstract: High purity levoglucosan is obtained from pyrolysis oil derived from cellulose by: mixing pyrolysis oil with water and a basic metal hydroxide, oxide, or salt in amount sufficient to elevate pH values to a range of from about 12 to about 12.5, and adding an amount of the hydroxide, oxide, or salt in excess of the amount needed to obtain the pH range until colored materials of impurities from the oil are removed and a slurry is formed; drying the slurry azeotropically with methyl isobutyl ketone solvent to form a residue, and further drying the residue by evaporation; reducing the residue into a powder; continuously extracting the powder residue with ethyl acetate to provide a levoglucosan-rich extract; and concentrating the extract by removing ethyl acetate to provide crystalline levoglucosan. Preferably, Ca(OH).sub.2 is added to adjust the pH to the elevated values, and then Ca(OH).sub.2 is added in an excess amount needed.