Abstract: The transesterification method is conducted with a powdery lipase wherein the powdery lipase is dispersed in ester-containing starting materials in the presence or absence of an inert organic solvent, and the diameter of at least 90% of the dispersed lipase particles is kept in the range of 1 to 100 .mu.m in the course of the trans-esterification reaction. A reactivity higher than that realized by the conventional transesterification method with a powdery lipase is obtained and the lipase can be easily recovered and reused, without causing a loss of the lipase activity, lowering of the conversion due to the residence of the substrate on the immobilizing carrier and side reactions caused by water introduced into the reaction system by the immobilizing carrier.

Abstract: An enzymatic process for the preparation of chiral epoxides, monohydroxy or dihydroxy compounds of formula ##STR1## by the stereoselective epoxidation or hydroxylation of benzopyrans of formula ##STR2## or resolution of compounds of formula ##STR3## The compounds of formula I and II are intermediates useful in the preparation of pyranyl cyanoguanidine derivatives.

Abstract: Method using CO for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood cells. Carbon monoxide is utilized for stabilizing hemoglobin in red blood cells to be stored at low temperature. Changes observed in the stored cells are similar to those found in normal red cell aging in the body, the extent thereof being directly related to the duration of refrigerated storage. Changes in cell buoyant density, vesiculation, and the tendency of stored cells to bind autologous IgG antibody directed against polymerized band 3 IgG, all of which are related to red blood cell senescence and increase with refrigerated storage time, have been substantially slowed when red blood cells are treated with CO. Removal of the carbon monoxide from the red blood cells is readily and efficiently accomplished by photolysis in the presence of oxygen so that the stored red blood cells may be safely transfused into a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for improving the storage of platelets and optimizing the viability of stored platelets. The present invention allows platelets to be stored in plasma for extended periods, without the addition of buffer, by adding storage extension additives, which include acetate, pyruvate, acetoacetate, .beta.-hydroxybutyrate, acetone, .alpha.-ketoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, oxaloacetate, C.sub.3-8 fatty acid anions, triose phosphates and mixtures thereof, to a platelet concentrate.

Abstract: A Rhodotorula rubra strain has been found which reduces pentoxifylline to 100% to give the S-alcohol. Moreover, other oxoalkylxanthine derivatives can also be converted into the corresponding S-alcohol. The microbiologically obtained S-(+)-enantiomers can then be converted stereo-selectively into the respective R-(-)-enantiomers. The corresponding S-alcohols and the R-alcohols obtained by enantioselective inversion of configuration cause an increase in cerebral blood flow.

Abstract: The invention is an improved platelet storage method and composition. Medium for the storage of platelets for transfusion comprising acetate or an acetate-like compound and phosphate is disclosed.

Abstract: Stereospecific (S)-6-bromo-2-tetraol is a key intermediate in the chemical synthesis of the chiral drug candidate, MK499, a ventricular arrythmias suppressant. The yeast strain Trichosporon capitatum (MY 1890) was employed for the bioconversion of 6-bromo-2-tetralone to the corresponding alcohol.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active halogen-containing alcohol having a high optical purity and represented by the following formula [I] ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a halogen substituted alkyl group, R.sup.2 is a group selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkene group, or alkyne group, and a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and C having an asterisk indicates an asymmetric atom,is disclosed which process comprises subjecting a halogenated alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid represented by the following formula [II] ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same as mentioned above and R.sup.3 is a group selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or alkene group, and a substituted or unsabstituted phenyl group,to asymmetric hydrolysis with an enzyme in an aqueous solution system, and the aqueous solution system may contain buffer solution and/or organic solvent.

Abstract: A method and composition for fixing and stabilizing tissues, cells, and cell components such that the antigenic sites are preserved for a useful period of time. The fixative employs compounds that are less toxic, non-flammable, and that stabilize the cell with minimal damage to and alteration of the cell morphology. In particular, the cell antigenic sites are left intact so that studies with monoclonal antibodies may be conducted. The invention also discloses a method for developing a positive control for test reagents and for test instrumentation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the sterilization of collagen and collagenous tissue which is to be used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host in the emerging field of tissue engineering. The sterilants are low concentration peracetic acid solutions in either neutral or high ionic strength that prevent or minimizes the swelling of collagen or collagenous tissue so that the sterilized tissue retains its structural integrity and bioremodelable properties.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active norborneol is provided, which includes the step of bringing a microorganism or treated cells thereof into contact with (.+-.)-exo-norbornane type ester represented by Formula (I), wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of the genus Pseudomonas, the genus Acetobacter, the genus Arthrobacter, the genus Rhodotorula, and the genus Saccharomyces. According to this method, (+)- and/or (-)-exo-norbornane type alcohol can be obtained with high yield and high purity by a simple treatment.

Abstract: An enantiomeric mixture of a 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid is treated with an enzyme which can asymmetrically hydrolyze the mixture, for example, a lipase originating in a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Candida or Chromobacterium to form a mixture of an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propanol with an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid, and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or a derivative thereof are each separately recovered from the mixture. The process allows simple and easy preparation of the above optically active compounds having a high optical purity, thus being extremely industrially advantageous.

Abstract: A process for producing substantially pure R-ketoprofen by the enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic ketoprofen choline ester is disclosed. The process utilizes either intact Beauveria bassiana hyphae or an R-specific ester hydrolase isolated therefrom. The ester hydrolase has an approximate molecular weight of 17,800 daltons and an N-terminal sequence of Ala-Pro-Asp-W-Ile-Ile-Gln-Gly-Leu-Ser-Arg-Ala-X-Asp-Gly-Gln-Asp.

Abstract: An organic acid ester of ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid is produced by reacting ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid with an organic acid enol ester in an organic solvent with a solubility of ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid of more than 0.3% at 25.degree. C. in the presence of an active lipase.

Abstract: A method for the resolution of optically active compounds from racemic mixtures is provided. In one embodiment of the method, racemic substituted cyclopentenones, useful as eicosanoid intermediates, are enzymatically resolved with lipase and separated by formation of lithium salt complexes. In another embodiment of the method, optically active alcohols are obtained from prochiral halovinyl ketones or alkynyl ketones by selective catalytic reduction with chiral boronic catalysts. In yet another embodiment of the method, prostaglandin E.sub.1 are produced from prostaglandin E.sub.1 esters by selective ester hydrolysis with a lipase.

Abstract: Phospholipase D enzyme is used to mediate the synthesis of a phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol in a first step. This phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol is reacted to produce a headgroup modified phospholipid in a subsequent step. In the first step, phospholipase D enzyme extract mediates transphosphatidylation of a phospholipid with an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule, producing reproducible and nearly quantitative yields of a phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol. In the subsequent step, the hydroxyl head group of the phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol is further reacted with amino, carboxylic, halogen or thiol containing molecules to produce a headgroup modified phospholipid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing D-mandelic acid comprising the steps of:(1) treating racemic mandelic acid with a culture broth, cells or treated cells of a microorganism having ability of converting L-mandelic acid into benzoylformic acid.(2) treating the reaction mixture of the step (1) with a culture broth, cells or treated cells of a microorganism having ability of stereoselectively reducing benzoylformic acid into D-mandelic acid, and(3) isolating and collecting the D-mandelic acid from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: 6-Hydroxy nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents carboxy group, carbamoyl group, cyano group, formyl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 hydroxyalkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyvinyl group, carboxymethyl group or oxime group, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atom or carboxy group, and A represents carbon atom or nitrogen atom, can be prepared by reacting a nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and A are as defined in the general formula (II) above, with a microorganism or physico-chemically treated microorganism in an aqueous medium. Efficiency of the above reaction can be raised by conducting the reaction in the presence of phenazine methosulfate.

Abstract: An immobilized lipase is employed in an organic solvent to esterify diol lactone derivatives of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to form HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors of formula (I). ##STR1## This process allows for the efficient, one-step production of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors of structural formula (I).

Abstract: S-enantiomers of the formula ##STR1## result from the reaction of a racemic form of compound I with an alcohol in the presence of an enzyme capable of selectively esterifying the R-enantiomers of the racemic compound.