Abstract: The present invention pertains to an in vitro method for detecting intestinal barrier failure in animals, the method comprising the following steps: a) collecting intestinal sample material of an individual animal or of an animal population; and b) determining the amount of at least one protein marker contained in said sample material; wherein the at least one protein marker comprises or consists of ovotransferrin or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein an increased amount of said at least one protein marker contained in said sample versus a reference sample indicates intestinal barrier failure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an in vitro method for detecting intestinal barrier failure in an avian population, the method comprising the following steps: a) collecting a pooled fecal sample deriving from an avian population and b) determining the amount of at least one protein marker contained in said sample; wherein the at least one protein marker comprises or consists of an acute phase protein or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein an increased amount of said at least one protein marker contained in said sample versus a reference sample indicates intestinal barrier failure.

Abstract: Described is an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. Also described is that host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the latter enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. On the other hand, host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.

Abstract: Described is an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. Also described is that host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the latter enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. On the other hand, host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.