Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microorganism that efficiently produces a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. As a result of concentrated studies, a plurality of novel microorganisms having properties of interest that are not classified as conventional microorganisms were isolated and identified. The novel microorganism of the present invention belongs to Ascomycetes and has the ability of producing a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. Such microorganism of Ascomycetes represents a new finding and it can be effective for producing dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan and an intermediate thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microorganism that efficiently produces a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. As a result of concentrated studies, a plurality of novel microorganisms having properties of interest that are not classified as conventional microorganisms were isolated and identified. The novel microorganism of the present invention belongs to Ascomycetes and has the ability of producing a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. Such microorganism of Ascomycetes represents a new finding and it can be effective for producing dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan and an intermediate thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microorganism that efficiently produces a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. As a result of concentrated studies, a plurality of novel microorganisms having properties of interest that are not classified as conventional microorganisms were isolated and identified. The novel microorganism of the present invention belongs to Ascomycetes and has the ability of producing a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. Such microorganism of Ascomycetes represents a new finding and it can be effective for producing dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan and an intermediate thereof.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism having poly-?-glutamic acid-producing ability, prepared by introducing a Bacillus subtilis pgsB gene or a gene functionally equivalent thereto, and a Bacillus subtilis pgsC gene or a gene functionally equivalent thereto, among a group of genes relating to synthesis of poly-?-glutamic acid, into a host microorganism, in which no Bacillus subtilis pgsA gene or a gene functionally equivalent thereto is being introduced into the host microorganism; and a method of producing poly-?-glutamic acid employing the recombinant microorganism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microorganism that efficiently produces a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. As a result of concentrated studies, a plurality of novel microorganisms having properties of interest that are not classified as conventional microorganisms were isolated and identified. The novel microorganism of the present invention belongs to Ascomycetes and has the ability of producing a dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan intermediate using sclareol as a substrate. Such microorganism of Ascomycetes represents a new finding and it can be effective for producing dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan and an intermediate thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-amylase obtained by making replacement or deletion of at least one of amino acid residues such as the 167th Gln, 169th Tyr and 178th Ala in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in an ?-amylase having said amino acid sequence, or an ?-amylase having a homology of at least 70% to said amino acid sequence, a gene encoding the mutant ?-amylase, a vector, transformed cells, a process for producing a mutant ?-amylase, comprising culturing the transformed cells, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant ?-amylase. The mutant ?-amylase of the invention has excellent properties of high resistance to chelating agents, high specific activity in an alkaline region and excellent stability to heat, and is hence useful for detergents for automatic dish washer, laundry detergents and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant ?-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant ?-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-amylase obtained by making replacement or deletion of at least one of amino acid residues such as the 167th Gln, 169th Tyr and 178th Ala in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in an ?-amylase having said amino acid sequence, or an ?-amylase having a homology of at least 70% to said amino acid sequence, a gene encoding the mutant ?-amylase, a vector, transformed cells, a process for producing a mutant ?-amylase, comprising culturing the transformed cells, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant ?-amylase. The mutant ?-amylase of the invention has excellent properties of high resistance to chelating agents, high specific activity in an alkaline region and excellent stability to heat, and is hence useful for detergents for automatic dish washer, laundry detergents and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-amylase obtained by making replacement or deletion of at least one of amino acid residues such as the 167th Gln, 169th Tyr and 178th Ala in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in an ?-amylase having said amino acid sequence, or an ?-amylase having a homology of at least 70% to said amino acid sequence, a gene encoding the mutant ?-amylase, a vector, transformed cells, a process for producing a mutant ?-amylase, comprising culturing the transformed cells, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant ?-amylase. The mutant ?-amylase of the invention has excellent properties of high resistance to chelating agents, high specific activity in an alkaline region and excellent stability to heat, and is hence useful for detergents for automatic dish washer, laundry detergents and the like.

Abstract: Liquefying alkaline amylases, each having residual activity not less than 70% when treated at pH 10 and 45° C. for 30 minutes in the presence of 1 to 100 mM of EDTA or EGTA, are described. Also described are detergents comprising these amylases. In comparison with conventional amylases for detergents, the liquefying alkaline amylases of this invention have a high chelating-agent resisting performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant &agr;-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant &agr;-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: Liquefying alkaline amylases, each having residual activity not less than 70% when treated at pH 10 and 45° C. for 30 minutes in the presence of 1 to 100 mM of EDTA or EGTA, are described. Also described are detergents comprising these amylases. In comparison with conventional amylases for detergents, the liquefying alkaline amylases of this invention have a high chelating-agent resisting performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant &agr;-amylase having an amino acid sequence obtained by making deletion or replacement by another arbitrary amino acid residue of at least a methionine residue at the 202-position or a position homologous thereto among amino acid residues set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, which constitute a liquefying alkaline &agr;-amylase, a gene thereof, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant &agr;-amylase. The mutant &agr;-amylase has the optimum pH in an alkaline range, an excellent &agr;-amylase activity, and high and lasting resistance to oxidizing agents, and is hence particularly useful as a component of detergent compositions containing a bleaching agent and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Provided are highly productive mutant &agr;-amylases which are derived from an &agr;-amylase having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 or 2 or showing at least 60% homology thereto and are constructed so that a specific amino acid residue taking part in productivity is deleted or substituted with another amino acid residue, a gene encoding the mutant &agr;-amylase, vector, transformant cell, a method for producing the mutant &agr;-amylase, which comprises cultivating the transformant cell, and a detergent composition containing the mutant &agr;-amylase.

Abstract: Described are liquefying alkaline amylases each having residual activity not less than 70% when treated at pH 10 and 45° C. for 30 minutes in the presence of 1 to 100 mM of EDTA or EGTA; and a detergent comprising the same. Compared with the conventional amylases for a detergent, they have high chelating-agent resisting performance.

Abstract: A portable light treatment device is capable of delivering the illumination which is sufficient in amount but mild to the subject's eyes for assuring effective light treatment without unduly annoying the subject. The device has a surface illuminating unit having an effective surface region of at least 15 cm.sup.2 which emits a visible diffused light of reduced luminance variation. The light is selected to give an illuminance of at least 2000 LUX measured at an eye position of the subject. A mount member is provided to mount the surface illuminating unit to a portion adjacent to eyes of the subject to direct the diffused light to the eyes of the subject. Thus arranged portable illumination device has an advantage of delivering sufficient amount of the light to the subject's eyes without dazzling the subject and therefore administering effective treatment without imposing severe restrictions to the subject's daily activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquefying alkaline .alpha.-amylase having the enzymatic properties described below, a production process thereof and a detergent composition containing the same.1) Action:It hydrolyzes .alpha.-1,4-glucosidic linkages in starches, amylose, amylopectin and partial degradation products thereof and from amylose, forms glucose (G1), maltose (G2), maltotriose (G3), maltotetraose (G4), maltopentaose (G5) and maltohexaose (G6). It however does not act on pullulan.2) Isoelectric point:It has an isoelectric point higher than 8.5 when measured by an isoelectric focusing electrophoresis.The amylase according to the present invention has a liquefying activity capable of permitting degrading starches and starchy polysaccharides at high random, and has an optimum pH on the alkaline side. Owing to the high isoelectric point, it can be purified readily. Detergents with the amylase incorporated therein have excellent detergency especially against the soil of smeared food.

Abstract: A four-roller type sizing mill apparatus for forming round steel rods, comprises two four-roller mills each having two pair of facing rollers. One pair of facing rollers is arranged in rolling direction perpendicular to the rolling direction of the other pair of rollers. The two four-roller mills are arranged in line, with the rolling direction of one of the two four-roller mills being shifted by 45.degree. from the rolling direction of the other four-roller mill. The two pair of rollers of a first four-roller mill positioned closer to the rolling material inlet are separated from each other by a distance which is greater than zero and not greater than five times the projected contact length of one of the pair of rollers positioned closer to the rolling material inlet.