Abstract: A protein having acrylation activity having a polypeptide sequence derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 or NO:2 by introducing at least one of the following amino acid substitutions: L278A, L278V, W104F, T42A, S47A.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing ?-caprolactam comprising deacylating N-acyl-6-aminocaproic acid and forming ?-caprolactam. The deacylation may be carried out chemically or biocatalytically. The invention further relates to a host cell, comprising a recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme capable of catalysing the formation of 6-aminocaproic acid from N-acyl-6-aminocaproic acid.

Abstract: A protein having acrylation activity having a polypeptide sequence derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 or NO:2 by introducing at least one of the following amino acid substitutions: L278A, L278V, W104F, T42A, S47A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids that code for triacylglycerol lipases, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, host cells comprising said nucleic acids or vectors, methods for the expression of triacylglycerol lipases in prokaryotes, methods for the detection and for the production of triacylglycerol lipases, triacylglycerol lipases obtainable thereby, and the use of triacylglycerol lipase-encoding nucleic acids, vectors and recombinant host cells for said methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR?) activity and/or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in a subject by administering to the subject a plant extract or plant juice from thyme, oregano, clove, nutmeg, red clover, bay leaves, red onion or grapes.

Abstract: Polytetramethylene ether glycol diester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are identical or different and are alkyl radicals having 1-4 carbon atoms, and n is an integer from 2 to 200, are prepared by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence ofi) an acid-activated polymerization catalyst selected from synthetic amorphous aluminum silicates, zeolite and kaolin, which has been calcined at from 350.degree. to 700.degree. C. before use,ii) a carboxylic anhydride, andiii) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the polymerization catalyst, of a metal from the 8th group of the Periodic Table of the Elements as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for isolating ergot alkaloids from culture suspensions, in which after mechanical filtration, the residue is dried in a fluidized drying bed and the alkaloids are extracted with an aprotic organic solvent, reextracted with a weakly acidic aqueous solution which is subsequently made basic, and finally extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent, from which the alkaloids are isolated in a conventional manner. In certain instances, the culture suspension is stirred with an adsorbent clay to entrain the water-soluble alkaloids.

Abstract: Ergoline derivatives including alkaloids and 9,10-dihydroalkaloids of the ergotoxine group and including ergometrine are made by forming a submerged culture under aerobic conditions by inoculation of an aqueous medium containing a carbon source, an organic or inorganic nitrogen source or both of these sources, and nutrient salts, the inoculum being spores obtained from a strain of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. deposited under number IMET PA 130, and then, after completion of the cultivation, extracting the formed alkaloids from the culture and, if necessary, 9,10-dihydrogenating the extracted alkaloids, and converting the alkaloids into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.