Abstract: Enzymes for inhibiting growth of biofilms and degrading biofilms. The enzymes comprise glycosyl hydrolases capable of degrading biofilms. The enzymes are formulated in compositions with and without antimicrobial agents. The enzymes with and without the antimicrobial agents are delivered to biofilms to degrade the biofilms and treat infections of microorganisms associated with the biofilms, delivered to surfaces to inhibit growth of biofilms thereon, and administered to animals to inhibit growth of biofilms therein.

Abstract: Enzymes for inhibiting growth of biofilms and degrading biofilms. The enzymes comprise glycosyl hydrolases capable of degrading biofilms. The enzymes are formulated in compositions with and without antimicrobial agents. The enzymes with and without the antimicrobial agents are delivered to biofilms to degrade the biofilms and treat infections of microorganisms associated with the biofilms, delivered to surfaces to inhibit growth of biofilms thereon, and administered to animals to inhibit growth of biofilms therein.

Abstract: A Dictyoglomus turgidum thermostable cellulase enzyme with both endocellulase activity and exocellulase activity that is able to degrade cellulose in the absence of scaffoldins and other cellulosomic proteins is provided. The use of the enzyme to degrade cellulosic materials to soluble sugars is also provided. Also described are nucleic acid constructs that encode and express the cellulase, and hosts transformed to contain the nucleic acid constructs.

Abstract: A Dictyoglomus turgidum thermostable cellulase enzyme with both endocellulase activity and exocellulase activity that is able to degrade cellulose in the absence of scaffoldins and other cellulosomic proteins is provided. The use of the enzyme to degrade cellulosic materials to soluble sugars is also provided. Also described are nucleic acid constructs that encode and express the cellulase, and hosts transformed to contain the nucleic acid constructs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are DNA expression constructs containing an &agr;-amylase promoter sequence derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus, an &agr;-amylase leader sequence derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus, and a DNA sequence encoding a pullulanase derived from Bacillus naganoensis. Microbial hosts transformed to contain the expression constructs secret function pullulanases. Also disclosed is a process for making recombinant pullulanases utilizing the expression constructs and a recombinant pullulanase which can be produced in Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: Starch containing amylopectin is hydrolyzed with an alpha-amylase, preferably derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus, under conditions which cause a non-random cleavage of the starch molecules to yield fragments (molecules) having similar size and branching characteristics and a molecular weight range from about 20,000 to about 50,000 daltons are made. All of the desired molecules have (.alpha.1,6) linkages. The hydrolysate is treated to enrich the concentration of the desired fragments and the enriched portion can be processed further to make a maltodextrin having a D.E. of less than about 8.

Abstract: Starch containing amylopectin is hydrolyzed with an alpha-amylase, preferably derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus, under conditions which cause a non-random cleavage of the starch molecules to yield fragments (molecules) having similar size and branching characteristics and a molecular weight range from about 20,000 to about 50,000 daltons are made. All of the desired molecules have (.alpha.1,6) linkages. The hydrolysate is treated to enrich the concentration of the desired fragments and the enriched portion can be processed further to make a maltodextrin having a D.E. of less than about 8.

Abstract: Aspergillus niger acid protease is prepared by treating whole glucoamylase product containing a mixture of acid protease and glucoamylase with an anion exchange medium which selectively removes acid protease from the glucoamylase, producing a glucoamylase product which is protease-free. The acid protease is then recovered from the anion exchange medium by elution with high salt or low pH solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing a stable liquid enzyme concentrate containing the alpha-amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus. A commercial alpha-amylase enzyme preparation is treated with granular starch to absorb the enzyme, and the starch containing the enzyme is separated and then heated in a buffer solution containing calcium ion. The resulting solution, separated from insoluble solid, is then concentrated to give the final product.

Abstract: A formate salt is used as part of the fermentable carbon-containing material in an anaerobic fermentation to produce acetic acid. Acetate salt formed in the fermentation is converted to free acetic acid with formic acid, which in turn is changed to formate salt. This formate salt then is used as a carbon source for another fermentation.

Abstract: Acetic, propionic, and butyric acids are produced by a two-step fermentation process. Lactate salts formed in the second fermentation step, a biochemical acidification step, are used as the carbon source in the first fermentation step.