Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel enzyme called alkaline proteinase K-16 that is characterized as having an optimum pH in an alkaline range, and stability in the presence of various surface active agents, such as sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium .alpha.-olefin sulfonate, sodium alkyl sulfonate, and .alpha.-sulfo-fatty acid ester. The present invention further provides for the microorganism Bacillus sp. Ferm BP-3376, which is capable of producing the novel alkaline proteinase, and a process for producing the novel alkaline proteinase. Alkaline-proteinase K-16 of the present invention exhibits an excellent action against insoluble proteins and maintains sufficient activity over a wide temperature range and in the presence of surface active agents thus providing a use as an enzyme for detergents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel enzyme called alkaline proteinase K-16 that is characterized as having an optimum pH in an alkaline range, and stability in the presence of various surface active agents, such as sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium .alpha.-olefin sulfonate, sodium alkyl sulfonate, and .alpha.-sulfo-fatty acid ester. The present invention further provides for a microorganism producing the novel alkaline proteinase, and a process for producing the novel alkaline proteinase. Alkaline proteinase K-16 of the present invention exhibits an excellent action against insoluble proteins and maintains sufficient activity over a wide temperature range and in the presence of surface active agents thus providing a use as an enzyme for detergents.

Abstract: A mutant of an extracellular enzyme-producing microorganism belonging to genus Bacillus, which is resistant to a cell membrane synthesis inhibitor, including vancomycin and ristocetin, is disclosed. The cell membrane synthesis inhibitor-resistant mutant can produce such an enzyme as cellulase, protease, or amylase about 2 to 4 times of the parent strain. Such a mutant can be produced by subjecting an extracellular enzyme-producing microorganism tot a mutation treatment, and culturing said microorganism in a culture medium containing a cell membrane synthesis inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing an unsaturated fatty acid or derivative thereof which comprises culturing an unsaturated fatty acid-producing microorganism belonging to the genus Rhodococcus in a medium containing a saturated fatty acid or a derivative thereof, or causing the resting cells of the microorganisms to act on a saturated fatty acid or a derivative thereof. Also disclosed herein is a process for producing an alkene or derivative thereof which comprises culturing an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound-producing microorganism belonging to the genus Rhodococcus in a medium containing an alkane or derivative thereof, or causing the resting cells of the microorganism to act on an alkane or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a dicarboxylic acid using a thermophilic croorganism, and the microorganism used. The process involves cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium which produces a dicarboxylic acid at high temperatures in a medium to which a substrate selected from among normal paraffins, fatty acids, and their derivatives, each containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, has been added, so that a dicarboxylic acid containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms is formed and accumulated in the medium, and collecting the dicarboxylic acid.