Abstract: The invention relates to an ester-group-cleaving enzyme obtainable by culturing the microorganism Thermomonospora fusca in a suitable nutrient medium, optionally in the presence of an inducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating viable cells from cell suspensions using hydrocyclones, which method can, especially, be carried out continuously.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA sequences coding for enzymes that cleave or hydrolyse ester groups, to the production of those enzymes by genetically recombinant microorganisms and to the use of those enzymes and microorganisms for the degradation of polymers containing ester groups, especially aliphatic-aromatic polyesters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating viable cells from cell suspensions using hydrocyclones, which method can, especially, be carried out continuously.

Abstract: The invention concerns biologically degradable polyesterS which are degraded under the action of micro-organisms in the natural environment. Said polyesters are high molecular weight satistical copolyesters which are made using an aliphatic polyalcohol, an aromatic polycarboxylic acid and also an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid as monomer components. They contain constitutional repeating or recurrent units comprising (i) a polyalcohol and an aromatic polycarboxylic acid and (ii) a polyalcohol and an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, where over 90% of the units of type (i) are directly bonded with none or at most one other unit of type (i). The polyesters are produced by using a di-isocyanate as an additional monomer component, less isocyanate being used than any of the other monomer components. The present invention also concerns materials made from said biodegradable polyester and a process for producing said polyesters.

Abstract: The invention is relates to improved stirred-tank reactors which are suitable, due to special fittings, for converting the results of e.g. microbial or enzymatic processes obtained when they are used on a laboratory scale into an industrial scale. A shaft-driven disk agitator is provided, with at least one perforated disk being attached in the reactor above and/or below the disk agitator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating a polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria from a mixed culture of non-polysaccharide and polysaccharide producing bacteria, The method uses a streaking technique on a nutrient medium containing unsubstituted gellan as a gellant. The polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria are isolated by the act of non-polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria sinking into the nutrient medium. However, the polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria do not sink into the nutrient medium. The isolated cells are capable of producing an exopolysaccharide such as P4. Further the isolated cells are capable of producing gellan. The specific polysaccharide producing bacteria are of the genera Auromonas, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas.

Abstract: A process for the transformation of glycerol into 1,3-propanediol by microorganisms comprising fermenting the microorganisms in media having a glycerol content of from about 5% to about 20% by weight under standard anaerobic fermentation conditions and recovering the 1,3-propanediol. The microorganisms according to the invention do not suffer catabolic repression by the large amount of 1,3-propanediol produced by the process.