Abstract: Methods for improving sensitivity and specificity of polynucleotide synthesis are disclosed. The method includes reversibly blocking thermophilic polymerase activity with non-nucleic acid polyanions in a temperature dependent manner. The methods control target specific primer extension throughout all stages of a DNA or RNA amplification reaction. Corresponding compositions and kits are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a compound with &bgr;1-4 linkage which contains the lactosamine structure involving reacting at least one donor substance Gal&bgr;OR where R is an organic group, and at least one acceptor substance which is a glucopyranosamino derivative having the formula GlcNR″—R′″, wherein NR″ is an azido, 2-N-acetyl-, 2-N-phtalimido, or an organic group bound to the 2-N-group of glucosamine, wherein R′″ is a glycosidically bound fluoro or is an O-, C-, N- or S-glycosidically bound aliphatic or aromatic compound, with the proviso that if NR″ is NHAc then R′″ is not OH and if NR″ is not NHAc then R′″ may be OH, in the presence of Bullera singularis or an E.C. group 3.2 glycosidase of essentially the same structure as an E.C. Group 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing maltose syrup, wherein starch is treated with a hexosyltransferase (E.C. 2.4.1) and then a beta-amylase and/or a maltogenic amy-lase, or variant thereof. The invention also relates to an intermediate product suitable as staring material in maltose production processes.

Abstract: Maltose products are prepared by hydrolyzing starch with an enzyme that consists essentially of a beta-amylase enzyme. The product thus prepared may be spray dried, or a high purity maltose product may be obtained therefrom via ultrafiltration. The high purity maltose product has a low content of glucose and saccharides in the DP 3-10 range.

Abstract: Mutant glycosidase enzymes are formed in which the normal nucleophilic amino acid within the active site has been changed to a nonnucleophilic amino acid. These enzymes cannot hydrolyze disaccharide products, but which can still form them. Using this enzyme, oligosaccharides are synthesized by preparing a mixture of an &agr;glycosyl fluoride and a glycoside acceptor molecule; enzymatically coupling the &agr.glycosyl fluoride to the glycoside acceptor molecule to form a glycosyl glycoside product using the mutant glycosidase enzyme; and recovering the glycosyl glycoside product. Particular enzymes include a mutant form of Agrobacterium &bgr.Glucosidase in which the normal glutamic acid residue at position 358 is replaced with an alanine residue.

Abstract: Improved custom cosmetic formulation dispensing system including ingredients reservoirs for syringe dispensing. The ingredients reservoirs are carried by a translatable carrier to bring the respective reservoirs into dispensing alignment with a package, into which a preselected amount of the ingredient is dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing oligosaccharide syrups, in particular to the production of syrups having a high concentration of saccharides with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, comprising the steps of: enzymatic reaction of a substrate at a temperature in the range of 50° C. to 100° C. obtaining a saccharide solution comprising monosaccharides and disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; nanofiltration of the saccharide solution at a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 100°C. obtaining a syrup essentially comprising disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; recovering said syrup; optionally recycling the permeate resulting from the nanofiltration step to the enzymatic reaction.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an organic material comprising an oxidation step during which an organic material undergoes the oxidising action of an enzymatic means capable of generating hydrogen peroxide, wherein said oxidation step is carried out, wholly or partly, in the presence of 0.001% to 1% of a metal selected from ruthenium, palladium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides the promoter clone discovery of a glucoamylase gene of a starch utilizing yeast strain Schwanniomyces castellii. The isolated glucoamylase promoter is an inducible promoter, which can regulate strong gene expression in starch culture medium.

Abstract: A method of preparing the sugar 1,5-D-anhydrofructose is described. The method comprises treating an alpha -1,4-glucan with an alpha -1,4-glucan lyase wherein the enzyme is used in substantially pure form. In a preferred embodiment, if the glucan contains links other than and in addition to the alpha -1,4-links, the alpha -1,4-glucan lyase is used in conjunction with a suitable reagent that can break the other links.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simplified synthesis, new carbohydrate-based products and practical use of different carbohydrate-based products. Examples of these are (Gal&agr;1-3Gal), GlcNAc&bgr;1-3Gal, &agr;- or &bgr;-glycosides thereof, Gal&agr;1-3Gal- containing tri-, or higher oligosaccharides, &agr;- or &bgr;-glycosides thereof, GlcNAc&bgr;1-3Gal containing tri-, tetra-, or higher oligosaccharides, and derivatives and/or &agr;- or &bgr;-glycosides thereof, Gal&agr;1-3GalGlcNAc&bgr;1-3Gal, &agr;- or &bgr;-glycosides thereof, Gal&agr;1-3Gal&bgr;1-4GlcNAc&bgr;1-3Gal&bgr;1-4Glc, or other higher oligosaccharides containing the Gal&agr;1-3Gal-structure, &agr;- or &bgr;-glycosides thereof, modified carbohydrates, di-, tri-, oligo-, or polyfunctional products containing carbohydrate structures, and the use of the products for synthesis, affinity purification, diagnostic applications and therapy.

Abstract: Maltose products are prepared by hydrolyzing starch with an enzyme that consists essentially of a beta-amylase enzyme. The product thus prepared may be spray dried, or a high purity maltose product may be obtained therefrom via ultrafiltration. The high purity maltose product has a low content of glucose and saccharides in the DP 3-10 range.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyvalent, physiologically degradable carbohydrate-containing polymers by enzymatic glycosylation reactions is described. The carbohydrate-containing polymers thus prepared may be used for preparing carbohydrate building blocks. The polyvalent carbohydrate-containing polymers of the invention cause no intolerance reactions in vivo, either in their intact form or in the form of degradation products. The carbohydrate side chain of the carbohydrate-containing polymer is assembled by enzymatic glycosylation reactions in homogeneous aqueous buffer systems directly on a biodegradable polymer. The yields of the glycosylation reaction are significantly improved over known processes, and are often quantitative. This also provides a significant increase in the loading densities. A process for preparing free oligosaccharides by means of the carbohydrate-containing polymers of the invention is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel transferase that acts on a saccharide, as a substrate, composed of at least three sugar units wherein at least three glucose residues on the reducing end are linked &agr;-1,4 so as to transfer the &agr;-1,4 lingages to a &agr;-1,&agr;-1 linkages; a process for producing the transferase; a gene coding for the same; and a process for producing an oligosaccharide by using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transferring at least two saccharide units with a polyglycosyltransferase, a polyglycosyltransferase and a gene encoding such a polyglycosyltransferase.

Abstract: The gist of the present invention resides in a mannose-containing copra meal composition obtained by allowing two enzymes, xylanase and &bgr;-galactomannan, to act on copra meal, and in a method for preparing the same, in which mannose can be liberated efficiently and economically by combining the two enzymes. A decreasing effect against Salmonella is expected at an economical cost, by adding into feeds the mannose-containing copra meal composition according to the present invention or mannoses obtained from the composition by extraction.

Abstract: A method for producing an N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide, comprising the steps of: adjusting a sulfate group content of keratan sulfate; allowing an enzyme having an ability to cleave a glycosidic linkage of keratan sulfate to act on the keratan sulfate with the adjusted sulfate group content to obtain a sulfated N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide; and completely desulfating said sulfated N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide.

Abstract: A method for the enzymatic synthesis of sucrose ester, comprises introducing, in an adapted reactor and so as to form a reaction medium, predetermined amounts of an organic solvent, a sugar or a sugar derivative, a compound donor of acyl groups and an enzymatic catalyst, the amount of at least one constituent of the reaction mixture being deficient, in controlled addition during the reaction of additional amounts of the deficient constituent(s), and finally purifying the resulting sucrose esters at least by separating the fine enzymatic particles from the solvent.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions comprising a polysaccharide oncotic agent, a physiologically compatible buffer, a simple hexose sugar, dissolved chloride salts of calcium, sodium and magnesium, and a dissolved organic salt of sodium are disclosed. The solutions are effective substitutes for blood and may be used to preserve the biological integrity of the organs of a mammalian donor organism as shown by superior anatomical integrity of cryopreserved organs and tissues of subjects perfused with the solution. The solutions may be used for maintaining a partially or substantially completely exsanguinated subject at normal temperatures and at temperatures substantially below those normally maintained by a mammal and may be used in conjunction with hypobaric environments to maintain such partially or completed exsanguinated subjects alive without infusing blood back into the subject.

Abstract: Maltose products are prepared by hydrolyzing starch with an enzyme that consists essentially of a beta-amylase enzyme. The product thus prepared may be spray dried, or a high purity maltose product may be obtained therefrom via ultrafiltration. The high purity maltose product has a low content of glucose and saccharides in the DP 3-10 range.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical method for the preparation of chondroitin sulfates A and C useful as an effective ingredient of medicaments from fish scales as a waste material discharged from fishery in large quantities. Fish scales are enzymatically decomposed in an aqueous medium in the presence of a protease to isolate the chondroitin sulfate compounds and by-product polypeptides followed by removal of the by-product polypeptides from the aqueous solution by a cation-exchange treatment and then the aqueous solution of the chondroitin sulfate compounds is subjected to fractional precipitation by the addition of ethyl alcohol as the precipitant.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions comprising a polysaccharide oncotic agent, a physiologically compatible buffer, a simple hexose sugar, dissolved chloride salts of calcium, sodium and magnesium, and a dissolved organic salt of sodium are disclosed. The solutions are effective substitutes for blood and may be used to preserve the biological integrity of the organs of a mammalian donor organism as shown by superior anatomical integrity of cryopreserved organs and tissues of subjects perfused with the solution. The solutions may be used for maintaining a partially or substantially completely exsanguinated subject at normal temperatures and at temperatures substantially below those normally maintained by a mammal and may be used in conjunction with hypobaric environments to maintain such partially or completed exsanguinated subjects alive without infusing blood back into the subject.

Abstract: A method for preparing saccharide compositions which is reiterative and includes the following three steps. (i) A glycosyltransferase capable of transferring a preselected saccharide unit to an acceptor moiety is isolated by contacting the acceptor moiety with a mixture suspected of containing the glycosyltransferase under conditions effective to bind the acceptor moiety and the glycosyltransferase and thereby isolate the glycosyltransferase. The acceptor moiety is a protein, a glycoprotein, a lipid, a glycolipid, or a carbohydrate. (ii) The isolated glycosyltransferase is then used to catalyze the bond between the acceptor moiety and the preselected saccharide unit. (iii) Steps (i) and (ii) are repeated a plurality of times with the intermediate product obtained in the first iteration of the method being used as the acceptor moiety of the second iteration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing oligosaccharide syrups, in particular to the production of syrups having a high concentration of saccharides with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, comprising the steps of: enzymatic reaction of a substrate at a temperature in the range of 50° C. to 100° C. obtaining a saccharide solution comprising monosaccharides and disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; nanofiltration of the saccharide solution at a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 100° C. obtaining a syrup essentially comprising disaccharides, trisaccharides and higher saccharides; recovering said syrup; optionally recycling the permeate resulting from the nanofiltration step to the enzymatic reaction.

Abstract: A saccharide composition containing trehalulose, which is obtainable by allowing a maltose/trehalose converting enzyme to act on a sucrose solution to produce trehalulose, and collecting the resulting trehalulose-containing mixture. Since the enzyme converts sucrose into trehalulose in a relatively high yield and the conversion rate is controllable, a saccharide composition rich in trehalulose is readily obtained on an industrial scale.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a maltose-rich syrup, comprising the successive stages consisting of: (a) carrying out a liquefaction of a starch milk; (b) carrying out a saccharification of the liquefied starch milk in the presence of a maltogenic &agr;-amylase; (c) continuing the saccharification of the liquefied starch milk in the presence of a &bgr;-amylase and at least one debranching enzyme chosen from the group consisting of pullulanases and isoamylases with a view to obtaining a syrup which is rich in maltose.

Abstract: Mutant glycosidase enzymes are formed in which the normal nucleophilic amino acid within the active site has been changed to a non-nucleophilic amino acid. These enzymes cannot hydrolyze disaccharide products, but which can still form them. Using this enzyme, oligosaccharides are synthesized by preparing a mixture of an &agr;-glycosyl fluoride and a glycoside acceptor molecule; enzymatically coupling the &agr;-glycosyl fluoride to the glycoside acceptor molecule to form a glycosyl glycoside product using the mutant glycosidase enzyme; and recovering the glycosyl glycoside product. Particular enzymes include a mutant form of Agrobacterium &bgr;-Glucosidase in which the normal glutamic acid residue at position 358 is replaced with an alanine residue.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immobilized maltogenic &agr;-amylase, which is adsorbed on particles of at least one porous substrate selected from the group consisting of phenolic resins, acrylic resins and polystyrene resins. The present invention also relates to the use of such an &agr;-amylase for the preparation of a maltose-rich syrup.

Abstract: ppGaNTase-T6 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing ppGaNTase-T6 polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Glycosylated acceptors are prepared using glycosyl transferase and activated glycosyl derivatives as donor sugars without the use of sugar nucleotides as donor sugars. A reaction mixture composition containing an activated glycoside derivative such as glycosyl fluoride or glycosyl mesylate, an acceptor substrate such as lactose or other oligosaccharide, a glycosyl transferase and a catalytic amount of a nucleotide phosphate or nucleotide phosphate analog is reacted to produce the glycosylated acceptor. The acceptor substrate may also be a monosaccharide, a fluorescent-labeled saccharide or a saccharide derivative such as an aminoglycoside antibiotic. The glycosyl transferase may be immobilized by removing its membrane-binding domain and attaching in its place a cellulose-binding domain. In another embodiment, a glycosylated acceptor is formed by making a nucleotide phosphate glycoside in situ in a steady state concentration.

Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.

Abstract: A kojibiose phosphorylase which hydrolyzes kojibiose in the presence of an inorganic phosphoric acid to form D-glucose and &bgr;-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, forms kojibiose and an inorganic phosphoric acid from &bgr;-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, and catalyzes the transfer reaction of glucosyl group to other saccharides using &bgr;-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid as a saccharide donor. The enzyme is obtainable from natural sources such as microorganisms of the genus Thermoanaerobium, and obtainable by recombinant technology. Kojibiose phosphorylase is used to transfer glucose from glucose-1-phosphate to acceptor saccharides to produce &agr;-D-glucosyl-1(1→5)-L-sorbose, kojibiosylglucose, kojibiosylglucoside and kojibiosylfructoside.

Abstract: A process for producing or separating trehalose and/or sugar alcohols from hydrogenated saccharide mixtures containing trehalose and sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, maltitol, and maltotriitol, which comprises the steps of subjecting hydrogenated saccharide mixtures containing trehalose and the sugar alcohols to column chromatography using strong-acid cation exchange resins, and successively eluting and collecting a trehalose-rich fraction and a sugar alcohol-rich fraction in this order.

Abstract: Oligosaccharide compounds that are substrates and inhibitors of glycosyltransferase and glycosidase enzymes and compositions containing such compounds are disclosed. A method of glycosylation is also disclosed. An E. coli transformed with phagemid CMPSIL-1, which phagemid comprises a gene for a modified CMP-sialic acid synthetase enzyme, which transformed E. coli has the ATCC accession No. 68531 is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantitative determination of 1,5-anhydroglucitol in a sample, which comprises mixing the sample and an enzyme having activity that is inhibited by 1,5-anhydroglucitol in a concentration-dependent manner, and measuring the activity of the enzyme; and a reagent for quantitative determination of 1,5-anhydroglucitol which comprises an enzyme having activity that is inhibited by 1,5-anhydroglucitol in a concentration-dependent manner, a substrate for the enzyme, and a reagent for quantitative determination of a product formed by the enzyme activity. The present invention also relates to novel trehalase having a Ki value of 0.33 mM or less for 1,5-anhydroglucitol; and a process for producing novel trehalase having the above-mentioned physicochemical properties, which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Nocardia and capable of producing the trehalase, and recovering the trehalase from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the simultaneous production of converted and non-converted sugar and/or non-sugar products. The process is especially adapted to the simultaneous production of isomaltulose and/or trehalulose, and betaine or invert sugar from plant derived juices. Sucrose in said juices are enzymatically converted into isomaltulose and trehalulose and the target products are separately recovered from the resulting solution. The isomaltulose may be further converted into isomalt.

Abstract: A kojibiose phosphorylase which hydrolyzes kojibiose in the presence of an inorganic phosphoric acid to form D-glucose and .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, forms kojibiose and an inorganic phosphoric acid from .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, and catalyzes the transfer reaction of glucosyl group to other saccharides using .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid as a saccharide donor. The enzyme is obtainable from natural sources such as microorganisms of the genus Thermoanaerobium, and obtainable by recombinant technology.

Abstract: A method for producing an N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide, comprising the steps of:adjusting a sulfate group content of keratan sulfate;allowing an enzyme having an ability to cleave a glycosidic linkage of keratan sulfate to act on the keratan sulfate with the adjusted sulfate group content to obtain a sulfated N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide; andcompletely desulfating said sulfated N-acetyllactosamine oligosaccharide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel fermentative process for the preparation of acarbose. By monitoring and controlling the osmolality in the fermentation solution, a substantial improvement in yield from the fermentation is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transferring at least two saccharide units with a polyglycosyltransferase, a polyglycosyltransferase and a gene encoding such a polyglycosyltransferase.

Abstract: An enzyme, which has a molecular weight of about 57,000-120,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of about 3.8-5.1 on isoelectrophoresis using ampholyte, converts maltose into trehalose and vice versa. The enzyme was isolated from microorganisms of the genera Pimelobacter, Pseudomonas and Thermus. By using the enzyme, trehalose is readily formed from a commercially available maltose in an industrial scale and a relatively-low cost. Trehalose and saccharide compositions containing the same, which are preparable with the enzyme, are suitably used in food products, cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by glucosyltransferase B enzymes of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the sizing and coating steps of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with Streptococcus mutans genes encoding wild-type or mutant glucosyltransferase B enzymes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant thermostable enzyme, which converts maltose into trehalose and is stable up to a temperature of about 80.degree. C. even when incubated at pH 7.0 for 60 min, a preparation of the enzyme, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA containing the DNA, a transformant, and an enzymatic conversion method of maltose by using the enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-stable pullulanase having the property of hydrolysing glucosidic bonds of the .alpha.-1,6 type in amylopectin and having an enzymatic activity in an acid medium and at a temperature of about 60.degree. C.The invention also relates to strains of microorganisms which produce this pullulanase and processes for the preparation of this pullulanase.The invention also relates to the uses thereof and compositions comprising the product.The invention also relates to a DNA molecule. The invention relates to an expression vector containing this DNA molecule and to a chromosomal integration vector containing this DNA molecule.

Abstract: Plasmids containing DNA sequences which when inserted into the genome of a plant modify the carbohydrate or protein concentration and the carbohydrate or protein composition, and plant cells and plants that contain these plasmids.DNA sequences located in plasmids reduce ADP-glucose-pyrophosphorylase activity in the plant and thereby the starch concentration, while at the same time increase the mono- and oligosaccharide concentration. Other DNA sequences in plasmids reduce or increase the protein concentration. Plants that contain these plasmids are suitable inter alia for the extraction of sugar or as protein-enriched food or fodder.

Abstract: A novel endo-fucoidan-lyase and a novel microorganism useful in the production of sugar compounds. Sugar compounds represented by the following general formula (1), wherein at least one of alcoholic hydroxyl group has been sulfated, or salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein Y represents hydrogen or a group represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: A method for producing glycoconjugate, which comprises the steps of:(i) binding a sugar residue to the side chain of a water-soluble polymer via a linker having a selectively cleavable linkage to give a primer, and bringing said primer into contact with an immobilized glycosyltransferase in the presence of a sugar nucleotide, to transfer a sugar residue of said sugar nucleotide to the sugar residue of said primer,(ii) elongating a sugar chain by transfer of plural sugar residues by repeating the step (i) at least once,(iii) removing, where necessary, a by-produced nucleotide or an unreacted sugar nucleotide, and(iv) repeating the steps (i)-(iii) where necessary and releasing the glycoconjugate by selectively cleaving the cleavable linkage in the linker, from the above-mentioned primer connecting the sugar chain elongated by the transfer of plural sugar residues,and a method for producing a sphingoglycolipid.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the preparation of sialyl galactosides. The methods use sialyl transferase cycle in which the reaction conditions are optimized to provide increased yields.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel non-reducing saccharide-forming enzyme, and its preparation and uses. The enzyme is obtainable from the culture of microorganisms such as Rhizobium sp. M-11 (FERM BP 4130) and Arthrobacter sp. Q36 (FERM BP-4316), and capable of forming non-reducing saccharides having a trehalose structure when allowed to act on reducing partial starch hydrolysates. Glucoamylase and .alpha.-glucosidase readily yield trehalose when allowed to act on the non-reducing saccharides. These non-reducing saccharides and trehalose are extensively useful in food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.