Abstract: The invention described herein relates to coenzymes useful for the synthesis of L-carnitine, particularly a compound of coenzyme A, and more particularly gamma-butyrobetainyl-coenzyme A and crotonobetainyl-coenzyme A, to procedures for their preparation and to their use for the production of L(−)-carnitine from crotonobetain and D(−)-carnitine.

Abstract: A coupled enzyme reaction of a transaminase with GOT activity and of a transaminase with L-phosphinothricin transaminase activity produces phosphinothricin in virtually quantitative yield and virtually without any contamination whatever by a natural amino acid when the amino donor glutamate is employed in catalytic amounts and the amino donor aspartate is employed in approximately equimolar amounts relative to 4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-2-oxobutyric acid.

Abstract: Chiral amines are resolved by selectively reacting an enantiomer of the amine with an alkyl ester in the presence of an enantioselective lipase enzyme to produce an amide of that enantiomer and separating it from the unreacted enantiomer, the alkyl group of the ester being an isoalkyl group. Isobutyl and especially isopropyl groups are preferred.

Abstract: Transglutaminase is allowed to act upon both a physiologically active protein (inclusive of a fused protein thereof with a peptide through acid amide bonding) and an amino group donor containing the polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide, polyamino acid or branched type sugar derivative moiety, whereby the physiologically active protein is modified without spoiling its inherent physiological activities, and may be improved in its qualification as a drug.

Abstract: (S)-Hydroxynitrile lyases which have an improved substrate acceptance and which are derived from the Hevea brasiliensis and Manihot esculenta (S)-hydroxynitrile lyases, wherein one or more bulky amino acid residues within the hydrophobic channel leading to the active center have been replaced with less bulky amino acid residues.

Abstract: The invention provides a multistep synthesis for the preparation of 4,5-diamino shikimic acid derivatives of formula 1

Abstract: The method for preparing an optically active (R)-amino compound characterized by the method comprising stereoselectively carrying out amino group transfer by action of an (R)-form-specific transaminase in the co-presence of a ketone compound (amino acceptor), and an amino compound (amino donor) of a racemic form or an (R)-form, to give an optically active (R)-amino compound. According to the present invention, it is made possible to easily prepare at a high yield the optically active (R)-amino compounds and the like having an aryl group and the like at their 1-position, which have been conventionally difficult to prepare.

Abstract: A succinimide polymer is produced by thermally polymerizing an ammonium salt of aspartic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst such as a boric acid catalyst. Another amino acid may be added for copolymerizing with the ammonium salt of aspartic acid. Ammonia liberated during the production of a succinimide polymer can be collected in a fumaric acid suspension, an acidic fumaric acid solution, a maleic acid solution or an acidic maleic acid solution, and the resultant liquid reacted with an enzyme which may be immobilized to produce L-aspartic acid. An aspartic acid polymer is produced by hydrolyzing the succinimide polymer with a basic substance.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to coenzymes useful for the synthesis of L-carnitine, particularly a compound of coenzyme A, and more particularly gamma-butyrobetainyl-coenzyme A and crotonobetainyl-coenzyme A, to procedures for their preparation and to their use for the production of L(−)-carnitine from crotonobetain and D(−)-carnitine.

Abstract: Specific exchange of the acyl group in the sn-2 position of a phospholipid is achieved by reacting it with a free fatty acid in the presence of an extracellular phospholipase A2.

Abstract: Stereoisomers of carbocyclic amine compounds such as amino tetralins are separated by subjecting a mixture of the stereoisomers to reaction with an acylating agent in the presence of the enzyme Pseudomonas capacia lipase which effect selective acylation of one of the stereoisomers to form a separable amide, whilst leaving the other stereoisomer substantially unchanged.

Abstract: Thermostable transaminase and aminotransferase enzymes derived from various ammonife and aquifex organisms are disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing lysophospholipid using enzyme, more specifically, a process for preparing lysophospholipid from glycerol-3-phosphate derivative using lipase based upon esterification or transesterification reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinate wherein a microorganism having malate isomerase activity or matter processed therefrom and a microorganism having ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinate ethylenediamine lyase activity or matter processed therefrom are allowed to act on a substrate solution containing maleic acid, maleic anhydride, or a maleic acid salt, and ethylenediamine, in the presence of at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, iron, zinc, copper, nickel, aluminum, titanium and manganese. The present invention enables to accumulate [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinate in a higher yield and at a high concentration within a reaction system using maleic acid as a raw material.

Abstract: A process for macromolecularizing phenolic compounds or aromatic amine compounds by the action of a catalyst comprising an enzyme having a polyphenol oxidizing activity in the alkali region; applications of the compounds obtained by the above process to thickeners, stabilizers, coagulants, emulsifiers, dispersants, water retainers, antioxidants, adhesives, concrete admixtures, dyes, coating materials, petroleum recovering agent, soil conditioner, a blow-applied seed bearing surface soil stabilizer, deodorants, smell eliminators, agricultural chemical spreaders, feeding stuff binders, bactericides, antimicrobial agents, viral infection inhibitors, bioadhesion preventives, biotic repellents, insecticides, poultices, ink bases or wood treating agents; and method of waste water disposal, a method of deoxygenation and a method of treating wood, concrete or soil in which use is made of the above reaction.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of (1S, 4R)- or (1R, 4S)-4-(2-amino-6-chloro-9H-purin-9-yl)-2 -cyclopentene-1-methanol of the formula is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to new mutants of formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii, new gene sequences encoding these and use of the new formate dehydrogenases. The wild type FDH used hitherto in the industrial process for preparing amino acids becomes inactive after a certain time. New mutants of this wild type have been produced by targeted mutagenesis of a recombinant FDH from E. coli. The new mutants are preferably used in an enzymatic process for preparing chiral compounds.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of biotechnology. It concerns a biocatalyst, i.e. a dead or living microorganism or a polypeptide, preferably in isolated form, which exhibits acylase enzymatic activity without lipase- or esterase-activity. The biocatalyst is capable of stereoselectively hydrolysing a racemic acylamide which has an aliphatic acyl residue and which is not a derivative of a natural amino acid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of the (S)-enantiomers of optically active cyanohydrins, in which a reaction mixture of a) an aldehyde or ketone dissolved in an organic, water-immiscible or slightly miscible diluent, b) an aqueous (S)-hydroxynitrile lyase solution and c) a cyanide group donor is stirred in such a way that an emulsion is formed which is maintained up to the end of the reaction by stirring.

Abstract: Antibiotic 10381a1, wherein R is hydrogen, is a cytosine-containing antibiotic producible by culturing the novel microorganism Streptomyces arginensis in an aqueous medium and isolation thereof. Derivatives wherein R is a C1 to C3 alkyl ester of antibiotic 10381a1, are also disclosed along with the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of both the native and esterified forms. Antibiotic 10381a1 inhibits the growth of selected species of yeast, fungi and bacteria. This invention also relates to a novel process for the preparation of the antibiotics 10381b and to a method of using antibiotics 10381b to promote growth in meat-producing animals. These antibiotics are also obtained by the fermentation of a nutrient medium with the novel microorganism Streptomyces arginensis and are active against selected species of bacteria.

Abstract: The method for preparing an optically active (R)-amino compound characterized by the method comprising stereoselectively carrying out amino group transfer by action of an (R)-form-specific transaminase in the co-presence of a ketone compound (amino acceptor), and an amino compound (amino donor) of a racemic form or an (R)-form, to give an optically active (R)-amino compound. According to the present invention, it is made possible to easily prepare at a high yield the optically active (R)-amino compounds and the like having an aryl group and the like at their 1-position, which have been conventionally difficult to prepare.

Abstract: The preparation of L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid (L-PPT) by transamination of (3-carboxy-3-oxo-propyl)-methylphosphinic acid with the aid of the L-PPT-specific transaminase from E. coli DH 1 is very much more efficient when the gene coding for this enzyme is isolated, incorporated into the plasmid and then a microorganism is transformed therewith.

Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% or more of such compounds than wild type strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microbiological process for preparing sphingolipids, especially, tetraacetylphytosphingosine(TAPS), using novel yeast cell Pichia ciferrii DSCC 7-25 under optimal fermentation conditions. Further, this invention concerns a novel yeast cell Pichia ciferrii DSCC 7-25 and it's isolation method from wild type of Pichia ciferrii strain.

Abstract: A process for macromolecularizing phenolic compounds or aromatic amine compounds by the action of a catalyst comprising an enzyme having a polyphenol oxidizing activity in the alkali region; applications of the compounds obtained by the above process to thickeners, stabilizers, coagulants, emulsifiers, dispersants, water retainers, antioxidants, adhesives, concrete admixtures, dyes, coating materials, petroleum recovering agent, soil conditioner, a blow-applied seed bearing surface soil stabilizer, deodorants, smell eliminators, agricultural chemical spreaders, feeding stuff binders, bactericides, antimicrobial agents, viral infection inhibitors, bioadhesion preventives, biotic repellents, insecticides, poultices, ink bases or wood treating agents; and method of waste water disposal, a method of deoxygenation and a method of treating wood, concrete or soil in which use is made of the above reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for producing known optically active amines and optically active acylated amines by: a) in a first step, reacting racemic amines with esters, in the presence of hydrolases and possibly a diluent; b) in a second step, separating the reaction mixture into (S)-amine and acylated (R)-amine; and c) optionally in a third step releasing (R)-amine from acylated (R)-amine by treatment with an acid or base, possibly in the presence of a diluent. The optically active amines can be employed as intermediates for preparing pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents.

Abstract: A method for the production of D-pantothenic acid by the fermentation of microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriacae producing D-pantothenic acid which is characterized in that strains are used which a) Contain the plasmid pFV31 and/or pFV202 and that b) A panD gene and optionally other nucleotide sequences coding for aspartate-1-decarboxylase are enhanced, especially overexpressed in these microorganisms, c) The pantothenic acid is enriched in the medium or in the cells of the microorganisms and d) The pantothenic acid formed is isolated.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the production of D-pantothenic acid by the fermentation of microorganisms in which at least the panD gene is enhanced (overexpressed), optionally in combination with the panB and/or panC gene, to provide for the enrichment of the pantothenic acid in the medium or the cells of the microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention discloses three polynucleotide sequences for the fermentative production of D-pantothenic acid. These polynucleotide sequences are genes named panB, encoding a ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase, panC, encoding pantothenate synthase, and ilvD, encoding dihydroxy-acid dehydratase. The genes panB and panC are found on the same operon, panBC, while the gene ilvD is found in a separate operon. These genes can be used separately or together to enhance the production of D-pantothenic acid in microorganisms, especially in Corynebacterium.

Abstract: A method for producing L-allysine acetal represented by general formula (II), comprising reacting D,L-allysinamide acetal represented by general formula (I) with cells of microorganism or treated cell product having an activity of stereoselectively hydrolyzing L-allysinamide acetal, wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each independently represent a lower alkyl group, or R1 and R2 are combined to form an alkylene group represented by [CH2]n, and n is 2 to 3. D,L-allysinamide acetal represented by general formula (I) is also in the scope of the invention. According to the present invention, L-allysine acetal useful as a raw material for medicine can be produced in a smaller number of steps at low costs.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide having ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid:ethylenediamine lyase activity, the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 which may have a deletion, substitution or addition of at least one amino acid; a recombinant plasmid containing the DNA; a host transformed with the recombinant plasmid; and a method for producing a diaminoalkylene-N,N′-disuccinic acid using the transformed host. The present specification also relates to a polypeptide having ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid:ethylenediamine lyase activity which has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 that may have a deletion, substitution or addition of at least one amino acid.

Abstract: A solution having a high concentration of ammonium (meth)acrylate and which is substantially free of (meth)acrylonitrile is made by enzymatic hydrolysis of (meth)acrylonitrile in the presence of water using an enzyme which has Km for (meth)acrylonitrile below 500 .mu.m and Ki for ammonium (meth)acrylate above 100,000.

Abstract: A microorganism is utilized to fermentatively produce useful substances such as amino acids by cultivating the microorganism in a medium to allow a fermentative product to be produced and accumulated in the medium, and collecting the fermentative product, wherein the microorganism to be used is modified by introduction of at least one of a gene coding for a heat shock protein and a gene coding for a .sigma. factor which specifically functions for the heat shock protein gene to enhance expression amount of the heat shock protein in cells, whereby the microorganism is allowed to have added resistance to stress which would otherwise restrain growth of the microorganism and/or production of the fermentative product.

Abstract: A novel method for controlled release of compounds having antimicrobial activity and a novel coating composition capable of controlled release of compounds having antimicrobial activity is provided.This invention relates to a method for releasing a compound having antimicrobial activity from a matrix at a controlled rate, which comprises incorporating an enzyme and a substrate in said matrix beforehand to allow said enzyme and said substrate to react with each other in said matrix to thereby produce said compound having antimicrobial activity; and further relates to a coating composition comprising a film-forming resin, an enzyme, and a substrate, said enzyme being capable of reacting with said substrate to produce a compound having antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: An amidase or nitrilase is made by continuous culture under carbon limitation using a carbon source which includes, respectively, either (a) an amide or amide precursor or (b) a nitrile or nitrile precursor. Novel enzymes have particular stability. A novel microorganism is Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 40756 and is capable of producing a particularly stable amidase. The novel amidase, and the amidase made by the defined process, are effective for converting (meth)acrylamide to ammonium (meth)acrylate, for instance in or after the polymerisation of the acrylamide.

Abstract: A process for producing an [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid alkali metal salt which comprises reacting fumaric acid with ethylenediamine in an aqueous medium in the presence of an ion of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and transition metals by the action of ethylenediamine-disuccinic acid ethylenediamine lyase of microorganism origin, adding an alkali hydroxide to a reaction product mixture thereby to separate and recover the metal ion as an insoluble precipitate, and obtaining an [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid alkali metal salt.

Abstract: 2-Aminopropane is used as the amine donor in the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral amine from a ketone with a transaminase. In a typical embodiment, (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane is prepared by bringing methoxyacetone into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor until a substantial amount of methoxyacetone is converted to (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane and 2-aminopropane is converted to acetone. In a second embodiment, L-alanine is prepared by bringing pyruvic acid into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing an (S)-2-amino-.omega.oxoalkanoic acid derivative in which the corresponding aldehyde is converted into the corresponding acetal-protected aldehyde, the acetal-protected aldehyde is converted into the corresponding aminonitrile, the aminonitrile is converted into the corresponding amino acid amide, the amino acid amide is subjected to an enzymatic, enantioselective hydrolysis in which the (R)-enantiomer of the amino acid amide remains and the (S)-enantiomer is converted into the (S)-amino acid, and the (S)-amino acid is isolated. Preferably, the reaction mixture obtained after the conversion of the aminonitrile into the amino acid amide is treated with a benzaldehyde to form the Schiff base of the amino acid amide. The Schiff base is separated out and is converted into the free amino acid amide.

Abstract: Polymer encapsulated metal oxide particles are prepared by combining a polyamide acid in a polar aprotic solvent with a metal alkoxide solution. The polymer was imidized and the metal oxide formed simultaneously in a refluxing organic solvent. The resulting polymer-metal oxide is an intimately mixed commingled blend, possessing synergistic properties of both the polymer and preceramic metal oxide. The encapsulated metal oxide particles have multiple uses including, being useful in the production of skin lubricating creams, weather resistant paints, as a filler for paper, making ultraviolet light stable filled printing ink, being extruded into fibers or ribbons, and coatings for fibers used in the production of composite structural panels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing fumarase activity from a microorganism or processed product thereof having ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid ethylenediamine lyase activity, which includes treating the microorganism or processed product thereof with an aqueous alkaline solution at a pH of 8.0 to 10.5 in the presence of at least one salt with a concentration of 5 mM to 1000 mM. The salt is preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium and C.sub.2-6 alkanediamine salts of boric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Conversion of crude lecithin is performed by incubating the lecithin with a lipase-phospholipase mixture in a water/polyol environment. The incubation is carried out at about 40-50.degree. C. and a pH of about 7 to about 8 while stirring continuously. The reaction simultaneously produces lysolipid, lysophospholipid, monoglycerides, and diglycerides. The conversion rate of lecithin is more than 80% based on the ratio of LPC/PC (lysophosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylcholine). Calcium chloride can be added to the reaction mixture to capture released fatty acids.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the detoxification of a mixture of nitrile compounds, or a mixture of nitrile and amide compounds by conversion of the nitrile compound(s) to the corresponding amide or acid compounds using a pure culture of an induced microorganism strain capable of converting a nitrile moiety to an amide or acid moiety. If an amide is formed or is present in the mixture, the amide can be further converted, using the present methods for detoxification, to the corresponding acid. The acid can then, if desired, be further degraded to CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and biomass. The induced pure cultures are able to detoxify a mixture of nitriles or a mixture of nitriles and amides which are typically present, in high concentration(s), in nitrile production waste streams.

Abstract: The preparation of L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid (L-PPT) by transamination of (3-carboxy-3-oxopropyl)-methylphosphinic acid with the aid of the L-PPT-specific transaminase from E. coli DH 1 is very much more efficient when the gene coding for this enzyme is isolated, incorporated into a plasmid and then a microorganism is transformed therewith.

Abstract: A purified (S)-hydroxy-nitrile-lyase is disclosed. Also disclosed is an amino acid sequence for (S)-hydroxy-nitrile-lyase and DNA sequence encoding the same.

Abstract: A process for preparing .alpha.-hydroxy acids represented by the general formula (II): RCH(OH)COOH (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkoxy group, an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted aryloxy group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group) by allowing a microorganism to act on .alpha.-hydroxy nitriles (I): RCH(OH)CN (wherein R is as defined above) to hydrolyze and convert the .alpha.-hydroxy nitrites to .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II), wherein the .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II) are produced and accumulated in an aqueous solvent by a microorganism having the concentration resistance to the .alpha.-hydroxy nitrites (I) and/or .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II) and durability preferably in the presence of a cyanide, and harvested. According to this process, the use of the microorganism having the concentration resistance to the .alpha.-hydroxy nitriles (I) and/or .

Abstract: Process for the oxidation of the oxidizable galactose type of alcohol in oxidizable galactose type of alcohol configuration containing polymer, such as guar, with galactose oxidase in the presence of oxidation promoting chemicals.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions with heretofore unknown and enhanced physical, chemical, and biological properties are prepared by combining known biologically active parent compounds with oxo thia azabicyclo compounds, such as lactam and .beta.-lactam compounds, capable of rapidly transporting the parent compounds in undegraded form to their target sites of action. A process for combining the parent compound with .beta.-lactam compounds consists of dissolving the parent compound in a polar solvent, adding a .beta.-lactam compound, incubating the resulting mixture, followed by drying, and subjecting the remaining solid material to solvent washing or extraction to further purify the new pharmaceutical composition. The new pharmaceutical composition possesses the biological and therapeutic activity of the parent compound and the barrier penetrating characteristics of the .beta.

Abstract: Process for the asymmetric synthesis of S-acyl derivatives of 2-mercaptomethyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid of formula (I): characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:a) preparing the diol (VI) by reduction of a malonic ester (V) in the presence of a hydride;b) preparing the monoacetates (VII R) or (VII S) respectively;c) subjecting these monoacetates to an oxidation in order to form the acids (IX S) or (IX R);d) saponifying the compounds (IX S) or (IX R) in order to form the hydroxy acids (X S) or (X R);e) thioacylating the hydroxy acids (X S) or (X R) with a mercapto acid R.sub.1 SH (XI), according to a Mitsunobu-type reaction, in order to lead to the desired acids (I R) (I S) respectively and application to the synthesis of N-(mercaptoacyl)amino acid derivatives (II).

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises an aliphatic polyester and at least one compound of the general formula (I): R.sup.1.sub.a (A)R.sup.2.sub.b, where A is a polyfunctional hydrocarbon group; R1 is an electron-donating group such as hydroxy, amino, thiol, or a derivative thereof; R2 is an electron-withdrawing group such as carboxylic acid, carboxylic amide and quaternary onium; and a and b are at least 1.