Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a dipeptide or a dipeptide derivative using a phosphate donor, a substance selected from the group consisting of adenosine-5?-monophosphate, adenosine-5?-diphosphate and adenosine-5?-triphosphate, one or more kinds of amino acids or amino acid derivatives, and as enzyme sources, a protein having polyphosphate kinase activity, or a culture of cells having the ability to produce the protein or a treated matter of the culture, and a protein having the activity to ATP-dependently form the dipeptide or dipeptide derivative from one or more kinds of amino acids or amino acid derivatives, or a culture of cells having the ability to produce the protein or a treated matter of the culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to functionalized, telechelic polymers synthesized by enzymatic catalysis and methods, and the functionalization of polymers via Michael addition with a lipase catalyst, and the crosslinking of mono- or difunctional (telechelic) polymers made by enzymatic catalysis, such as by using multifunctional coupling agents and enzyme catalysts. Quantitative transesterification of vinyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene glycol), poly(isobutylene) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) was achieved using Candida antarctica lipase B. In addition, methacrylate-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether has been successfully coupled to aminoethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether via Michael addition using Candida antarctica lipase B. Amine-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)s have also been used for the preparation of poly(ethylene glycol)-based dendrimers and gels through Michael addition of the polymer onto triacryloyl hexahydro-triazine using the same enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alpha-ketopimelic acid decarboxylase enzyme that is a homologue of SEQ ID NO:2, comprising at least one mutation selected from a group of substitutions listed in the specification, to a method for preparing 5-formyl valeric acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘5-FVA’), to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘6-ACA’), to a method for preparing ?-caprolactam (hereinafter referred to as ‘caprolactam’) from 6-ACA, to a method for the preparation of adipic acid, to a method for preparing diaminohexane. The invention further relates to a host cell which may be used in a method according to the invention and to a polynucleotide encoding an alpha-ketopimelic acid decarboxylase enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a DOI synthase having properties such as stability to heat and pH, which are superior to those of conventional enzymes, and a method for producing DOI using the above-mentioned enzyme. The present invention provides a 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose synthase having the properties described in the following (1), (2), (4), (6) and (7), and also having the properties described in the following (3) and/or (5): (1) action: the enzyme has a function to convert glucose-6-phosphate to 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose; (2) optimum pH range: pH 7.0 to 7.7; (3) stable pH range: pH 6.0 to 8.0; (4) optimum temperature range: 55° C. to 70° C.; (5) stable temperature range: 20° C. to 46° C.; (6) coenzyme used: NAD+; and (7) molecular weight: 39,000 to 42,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell deficient in an essential gene, comprising a vector, said vector comprising at least said essential gene and an autonomous replication sequence, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungal cell. The invention also relates to a host cell deficient in an essential gene, comprising a vector, said vector comprising at least said essential gene and an autonomous replication sequence, wherein the host cell comprises a recombinant polynucleotide construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding a biological compound of interest or a compound involved in the synthesis of a biological compound of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synthesizing ?-aminoalkanoic acids or esters thereof from unsaturated natural fatty acids, passing through a monounsaturated dinitrile intermediate compound. The method of the invention is simple to carry out and, compared to other known methods, avoids the environmental constraints and economic disadvantages due to reaction by-products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of production of optically active chiral amine from alpha hydroxy ketone using enzyme transaminase as the biocatalyst. In particular the present invention relates to production of (1R, 2S)-Norephedrine and its salts from R-Phenylacetylcarbinol (R-PAC) by employing S-transaminase as the biocatalyst and Isopropylamine as the amine donor.

Abstract: The invention is about E. coli host cells which are capable to convert glycerol to serinol. Furthermore, a process for producing serinol is disclosed, which comprises culturing E. coli host cells inactive for triosephosphate isomerase and active for dihydroxyacetone phosphate aminotransferase to convert glycerol to serinol, induction of conversion from glycerol to serinol by adding at least glycerol to the cell culture, and isolating serinol from the cell culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘6-ACA’) using a biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a method for preparing e-caprolactam (hereafter referred to as ‘caprolactam’) by cyclising such 6-ACA. The invention further relates to a host cell, a micro-organism, or a polynucleotide which may be used in the preparation of 6-ACA or caprolactam.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient method for converting oximes into enamides. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. The enamides are useful precursors to amides and amines. The invention provides a process to convert a prochiral enamide into the corresponding chiral amide. In an exemplary process, a chiral amino center is introduced during hydrogenation through the use of a chiral hydrogenation catalyst. In selected embodiments, the invention provides methods of preparing amides and amines that include the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-alkyl-1-naphthalenamine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine substructure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of bolting and flowering time control in sugar beet, specifically to methods as well as nucleic acid molecules, chimeric constructs, and vectors for engineering bolting resistance in sugar beet by means of altering the expression of the Beta vulgaris homologues BvFT1 and BvFT2 of the FT gene. In particular, the present invention provides sugar beet plants having a phenotype of bolting resistance.

Abstract: Process for the enzymatic synthesis of the compound of formula (I), (7S)-1-(3,4-dimethoxy-bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl)N-methyl methanamine: and application in the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid.

Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain chemical compounds in tobacco materials is provided, the method including treatment of a tobacco plant or portion thereof with at least one enzyme. For example, the method may modify the content of tobacco smoke toxicant precursors in tobacco materials, which can result in a modification in toxicant production when the tobacco material is exposed to elevated temperatures. The type of tobacco plant or portion thereof treated according to the invention can be, for example, a tobacco seed, a tobacco seedling, an immature live plant, a mature live plant, a harvested plant, or a plant derivative. Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such enzyme-treated tobacco materials are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing naturally derived beneficial compounds including dispersing a microbiological culture media including at least one live probiotic organism, and at least one nutraceutical and/or at least one nutritive agent in distilled water to form a broth, incubating the broth at a predetermined temperature for a select period of time to induce probiotic activity; halting the probiotic activity, and separating the desired compound from the broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a putrescine-producing microorganism and a method for producing putrescine using the same. To be more specific, the present invention is directed to a microorganism given the ability to produce putrescine which is generated by blocking a biosynthetic pathway from ornithine to arginine, increasing the intracellular level of glutamate, enhancing the biosynthetic pathway of ornithine from glutamate, and introducing extracellular ornithine decarboxylase; and a method for producing putrescine by using the microorganism.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of biomass comprising mixing a biomass with an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass and electromagnetic (EM) heating, preferably radiofrequency (RF) heating, said biomass. Additionally, a method of acidolysis of biomass comprising mixing biomass in an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass; adding an acid, to lower the pH of the biomass below pH 7; applying radio frequency (RF) heating to the biomass to heat to a target temperature range; applying ultrasonic heating, electromagnetic (EM) heating, convective heating, conductive heating, or combinations thereof, to the biomass to maintain the biomass at a target temperature range; washing the treated biomass; and recovering sugars and released lignin.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing from a ketone compound an optically active amino compound useful as an intermediate of a drug, an agricultural chemical, or the like. Provided are: a polypeptide having aminotransferase activity that is increased in stereoselectivity, heat resistance, and resistance to amine compounds compared to the wild type enzyme by means of modifying an aminotransferase derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens; a gene encoding the polypeptide; and a transformant that expresses the gene at a high level.

Abstract: A method of producing cadaverine is more efficient and at a higher yield than production methods by the conventional fermentation methods. The method includes culturing coryneform bacterium/bacteria having a resistance to a pH of 5.5 or less. Preferably, the coryneform bacterium/bacteria has/have lysine decarboxylase activity and, preferably, the coryneform bacterium/bacteria has/have homoserine auxotrophy and/or a resistance to S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage process for producing substituted, optically active alcohols, comprising an enzyme-catalyzed synthesis step, in particular a synthesis step which is catalyzed by an alcohol dehydrogenase. The inventive method is particularly suitable for producing phenylephrine, i.e. 3-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-ethyl]-phenol.

Abstract: A product is enriched by a method for the processing of a reaction solution, in which: a) a pH value of the reaction solution is adjusted to less than 4; wherein said reaction solution comprises a whole-cell catalyst, an aqueous component, and an organic component, wherein the organic component contains a product to be enriched; and b) the reaction solution is filtered in the presence of a filter aid, thereby enriching the product.

Abstract: Process for producing optically active 3-aminocarboxylic acid ester compounds of general Formula I, and the ammonium salts thereof, in which R1 stands for alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or hetaryl, and R2 stands for alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, in which an enantiomeric mixture of a simply N-acylated 3-aminocarboxylic acid ester of general formula (I.b), in which R1 and R2 have the meanings given above and R3 stands for hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, is submitted to an enantioselective deacylation by adding a polypeptide according to claim 1.

Abstract: A method produces a chemical through continuous fermentation including: (a) culturing a cell in a culture medium in a fermentor to ferment a feedstock to produce a chemical; (b) conducting filtration of the culture medium with a separation membrane module; (c) separating a permeate containing the chemical from the culture medium while retaining a non-permeated liquid in the fermentor, and (d) supplying a gas from at least one of a lower portion of the separation membrane module and a pipe communicating between the fermentor and the separation membrane module to adjust a gas linear velocity in the separation membrane module to 0.15 cm/s to 70 cm/s while supplying the separation membrane module with a liquid.

Abstract: A method produces cadaverine more efficiently and at a higher yield than production methods by the conventional fermentation methods. The method includes culturing coryneform bacterium/bacteria having an ability to produce cadaverine and having a resistance to 2,2?-thiobis(ethylamine). Preferably, the coryneform bacterium/bacteria has/have lysine decarboxylase activity and, preferably, the coryneform bacterium/bacteria has/have homoserine auxotrophy and/or a resistance to S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing ?-aminobutyric acid by fermenting a rice medium from the preparation of a Cordyceps species and the application thereof. Firstly, water and an appropriate amount of rice medium are mixed together to form a fermentation broth. Secondly, add lactic acid bacteria to the fermentation broth. Then, the fermentation broth is fermented by both of the Cordyceps species retained in the rice medium and the lactic acid bacteria. Consequently, the ?-aminobutyric acid is produced. Moreover, the fermentation broth prepared by this method can be applied to a health food or drink.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring amine dehydrogenases (AmDH) and methods of use thereof the produce chiral amines are disclosed. The AmDH are variants of amino acid dehydrogenases. AmDH based on phenylalanine, leucine, and valine scaffolds are provided. The AmDH typically have one, two, three, four, or more amino acid alterations relative to the scaffold. The alterations to the scaffold result in an enzyme that accepts the analogous ketone, such as methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), instead of the wild-type ?-keto acid. Chimeric AmDH are also disclosed. The chimeras are fusion proteins that include a substrate binding domain from a first AmDH and a cofactor binding domain from a second AmDH. In a preferred embodiment, one of the domains is from a PheDH-based AmDH and one of the domains is from a LeuDH-based AmDH.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3-6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: A biosynthesis method of norephedrine with specific optical activities is revealed to convert and generate optical isomers with specific optical activities by biocatalysis. A two-step biotransformation reaction is carried by a whole-cell biocatalyst for converting reaction substrates, benzaldehyde and pyruvate, to L-phenylacetylcarbinol (L-PAC) in the first step and the yield of the L-PAC is 99%, and then an amino donor (L-alanine) is added and the transamination of the L-PAC is catalyzed by a transaminase with optical specificity for biosynthesizing the norephedrine with high optical purity. The pyruvate is produced from the amino donor, L-alanine, by the transamination in the reaction system, so that the pyruvate is regenerated in the reaction system without being added again.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding an antitoxin gene which expresses a polypeptide that neutralizes a polypeptide toxic to a host cell, the toxic polypeptide being expressed by a toxin gene in the host cell, and a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide expression product, and the stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector is derived from a Hafnia alvei autonomously replicable backbone plasmid. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a transformant transformed with the stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector disclosed herein, a method of producing biobased cadaverine using the transformant disclosed herein, and biobased cadaverine prepared by the method disclosed herein. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a polyamide formed using biobased cadaverine disclosed herein, and a composition thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in the respective 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid. The method can include culturing a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam or hexametheylenediamine producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce the respective product, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid.

Abstract: Provided is an aniline-producing transformant constructed by introducing a gene which encodes an enzyme having aminobenzoate decarboxylase activity into a coryneform bacterium as a host. Also provided is a process for producing aniline, which comprises a step of allowing the transformant to react in a reaction mixture containing aminobenzoic acid, an ester thereof, and/or a salt thereof under reducing conditions, and a step of recovering aniline from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered polypeptides having imine reductase activity, polynucleotides encoding the engineered imine reductases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered imine reductases, and methods of using these engineered polypeptides with a range of ketone and amine substrate compounds to prepare secondary and tertiary amine product compounds.

Abstract: A target substance can be produced by culturing a bacterium having an ability to produce 2-ketoglutaric acid or a derivative thereof, and an ability to produce xylonic acid from xylose, which is imparted with xylonate dehydratase activity, 2-keto-3-deoxyxylonate dehydratase activity and 2-ketoglutaric semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity, or in which these activities are enhanced, in a medium containing xylose as a carbon source to produce and accumulate the target substance in the medium, and collecting the target substance from the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing ammonia or ammonium from an organic material, the method by contacting the organic material with at least one hydrolytic enzyme, in a medium, to produce a medium including hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed organic material suitable for microbial fermentation. The hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed medium with organic material is then fermented in the presence of at least one microorganism capable of ammonification, wherein the fermenting is under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce a fermentation product that comprises ammonia or ammonium. The organic material includes nitrogenous compounds suitable for conversion to ammonia or ammonium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the screening, preparation and characterization of (R)-selective ?-transaminases, to transaminases obtained thereby and their uses in various transamination processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nitrilase having improved activity in the reaction of a nitrile to form the corresponding carboxylic acid, in particular with respect to reacting 2-methylglutaronitrile, 1-(cyanomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile, and benzonitrile. The nitrilase according to the invention is related to nitrilase from acidovorax facilis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing an even-chain or odd-chain diacid or lactam or diamine. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the even-chain diacid, odd-chain diacid, or KAPA. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS capable of synthesizing a pimelic acid or KAPA, and when cultured produces biotin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nicotianamine derivative and to a process for chemical or enzymatic synthesis thereof. The nicotianamine derivative has the following formula (I). The invention finds use in the pharmacy field in particular.

Abstract: There are provided novel A-87774 compounds or salts thereof having a herbicidal activity or a plant growth regulating activity, a microorganism producing the same, a production method thereof, an agrochemical (in particular, herbicide or plant growth regulator) containing the same as an active ingredient, a method for using the same, and a culture of the microorganism.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3—6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: A method of producing a compound originating from a polysaccharide-based biomass includes at least one of a saccharification step that produces a sugar solution containing a monosaccharide and/or an oligosaccharide from a product obtainable by hydrolyzing the polysaccharide-based biomass; a fermentation step that ferments the sugar solution containing the monosaccharide and/or oligosaccharide originating from the polysaccharide-based biomass; and a treatment that removes a fermentation inhibitor with the use of a separation membrane having a glucose removal rate and an isopropyl alcohol removal rate which simultaneously satisfy the following relationships (I) and (II) when a 500 ppm aqueous glucose solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. and a 500 ppm aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. are respectively permeated through the membrane at an operation pressure of 0.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer improved industrial fitness on engineered organisms. It also discloses engineered organisms having improved industrial fitness. Synthetic biologic engineering modules are disclosed that provide for light capture, carbon dioxide fixation, NADH production, NADPH production, thermotolerance, pH tolerance, flue gas tolerance, salt tolerance, nutrient independence and near infrared absorbance. The disclosed engineered organisms can include one or more of these modules. Also provided are methods of using the engineered organism to produce carbon-based products of interest, biomass or pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type transaminase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered transaminase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-independent surface-modifying multifunctional biocoating and methods of application thereof. The method comprises contacting at least a portion of a substrate with an alkaline solution comprising a surface-modifying agent (SMA) such as dopamine so as to modify the substrate surface to include at least one reactive moiety. In another version of the invention, a secondary reactive moiety is applied to the SMA-treated substrate to yield a surface-modified substrate having a specific functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for biocatalytic production of nitriles from oximes using oxime dehydratases and novel mutants with oxime dehydratase activity and use thereof in a process for biocatalytic production of nitriles, such as in particular for the production of citral nitrile, neral nitrile, geranial nitrile or citronellyl nitrile from citral oxime, neral oxime, geranial oxime or citronellal oxime; and oxime dehydratases usable therefor, nucleotide sequences therefor and expression constructs or microorganisms comprising these.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid, comprising decarboxylating alpha-aminopimelic acid, using at least one biocatalyst comprising an enzyme having alpha-aminopimelic acid decarboxylase activity. The invention is further directed to a method for preparing caprolactam from 6-aminocaproic acid prepared by said method, to a host cell suitable for use in a method according to the invention and to a polynucleotide encoding a decarboxylase that may be used in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for enriching monomer content in a cycloalkane oxidation process mixed organic waste stream. In particular, the methods involve combining a biocatalyst with a mixed organic waste stream from a cycloalkane oxidation process, and enzymatically converting dimeric and/or oligomeric components of said waste stream into monomeric components. The methods may enrich the content of diacids, adipic acid, and/or other ?,?-difunctional C6 alkanes in the mixed organic waste stream. Additionally, the treated mixed organic waste streams may have improved burning efficiency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the enzymatic conversion of bioderived feedstocks to commercially valuable chemicals. The enzymatic conversions of the embodiments of the invention offer the potential for lower cost routes to these value-added chemicals. Some of the chemicals that are useful include nylon intermediates such as caprolactam, adipic acid, 1,6-hexamethylene diamine; butanediols such as 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 2,3-butanediol; butanols such as 1-butanol, and 2-butanol; succinic acid, butadiene, isoprene, and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid.

Abstract: Process for the enzymatic synthesis of the compound of formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Application in the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof from a nitrile-containing substrate.