Abstract: There is disclosed a novel microorganism Aspergillus niveus, ATCC 20922, and a process for chiral reduction of ketones using said mircoorganisms.

Abstract: A process for preparing L(-)-carnitine chloride having the formula: ##STR1## comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a racemic ester of (R,S)-3,4-epoxybutyric acid having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1-10 carbons, or a benzyl group, with an enzyme capable of selectively hydrolyzing enantiomer S(-),(b) separating said enantiomer S(-), from non-reacted ester, which is predominantly in the R(+) form;(c) reacting (1) the non-reacted ester obtained in step (b) with trimethylamine hydrochlorid or (2) the trimethylamine, to obtain thereby an ester having the formula: ##STR3## (d) hydrolyzing the ester obtain in step (c) in the presence of HCl to obtain thereby the L(-)-carnitine chloride having formula (I).The present invention is also directed to a novel class of compounds comprising R(+) enantiomers of the esters of 3,4-epoxybutyric acid.

Abstract: 2-Acetylaminogentisic acid has been isolated from the culture broth after cultivation of a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces. This compound has antibacterial actions against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of the stereoisomers of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acids and of 1-aminoalkylphosphinic acids by enzymatic resolution of their racemic N-acyl derivatives and subsequent deacylation, wherein the enzymatic resolution is carried out with penicillin G amidase.

Abstract: A method is described for producing acrylamide from acrylonitrile by the action of a microorganism having nitrilase activity in an aqueous medium, which comprises conducting the reaction in the presence of an alkali metal sulfate at an ionic activity of from 0.004 to 0.01 mole per liter while controlling the pH of said aqueous medium within a range of from 7 to 9 with an alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antibiotic complex designated as BU-2231 V which is produced by fermentation of a BU-2231-producing strain of Streptoalloteichus hindustanus, ATCC 31158. Complex BU-2231 V is recovered and purified from the fermentation broth by use of ion exchange chromatography techniques. Structural analysis shows that the complex is a mixture of components which are .gamma.-homopolymers of D-.alpha.,.gamma.-diaminobutyric acid having an average molecular weight of from about 5,100 to about 5,200. BU-2231 V has been found to be effective to inhibit growth of various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and of the herpes simplex virus.

Abstract: A method for purifying an aqueous acrylamide solution by using activated carbon is disclosed. The method comprises contacting activated carbon with water having oxygen dissolved therein until the dissolved oxygen concentration in water after the contact increases to at least 0.5 ppm, and then contacting the aqueous acrylamide solution with the thus treated activated carbon. The method can prevent polymerization of acrylamide around activated carbon, and the resulting purified aqueous acrylamide solution requires no further purification, such as ion-exchanging.

Abstract: New antibiotic substances arbitrarily designated M 9026 complex, antibiotic M 9026 factor 1, antibiotic M 9026 factor 2, and antibiotic M 9026 factor 3, produced by fermentation of a strain of the Micromonospora genus. The antibiotics of the invention are antimicrobial and antitumor agents.

Abstract: Novel antibiotic U-68,204 is produced in a fermentation under controlled conditions using a biologically pure culture of the microorganism Streptomyces thiolactonus, NRRL 15439. This antibiotic is active against various Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, antibiotic U-68,204 can be used in various environments to eradicate or control such bacteria.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel physiologically active substance, MH435, represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents either of the following groups A and B A: --CH.dbd.CH--NHCHOB: --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --NHCHO.The substance MH435 has an inhibitory activity against tyrosine specific protein kinase, and the 50% inhibitory concentrations of the substances MH435-A and MH435-B are respectively 0.55 .mu.g/ml and 6.0 .mu.g/ml.

Abstract: A process for preparing L-carnitine which comprises exposing .gamma.-substituted acetoacetic acid esters or amides to the fermentative enzymatic action of a microorganism which elaborates oxido-reductase enzymes, recovering the resulting, optically active, corresponding .gamma.-substituted-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid derivative and converting said derivative to L-carnitine.

Abstract: In a process for hydrating a nitrile having 2 to 4 carbon atoms by a microbiological treatment to convert the nitrile into the corresponding amide, it is possible to biologically prepare the corresponding amide effectively by utilizing a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas which is capable of hydrating the nitrile to convert the same into the corresponding amide. In particular, it is possible to obtain acrylamides which are highly useful polymers by the very simple and energy-saving process in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic compound having at least one cyano group and one amide group or carboxyl group which process comprises subjecting aromatic polynitrile compound containing no carboxyl groups in a simple medium to the action of one or more microorganisms which have a nitrilase system capable of selectively hydrolyzing one cyano group of the polynitrile.

Abstract: A compound having the formula ##STR1## can be prepared by enzymatically coupling a compound of the formula ##STR2## with a compound of the formula ##STR3## in the presence of Escherichia coli acylase at a pH of from about 4.0 to about 6.0.

Abstract: Cells of Pseudomonas bacteria having a high nitrile hydratase activity can be obtained in a high yield by adding to a culture medium at least one amide compound selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide, crotonamide, and n-butyramide in the preparation of cells of bacteria having nitrile hydratase activity by cultivating Pseudomonas bacteria capable of producing nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: Yield of lankacidin antibiotics is enhanced by incorporating cyclodextrin into a culture medium where a microorganism capable of producing lankacidin is cultivated.

Abstract: A new antibiotic BMG162-aF2 having the formula ##STR1## can be obtained by cultivating a BMG162-aF2-producing strain belonging to the genus Bacillus in a culture medium to produce and accumulate the said BMG162-aF2 and then recovering it from the culture medium. The antibiotic BMG162-aF2 thus obtained or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used for the treatment of a transplanted tumor in warmblooded animals.

Abstract: The novel antibiotic complex designated hazymicin consisting of eight components, is produced by a novel strain of Micromonospora herein designated Micromonospora echinospora var. challisensis SCC 1411. Also disclosed are the structures of the two components namely, Component 5 and Component 6.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of acrylamide or methacrylamide from acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile by use of a microorganism capable of promoting the hydration of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile into the corresponding amide.Said process comprising immobilizing the microorganism or enzyme extracted therefrom, continuously bringing the acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile into contact with the immobilized microorganism or enzyme in at least one reactor containing an aqueous medium at a pH pf 6 to 10 to cause the hydration reaction, and recycling a part of the reacted solution to dilute the unreacted acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile and water therewith.

Abstract: A process is described for producing acrylamide from acrylonitrile using an immobilized microorganism containing gel, which comprises immobilizing a microorganism having nitrilasic activity with a cationic acrylamide-based polymer gel and bringing acrylonitrile into contact with the immobilized microorganism gel in an aqueous medium containing substantially no salt.

Abstract: A new antibiotic BMG162-aF2 having the formula ##STR1## can be obtained by cultivating a BMG162-aF2-producing strain belonging to the genus Bacillus in a culture medium to produce and accumulate the said BMG162-aF2 and then recovering it from the culture medium. The antibiotic BMG162-aF2 thus obtained or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used for the treatment of a transplanted tumor in warmblooded animals.

Abstract: A process for producing acrylamide from acrylonitrile by utilizing a microorganism or enzyme capable of hydrating acrylonitrile into acrylamide in the form of a highly concentrated aqueous solution of acrylamide which comprises bringing acrylonitrile in contact with the microorganism or enzyme in an aqueous medium at a pH of from 6 to 10, at a temperature of from the freezing point to 50.degree. C., and under such conditions that the concentration of acrylamide in the reaction solution after the completion of the reaction is from 5% by weight to less than 20% by weight, and concentrating the resulting reaction solution; this invention further includes an embodiment wherein the reaction solution is concentrated by cooling the reaction solution after the reaction to from -4.degree. C. to -9.degree. C. to crystallize ice, separating the ice, and using the ice so separated for cooling during the hydration reaction.

Abstract: A process is described for producing bacteria having a high nitrilase activity comprising incubating bacteria having an ability to produce nitrilase, wherein the improvement comprises using a culture medium containing a water soluble iron compound.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of acrylamide from acrylonitrile in an aqueous medium by use of a microorganism having nitrilasic activity, wherein at least one compound selected from alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates is added to the aqueous medium, either solely or in combination with an organic carboxylic acid, thus inhibiting the swelling of fixed cells, maintaining the enzymatic activity for a long period of time, and efficiently obtaining an aqueous solution of acrylamide having high quality.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing a stable aqueous solution of acrylamide or methacrylamide by subjecting acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile in water to the action of microorganisms having a nitrilasic activity, which is characterized in that said microorganisms are treated with a water-soluble dialdehyde to thereby inhibit polymerization of the acrylamide or methacrylamide produced.

Abstract: A new antibiotic, designated kristenin, is produced by the microorganism Bacillus subtilis. The antibiotic possesses activity against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new enzymatic process for the stereoselective resolution of a DL-phenylglycine derivative comprising hydrolyzing an ester or amide group on an N-acyl-L-phenylglycine ester or amide in an N-acyl-DL-phenylglycine ester or amide in solution by the action of an enzyme bonded to a carrier, separating the N-acyl-D-phenylglycine ester or amide from the N-acyl-L-phenylglycine and then, if desired, hydrolyzing under acid conditions, the ester or amide group of the D-enantiomer and the acyl group.D-Phenylglycine and D-4-hydroxyphenylglycine are used as starting substances for the preparation of semisynthetic antibiotics of the penicillin series. L-Phenylglycine is a starting substance for L-aspartyl-L-phenylglycine methyl ester, which is used as a sweetener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing acrylamide or methacrylamide utilizing microorganisms having a nitrilase activity. This process involves (1) utilizing highly active novel bacteria belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or the genus Nocardia, (2) conducting the reaction utilizing microorganisms having a nitrilase activity at temperatures as low as the freezing point of the medium to 15.degree. C. so as to conduct the reaction for a long period of time while maintaining a high concentration of acrylamide or methacrylamide, and (3) conducting the reaction according to a newly devised continuous column process to obtain a highly concentrated acrylamide or methacrylamide aqueous solution with economic advantages.

Abstract: A process for preparing D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids by subjecting 5-substituted hydantoins to the action of a cultured broth, cells or treated cells of microorganisms having an ability in asymmetrically hydrolyzing the hydantoin ring in an aqueous medium of pH 7 to 10. The process is suited for the industrial manufacture of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids which are useful intermediates for the preparation of medicines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compound nanaomycin A and derivatives thereof represented by general formula: ##STR1## in which (a) R is H and R' is OH (nanaomycin A),(b) R is H and R' is NH.sub.2 (nanaomycin C),(c) R is COCH.sub.3 and R' is CH (acetylnanaomycin A), and(d) R is H and R' is OCH.sub.3 (nanaomycin A methyl ester).Nanaomycin A is a new compound of quinone type and its acute toxicity (LD.sub.50, intra-penetrial injection) in mice is 28.2 mg/Kg. Nanaomycin A and derivatives thereof are active on Gram-positive bacteria, trichophyton and mycoplasma and are useful as a medicament for humans and animals. Nanaomycins A and C are produced by culturing a nanaomycin-producing strain belonging to the genus Streptomyces aerobically in a medium to accumulate nanaomycins A and C in the cultured broths. The derivatives acetylnanaomycin A and nanaomycin A methyl ester have similar properties to those of nanaomycin A.