Abstract: Disclosed herein are N-[[6-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1-naphthalenyl]-thioxmethyl]-N-methylgly cine S-oxide (tolrestat S-oxide) and the amine thereof and methods of their preparation. The S-oxides are new aldose reductase inhibitors useful for the treatment or prevention of diabetic complications.

Abstract: An exotoxin of the plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis selectively inhibits the development of chloroplasts in growing plant tissue. The exotoxin, known as tagetitoxin, can be produced efficiently from a mutant high-producing line of the bacteria, designated C42mr2+. The tagetitoxin can also be readily purified from the culture medium of the bacteria.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active glycerol derivatives by a biochemical resolution which comprises (i) subjecting an ester having the general formula [(R,S)-I]: ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen atom, R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 and R' is an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of C.sub.1 to C.sub.2, to the action of enzymes derived from either microorganisms or animal organs, wherein said enzymes have a stereo selective esterase activity to asymmetrically hydrolyze the ester having the general formula [(R,S)-I] to give a mixture of an optically active alcohol having the general formula (II)*: ##STR2## wherein X and R' are as above and an optically active ester having the general formula (I)*: ##STR3## wherein X, R and R' are as above, and (ii) obtaining the optically active alcohol having the general formula (II)* and the optically active ester having the general formula (I)* by separating operations.

Abstract: A method for producing optically active glycol derivatives by biochemical resolution which comprises contacting a racemic ester of the general formula 1 ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is an aromatic hydrocarbon group such as phenyl, tolyl or naphtyl) with a microorganism- or animal organ-derived enzyme having stereoselective hydrolytic activity to asymmetrically hydrolyze said racemic ester of general formula 1 to produce an optically active alcohol of general formula 2* ##STR2## (wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 have the same meanings as defined above) and an unreacted ester of the general formula 1* ##STR3## (wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: A novel method for the production of (S)3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A provided for the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A to the desired product. The enzyme is obtained from Pseudomonas citronellolis by ammonium sulfate precipitation of a cellular lysate. The precipitate is then redissolved in a suitable buffer and yields of over 60% have been obtained by direct reaction in the buffer.

Abstract: Organic carboxylic acid ester represented by the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, an aralkyl or an aryl group; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group; R.sub.3 is an alkyl group; n is 1 or 2, are synthesized in racemic form, and then the acid ester (II) is treated with a source containing enzyme capable of rearranging with or without asymmetrically hydrolyzing ester bond until either a d-form or 1-form optically active carboxylic acid ester represented by the formula (II) with or without the antipode acid thereof is produced.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the bioconversion of a non-growth aromatic feed to an accumulated quantity of 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde metabolite.2-Hydroxysemialdehyde is a useful intermediate for subsequent conversions to picolinic acid and pyridine.

Abstract: There are disclosed polyprenyl sulfone derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n represents an integer of 1-4, R.sub.1 represents an aryl group d R.sub.2 represents a hydroxymethyl or carboxyl group. The polyprenyl sulfone derivatives are prepared by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Nocardia capable of oxidizing a compound of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein n and R.sub.1 have the same meanings as defined above, in a culture medium containing a compound of the above general formula (II), and then collecting the oxidation product from the culture mixture. The polyprenyl sulfone derivatives are useful as intermediates for preparing various useful polyprenyl compounds.

Abstract: The enzyme D-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid dehydrogenase has been prepared by culturing readily available Lactobacillus or Leuconostoc, microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus casei ssp. pseudoplantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The microbiologically produced enzyme has special characteristics and is capable of converting D-2-hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as D-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid to the corresponding 2-ketocarboxylic acid and is capable of enzymatically converting 2-ketocarboxylic acids, such as 2-keto-4-methylpentanoic acid and 2-ketobutyric acid to the corresponding D-2-hydroxycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Single cell protein is produced in an aqueous fermentation process employing an oxidizable sulfur energy source plus a carbon dioxide source, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, in a controlled oxygen aqueous environment. The process also can employ carbon dioxide containing off-gases from a conventional aqueous fermentation process employing a conventional oxidizable carbon energy source, such as methanol.

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: A process for the stereospecific inversion of the [S] enantiomer of an .alpha.-aryloxypropionic acid of formula I: ##STR1## wherein G is OR.sup.1 or ##STR2## R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a protecting group and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or methyl, U and V each independently represent hydrogen or halogen, and R is a carboxyl group, or an enzymic equivalent thereof, which process comprises contacting said [S] enantiomer with a microorganism having a stereospecific inverting enzyme system, or with an extract of the microorganism contacting said enzyme system, to convert the [S] enantiomer to the corresponding [R] enantiomer.

Abstract: A process for the stereospecific inversion of the [S] enantiomer of an .alpha.-aryloxypropionic acid of formula I: ##STR1## wherein E is OR.sup.1 or ##STR2## R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heterocyclic ring system, and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or methyl, U and V each independently represent hydrogen or halogen and R is a carboxyl group, or an enzymic and herbicidal equivalent thereof, which process comprises contacting said [S] enantiomer with a microorganism having a stereospecific inverting enzyme system, or with an extract of the microorganism containing said enzyme system, to convert the [S] enantiomer to the corresponding [R] enantiomer.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is the new enzyme L-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid-dehydrogenase and its recovery from Lactobacillus confuses. The new enzyme can be used to enzymatically change L-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid and various other L-2-hydroxy-carboxylic acids into the corresponding 2-ketocarboxylic acids or 2-keto-4-methylpentanoic acid and various other 2-ketocarboxylic acids into the corresponding L-2-hydroxycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cultivation and extraction of multhiomycin, an antibiotic, and relates also to a veterinary medicine containing multhiomycin as an effective ingredient and more particularly, the present invention provides a method for obtaining multhiomycin by cultivating a multhiomycin-producing fungus such as Streptomyces sp. 8446-CC1 belonging to genus Streptomyces in a culture medium containing a sulfur-containing amino acid and treating the culture medium with a mixed solvent of alcohols and halogenated hydrocarbons or ketones and provides a medicine for promoting growth of animals and preventing various kinds of diseases of animals which contains multhiomycin as an essential component.

Abstract: New antibiotics, SF-2050 substance and SF-2050B substance are produced by cultivating a microorganism Streptomyces sp. SF-2050 now deposited under FERM-P 4358 and under ATCC. 31450 in a liquid culture medium under aerobic conditions, and these antibiotics may be isolated from the fermentation broth and useful as an antibacterial agent. These antibiotics have an activity inhibitory to .beta.-lactamase.

Abstract: A novel Antibiotic C-11924 F-1 is produced by cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptoverticillium and capable of producing Antibiotic C-11924 F-1 in a culture medium, causing the microorganism to accumulate Antibiotic C-11924 F-1 in the cultured broth and recovering the same therefrom.Antibiotic C-11924 F-1 is useful for a germicide or disinfectant.