Abstract: The invention comprises two grain conditioners. The first grain conditioner, which is suitable for use on all grains, comprises a pectinase, a protease, a beta-glucanase and an amylase. The second grain conditioner, which is designed for use on easier-to-digest grains, comprises a pectinase, a beta-glucanase, an amylase and a hemicellulase. The invention also comprises animal feeds which comprise a grain which has been conditioned with one of the grain conditioners of the invention designed to be effective on that grain and methods of increasing the weight gain and feed utilization efficiency of an animal comprising feeding the novel animal feeds of the invention to the animal. The invention further comprises a method of conditioning a grain which comprises providing the grain, contacting the grain with one of the grain conditioners of the invention designed to be effective on that grain and incubating the grain and grain conditioner together for at least about 30 minutes.

Abstract: According to the invention a method is provided for liquefying starch comprising the steps of adding a sodium composition to the starch prior to or simultaneously with liquefying the starch; adding .alpha.-amylase to the treated starch; and reacting the treated starch for a time and at a temperature effective to liquefy the treated starch. Preferred sodium compositions comprise sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium benzoate, sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfite, sodium ascorbate, sodium acetate, sodium nitrate, sodium tartrate, sodium tetraborate, sodium propionate, sodium citrate, sodium succinate, monosodium glutamate, trisodium citrate, sodium phosphate or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquefying alkaline .alpha.-amylase having the enzymatic properties described below, a production process thereof and a detergent composition containing the same.1) Action:It hydrolyzes .alpha.-1,4-glucosidic linkages in starches, amylose, amylopectin and partial degradation products thereof and from amylose, forms glucose (G1), maltose (G2), maltotriose (G3), maltotetraose (G4), maltopentaose (G5) and maltohexaose (G6). It however does not act on pullulan.2) Isoelectric point:It has an isoelectric point higher than 8.5 when measured by an isoelectric focusing electrophoresis.The amylase according to the present invention has a liquefying activity capable of permitting degrading starches and starchy polysaccharides at high random, and has an optimum pH on the alkaline side. Owing to the high isoelectric point, it can be purified readily. Detergents with the amylase incorporated therein have excellent detergency especially against the soil of smeared food.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase that has been increased transglycosylation activity by substituting another amino acid residue for the tyrosine residue that is present in the active center of the hydrolase, which hydrolase is an amylase or an enzyme analogous to amylase; a gene or a DNA sequence of the carbohydrate hydrolase with mutation introduced into the base sequence that encodes the tyrosine residue; and a vector or a transformant which comprises the DNA sequence. There is also disclosed a method for producing a variety of oligosaccharides and the like by using the variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dextrin containing a dietary fiber characterized by dissolving a pyrodextrin in water and causing .alpha.-amylase to act on the solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for screening samples for the identification of agents exhibiting potential fungicidal and insecticidal activity for a wide variety of agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical uses. The method utilizes cells that comprise a plasmid-born CTS gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which allows for over expression of chitinase.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase that has been increased transglycosylation activity by substituting another amino acid residue for the tyrosine residue that is present in the active center of the hydrolase, which hydrolase is an amylase or an enzyme analogous to amylase; a gene or a DNA sequence of the carbohydrate hydrolase with mutation introduced into the base sequence that encodes the tyrosine residue; and a vector or a transformant which comprises the DNA sequence. There is also disclosed a method for producing a variety of oligosaccharides and the like by using the variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase.

Abstract: A novel method of screening for novel secreted mammalian proteins is described in which mammalian secretory leader sequences are detected using the yeast invertase gene as a reporter system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to .beta.-1,4-galactanase derived from A. aculeatus which have (a) a pH-optimum between 3.0 and 5.0, (b) an isoelectric point of 2.5-3.5, (c) a molecular weight of between 30,000 and 50,000, and (d) a temperature optimum between 10.degree. and 50.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of liquefying starch wherein the liquefaction step is carried out at pH less than 6. It also relates to the use of antioxidants.

Abstract: A process for expression of a protein product in Aspergillus is disclosed. The process comprises transforming an Aspergillus strain with a vector system comprising DNA-sequences encoding a promoter including upstream activating sequences derived from an A. niger amylase, a suitable marker for selection of transformants, and a DNA-sequence encoding the desired protein product. The process enables industrial production of many different polypeptides and proteins in Aspergillus, preferably A. niger. Examples of such products are chymosin or prochymosin and other rennets, proteases, lipases and amylases. Also disclosed is an effective promoter for expression of a protein in Aspergillus, preferably Aspergillus niger being derived from a gene encoding an A. niger amylase. The A. niger amylases are the neutral and acid stable .alpha.-amylases and a new amylase not so far described and designated XA amylase. Also disclosed is the novel amylase from A. niger XA amylase.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyglucans obtained by cross-linking polyglucans having branched chains intermolecularly and/or intramolecularly or cross-linked homooligomers obtained by cross-linking .alpha.-1,4-linked homooligomers of glucose intermolecularly can selectively adsorb glucoamylase and/or .beta.-amylase thereto. By the use of such three-dimensional, cross-linked high molecular weight substances, glucoamylase and .beta.-amylase can be isolated and purified extremely efficiently.

Abstract: A for measurement of .alpha.-amylase activity uses a substrate comprising a malto-oligo saccharide represented by general formula (I) or (V) described below:A - Gn - B (I)A - Gn - I (V)wherein A represents: ##STR1## B represents a monosaccharide or a derivative thereof other than glucose; I represents inositol or a derivative thereof; G represents glucose; and n represents an integer of 3 to 15; in formula (II) or (III), R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or (CH.sub.2)yCOOM (wherein y is 0, 1 or 2 and M represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal); and X.sub.1 to X.sub.4 each represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. The method for measurement of .alpha.-amylase activity comprises contacting a substrate containing a malto-oligo saccharide represented by general formula (I) or (V) described above with a sample in the presence of glucosidase and measuring a liberated monosaccharide, inositol or a derivative thereof thereby to measure .alpha.

Abstract: A substrate for measurement of .alpha.-amylase activity comprising a malto-oligo saccharide respresented by general formula (I) or (V) described below:A--Gn--B (I)A--Gn--I (V)wherein A represents: ##STR1## B represents a monosaccharide or a derivative thereof other than glucose; I represents inositol or a derivative thereof; G represents glucose; and n represents an integer of 3 to 15; in formula (II) or (III), R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or (CH.sub.2)yCOOM (wherein y is 0, 1 or 2 and M represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal); and X.sub.1 to X.sub.4 each represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

Abstract: A vector including a DNA sequence encoding a secretory signal sequence substantially identical to the secretory signal-encoding sequence of a glucoamylase gene from Saccharomyces diastaticus or S. cerevisiae; and upstream from the signal-encoding sequence, a DNA sequence capable of promoting transcription in yeast (e.g., a high yield promoter, such as the promoter of the triose phosphate isomerase gene), transcription of the signal-encoding sequence being under the control of the transcription-promoting sequence, a site for the insertion into the vector of a heterologous DNA sequence, in reading frame with the signal-encoding sequence. The vector is useful as an expression vector in yeast.

Abstract: The filterability of glucose syrups obtained from impure wheat or other cereal starch is improved by treatment with Disporotrichum. Also the separation of starch from other constituents of impure cereal starch is improved by addition of xylanase before the starch is separated.

Abstract: Amylase treated granular starches provide a microporous matrix material adapted for absorption and releasable containment of functional compositions. The microporous starch granules are chemically derivatized to enhance absorptive and structural properties. Absorbed functional substances are released from the microporous starch matrix under the influence of mechanical compression, by diffusion into a surrounding fluid or as a result of degradation of the granular starch matrix.

Abstract: An aqueous stabilized enzyme preparation to be used for measuring the amount of .alpha.-amylase in a liquid sample like serum or urine containing a blocked and labeled oligosaccharide being the substrate for the .alpha.-amylase to be measured in the presence of exo-enzymes which aqueous preparation, preferably consisting of two separate solutions is stabilized by adding a buffer, a taurocholic acid derivative, an albumin, and a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: This inverntion concerns a glycoamylase gene cloned into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, method for cloning such a gene into such yeasts and cloning vehicles containing such a gene, suitable for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast containing a glucoamylase gene are of potential use in the brewing industry.

Abstract: This invention includes a process for producing and using increased quantities of extracellular glycoprotein (particularly cellulolytic) enzymes by permitting the enzyme-producing microbial strain to undergo a preliminary growth phase, preferably at about 37.degree. C., and then an enzyme-secretion phase. Also included is a specific microbial strain, RL-P37 of Trichoderma reesei, which grows well at 37.degree. C. and the cellulasic products thereof.

Abstract: Starch hydrolyzates having a dextrose equivalent value of not more than about 25 which contain up to about 20% glucose by weight and up to about 40% maltose by weight, with the combination of glucose and maltose not exceeding about 40% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: A method for the cooking-free saccharification of starch using an amylase produced by Corticium rolfsii AHU 9627 or its variants. According to the method, even a high viscous suspension of 10% (w/v) or more raw-corn starch is almost completely hydrolyzed within 8 hours. The saccharification is proceeded at a higher temperature and a lower pH compared with those in known methods utilizing other amylases which are able to hydrolyze uncooked starch, so that the propagation of the infectious bacteria which would affect the saccharifying efficiency can be avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amylolytic enzymes produced by strains of Schwanniomyces castellii which enzymes are relatively thermolabile under the conditions used to pasteurize beer. The present invention is also concerned with a novel strain of Schwanniomyces castellii which is a derepressed producer of alpha-amylase. Also disclosed is an improved process for the production of low carbohydrate beers and in particular, low calorie beers, from high gravity worts which improvements are facilitated through the use of culture filtrates derived from viable cultures of Schwanniomyces castellii.

Abstract: Process for preparing fructose by treating starch with alpha-amylase, contacting the resulting liquefied starch with glucoamylase to hydrolyzed said starch to glucose, and isomerizing at least part of the resulting glucose to fructose by contacting said glucose with glucose isomerase. The three enzymes are obtained from organisms of the Basidiomycetes class of fungi.

Abstract: A novel strain Aspergillus K27 belonging to genus Aspergillus which has the same taxonomical characteristics as those of Aspergillus fumigatus except that(1) its conidiophore is colorless and(2) its growing temperature range is between 10.degree. and 55.degree. C., which produces amylolytic enzymes which can hydrolyze alpha-amylase resistant starch as well as usual starch.

Abstract: A process for the saccharification of starch, which comprises saccharifying a raw and/or gelatinized starch by the use of an amylase produced by a fungus belonging to genus Chalara to produce glucose.According to the process of the present invention, the starch is directly saccharified, and glucose can be obtained efficiently.

Abstract: A reagent suitable for .alpha.-amylase determinations. The reagent contains a modified, blocked amylaceous polysaccharide substrate, e.g., starch glyolate, an exating by amylose, a buffer and an enzymatic glucose measuring system. The glycolate substrate is selected such that the ratio of methylated glucose to glucose is between 1:4 to 1:16. The system permits an impid assay in a single vid within 7 minutes and can be automated.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for the preparation of spray dried enzymes.