Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for isolating ligand binding polypeptides for a user-specified ligand, and for isolating small molecule ligands for a user-specified target polypeptide using an improved class of hybrid ligand compounds.

Abstract: A complex, water soluble polysaccharide fraction having potent immunostimulatory activity isolated from Aloe vera. The polysaccharide fraction has an apparent molecular weight above 2 million daltons. Its major glycosyl components are glucose, galactose, mannose and arabinose. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions containing the instant polysaccharide fraction, optionally in combination with acceptable pharmaceutical carriers and/or excipents. These pharmaceutical compositions may be used to provide immunostimulation to an individual in need of such treatment by administering to such an individual an effective amount of the composition. The polysaccharide fraction is also useful as a component of dietary supplements and as a standardization component of commercial Aloe products.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a solid porous separation material based on a polysaccharide, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous solution (I) of a polysaccharide, (b) solidifying the solution, preferably by transforming the solution to a gel, and (c) optionally cross-linking the polysaccharide, with the proviso that, if step (c) is present, steps (b) and (c) may be carried out simultancously. The method is characterised in that the polysaccharide provided in step (a) is modified by being inter-molecularly cross-linked to an extent such that the viscosity of solution (I) is at least 110%, preferably at least 200%, of the viscosity of an aqueous solution (II) of the corresponding polysacchaiide which has not been inter-molecularly cross-linked and which is present in the same concentration as the inter-molecularly cross-linked polysaccharide is in solution (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering O-linked oligosaccharides from a macromolecule, the method comprising the steps: exposing the macromolecule to an alkaline agent to release O-linked olisaccharides from the macromolecule; separating the released oligosaccharide from the macromolecule; and recovering the oligosaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel xyloglucan oligosaccharide-degrading enzyme having a different degradation mechanism from known enzymes. This enzyme specifically cleaves the second &bgr;-glucoside linkage, counted from the reducing end among the &bgr;-glucoside linkage constituting the principal chain of xyloglucan oligosaccharide. In the present invention, the enzyme is collected from microorganisms belonging to Geotrichum species, and the amino acid and base sequences of the enzyme and polynucleotide encoding the enzyme are determined. Thus, high-purity polypeptides having the xyloglucan oligosaccharide-degradation activity can be prepared at low cost through a genetic engineering process.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention relate to the use of small particles in biological systems, including the delivery of biologically active agents to cells or tissues using nanoparticles of less than about 200 nm in approximate diameter. Embodiments include collection of particles having a bioactive component, a surfactant molecule, a biocompatible polymer, and a cell recognition component, wherein the cell recognition component has a binding affinity for a cell recognition target. Compositions and methods of use are also set forth.

Abstract: A novel microorganism producing a nontoxic, non-antigenic exopolysaccharide is taught. The exopolysaccharide has neutral sugars migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose, acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose and amine sugars migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose, and wherein the ratio of galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6. The microbe and the exopolysaccharide have uses as a biofilm in geologic applications and have several consumer uses as food and drug polymers and use as a plasma extender.

Abstract: Methods of immobilizing uncomplexed and complexed cyclodextrins to cellulose fibers and compositions including cyclodextrin immobilized to cellulose fibers are provided. The cyclodextrins are immobilized using a crosslinking means that covalently bonds the cyclodextrin to the substrate, without the cyclodextrin being derivatized. The compositions can be used in all types of cellulose fiber containing articles, such as tissues and personal care articles, for odor absorbency or for release of complexed molecules.

Abstract: The application relates to the purification and characterisation of a family of P-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) from human liver and placenta. These substances are shown to have P-type biological activity, e.g. activating pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase. The characterisation of the compounds demonstrates that they contain metal ions, in particular Mn2+ and/or Zn2+, and optionally phosphate. The compounds and their antagonists have uses as pharmaceuticals, e.g. for the treatment of diabetes, and in screening for synthetic analogues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polysaccharide of Echinacea angustifolia roots, having molecular weight of 1.3×105 Da and consisting of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose and galacturonic acid in ratio 0.5:2.5:1.75:10.25.

Abstract: Material characterized by that the material contains at least one biologically active saccharide which is covalently bound via at least one spacer to a cross-linked matrix and that the material is autoclaved.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are described encoding proteins with the enzymatic activity of a fructosyl transferase. These enzymes are fructosyl transferases (FFT). Moreover, vectors and host cells are described containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, in particular transformed plant cells, plant tissue and plants regenerable therefrom, which express the described FFT. Furthermore, methods for the production of long-chain inulin by using the described proteins, hosts, in particular the plant cells and/or FFT produced by them, are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble highly branched glucose polymers having a reducing sugar content of less than 1%, characterized in that they have a level of &agr;-1,6 glucoside bonds greater than 10%, preferably of between 12 and 30%, a Mw value of between 0.35×105 and 2×105 daltons, and an osmolality having a value of between 1 and 15 mOsm/kg. The invention also relates to their method of production and their applications in the Paper-Carton, Textiles, Cosmetics, and particularly Pharmaceutical and Food industries, and still more particularly in the fields of enteral and parenteral nutrition, peritoneal dialysis as a glycemia inhibiting and/or regulating agent, as an energy source during physical activities and as a digestion regulating agent.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with film-forming compositions containing hydrolysates of the exopolysaccharide YAS34 for the use in pharmaceutical, veterinary, food, cosmetic or other products like films for wrapping foods, aspices or jellies, preferably for predosed formulations like soft or hard capsules.

Abstract: A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated and purified strain of the species Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis which produces levan. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the levan, and to a method of preparing various human or pet food products or cosmetic products which utilizes the levan and/or a strain producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides plant fiber expansion (FE) genes that encode FE polypeptides, such as phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase), expansin, endoglucanase, xyloglucan endoglycosyltransferase (XET), and pectin methyl esterase (PME). The invention further provides fiber-specific promoters. Still further, the invention provides molecular strategies for modulating fiber quality and yield in fiber producing plants by modulating expression of FE genes or mutant forms of FE genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sulfated oligosaccharides, and in particular to the use of certain sulfated oligosaccharides as agents for lowering blood levels of triglycerides such as, for example in treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia.

Abstract: Core 1 &bgr;3-galactosyl transferases and nucleic acids encoding the core 1 &bgr;3-galactosyl transferases or proteins having core 1 &bgr;3-galactosyl transferase activity or proteins having core 1 &bgr;3 galactosyl transferase activity are described. The enzymes and the nucleic acids encoding said enzymes have been identified in human, rat, mouse D. melanogaster and C. elegans. The polypeptides exhibit a wide range of homologies. The polynucleotides can be used to transform or transfect host cells for producing substantially pure forms of the enzyme, or for use in an expression system for post-translational core 1 glycosylation of proteins or peptides produced within the expression system. The enzymes can be used to galactosylate, via a &bgr;3-linkage, an N-acetylgalactosamine linked to a serine, threonine or other O-linking amino acid on peptides or proteins requiring O-, N-, or S-linked glycosylation.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding polypeptides active in the fructan, cellulose, starch and/or tannin biosynthetic pathways are provided, together with expression vectors and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recombinant Escherichia coli and a process for producing D-tagatose. In detail, it includes the construction of recombinant E.coli harboring L-arabinose isomerase, whole-cell conversion of D-galactose into D-tagatose by recombinant E.coli expressing L-arabinose isomerase, enzymatic production of D-tagatose by the extract of recombinant E.coli expressing L-arabinose isomerase, and bioconversion by immobilized L-arabinose isomerase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.

Abstract: This invention relates to hosts containing constructs with genes from the starch pathway. More typically the present invention relates to bacterial hosts that form plant like starches. Additionally the present invention relates to plant hosts that have genes from the starch pathway. The invention further relates to the starches produced by said hosts.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a new class of drugs for therapeutic treatment of such indications as cerebral stroke and other ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, dithiocarbamates are linked to the surface of a non-immunogenic, non-targeting macromolecule other than an antibody (e.g., albumin protein) either by using cross-linking reagents or by nonspecific binding to produce polydithiocarbamate-macromolecule-containing compositions, which represent a new class of drugs for therapeutic treatment of such indications as cerebral stroke and other ischemia/reperfusion injury. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, combinational therapeutic methods have been developed for the in vivo inactivation or inhibition of formation (either directly or indirectly) of species which induce the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, as well as reducing nitric oxide levels produced as a result of .NO synthase expression.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel pharmaceutically useful compositions that bind to a biological molecule, having improved circulatory half-life, increased avidity, increased affinity, or multifunctionality, and methods of use thereof. The present invention provides a pseudo-antibody comprising an organic moiety covalenty coupled to at least two target-binding moieties, wherein the target-binding moieties are selected from the group consisting of a protein, a peptide, a peptidomimetic, and a non-peptide molecule that binds to a specific targeted biological molecule. The pseudo-antibody of the present invention may affect a specific ligand in vitro, in situ and/or in vivo. The pseudo-antibodies of the present invention can be used to measure or effect in an cell, tissue, organ or animal (including humans), to diagnose, monitor, modulate, treat, alleviate, help prevent the incidence of, or reduce the symptoms of, at least one condition.

Abstract: This invention concerns methods for synthesis and accumulation of fructo-oligosaccharides in seeds of monocot plants by selective expression of a fructosyltransferase gene sequence. Selective expression includes coordination of timing, tissue specific expression and especially subcellular location. Successful transformants utilize sucrose to synthesize and accumulate fructo-oligosaccharides in the plastid of the cell, in established crops, without loss of co-products or concern for yield loss due to degradation during maturation, harvest or storage of the plant. Enhanced fructo-oligosaccharide production will benefit the fructose sweetener industry and add value to grain used for feed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for the reduction of an oligosaccharide mixture and an oligosaccharide mixture prepared thereby. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a mixture of oligosaccharides having a given DP profile is reduced to a DE of essentially zero by catalytically hydrogenating the mixture under reaction conditions sufficient to preserve the DP profile of the mixture, which reaction conditions typically include a reaction temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and a reaction pressure ranging up to about 1500 psi. Surprisingly, when the mixture is a malto-oligosaccharide mixture, the reduced mixture will have a superior color-fastness and thermal stability as compared to a similar unreduced mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, and also low reactivity towards nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in a human or other warm-blooded animal patient in need of such treatment, comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of at least one sulfated oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide has the general formula I: R1—(Rx)n—R2  (I) wherein R1 and R2 and each Rx represents a monosaccharide unit, all of which may be the same or different, adjacent monosaccharide units being linked by 1→2, 1→3, 1→4 and/or 1→6 glycosidic bonds and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to antiviral compositions comprising a mixture comprising zinc oxide, aspartic acid, and high fructose corn syrup, and to methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated and paramagnetic polyuronides (Formulas I-IV) and proteins useful as imaging probes, diagnostic agents and contrast agents. Additionally, the present invention relates to imaging methods employing the present compounds of Formulas I-IV.

Abstract: In general, the invention features the use of novel protection schemes and solid phase synthesis reactions to generate molecules of core structure M, which have a plurality of functionalities, each of which can be individually protected or functionalized. In a preferred process, M is a multifunctional low molecular weight compound, such as a saccharide, aminosugar, deoxysugar, nucleoside, nucleotide, coenzyme, amino acid, lipid, steroid, vitamin, hormone, alkaloid, or small molecule drug. In a particularly preferred process, M is an oligomeric compound (e.g. a polysaccharide, polynucleotide, peptide or protein).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an &agr;-isomaltosylglucosaccharide-forming enzyme, process of the same, cyclotetrasaccharide, and saccharide composition comprising the saccharide which are obtainable by using the enzyme; and is solved by establishing an &agr;-isomaltosylglucosaccharide-forming enzyme which forms a saccharide, having a glucose polymerization degree of at least three and having both the &agr;-1,6 glucosidic linkage as a linkage at the non-reducing end and the &agr;-1,4 glucosidic linkage other than the linkage at the non-reducing end, by catalyzing the &agr;-glucosyl-transfer from a saccharide having a glucose polymerization degree of at least two and having the &agr;-1,4 glucosidic linkage as a linkage at the non-reducing end without substantially increasing the reducing power; &agr;-isomaltosyl-transferring method using the enzyme; method for forming &agr;-isomaltosylglucosaccharide; process for producing a cyclotetrasaccharide having the structure of cyclo{→6)-&a

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means to influence neutrophil migration which occurs in a number of serious illnesses, such as acute trauma and inflammatory diseases. In bacterial meningitis for instance a high influx of neutrophils in the brain leads to an unfavorable prognosis. Typically IL-8 is involved in the chemoattraction of neutrophils. According to the present invention, glucoronoxylmannan or a functional equivalent thereof is used to interfere with neutrophil migration. This constitutes a first medical use of this group of substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel inulin synthase having a function and a substrate specificity of acting on sucrose to produce inulin, but not acting on kestose, maltose, lactose, trehalose and cellobiose; and a process for producing inulin comprising the step of allowing the synthase, a culture fluid or cultured cells of a microorganism producing the synthase, or a treated product thereof to contact with sucrose to produce inulin.

Abstract: Filtration methods comprise virus-filtering a solution containing a least one macromolecule. The total salt content of the solution for virus-filtering is within the range of from about 0.2 M up to saturation with the salt. Salts that can be used in the filtering methods include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, potassium dyhydrophosphate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polydispersed saccharide composition in which a fructan-containing material is dissolved in water prior to partial enzymatic treatment of the fructans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble bioactive fraction obtained from the gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata and to a process for the preparation thereof. The present invention also relates to a process for the isolation of a water soluble bioactive fraction containing a mixture of potassium and calcium salts of polysaccharides composed of units of arabinose, galactose and D-glucuronic acid, having marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities from the gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata and to the use thereof in the treatment of arthritis in the form of a pharmaceutical composition containing the bioactive fraction.

Abstract: A novel strain of Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremori (“Ropy 352”) has been identified and isolated. Ropy 352 produces a previously unknown exopolysaccharide (EPS 352) that when expressed in or added to milk, imparts highly desirable sensory characteristics to the milk, including making the milk very thick, with a very smooth mouth-feel, and slightly sweet with an obvious “chewable-bite”.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition that includes a material that is susceptible to degradation and a preserving agent in an amount effective to preserve the material comprising one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species. The preserving agent can include a single reduced malto-oligosaccharide species or a plurality of such species. Further disclosed is a method of preserving a material. The method generally includes contacting the material with a preserving agent containing a preserving effective amount of one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species. Solutions, powders, glasses, gels, and the like containing the chemically reactive material(s) and a preserving effective amount of one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species may be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for extracting bio-functional materials from biomass. The method comprises providing biomass and subjecting the biomass to substantially instantaneous pressurization and depressurization to separate bio-functional materials, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from the biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a starch ester having short- and long-chain acyl groups wherein hydrogens in reactive hydroxyl groups in the same starch molecule have been replaced by C2-4 short-chain acyl groups and C6-18 long-chain acyl groups. The degree of substitution by the short- and long-chain acyl groups are regulated so as to make the starch ester thermo-plasticized and moldable even in the absence of a plasticizer. Accordingly, the starch ester of the present invention can be used as a biodegradable thermoplastic plastic material which can be thermo-plasticized in the absence of a plasticizer.

Abstract: Genes have been isolated from a Methylomonas sp encoding elements of the exopolysaccharide biosynthetic pathway. The genes and gene products are the first isolated from an organisms capable of utilizing single carbon (C1) substrates as energy sources. The genes are useful for engineering other C1 utilizing microorganisms to make altered levels of exopolysaccharide which is used in a variety of commercial applications.

Abstract: A process for isolation and purification of polysaccharide gel and fiber from dried fruit-hull of Durio zibethinus L. Two polysaccharide products are obtained. The process involves hot water extraction of crude polysaccharide gel from fruit-hulls, filtration and precipitation in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and further purification by reprecipitation of concentrated aqueous crude polysaccharide gel, after demineralization using cation-exchange resin, in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and washing in alcohol. Dried polysaccharide gel is derived as creamy to white product. Polysaccharide gel is used as dressing-patch, film-dressing, sustained-release dressing, gelling agent; used in food preparation such as jelly, medical-food products. Fiber residue after hot water extraction is treated to isolate polysaccharide fiber. The process comprises alkali hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, decolorization and washing in dilute acid, sodium chloride and water to derive white polysaccharide fiber.

Abstract: Carboxyl-containing fructans such as carboxymethylinulin can be successfully used to prevent deposition of scale composed of, for example, calcium, barium and strontium salts of sulphuric acid and carbonic acid in oil extraction. In the oil extraction method, 0.5-200 ppm of a carboxyl-containing fructan that contains 0.3-3 carboxyl groups per mono-saccharide unit is incorporated in the process water, in the process equipment or in the oil-containing formation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new &bgr;-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum and a truncated enzyme where the C-terminal end of the &bgr;-galactosidase protein has been deleted, resulting in an enzyme with a higher transgalactosylating activity than hydrolase activity. When lactose is used as a substrate, galacto-oligosaccharides are products of the transgalactosylase activity. Galacto-oligosaccharides enhance growth of health-promoting Bifidobacterium that may be used in a number of applications in the dairy industry.

Abstract: A method for producing non-cellulosic callose fiber by using plant protoplast, which imposes less burden to the environment with reduced energy consumption compared to conventional natural fibers is provided; it comprises the addition of an inorganic ion to a plant protoplast cultivation system, which leads the plant protoplast to produce non-cellulosic callose fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel glycosides and glycoconjugates, glycoamino acids, and methods for the synthesis thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides novel clustered glycopeptides and methods for the synthesis thereof. In still another aspect, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of cancer, preferably for the prevention of recurrence of cancer, and methods for inducing antibodies in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need, an effective amount of any of the inventive glycopeptides as disclosed herein, either in conjugated form or unconjugated and in combination with a suitable immunogenic carrier.

Abstract: Genes have been isolated from a Methylomonas sp encoding elements of the exopolysaccharide biosynthetic pathway. The genes and gene products are the first isolated from an organisms capable of utilizing single carbon (C1) substrates as energy sources. The genes are useful for engineering other C1 utilizing microorganisms to make altered levels of exopolysaccharide which is used in a variety of commercial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for obtaining a polysaccharide substantially free from whole bacterial cells and bacterial cell debris including: (a) fermenting a Sphingomonas bacterium, which produces the polysaccharide, to produce an aqueous fermentation broth having the polysaccharide dissolved therein; (b) diluting the fermentation broth with an equal volume of deionized water; (c) partially hydrolyzing the polysaccharide by exposing the fermentation broth resulting from step (b) to a temperature in excess of 100° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process to prepare a complex of adsorption charcoal-GM1 stable at different pH values. This process is based on the suspension method, the formulation example being presented. An analytical method to determine non derivatized GM1 in aqueous solutions using the high efficiency liquid chromatography technique is also object of the present invention.