Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like &agr;-amylase, comprising mutations in two, three, four, five or six regions/positions. The variants have increased thermostability at acidic pH and/or at low Ca2+ concentrations (relative to the parent).

Abstract: A novel group of pectate lyases comprising the amino acid sequence Asn Leu Asn Ser Arg Val Pro (NLNSRVP) belonging to Family 1 of polysaccharide lyases have good performance in industrial processes under neutral or alkaline conditions such as laundering and textile processing. The pectate lyase are derivable from Bacillus species.

Abstract: A process for production of a lignocellulosic material modified by conjugation thereto of a phenolic substance comprising a substituent which, in the conjugated form of the phenolic substance, is, or may become, negatively or positively charged, respectively, comprises: reacting a lignocellulosic fibre material and the phenolic substance with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the oxidation of phenolic groups by the oxidizing agent; and reacting together the products of the reactions; with the proviso that the phenolic substance is not a phenolic polysaccharide. A strengthened lignocellulose-based product (e.g. a paper product) may be prepared by a procedure wherein a product produced in accordance with the latter process is treated with a strengthening agent having an ionic charge of sign opposite to that which is conferred on the modified lignocellulosic material by the charge-conferring substituent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing laccase mutants with increased oxidation potential and/or changed pH optimum and/or altered mediator pathway and/or altered O2/OH−-pathway, which method is based on the hitherto unknown three-dimensional structure of laccases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic oligomers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which process comprises subjecting the cyclic oligomer to the action of one or more lipolytic and/or biopolyester hydrolytic enzyme(s).

Abstract: Novel cyclodextrin glycosyl transferases (CGTase) can be produced by anaerobic cultivation of strains of Thermoanaerobacter or Thermoanaerobium. They are more thermostable than known CGTases and have temperature optimum about 95° C. The novel CGTases can be used for starch liquefaction at pH 4.5 and temperature exceeding 100° C. in the production of dextrose or ethanol. They can also be used for conversion of liquefied starch to cyclodextrin at a temperature of 80-90° C. A method for enzymatically converting solid and liquefied starch into cyclodextrin using cyclodextrin glycosyl transferases (CGTase) elaborated by thermophilic obligate anaerobic strains belonging to the genus Clostridium. These CGTases are characterized by thermostability and a capability to liquefy starch and/or to convert liquefied starch to cyclodextrin at pH 5.0-5.5 and 60-90° C.

Abstract: An aqueous insulin composition with improved chemical and physical stability comprising human insulin or an analogue or derivative thereof, a buffer selected from glycylglycine, citrate or TRIS, in particular glycylglycine, and metal ions, in particular calcium or magnesium ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for treating a mammal suffering from filariae.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active novel compounds having formula (I) as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of preparing said compounds, fungicidal compositions comprising, as an active ingredient, these compounds, use of the compounds, and method of controlling fungi at loci infested or liable to be infested therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel alkali stable amylase obtained from Thermoalcalibacter bogoriae, an enzyme composition comprising said amylase, and the use of said enzyme and enzyme composition for a number of industrial applications.

Abstract: A method for in vivo production of a library in cells comprising a multitude of mutated genetic elements, wherein an error-prone polymerase is used in each ancestral cell to replicate all or a part of a genetic element independently of the host chromosomal replication machinery. The genetic element comprisesi) an origin of replication from which replication is initiated,ii) optionally a genetic marker, e.g. a gene conferring resistance towards an antibiotic,iii) a gene encoding the polypeptide of interest.Also methods for the generation of a DNA sequence encoding a desired variant of a polypeptide of interest, and for the determination of such a DNA sequence are described.

Abstract: The properties of dough or bread can be improved by the addition of a carbohydrate oxidase which can oxidize the reducing end of an oligosaccharide more efficiently than the corresponding monosaccharide, e.g., preferentially oxidizing maltodextrins or cellodextrins over glucose. A novel carbohydrate oxidase having the capability to oxidize maltodextrins and cellodextrins more efficiently than glucose may be obtained from a strain of Microdochium, particularly M. nivale. The amino acid sequence of the novel carbohydrate oxidase has very low homology (<20% identity) with known amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The inventors have modified the amino acid sequence of a maltogenic alpha-amylase to obtain variants with improved properties, based on the three-dimensional structure of the maltogenic alpha-amylase Novamyl. The variants have altered physicochemical properties, e.g. an altered pH optimum, improved thermostability, increased specific activity, an altered cleavage pattern or an increased ability to reduce retrogradation of starch or staling of bread.

Abstract: An immobilized enzyme preparation for use in an organic medium essentially devoid of free water is prepared using a fluidized bed. An enzyme-containing liquid medium is contacted with a particulate porous carrier which preferably has a particle size of 200-1000 .mu.m and a surface area of 20-1000 m.sup.2 /g, and volatile components of the liquid medium are removed to fix or adsorb the enzyme on the carrier. The carrier may have a hydrophilic surface and an amount of liquid medium is used to prevent agglomeration of the carrier. The enzyme can be adsorbed on a carrier having a hydrophobic surface, and the addition of a hygroscopic substance suppresses agglomeration of the carrier by absorbing excess liquid. The hygroscopic substance may be removed during the removal of volatile components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cloned DNA sequence encoding an enzyme with dextranase activity, a recombinant expression vector comprising said DNA sequence, a filamentous fungus host cell, a method for producing said recombinant dextranase, and the isolated and purified enzyme.The invention also relates to compositions comprising the recombinant enzyme, oral care compositions and products and the use for removing of dental plaque.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing cork articles, in particular cork stoppers for wine bottles, which involves treating cork with a phenol oxidizing enzyme. Preferred phenol oxidizing enzymes are laccase, peroxidase, catechol oxidase, and o-aminophenol oxidase. The treatment with a phenol oxidizing enzyme reduces the characteristic cork taint/astringency which is frequently imparted to the bottled wine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having pyranose oxidase activity. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences as well as recombinant methods for producing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme exhibiting aminopeptidase activity, a method for producing said enzyme, an enzyme preparation containing said enzyme exhibiting aminopeptidase activity, and use of said enzyme for various industrial purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like .alpha.-amylase, which variant has a-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent a-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca.sup.2+ dependency and specific activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step. In another specific aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a saccharide preparation, which method comprises an enzymatic saccharification step, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme.