Abstract: A method to enhance the reactivity of cellulose-containing materials to cellulase enzymes by treating an aqueous suspension of the material with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a Mn.sup.+2 ion forming manganese compound.

Abstract: A method for the oxidation of hydrocarbons to monocarboxylic acids and then to dicarboxylic acids by the aerobic cultivation or resting cell reaction of the organism Debaryomyces vanriji (BR-308) ATCC 20588.

Abstract: The production of epoxide from .alpha.-olefin or .alpha.,.omega.-diene using an epoxide producing microorganism that belongs to Nocardia genus, wherein said microorganism is cultured aerobically in a medium containing more than one straight-chain .alpha.-olefin and/or straight-chain, .alpha.,.omega.-diene chosen from .alpha.-olefins having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and .alpha.,.omega.-dienes having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, or cells obtained by culturing said microorganism in a medium containing assimilable carbon sources is allowed to react aerobically in a medium containing more than one .alpha.-olefin and/or .alpha.,.omega.-diene selected from said straight-chain .alpha.-olefins and/or .alpha.,.omega.-dienes, and produced .alpha.-epoxide or .alpha.,.omega.-diepoxide or a mixture of these is separated and harvested.