Abstract: The present invention discloses a new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae BEC1000 CNCMI-1507 which produces industrially useful quantities of a polysaccharide containing L-fucose. Also disclosed is a process of producing the polysaccharide using this strain and mutants thereof. The polysaccharide has properties which are particularly useful to the cosmetics industry.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions providing a suitable medium for the development of beneficial endogenous flora, and including at least one oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of gluco-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, .alpha.- and .beta.-galacto-oligosaccharides and mixtures thereof. Examples of compositions are liquid soap, body lotion, face cream and vaginal gel.

Abstract: A method for the production of oligodextrans containing an .alpha.(1.fwdarw.2) bond which uses glycosyltransferase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides, particularly strain B-1299, sucrose and an accepter moiety such as glucose, maltose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose or methyl .alpha.-glucose. Optionally, this product may be further treated with an endodextranase or glucosamylase.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of water-soluble L-tyrosine derivatives having the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a L-malyl, L-lactyl, L-glutamyl or L-aspartyl group, R.sub.2 is a --OH, --OM, methoxy, ethoxy or amino group and M is an alkaline metal, by enzymatic condensation of an acid selected among L-malic, L-lactic, L-glutamic and L-aspartic acids, with a L-tyrosine derivatives selected among the ethyl and methyl esters and the amide of L-tyrosine. The enzyme is obtained from a culture of Micrococcus casealyticus. The compounds where R.sub.1 is a L-malyl or L-lactyl group are new. Said L-tyrosine derivatives are useful in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, such as tanning and sun compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to biotechnology.It relates, in particular, to cultures of Klebsiella sp. microorganisms possessing the characteristics of the strain BEC 441 deposited under No. I-714 at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes (National Collection of Microorganism Cultures) of the Institut Pasteur, as well as strains obtained from the strain BEC 441 by mutation, these strains being capable of producing polysaccharides rich in rhamnose by fermentation in a nutrient medium containing assimilable sources of carbon and of nitrogen and inorganic substances.Application for the production of a mixture of monosaccharides having a high content of rhamnose.