Abstract: A new oxido reductase enzyme activity obtainable from P. chrysogenum, involved in the production of .beta.-lactams, the set of genes encoding said enzyme activity, and a method to enhance said production by using the above-mentioned oxido reductase system and other oxido reductase systems or genes encoding for the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing a semisynthetic .beta.-lactam antibiotic by enzyme catalyzed acylation of the parent .beta.-lactam with an activated derivative of the side chain acid wherein a modulator, which consists of one or more compounds different from the reactants and the reaction product and which suppresses the hydrolysis of the activated derivative of the side chain acid and the desired product more than it suppresses the synthesis of the desired product, is added to the reaction mixture, at the beginning of the reaction process, in a concentration from about 0.2 to 100.times.10.sup.3 .mu.m.

Abstract: A gene expression system and a protein secretion system for eukaryotic, especially fungal, microorganisms has been provided for.

Abstract: Methods for long-term preservation of food products using a lactoperoxidase system. Long-term preservation is achieved by controlled generation of hydrogen peroxide as a substrate for the lactoperoxidase system. Controlled production of hydrogen peroxide is achieved by generating the hydrogen peroxide enzymatically form a system wherein the substrate for the enzyme generating the hydrogen peroxide is immobilized or is generated in situ from a precursor.

Abstract: A process for the purification of clavulanic acid comprising reacting in an organic solvent impure clavulanic acid with a diamine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3 to 8 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl alkyl of 3 to 8 cycloalkyl carbon atoms and alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, all optionally substituted with 1 to 3 members of the group consisting of halogen, --OH, lower alkoxy and carboxy esterified with lower alkyl or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 taken with the nitrogen to which they are attached form piperidino and n is an integer from 1 to 10 to form an amine salt selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## recovering the amine salts and acidifying the amine salt to recover purified clavulanic acid.

Abstract: Transformed prokaryotic hosts are provided comprising two or more copies of a DNA sequence stably maintained in their chromosome, said DNA sequence comprising a gene encoding a polypeptide of interest wherein said copies are separated by endogenous chromosomal DNA sequences. Methods are also provided for producing said transformed host strains. The transformed host strains are capable of increased production of the polypeptide of interest compared to host strains which already produce said polypeptide. Preferred host strains are Bacillus novo species PB92 which produces a high-alkaline proteolytic enzyme and B. licheniformis strain T5 which produces a thermostable .alpha.-amylase, and mutants and variants of said strains. Preferred polypeptide encoding genes are the protease encoding gene obtainable from Bacillus PB92 and the .alpha.-amylase encoding gene obtainable from B. licheniformis strain T5.

Abstract: An overall process for the preparation and recovery of 7-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA) via enzymatic ring expansion activity on penicillin G, using a Penicillium chrysogenum transformant strain expressing expandase.

Abstract: Novel vectors are disclosed for use in filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus sp. in particular, whereby protein coding regions may be inserted therein to achieve expression or expression followed by secretion of the coded protein from the host. Signal peptide sequences and promoter sequences valuable for this purpose are disclosed as are expression vectors containing coding regions native or foreign to the fungal host. In accordance with the invention, a filamentous fungus such as Aspergillus may be provided with foreign or natural coding regions associated with foreign or natural promoter sequences and optionally signal peptide sequences which can be used to control the expression and/or secretion of the proteins encoded by these coding regions.

Abstract: An overall efficient process for the preparation and recovery of 7-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA) via 2-(carboxyethylthio)acetyl- and 3-(carboxymethylthio)propionyl-7-ADCA, using a Penicillium chrysogenum transformant strain expressing expandase in conjunction with acyltransferase, is provided.

Abstract: Gram-negative bacteria, which are obligate alkaliphiles, have been isolated from samples of soil, water and sediment and a number of other sources obtained from in and around soda lakes. These bacteria have been analyzed according to the principles of numerical taxonomy with respect to each other, as well as to a variety of known bacteria. In addition, these bacteria are further circumscribed by an analysis of various chemotaxonomic characteristics. The bacteria produce various alkali-tolerant enzymes which may be used in various industrial processes requiring such enzymatic activity in a high pH environment.

Abstract: New diamine mono and diamine di salts of clavulanic acid, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and a new process using these diamine salts in the preparation of clavulanic acid and salts and esters thereof have been provided.

Abstract: Dry granular yeast compositions for use in the production of bakery products and beverages. In particular, a dry granular yeast composition having a moisture content of not more than about 8% (w/w) and containing about 0.1 to 8% (w/w) of a bread-improving agent, wherein the dry yeast is present in granular form and said bread-improving agent is a coating on the dry yeast granules in the form of a film or adhered particles.

Abstract: Novel methods and novel industrial unicellular microorganism strains, particularly industrial Bacillus strains, are provided for enhanced production of endogenous and exogenous polypeptides. Cloning vehicles containing the gene expressing the polypeptide of interest are introduced into a compatible host. Transformed hosts harboring the introduced vehicle in a stable way by integration of the vehicle into the host cells chromosome are selected. Efficient transfer of the vehicle containing the gene of interest is achieved, with the resulting industrial strain transformants being effective, stable producers of the desired polypeptide product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for obtaining feed pellets. The method comprises the addition of active ingredients to feed pellets after the pellets have been extruded. The method further comprises the addition of a solution or suspension of the desired feed or ingredient in a water or oil phase to the pellets under reduced pressure and subsequently increasing the pressure. The method results in pellets with a high degree of loading and in which the active ingredients are homogeneously distributed.

Abstract: An isolated pure culture of a strain of Phaffia rhodozyma which produces astaxanthin in an amount of at least 600 .mu.g per g Phaffia rhodozyma dry matter, as determined by HPLC analysis.

Abstract: Expression of proteins in filamentous fungal hosts is achieved in the presence of glucose using promoter variants in which creA binding sites are functionally disrupted.

Abstract: An isolated pure culture of a strain of Phaffia rhodozyma which produces astaxanthin in an amount of at least 600 .mu.g per g Phaffia rhodozyma dry matter, as determined by HPLC analysis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for reducing processing ambiguity of signal peptidases. Specifically, the C-terminus of a signal sequence is mutated in a such a manner that the secreted protein contains the correct N-terminal amino acid.Furthermore, the present invention provides an hIL-3 which is essentially homogenous at its N-terminus.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene encoding penicillin G acylase, the enzyme encoded by said gene and a method for the production of said enzyme by incorporating said gene in a host and bringing the same to expression. The gene is preferably obtained from a strain of the microorganism Alcaligenes faecalis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses ceramide 3 derivatives based on monounsaturated fatty acids. A preferred compound is N-oleoylphytosphingosine (Ceramide IIIB). A method for preparing these compounds is also disclosed. The solubility of these compounds is higher than the solubility of the corresponding saturated ceramide 3 derivatives, whereas their stability is comparable to saturated ceramide 3 stabilities. In addition, a method is described for maintaining the water permeability characteristics of the skin by topical application of a formulation containing a monounsaturated ceramide 3 derivative.