Abstract: Methods and DNA constructs are provided for the expression of a fungal acetyl xylan esterase gene in microbial hosts. A purified fungal acetyl xylan esterase is obtained which is suited for the use as an accessory enzyme in the degradation of acetylated xylans.

Abstract: An isolated pure culture of a strain of Phaffia rhodozyma which produces astaxanthin in an mount 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: 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 have been disclosed.

Abstract: A baking improver composition in a homogeneous solid shaped form which includes one or more baking improver agents and at least one binding agent which permits disintegration of the solid form when in use for mixing a dough. Such a composition form may weigh between 25 grams and 2 kilograms and is capable of manual division into smaller dosage units and obtained, for example, by compacting a powder composition based on flour and containing about 20 to 30% by weight of lecithin as a binding agent and baking emulsifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides Phaffia rhodozyma strains having increased levels of astaxantin and a low percentage of 3-hydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-.beta.,.psi.-caroten-4-one (HDCO). Such strains are obtained by a combination of mutagenesis and selection. The invention further provides a method for obtaining such strains. The invention also provides astaxanthin obtained from a mutagenized strain of Phaffia rhodozyma characterized in that it contains a decreased relative amount of HDCO.

Abstract: The present invention discloses intersexual heterozygous Phycomyces strains. These strains show an improved .beta.-carotene productivity and an increased stability when compared with both the wild type and heterokaryotic Phycomyces strains. The present invention also discloses a method for obtaining Phycomyces transformants without using selection markers. Furthermore, a process is provided for manufacturing .beta.-carotene comprising the use of intersexual heterozygous Phycomyces strains in a submerged culture.

Abstract: A method to prepare a food containing a gel of a low-methoxylated pectin of at least one fruit or vegetable is disclosed. The method comprises adding pectin esterase to the fruit or vegetable or to the pulp thereof in an amount effective to demethoxylate pectin, optionally adding calcium chloride, and maintaining the fruit or vegetable or pulp under conditions such that the pectin esterase converts high-methoxylated pectin of the fruit or vegetable or pulp to low-methoxylated pectin and the low-methoxylated pectin forms a gel. The fruit or vegetable or pulp is then formulated to obtain the desired food containing the gel. The method is used, for instance, to produce fruit and vegetable jams and jellies, compotes, sauces and soups.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for the production of N-acyl amino alcohols via the selective acylation of the free amines of amino alcohols by reacting with an organic acid or a salt thereof with an alkyl sulfonyl chloride or an alkyl phenyl sulfonyl chloride, in an organic solvent and in the presence of an organic base, to form the corresponding mixed anhydride, followed by reacting the mixed anhydride with an amino alcohol or a salt thereof to form the corresponding N-acyl amino alcohol.

Abstract: Important intermediates for preparing cephalosporin antibiotics, 7-amino-cephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and 7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid (7-ADAC), are prepared by a novel bioprocess in which a transformed Penicillium chrysogenum strain is cultured in the presence of an adipate feedstock to produce adipoyl-6-APA (6-amino penicillanic acid); followed by the in situ expression of the following genes with which the P. chrysogenum has been transformed:1) an expandase gene, whose expression product converts the adipoyl-6-APA by ring expansion to adipoyl-7-ADCA;2) an hydroxylase gene whose expression product converts the 3-methyl side chain of adipoyl-7-ADCA to 3-hydroxymethyl, to give the first product, 7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid (7-ADAC); and3) an acetyltransferase gene whose expression product converts the 3-hydroxymethyl side chain to the 3-acetyloxymethyl side chain of 7-ACA. The final product, 7-ACA, is then prepared by cleavage of the adipoyl side chain using an adipoyl acylase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a DNA sequence encoding the exo-polygalacturonase gene form Aspergillus. Specifically the Aspergillus tubigensis exo-polygalacturonase gene is cloned and expressed. The invention relates to vectors comprising the exo-polygalacturonase coding sequence and to host cells transformed with such vectors. The invention further relates to the production of recombinant exo-polygalacturonase and the use of this protein.

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: Method and expression constructs are provided for the cloning of genes from fungal origin which encode polypeptides having the activity of the Aspergillus tubigensis XYL B enzyme and their overexpression in a selected microbial host cell. The present invention provides for the high level production of XYL B which may be used in a variety of industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for the production of ceramides and hybrid ceramides via the selective N-acylation of glycosphingolipids by reacting an organic acid or ester thereof with a lysosphingolipid in the presence of a lipase in an organic medium.

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: An antifungal composition is disclosed which comprises an antifungal agent of the polyene type, an acidific antifungal compound and an additional organic acid or its alkali or earth alkali salt. The use of this composition to treat food and agricultural products is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the expression of phytase in transgenic plants or plant organs and methods for the production of such plants. DNA expression constructs are provided for the transformation of plants with a gene encoding phytase under the control of regulatory sequences which are capable of directing the expression of phytase. These regulatory sequences include sequences capable of directing transcription in plants, either constitutively, or stage and/or tissue specific, depending on the use of the plant or parts thereof. The transgenic plants and plant organs provided by the present invention may be applied to a variety of industrial processes either directly, e.g. in animal feeds or alternatively, the expressed phytase may be extracted and if desired, purified before application.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the application of a pectin esterase substantially free from depolymerase activity in the maceration of apple pulp. The use of purified pectin esterase leads to a low amount of pectin degradation products in the juice and to the conservation of protopectin in the apple pomace. Furthermore, the juice yield and the pressability are increased through the use of purified PE.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining aroma components and aromas from their glycosidic precursors containing a .beta.-apioside with the use of .beta.-apiosidase.

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.