Abstract: Immobilized water-insoluble biocatalysts in particulate form comprise living cells, particularly yeast, dispersed in a cross-linked gelling agent. An enzyme, particularly amyloglucosidase, may be co-immobilized in the particles. These particles are prepared by suspending the living cells in an aqueous solution of a gelling agent, dispersing this suspension in a water immiscible organic liquid to form a suspension in the liquid of aqueous particles comprising the living cells and gelling agent, gelling the gel and cross-linking the gelling agent. It is found that when living cells such as microbial cells and especially yeast are immobilized in this way, that surprisingly, not only is their viability retained, but the ability of yeast cells to produce ethanol under continuous fermentation conditions is significantly improved. Specific strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suitable for immobilization in this way, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel aerobic, Gram-positive alkaliphilic bacteria which have been isolated from in and around alkaline soda lakes. These alkaliphiles have been analyzed according to the principles of numerical taxonomy with respect to each other and also to a collection of known bacteria. In addition, these bacterial taxa are further circumscribed by an analysis of the lipid components which serve as chemotaxonomic markers. The alkaliphiles of the present invention produce alkalitolerant enzymes which are capable of performing their functions at high pH which makes them uniquely suited for applications requiring such extreme conditions.

Abstract: A dough for the preparation of yeast-leavened flour products whereby the dough comprises a yeast not capable of fermenting malto and an amount of sugar(s) fermentable by the yeast wherein the maximal amount of CO.sub.2 gas produced during the proof is controlled and limited by the amount of fermentable sugar(s) present in the dough.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered pH optimum. The method is specific for metalloenzymes which are inactivated at low pH due to the dissociation of the metal ions. The method is based on altering the pK.sub.a of the metal coordinating ligands or altering the K.sub.ass for the metal binding. New glucose isomerases with an altered pH optimum are provided according to this method. These altered properties enable starch degradation to be performed at lower pH values.

Abstract: New mutant glucose isomerases are provided exhibiting improved properties under application conditions. These glucose isomerases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said enzyme, having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wildtype glucose isomerase. Preferred mutant enzymes are those derived from Actinoplanes missouriensis glucose isomerase.

Abstract: Thermostable and acid stable .alpha.-amylases are provided as expression products of genetically engineered .alpha.-amylase genes isolated from microorganisms, preferably belonging to the class of Bacilli. Both chemical and enzymatic mutagenesis methods are e.g. the bisulphite method and enzymatic misincorporation on gapped heteroduplex DNA. The mutant .alpha.-amylases have superior properties, e.g. improved thermostability over a broad pH range, for industrial application in starch processing and textile desizing.

Abstract: A cephalosporin compound substituted in the 7-position with a (cyclo)alkylideneammonio group of formula (II) ##STR1## wherein X' is an anion from an acid HX, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are individually a C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl group, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkylidene ring with up to 8 carbon atoms and a process for the preparation which compounds are useful intermediates.

Abstract: Methods and expression constructs are provided for the cloning and overexpression of xylanases of fungai origin in a selected microbial host cell. Xylanases of fungal origin generally have lower pH optima and remain stable over a broader pH range than do xylanases of bacterial origin. The present invention provides for the high level production of fungal xylanases which are may be used in a variety of industrial applications requiring xylanase activity at a low pH.

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 Phaffla rhodozyma dry matter, as determined by HPLC analysis.

Abstract: New 9-alphahydroxy steroids are prepared by the introduction of substituents on the D-ring of 9-alpha-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. The resulting compounds are useful intermediates in the synthesis of corticosteroids.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered pH optimum. The method is specific for metalloenzymes which are inactivated at low pH due to the dissociation of the metal ions. The method is based on altering the pK.sub.a of the metal coordinating ligands or altering the K.sub.ass for the metal binding. New glucose isomerases with an altered pH optimum are provided according to this method. These altered properties enable starch degradation to be performed at lower pH values.

Abstract: New proteolytic enzymes are provided exhibiting improved properties for application in detergents, especially laundry detergents. These enzymes are obtained by expression of a gene encoding a proteolytic enzyme having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wild type enzyme. Preferred enzymes are certain mutants derived from the serine protease of Bacillus nov. spec. PB92.

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: New proteolytic enzymes are provided exhibiting improved properties for application in detergents, especially laundry detergents. These enzymes are obtained by expression of a gene encoding a proteolytic enzyme having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wild type enzyme. Preferred enzymes are certain mutants derived from the serine protease of Bacillus nov. spec. PB92.

Abstract: Immobilized water-insoluble biocatalysts in particulate form comprise living cells, particularly yeast, dispersed in a cross-linked gelling agent. An enzyme, particularly amyloglucosidase, may be co-immobilized in the particles. These particles are prepared by suspending the living cells in an aqueous solution of a gelling agent, dispersing this suspension in a water immiscible organic liquid to form a suspension in the liquid of aqueous particles comprising the living cells and gelling agent, gelling the gel and cross-linking the gelling agent. It is found that when living cells such as microbial cells and especially yeast are immobilized in this way, that surprisingly, not only is their viability retained, but the ability of yeast cells to produce ethanol under continuous fermentation conditions is significantly improved. Specific strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suitable for immobilization in this way, are described.

Abstract: A transformed yeast is disclosed, comprising at least one gene encoding neutral trehalase or trehalose-6-phosphate synthase which gene has been modified such that it differs from a corresponding wild-type gene encoding neutral trehalase or trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, the yeast having as a result a different trehalose content from the untransformed parent yeast. The sugar resistance and drying resistance of the yeast compared to those of the untransformed strain are thereby improved.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered substrate specificity. New mutant glucose isomerases with an altered substrate specificity are provided according to this method. These altered properties are useful in starch degradation and in other sugar conversion reactions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improved production of hIL-3 either in glycosylated form from mammalian and yeast cells or in unglycosylated form from prokaryotes. Recombinantly produced human IL-3 is purified in a series of steps, initially employing hydrophobic interaction, followed by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration.

Abstract: The oxidative deterioration of water-containing products for human consumption, e.g. beverages and oil and/or fat based products is minimized by introduction of immobilized yeast. Yeast is immobilized in and/or on a solid material which allows only very slow penetration by water. Thin layers material of such a yeast-bearing solid, e.g. paraffin, wax, can be applied to the lining of crown corks. The yeast will retain sufficient viability, even after pasteurization of the contents of a container closed with the crown cork. The yeast will minimize the oxygen concentration in the contents between the time of pasteurization and eventual consumption of the contents.

Abstract: 9.alpha.-hydroxy-17-keto steroids are prepared by fermenting steroids having a C-17-side chain of 5-10 carbon atoms inclusive, with the novel Mycobacterium species CBS 482.86. Starting from various substrates containing a 5-10 C carbon chain on C-17, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 7.alpha.,9.alpha.,12.alpha.-trihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione or 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4,11-diene-3,17-dione is obtained in high yield. The resulting compounds are useful intermediates in the synthesis of therapeutically important steroids, particularly corticosteroids.