Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a composition comprising natural vitamin B12, wherein said process comprises the steps of: a) obtaining microbial cells containing natural vitamin B12, b) causing opening of the microbial cells such that at least part of the soluble content of the cells comprising vitamin B12 is released in a liquid in which the cells are contained, c) separating the opened cells and the liquid comprising the vitamin B12, d) preparing a mixture of the vitamin B12 and at least a part of the opened cells, wherein the mixture has a vitamin B12 concentration on dry matter in excess of 0.1% (w/w).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of &bgr;-lactam antibiotics. More specifically, the invention relates to processes of producing &bgr;-lactam antibiotics in vivo and in vitro. Also contemplated is a novel enzyme capable of catalyzing certain steps involved in &bgr;-lactam biosynthesis. Further, the invention relates to a DNA construct encoding the novel enzyme, a recombinant vector or transformation vehicle comprising the DNA construct, and finally a cell comprising the DNA construct or recombinant vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating an oil, the process comprising contacting the oil with a polar solvent to extract at least one compound that is soluble in the solvent, and then separating the solvent containing the compound from the so treated oil. The oil is microbially derived, and extracted either from a fermentation broth or a filtrate thereof using hexane. The compound to be extracted is usually a sterol or a diglyceride. The solvent is ethanol having up to 5% water. The oil can contain a polyunsaturated fatty acid such as C18, C20 or C22 .omega.-3 or .omega.-6 fatty acid, such as arachidonic acid.

Abstract: Transformed yeasts are provided which constitutively express a hexose transporter gene. The transformed yeast can be used in the beer, bread, wine and whisky production.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of natamycin from a fermentation broth containing biomass and natamycin, which comprises:(a) disintegrating the biomass; and(b) separating the natamycin from the thus treated fermentation broth.

Abstract: An enzymatic hydrolysis of a glycosidic substrate containing at least one of the said precursors is performed with at least one enzyme chosen in accordance with the structure of the said precursor, to liberate the corresponding monoglycosides by cleavage at a glycoside bond, and, in a second stage, an enzymatic hydrolysis of the product of the first stage is performed with at least one enzyme other than or identical to that/those of the first stage and designed to liberate the aroma components and aromas by cleavage of the aglycone-carbohydrate linkage bond. A vegetable material derived from a fruit such as grape or an aromatic or flowering plant, as well as their derivatives and by-products, is chosen as a glycosidic substrate. Terepenols such as geraniol, linalol, nerol and the like, terpene polyols and alcohols such as phenyl ethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol, or the like, are obtained, in particular, as aroma components or aromas.

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 enzymes having xylanase activity. The xylanases are characterized in that they are active at a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher. The enzymes are obtainable from anaerobic thermophilic bacteria. The enzymes are suited for use in paper and pulp production processes. The invention also describes cloning and expression of genes having xylanase activity obtained from the deposited strains.

Abstract: A bioprocess for preparing adipoyl-7-ACA comprising the steps: (a) transforming cells of a strain of Penicillium chrysogenum which produces isopenicillin N with an expression vector containing DNA encoding an enzyme, having expandase activity capable of accepting adipoyl 6-APA as a substrate, an enzyme having hydroxylase activity capable of accepting adipoyl-7-ADCA as a substrate and an enzyme having acetyl transferase activity capable of accepting adipoyl 7-ADAC as a substrate; (b) culturing the transformed cells from step a) in a suitable culture medium containing an adipate feedstock, wherein said cells produce adipoyl 6-APA; and (c) culturing the transformed cells producing adipoyl 6-APA of step b) under conditions suitable for expression of said DNA encoding enzyme, thereby producing the end product adipoyl-7-ACA.

Abstract: An arabinoxylan-degrading enzyme from Aspergillus is provided. The enzyme is active in the degradation of water-insoluble solids obtained from maize. The enzyme can be used in the preparation of animal feed compositions, human food or in industrial processes.

Abstract: A probiotic composition is disclosed which is particularly useful for inclusion in food products to enhance their nutritional value. The composition comprises one or more probiotic microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and a carrier to transport the microorganisms to the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The carrier is a modified or unmodified resistant starch, particularly a high amylose starch, which acts as a growth or maintenance medium for microorganisms in the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tact.

Abstract: Penicillin G acylase is immobilized by covalent bonding to a crosslinked mixture of a gelled gelling agent such as gelatin and a polymer containing free amino groups such as alginate amine, chitosan or polyethylene imine. The immobilized penicillin G acylase provides a higher synthesis/hydrolysis ratio as compared to immobilizing with other carriers when producing .beta.-lactam derivatives by a condensing reaction of an amino .beta.-lactam with an acylating agent. The acylating agent may be a derivative of D-phenylglycine, a derivative of D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine or a derivative of D-2,5-dihydro-phenylglycine. Examples of .beta.-lactam derivatives that can be produced are amoxycillin, ampicillin, cephaclor, cephadroxil, cephprozil, cephalexin and cephradine.

Abstract: An improvement for enzymatically syhnthesizing a .beta.-lactam compound is presented. The improvement comprises catalyzing the acylation of an amino .beta.-lactam with an acylating agent for at least 5 hours with an amidase or acylase, wherein the concentration of each reactant is constantly higher than 70% of the lowest value of the saturated concentration of both reactants.

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: A process for making 7-aminodeacetyl-cephalosporanic acid (7-ADAC).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for improving the efficiency of feed utilization and/or for promoting the growth of animals in which an animal is fed a diet which comprises a composition comprising feed substance and a ready for use phospholipase additive. Preferably said composition also comprises at least one phospholipid. Said compositions are used to improve fat digestibility and to promote growth of the animal. The phospholipid is preferably lecithin and the preferred phospholipase is a mammalian phospholipase A2. In a preferred embodiment the phospholipase is produced using recombinant DNA technology to express the enzyme in a suitable host such as a microorganism or a transgenic plant.

Abstract: The present invention describes stable water-in-oil emulsions comprising the following components: water, oil, a labile compound of interest, a stabilizing agent and an emulsifier. The labile compound present in the water phase is stabilized by addition of a stabilizing agent which preferably is a polyol. Specific emulsifiers are described which give rise to stable emulsions in the presence of high amounts of a polyol.

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: A flavor enhancer which is low in monosodium glutamate, which is substantially free of 5'-IMP and 5'-GMP and which enhances both meat, vegetable and dairy flavors. The use of the flavor enhancer in flavoring compositions and food and feed applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the topical application of ceramides. The present invention provides specific cosmetic compositions comprising a ceramide and an agent to target said ceramide to the proper site of the skin. Specifically it is shown that the ceramide-containing compositions have a high capacity for recovering diminished water-retaining properties of preheated or damaged skin. Furthermore, the ceramide-containing compositions are shown to protect the skin again irritation.