Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recombinant microorganism capable of efficiently producing L-leucine and an L-leucine production method using the same. The production method includes: (p) incubating a recombinant microorganism having an L-leucine biosynthesis pathway or a processed product of microbial cells thereof in a predetermined culture medium (X) to thereby produce L-leucine; and (q) recovering a fraction including the L-leucine from the predetermined culture medium (X). The recombinant microorganism includes, in an expressible form, a gene encoding an amino acid dehydrogenase. The amino acid dehydrogenase at least has a catalytic effect on an L-leucine production reaction in the L-leucine biosynthesis pathway.

Abstract: Provided is an aspartic acid composition containing aspartic acid and an impurity, the impurity containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an amino acid other than aspartic acid, an organic acid, and salts of the amino acid other than aspartic acid and the organic acid, a content of the impurity being 0.02% by mass or more and 1.1% by mass or less. Also provided is a method for producing polysuccinimide, the method including performing a polymerization reaction of the aspartic acid using the aspartic acid composition. Also provided is a polysuccinimide composition produced by the method for producing polysuccinimide.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method for producing aspartic acid whereby impurities can be reduced or eliminated even when a crude product contaminated with a considerable amount of impurities such as amino acids, organic substances, colorants, and inorganic salts is used as a starting material. The method comprises: (q) preparing a slurry of a crystalline fraction (X) containing ?-type crystals of aspartic acid and at least one impurity; and (r) heating the slurry to convert the ?-type crystals of aspartic acid to ?-type crystals and obtain a crystalline fraction (Y) containing aspartic acid in the ?-type crystals.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing 1,3-propanediol includes culturing, in the presence of a saccharide and formaldehyde to produce 1,3-propanediol, a microorganism having the following genes: (a) a first gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes an aldol reaction between pyruvic acid and aldehydes; (b) a second gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes a decarboxylation reaction of ?-keto acids; and (c) a third gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes a reduction reaction of aldehydes, is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a genetically modified microorganism satisfying some of predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions include: (I) succinate dehydrogenase activity or fumarate reductase activity being reduced or inactivated relative to a wild-type microorganism; (II) lactate dehydrogenase activity being reduced or inactivated relative to the wild-type microorganism; (III) the genetically modified microorganism having modified phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity showing resistance to feedback inhibition by aspartic acid in wild-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity, or exogenous phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity having higher resistance to feedback inhibition by aspartic acid than that of the wild-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity shown by the wild-type microorganism; and (IV) pyruvate:quinone oxidoreductase being reduced or inactivated relative to the wild-type microorganism.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a target substance from a starting substance via an NADH-accumulating reaction pathway, the method comprising: incubating bacteria under an aerobic condition; and subsequently incubating the bacteria under an anaerobic condition in the presence of the starting substance and nitrate ion to produce the target substance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing 1,3-propanediol includes culturing, in the presence of a saccharide and formaldehyde to produce 1,3-propanediol, a microorganism having the following genes: (a) a first gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes an aldol reaction between pyruvic acid and aldehydes; (b) a second gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes a decarboxylation reaction of ?-keto acids; and (c) a third gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes a reduction reaction of aldehydes, is provided.