Abstract: Two nucleotide sequences encoding two different polypeptides found in yeast trehalose synthase have been isolated and cloned. The coding sequences can be inserted into suitable vectors and used to transform host cells. The transformed cells will produce increased amounts of trehalose compared to the untransformed wild types and have increased tolerance to a variety of stresses, in particular to decreased availability of water. The invention may be used to improve the stress tolerance of organisms, to increase the storage life of foodstuffs and to produce trehalose economically on an industrial scale in an organism (e.g, baker's yeast) that is a traditional and safe foodstuff.

Abstract: Methods and means for the construction of strains of yeast capable of producing cellulolytic enzymes, achieved by the transfer of chromosomal genes or cDNA copies of mRNAs coding for cellulolytic enzymes isolated from the fungus Trichoderma reesei to yeast cells using recombinant DNA vectors capable of replicating in yeast. The correct expression of these cellulolytic genes in yeast leads to the production of cellulolytic enzymes which are secreted from the cell. This allows the yeast to hydrolyze 3-1,4-glucan substrates such as cellulose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beta-glucane enriched grain fiber, and to a process for the preparation of a cellulose-containing, beta-glucane enriched grain fiber, preferably of oats or barley, for use as food or as a raw material or additive in the food industry. In the process, a ground or unground grain such as oats or barley is slurried rapidly in cold water, which may contain an organic solvent. The slurry is homogenized rapidly and is then screened, whereby a beta-glucane containing fiber is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beta-glucane enriched grain fiber, and to a process for the preparation of a cellulose-containing, beta-glucane enriched grain fiber, preferably of oats or barley, for use as food or as a raw material or additive in the food industry. In the process, a ground or unground grain such as oats or barley is slurried rapidly in cold water, which may contain an organic solvent. The slurry is homogenized rapidly and is then screened, whereby a beta-glucane containing fiber is obtained.

Abstract: A selected protein or protein part is prepared in Bacillus strain bacteria by joining DNA encoding the selected protein or protein part essential to its biological activity to a bacterium gene. The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens gene for .alpha.-amylase is cleaved at a location after the excretion signal following the regulation sequence, or at a location after a part essential with respect to its excretion. The cleaved gene is joined to a plasmid present in Bacillus strain bacteria in several copies, and the DNA sequence encoding the selected protein or protein part essential to its biological activity is joined to the cleavage site by recombinant DNA techniques. Bacillus strain host bacteria are transformed with the recombinant DNA molecules so obtained, and the transformed host bacteria cultivated to produce the selected protein or protein part.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules and to methods for producing proteins by means of said molecules. Particularly, the present invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules which are synthetized in Bacillus strain bacteria and are characterized by DNA which codes for exoenzymes excreted by a bacterium of the Bacillus strain and which are present in tens of copies in Bacillus strain bacteria, as well as to recombinant DNA molecules which are modified from the above recombinant DNA molecules and are characterized by DNA containing the regulation and excretion signals of the .alpha.-amylase gene of B. amyloliquefaciens, to which signals a gene of any protein can be joined. These recombinant DNA molecules can be used, for example, to improve the production of .alpha.-amylase in Bacillus strain bacteria, and their modifications to produce any protein in Bacillus strain bacteria.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple and efficient technique for isolating and purifying alpha-, beta- and especially gamma-cyclodextrins, and also their chemical derivatives. The isolation of different cyclodextrin subforms is based on the use of specially designed macromolecular adsorbents. These adsorbents contain covalently bound ligands which are of suitable size to penetrate the internal cavity of the cyclodextrin molecules and form specific inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins. By means of this invention it is also possible to increase the proportion of any of the cyclodextrin subforms or its chemical derivative by removing the corresponding cyclodextrin subform with a specific sorbent.

Abstract: The full length DNA sequence encoding the mature cellobiohydrolase II(CHBII), as well as the DNA sequence encoding the CBHII signal sequence, have been isolated and cloned from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Recombinant vectors comprising these sequences, and yeast hosts transformed with such vectors are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for constructing the vectors and hosts according to the invention, as well as methods for expressing the disclosed sequences. CBHII is involved in hydrolysis of cellulose.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for mashing starch-rich material, for example whole grain or partially crushed grain, when manufacturing alcohol. The method has a very low energy consumption, because the amount of water added to the starch-rich material in the beginning of the mashing stage is low. High pressure steam and a short processing time are used to keep the starch-rich material to water ratio during the processing stage below 1:2 because very little water is condensed from the water vapor during a short period. The mashed material is finally broken down by "shooting" the material from the reactor by using pressurized air.

Abstract: A bubble-cap column for the distillation of high-sediment or clogging liquids is disclosed, in which the bubble-cap structures comprising a bubble-cap and a neck are detachable and removable from the column and lined with polytetrafluoroethylene.