Abstract: A new aldehyde dehydrogenase having the physico-chemical properties: molecular weight:150,000±6,000 or 230,000±9,000; substrate specificity active on aldehyde compounds; cofactors:pyrroloquinoline quinone and heme c; optimum pH: 7.0-8.5; and inhibitors: Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, monoiodoacetate and EDTA, is derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Gluconobacter. Said aldehyde dehydrogenase can be produced by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Gluconobacter which is capable of producing an aldehyde dehydrogenase having the above properties, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions, disrupting the cells of the microorganism and isolating and purifying the aldehyde dehydrogenase from the cell-free extract of the disrupted cells of the microorganism.

Abstract: A process for the purification of 1,3-diketones comprising reacting a 1,3-diketone with an earth metal or alkaline earth metal complexing agent in an organic solvent, isolating, washing and decomposing the resulting complex, and isolating the purified 1,3-diketone.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the treatment or prevention of preferably non-insulin dependent (NIDDM or so-called Type II) diabetes mellitus, or other conditions associated with impaired glucose tolerance such as obesity, and in particular to the use of phytanic acid derivatives for the said treatment and/or prevention. A method of making a composition for the treatment or prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and related diseases comprising combining phytanic acid or derivatives thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable additive or adjuvant, and a composition for the treatment or prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus comprising phytanic acid or derivatives thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the production of a modified phytase with a desired property improved over the property of the corresponding unmodified phytase is disclosed, as well as modified phytases, polynucleotides encoding modified phytases, and animal feed including modified phytases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production process of biotin by fermentation using a genetically engineered microorganism, and DNA sequences and vectors to be used in such process.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the treatment or prevention of preferably non-insulin dependent (NIDDM or so-called Type II) diabetes mellitus, or other conditions associated with impaired glucose tolerance such as obesity, and in particular to the use of phytanic acid derivatives for the said treatment and/or prevention. A method of making a composition for the treatment or prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and related diseases comprising combining phytanic acid or derivatives thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable additive or adjuvant, and a composition for the treatment or prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus comprising phytanic acid or derivatives thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of acetals and ketals by reacting an aldehyde or ketone with an alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst and removing water by pervaporation. Manufacturing equipment for the preparation of acetals and ketones is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the increased production of biotin and the biotin precursor dethiobiotin using a bacterium that produces a lysine-utilizing DAPA aminotransferase. This method involves the use of a bacterium that is either grown in the presence of lysine or deregulated for lysine biosynthesis.

Abstract: A process for the production of a modified phytase with a desired property improved over the property of the corresponding unmodified phytase is disclosed, as well as modified phytases, polynucleotides encoding modified phytases, and animal feed including modified phytases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant enzymes having alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity which comprises one or mom recombinant polypeptides selected from the group consisting of polypeptides which are identified by SEQ ID NO 5, SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO 7, SEQ ID NO 8 and chimeric recombinant polypeptides that are a chimeric combination of at least two of the following amino acid sequences identified by SEQ ID NO 5, SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO 7, SEQ ID NO 8 and functional derivatives of the polypeptides identified above which contain addition, insertion, deletion and/or substitution of one or more amino acid residues, wherein said enzymatic polypeptides have said alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. DNA molecules encoding the recombinant polypeptides, vectors comprising such DNA molecules, host cells transformed by such vectors and processes for the production of such recombinant enzymes are provided.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of flowable, non-dusty, binder-free riboflavin granulates by subjecting an aqueous suspension of riboflavin crystals of crystal modification B/C to a fluidized bed spray drying process, a single fluid nozzle spray drying process or a disk-type spray drying process.

Abstract: A process for mixing or dispersing liquids is provided that includes introducing liquids to be mixed or dispersed into a mixing device having a cylindrical support. The cylindrical support includes an inlet nozzle having a bore which is in fluid communication through a turbulence chamber with a bore of an outlet nozzle, wherein the bores of the nozzles are axially spaced apart relative to one another. The liquids are then allowed to enter the turbulence chamber through the bore of the inlet nozzle where the liquids are mixed or dispersed. The mixed or dispersed liquid is then recovered from the outlet nozzle. Various devices for mixing or dispersing liquids are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved phytases, preferably phytases of an increased thermostability, and a process of producing them. In particular, stabilizing amino acid mutations are introduced into a homologous protein, or the active site of a phytase is replaced in part or in toto. The corresponding DNA sequences and methods of preparing them are also disclosed, as are methods of producing the improved phytases, and the use thereof. Specific variants of Aspergillus fumigatus phytase and of consensus phytases are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heat tolerant phytases and DNA sequences which code therefor. The phytases are useful in hydrolyzing phytate to inositol and inorganic phosphates. The phytases are valuable feed additives.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol by the catalyzed reaction of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol is characterized by carrying out the reaction in the presence of hydrogen tris(oxalato)phosphate, or an adduct thereof with a solvent, as the catalyst in an organic solvent. The product of the process is the most active and industrially most important member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: A process for producing carotenoids, which involves cultivating a microorganism obtained by treating a parent microorganism that produces carotenoids under conditions that induce a reduction in alternative oxidase activity and selecting a microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, a method for obtaining the microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, and the microorganism itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetically engineered microorganism belonging to the genus Gluconobacter or Acetobacter, which has an engineered gene for the biological activity of reducing L-sorbose which is more than 90% non-functional in developing the said biological activity. The engineered microorganism is derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Gluconobacter or Acetobacter, and has the biological activity for reducing L-sorbose that is less than 10% of the amount of the activity of the wild type organism.

Abstract: A fermentation assembly comprising: (a) a vessel for culturing living cells; (b) at least two storage flasks in fluid communication with the vessel for supply of liquids and a first transport means for transferring the liquids from the storage flasks to the vessel; (c) individual appliances operably connected to the transport means for monitoring the supply of the contents of the storage flasks to the vessel; (d) a harvest flask in fluid communication with the vessel and a second transport means for transferring the fermentation broth from the vessel to the harvest flask; and (e) a device operably connected to the first transport means for controlling and maintaining a constant dilution rate in the vessel with varying rates of individual supply of liquid from the storage flasks to the vessel is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for atomizing liquids which has: a) a rotatable apparatus for the reception of liquids to be atomized, the apparatus is defined by a cylinder having an interior chamber that runs the length of the cylinder with an internal diameter of about 10 to about 25 millimeters, the cylinder has an upper end with an opening into the interior chamber, which opening is adapted to receive liquids to be atomized, the cylinder has a closed lower end that terminates with a floor, the outer surface of the cylinder is defined by an outer casing having a plurality of circular hole-type nozzles extending up about 20 to about 120 millimeters from the lower end of the cylinder in an axial direction, the hole-type nozzles are in fluid communication with the interior chamber for introducing the liquid to be atomized into the nozzles; and b) a drive operably connected to the cylinder for rotating the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of an alpha ketocarbonyl compound such as alpha ketoesters and alpha ketolactones to produce an alpha hydroxy carbonyl compound.