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: 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 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: Novel proteins of microorganism E-396 (FERM BP-4283) and the DNA sequences which encode these proteins have been discovered to provide an improved biosynthetic pathway from farnesyl pyrophosphate and isopentyl pyrophosphate to various carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, adonixanthin and canthaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic material useful for the preparation of actinol, such as an isolated DNA including a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme having levodione reductase activity, a polypeptide encoded by such a DNA, recombinant organisms, and the like. These genetic materials may originate from Corynebacterium, Cellulomonas, Planococcus, Arthrobacter, and the like. The present invention also provides a process for the production of actinol.

Abstract: Vectors and recombinant bacteria for overproducing riboflavin, in which nucleic acid overproducing riboflavin biosynthetic proteins is introduced in the chromosome of the host organism, e.g. at multiple sites and in multiple copies per site. A rib operon having at least five genes is used to make such recombinant bacteria.

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 provides a process for producing a target fermentation product. This process includes providing a fermentation medium containing a recombinantly-produced microorganism that over-produces a fermentation product and contains a mutation which causes auxotrophic growth of the microorganism wherein the auxotrophy within the microorganism does not compromise the ability of the microorganism to produce the fermentation product. The medium is then supplied in excess with all substrates required for production of the fermentation product and in growth limiting amounts with a substrate complementing the auxotrophy. Host cells, vectors, and polynucleotide sequences used in the process are also provided. The polynucleotide sequences of the present invention include sequences derived from the biotin operon of B. subtilis, and in particular the bioFDB gene cassette.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding proteins with D-sorbitol dehydrogenase activity or which function to activate D-sorbitol dehydrogenase proteins, in vivo, vectors and recombinant organisms which contain such polynucleotides, and methods of making D-sorbitol dehydrogenase and L-sorbose.

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.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a consensus protein from a group of amino acid sequences of a defined protein family, proteins and polynucleotides so obtained, and compositions containing such proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway or the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate. Vectors and plasmids including such DNA are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of isoprenoids and carotenoids using such transformed host cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stabilizing marine oil by treatment with silica in the presence or absence of carbon and vacuum steam deodorization at a temperature between about 140° C. and about 210° C. in the presence of 0.1-0.4% deodorized rosemary or sage extract If desired 0.01-0.03% ascorbyl palmitate and 0.05-0.2% mixed tocopherol can be added. A method of using such oil in food applications is provided. A method of identifying the sensory quality of unknown marine oils is also provided.

Abstract: Novel proteins of Flavobacterium sp. R1534 and the DNA sequences which encode these proteins are disclosed which provide an improved biosynthetic pathway from farnesyl pyrophosphate and isopentyl pyrophosphate to various carotenoid precursors and carotenoids, especially &bgr;-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin and cantaxanthin.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having the activity of enzymes in the mevalonate pathway are provided. These sequences are useful for recombinantly producing isoprenoid compounds, such as carotenoids, in particular zeaxanthin. Expression vectors, cultured cells, and methods of making isoprenoid compounds are also provided.

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 directed to genetic material useful for the preparation of actinol, such as an isolated DNA including a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme having levodione reductase activity, a polypeptide encoded by such a DNA, recombinant organisms, and the like. These genetic materials may originate from Corynebacterium, Cellulomonas, Planococcus, Arthrobacter, and the like. The present invention also provides a process for the production of actinol.

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.