Abstract: The susceptibility of bacteria, particularly those derived from body fluids, to antimicrobial agents is determined in terms of an ATP index measured by culturing a bacterium in a growth medium, assaying the amount of ATP in a sample of the cultured bacterium by measuring the amount of luminescent light emitted when the bacterial ATP is reacted with a luciferase-luciferin mixture, subjecting the sample of the cultured bacterium to an antibiotic agent and assaying the amount of bacterial adenosine triphosphate after treatment with the antibiotic by measuring the luminescent light resulting from the reaction, whereby the ATP index is determined from the values obtained from the assay procedures.

Abstract: In processes for measuring glycerides in a fluid, which processes require initial conversion thereof to glycerol, this conversion is achieved according to an improved and simplified saponifying reaction in which a reaction temperature between 35.degree. and 40.degree. C. is used.

Abstract: 20,798 R.P., which has valuable anti-tumor properties, and acid addition salts thereof are prepared by the microbiological reduction of daunorubicin of the formula: ##SPC1##Or of an acid addition salt thereof, to convert the grouping --CO--CH.sub.3 to --CHOHCH.sub.3.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a red color in meat, particularly sausage, using Micrococcus species NRRL-B-8048 alone or preferably in admixture with Lactobacillus plantarum and/or Pediococcus cerevisiae or with other lactic acid producing bacteria is described. Micrococcus sp. NRRL-B-8048 rapidly (in about 4 hours or less) develops the solid bright red color associated with sausage and other fermented and non-fermented meats in the presence of edible nitrate or in the presence of relatively small amounts of added edible nitrite sufficient to more rapidly generate a red color because of NRRL-B-8048. Combinations of the nitrite and nitrate can be used. NRRL-B-8048 can be used to produce processed meats with a red color with a very limited fermentation time (hours) or to produce sausage with a longer fermentation time (days). Micrococcus sp. NRRL-B-8048 is preferably provided in the form of a cell concentrate which is frozen for storage and subsequent thawing for use.

Abstract: A lipid hydrolyzing enzyme-containing substance is brought into contact with an insoluble carrier having a hydrophobic organic compound attached thereto in the form of a hydrophobic residue so that the lipid hydrolyzing enzyme is adsorbed by the hydrophobic residue attached to the insoluble carrier. Then, the lipid hydrolyzing enzyme adsorbed on the carrier is isolated by elution.

Abstract: An improved method and compositions useful for determining the creatine phosphokinase activity of body fluids suitable for use on clinical colorimeters which involves pre-activation of the creatine phosphokinase with a novel pre-activation composition and comparison to a chemical standard.

Abstract: Isoenzyme patterns of an enzyme in biological fluids, extracts, and/or excretions are quantitatively determined by precipitating at least 90% of an isoenzyme antigen with a corresponding heterologous antiserum and comparing the remaining enzyme activity with the total activity with the use of a conventional agent for enzyme activity determination.

Abstract: The plasminogen content of a blood sample is measured by determining the rate of formation of fibrin in a sample in which antiplasmin-free plasminogen is activated to form plasmin before the onset of fibrin formation so that the plasmin-conditioned break-down of the fibrin occurs simultaneously with formation of fibrin.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining glucoamylase in human urine and body fluids which comprises removing low molecular weight substances from a human urine or body fluid sample, adding to the resulting sample which is free of low molecular weight (from about 500 to about 20,000) substances maltotriitol, phenyl-.alpha.-glucoside or 2,4-dinitrophenyl-.alpha.-glucoside, which are specific substrates for glucoamylase, and quantitatively determining the glucose, phenol or 2,4-dinitrophenol which is a degradation product of the above substrates, respectively.

Abstract: The presence of microorganisms in a sample is determined by culturing microorganisms in a growth medium which is in contact with a measuring electrode and a reference electrode and detecting a change in potential between the electrodes caused by the presence of the microorganisms in the medium with a high impedance potentiometer.

Abstract: A method of producing soy sauce of superior quality by means of a large capacity closed-type tank in mass production and in a relatively short time, is characterized by the following steps in a soy sauce brewing method: charging soy sauce moromi into a closed large capacity tank provided with a hollow inner cylinder for circulation of moromi, adding enzyme to the system, on one hand feeding inert gas including the necessary minimum amount of oxygen, on the other hand degasing the fermentation system resulting in reduced pressure or vacuum at the top portion of the tank, removing carbon dioxide gas and thus promoting circulation and fermentation of moromi, and reutilizing the useful volatile constituent.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for removal of all water soluble carbohydrates in the production of plant protein products, including oligosaccharides containing alpha-1,6-galactosidic bonds which are known to cause flatulence in man and animals. In the method an aqueous solution or dispersion of the plant protein material containing 1-60%, and preferably 15-50% of the dry matter is fermented with particular strains of Saccharomyces that have been found to degrade and assimilate flatus-causing carbohydrates. The fermentation is effected at a temperature between 20.degree. and 40.degree. C for from 12 to 48 hours, on which, if desired, the fermented material is dried.

Abstract: A parfried frozen potato product suitable for toasting to produce French fries ready for consumption. Potato dough is formed as by extrusion to produce a sheet comprising a multiple of French fry sized units of bodies in side-by-side substantially planar arrangement connected by a thin dough film with a longitudinal central void in each unit. Said sheet is cut to French fry length and then parfried, frozen, and marketed in frozen form.

Abstract: A method of determining lactate dehydrogenase activity in biological fluids comprising reacting a biological fluid sample with a coupled enzyme series in an oxygenated aqueous solution containing lactate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and an electron transfer agent, and measuring the uptake of oxygen by the oxidation of the resulting NADH with an oxygen-sensing electrode.

Abstract: Process for the determination of at least one of the isoenzymes of lactatedehydrogenase by visually observing and recording the conversion of lactate and nicotinamideadenine-dinucleotide to pyruvate wherein said conversion is carried out at a buffer specific pH value of 6-6.5. The invention also encompasses test reagents for use in making such determinations and also diagnostic aids containing the same for use in detecting abnormal changes in the female genital tract and diagnostic methods utilizing such aids.

Abstract: A method for the detection and the quantitative determination of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase (CPK), an agent present in abnormal concentrational levels in serum in many cases of mental disorders and neuromuscular disorders, and significant in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The method utilizes a dried time-stable sample of a pure or mixed component such as a blood-impregnated carrier substance, obviating the need for separatory procedures (i.e., separating the serum from the blood cells) and special handling (i.e. freezing, freeze drying, etc.) to preserve the sample. The mechanism of the laboratory determination is that adenosine diphosphate (ADP) reacts with creatine phosphate in the presence of creatine phosphokinase and magnesium ions to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plus creatine.

Abstract: A novel reagent and method for colorimetrically determining the concentration of triglycerides in biological fluids, and for rapid determination of glycerol are described. Triglycerides are hydrolyzed in methanolic base to glycerol, and glycerol content is determined colorimetrically.

Abstract: A method for producing a syrup from which a soft drink containing cow's milk and having stable white turbidity resembling that of cow's milk is produced is disclosed, wherein the syrup is produced by mixing as basal ingredients cow's milk, sugar and an edible acid under a specific condition without use of any stabilizer for the suspension of milk protein.

Abstract: A process for the determination of creatine phosphokinase MB-isoenzyme (CPK-MB) level in serum in which CPK is determined before and after MB-activation with 1,4-dimercapto-2,3-dihydroxy butane or 2-mercaptoethanol, preferably in an assay system using the ATP/ADP conversion. The difference in the two values found is due to the CPK-MB present. The invention is of particular utility in the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial damage.

Abstract: A desoxy-ribonuclease substrate is prepared by boiling and homogenizing an aqueous dispersion of high molecular weight desoxy-ribonucleic acid (DNA) and 2-amino-7-dimethylamino-3-methyl diphenazthionium chloride (toluidine blue O) until a clear blue-colored solution is obtained containing a complex compound of the DNA and toluidine blue O. The substrate is used in tests for determination of desoxy-ribonuclease and it's antibodies.