Abstract: In the production of mevalonic acid by culturing a mevalonic acid-producing microorganism in a medium, at least peptone originating from casein and corn steep liquor are added to the medium. The content of said peptone ranges from 0.01 to 10% by weight in terms of dry matters, while that of the corn steep liquor ranges from 0.01 to 10% by weight in terms of dry matters.

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of acylamide amidohydrolase by culturing the species Methylophilus methylotrophus. This enzyme is used in the decomposition of acrylamide and in a process for the production of acrylic acid or a salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing lactic acid, esters of lactic acid, acrylic acid, and esters of acrylic acid, primarily from fermentable carbohydrate materials. An overall process for producing esters of acrylic acid comprises: a) fermenting carbohydrate material with a lactic-acid-forming organism in the presence of NH.sub.3 to produce ammonium lactate; b) combining the ammonium lactate with an alcohol; c) combining the ammonium lactate and alcohol with an effective catalyzing amount of gaseous CO.sub.2 to catalytically esterify the ammonium lactate and alcohol into a lactic acid ester containing solution; d) recovering purified lactic acid ester; and e) vaporizing the lactic acid ester and passing it through a solid catalyst bed comprised of an effective catalyzing amount of crystalline hydrated and partially calcined calcium sulfate to catalytically convert lactic acid ester into an acrylic acid ester. Step "d" would be useful in a process for making low-cost, purified lactic acid.

Abstract: A new compound, named Substance No. 51262, may be produced by cultivating a suitable microorganism of the genus Streptomyces, especially the new strain SANK 63584 (FERM BP-958). Said compound has herbicidal and growth retardant properties.