Abstract: Cells of bacteria of the species Rhodococcus rhodochrous having a high nitrile hydratase activity can be obtained in a high yield by adding to a culture medium at least one of urea and its derivatives and cobalt ion in the preparation of cells of bacteria having nitrile hydratase activity by cultivating Rhodococcus rhodochrous bacteria capable of producing nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: Microorganisms isolated from soil enriched with chitin or collagen were found to be very effective in controlling soil nematodes, probably by destroying their eggs or egg-shells. Pure culture of such microorganisms were prepared. These microorganisms are formulated into solid or liquid nematicidal compositions and as such used for combating soil-nematode infestations.

Abstract: In a method of the separation of yeasts from a fermentation liquor contained in a fermentation tank the fermentation liquor is forced by a pump through a conduit system into a filter container in which the fermentation liquor is forced through a number of vertically suspended candle-like filters so that yeast filter cakes are formed on the filter cloth with water of the filters. The cakes are then washed with water, blown off with pressurized air for dewatering, loosened with a counterflow of a pressurized gas and discharged from the filter container. The filter container is immediately connected to the fermentation tank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel monoglyceride lipase at least capable of catalyzing an enzymatic reaction of the following equation (a) and as substrate specificity, capable of acting on monoglyceride but incapable of acting on diglyceride and triglyceride:(a) Monoglyceride+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Glycerol+Fatty acidThe monoglyceride lipase is produced by culturing a specific monoglyceride lipase producing microorganism of Bacillus and then collecting the monoglyceride lipase from the resulting culture. A method is also disclosed for the analysis of a monoglyceride-containing sample solution. The monoglyceride lipase is caused to act on the sample solution upon measurement of the monoglyceride in the sample solution. Either one of glycerol and the fatty acid formed in accordance with the equation (a) is then measured.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of alkaline earth salts of acetic acid. Biomass is fermented under appropriate conditions to produce acetic acid, which is extracted from the fermentation broth with the aid of a basic liquid ion exchanger dissolved in an organic phase. The organic phase containing the product acetic acid is then reacted directly with a basic material such as limestone, and the resulting alkaline earth acetate product is recovered from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A novel urease and a process for producing the same are disclosed. This novel urease has certain properties that are mainly useful for removing urea from alcoholic liquors or other foods and beverages produced by fermentation. These properties include an optimum pH in an acidic pH range, high stability in a considerably high concentration of alcohol such as in an alcoholic liquor, resistance to high temperatures, and highly specific activity to urea.This urease can be produced by culturing a certain strain belonging to genus Arthrobacter, disrupting the cultured microbial cells and isolating the product.

Abstract: A novel phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase isolated from bovine uterus having the following characteristics:(a) molecular weight of about 55 kDa as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis;(b) K.sub.m of about 18 .mu.M for ATP;(c) K.sub.m of about 22 .mu.g/ml for phosphatidylinositol;(d) pH optimum of about 6.0 to 7.0;(e) activated by Mg.sup.2+ ;(f) inhibited by Ca.sup.2+ ;(g) utilizes ATP and 2'-dioxy-ATP as phosphoryl donors and specifically phosphorylates phosphatidylinositol on the 4-position; and(h) essentially free of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase activity determined by treatment with phorphoryl donors ADP, GTP, ITP or CTP.