Abstract: A method of producing a mannosyl-cyclodextrin having a mannosyl group bonded to the hydroxyl group of the glucosyl group of a cyclodextrin via an alpha-bond. The method includes treating a liquid containing a cyclodextrin and an alpha-mannosyl compound with an alpha-mannosyl transfer agent.

Abstract: Enzymatic hydrolysis and esterification processes for the preparation of compounds useful as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and/or as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing indigestible polysaccharides and to the corresponding hydrogenated products. This process essentially consists in carrying out an enzymatic hydrolysis of at least one dextrin and/or one polyglucose using at least one saccharifying enzyme and at least one enzyme which hydrolyzes the 1-6 bonds of amylopectin.

Abstract: A composition for treating and/or inhibiting gastric and duodenal ulcers, comprising an oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of Formula I ##STR1## or a mixture thereof; wherein:X is independently OH or NHAc;Y is independently H, or an amino acid or a peptide of 2-100, preferably 2-20, amino acids; andW, W', and W" are each independently H or ##STR2## where Z is independently H or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation; and P is independently H or ##STR3## where Z is defined as above; wherein at least one of W, W' or W" is an .alpha.-N-acetylneuraminic acid moiety, andwherein W' and W" are not simultaneously .alpha.-N-acetylneuraminic acid moietywith the proviso that the compound of Formula II is not NAN .alpha.(2.fwdarw.3)Gal .beta.1-4 Glu or NAN .alpha.(2.fwdarw.6)Gal .beta.1-4 Glu; and a kit for detecting the presence of Helicobacter pylori comprising at least one compound of the Formula I or II, are described.

Abstract: A cyclodextrin which when added to water produces a haze-free solution is made by the use of starch which contains at least about 90% amylopectin in a two-stage process wherein first a starch hydrolysate is formed by means of an alpha-amylase or an acid and a second subsequent step wherein the cyclodextrin is formed by means of a cyclodextrin-glycosyl-transferase.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dextrin containing a dietary fiber characterized by dissolving a pyrodextrin in water and causing .alpha.-amylase to act on the solution.

Abstract: Anti-inflammatory compounds are useful, for example, in treating arthritis and heart attack patients. Novel oligosaccharides useful in the rapid synthesis of certain anti-inflammatory compounds are disclosed, as is a rapid method of synthesizing the oligosaccharides. Low pH can loosen the acceptor specificity of galactosyltransferase (lactose synthase: EC 2.4.1.22), allowing the rapid synthesis of novel oligosaccharides. The disaccharides cellobiose (.beta.1.fwdarw.4), laminaribiose (.beta.1.fwdarw.3), gentiobiose (.beta.1.fwdarw.6) and maltose (.alpha.1.fwdarw.4) acted as acceptors for lactose synthase under low pH conditions. From these four acceptors, the following four novel trisaccharides were synthesized: Gal.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.4)Glc.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.3)-Glc, Gal.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.4)Glc.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.4)-Glc, Gal.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.4)Glc.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.6)-Glc and Gal.sub.p (.beta.1.fwdarw.4)Glc.sub.p (.alpha.1.fwdarw.4) Glc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing saccarides of definite chain length, such as glucose, maltose, malto-oligosaccharides and isomalto-oligosaccharides with a high purity. Saccharides such as starch, dextran and cellulose, and hydrolyzates thereof, are subjected to modification of the anomeric carbon at the reducing end of the molecule without modification of the non-reducing end of the molecule. The modification may be oxidation, for example by bromine to produce a carboxylic acid at the anomeric carbon, or amination, for example by phenylhydrazine to produce an osazone or osone of the saccharide. After modification, the modified saccharide can be adsorbed on an ion exchange resin and then repeatedly cleaved with a suitable enzyme, such as .beta.-amylase, to produce the desired saccharide of definite chain length.

Abstract: Starch containing amylopectin is hydrolyzed with an alpha-amylase, preferably derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus, under conditions which cause a non-random cleavage of the starch molecules to yield fragments (molecules) having similar size and branching characteristics and a molecular weight range from about 20,000 to about 50,000 daltons are made. All of the desired molecules have (.alpha.1,6) linkages. The hydrolysate is treated to enrich the concentration of the desired fragments and the enriched portion can be processed further to make a maltodextrin having a D.E. of less than about 8.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel non-reducing saccharide-forming enzyme, and its preparation and uses. The enzyme is obtainable from the culture of microorganisms such as Rhizobium sp. M-11 (FERM BP 4130) and Arthrobacter sp. Q36 (FERM BP-4316), and capable of forming non-reducing saccharides having a trehalose structure when allowed to act on reducing partial starch hydrolysates. Glucoamylase and .alpha.-glucosidase readily yield trehalose when allowed to act on the non-reducing saccharides. These non-reducing saccharides and trehalose are extensively useful in food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan wherein a microbe capable of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan is cultured in a medium containing as a nitrogen source an ammonium salt of an organic carboxylic acid the microbe can assimilate wherein the .beta.-1,3-glucan is produced and accumulated, and then harvesting. The .beta.-1,3-glucan production method of the present invention does not require addition of a pH regulator such as calcium carbonate or alkali ions, since the medium does not decrease in pH because a microbe capable of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan is cultured in a medium containing as a nitrogen source an ammonium salt of an organic carboxylic acid which the microbe can assimilate. For this reason, cultivation is not adversely affected, nor does any salt form in the medium, aspects which facilitate purification of said glucan, offering an industrially excellent production method. Moreover, the method of the present invention makes it feasible to produce .beta.

Abstract: An isolated pure culture of a strain of Phaffia rhodozyma which produces astaxanthin in an amount of at least 600 .mu.g per g Phaffia rhodozyma dry matter, as determined by HPLC analysis.

Abstract: A microgranular preparation having a core of biologically active material that is encapsulated by a water soluble film that is covered by an enteric coating of either an alkali soluble, acid insoluble polymer or a high molecular weight polymer whose structure is substituted with or contains windows of fatty acids or other material capable of being solubilized by intestinal juices. Useful for protecting pH sensitive and other biologically active materials from inactivation or contact with the stomach or rumen, and releasing the same in active form in the intestinal tract, particularly the duodenum.

Abstract: Improved contraceptive compositions are disclosed which comprise a spermicide or virucide, a polymeric delivery component and optionally a cosmetic ingredient. The improvement is directed to the use of certain hydrophobically modified polysaccharides as the polymeric delivery component. Quite advantageously, the hydrophobically modified polysaccharides of the present invention can alter sperm motility. Moreover, the hydrophobically modified polysaccharides can provide reduced irritation potential when used in combination with spermicides such as, for example, nonoxynol-9, which may reduce the potential for infection of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and herpes.

Abstract: A method for promoting growth in fish comprising administering a low level dosage amount of zearalanol to fish. The zearalanol may be conveniently administered to the fish via a novel fish feed formulation comprising a conventional feed mixture supplemented with a relatively low dosage amount of zearalanol ranging from 1 to 20 parts per million (ppm) zearalanol in the feed. In another embodiment, the zearalanol may be administered to the fish in the form of a novel complex of zearalanol and a cyclodextrin compound which further enhances the growth process.

Abstract: Compounds and methods of making them having the following formula are described which bind to selectin receptors and thus modulate the course of inflammation, cancer and related diseases by modulating cell-cell adhesion events: ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently H or lower alkyl (1-4C); R.sup.2 is H, OH or lower alkyl (1-4C), or a lipophilic group such as a higher alkyl group (5-15C), alkylaryl or one or more additional saccharide residues;R.sup.3 is a negatively charged moiety including SO.sub.4.sup.2-, PO.sub.4.sup.2-, or related group;Y is H or lower alkyl (1-4C); andX is H or --CHR.sub.4 (CHOR.sup.1).sub.2 CHR.sup.5 OR.sup.1 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently H, lower alkyl (1-4C), or taken together result in a five- or six-membered ring optionally containing a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR.sup.1 ;the five- or six-membered ring optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of R.sup.1, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.1, OR.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a trehalose-releasing enzyme which specifically hydrolyzes the linkage between a trehalose moiety and the remaining glycosyl moiety in a non-reducing saccharide having a trehalose structure as an end unit and having a degree of glucose polymerization of 3 or higher. The molecular weight of the enzyme is about 57,000 to 68,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE, and the isoelectric point is about 3.3 to 4.6 on isoelectrophoresis. The enzyme is useful in an industrial-scale preparation of trehalose, and the trehalose prepared therewith can be readily incorporated into food products, as well as cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a trehalose-releasing enzyme which specifically hydrolyzes the linkage between a trehalose moiety and the remaining glycosyl moiety in a non-reducing saccharide having a trehalose structure as an end unit and having a degree of glucose polymerization of 3 or higher. The molecular weight of the enzyme is about 57,000 to 68,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE, and the isoelectric point is about 3.3 to 4.6 on isoelectrophoresis. The enzyme is useful in an industrial-scale preparation of trehalose, and the trehalose prepared therewith can be readily incorporated into food products, as well as cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-compositions.

Abstract: A mutant fungal strain, namely G. candidum NRRL Y-552, mutant known as Henkel 9-2-3-9 produces a lipase called "UNLipase" providing a selectivity of 25:1 for oleic acid over palmitic acid by the assay procedure employed. UNLipase has a temperature range of operation of between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius (and no activity over 55 degrees Celsius). The optimum pH ranges are between 7.5 and 8.5. Magnesium cations increase activity, whereas calcium cations are inhibitory. The molecular weight of the protein appears to be 65 kDa by size exclusion chromatography. UNLipase shows a high degree of selectivity for hydrolysis, esterification and transesterification.

Abstract: A process for irreversible regio- and stereoselective enzyme catalyzed acylation of alcohols using enol esters as acylating reagents is disclosed. The present invention permits the selective modification of hydroxyl group(s) of chiral and meso alcohols, including sugars, organometallics, and glycosides. The enol freed upon transesterification rapidly tautomerizes to the corresponding volatile aldehyde or ketone thereby preventing the reverse reaction from occurring.