Abstract: 20 -Methyl-5,7-pregnadiene-3.beta.,21-diol derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group andR.sub.2 means a lower alkyl group orR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent a tetramethylene group or a pentamethylene group and a process for their production are described.

Abstract: Two enzymes, one an acetylmorphine carboxyesterase (AMCE), the other a morphine dehydrogenase (MDH), have been isolated from bacteria. The AMCE degrades heroin to morphine and the MDH oxidizes morphine to morphinone, with the aid of a cofactor. More particularly, the invention pertains to a process for preparing a 6-ketone from morphine or a methyl or ethyl derivative thereof. The process comprises oxidizing morphine or an ether derivative in the presence of a morphine dehydrogenase and the cofactor NADP.sup.+. These reactions are used in detection of heroin (using the two reactions coupled together) or morphine. The enzymes can be incorporated in sensors for this purpose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acid stable levan sucrase derived from Bacillus licheniformis NRRL B-19862. The levan sucrase is produced by culturing Bacillus licheniformis NRRL B-19862 in a suitable nutrient medium but in the absence of sucrose. The invention also discloses compositions containing the levan sucrase.

Abstract: Galactosyl maltooligosaccharide derivatives represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein at least one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 represents a galactosyl group and the other represents a hydrogen atom, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and n is an integer of from 2 to 5. The derivatives are prepared by reacting a sugar with a galactosyl group with a maltooligosaccharide represented by formula (2): ##STR2## R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and n is an integer of from 2 to 5; in the presence of .alpha.-galactosidase or .beta.-galactosidase. The derivatives are used for measurement of .alpha.-amylase activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel process for the production of 6.beta.,14.alpha.-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione which comprises culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Myrothecium and capable of hydrolyzing 4-androstene-3,17-dione to produce 6.beta.,14.alpha.-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione in a medium supplemented with 4-androstene-3,17-dione, and isolating 6.beta.,14.alpha.-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione from the cultured medium. According to the process of the present invention, 6.beta.,14.alpha.-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 14.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,6,17-trione can be produced with a high yield in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a diagnostic assay for lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LD1 in a sample containing lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes LD1-LD5. The disclosed assay involves the following steps:(A) adding a high molecular weight polyol, preferably polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 8000, to the sample to stabilize isoenzyme LD1 but not isoenzymes LD2-LD5;(B) adding an ionic amphiphile to the sample to selectively inactivate isoenzymes LD2-LD5;(C) adding sodium lactate and NAD to the sample;(D) determining LD1 by measuring a change in absorbance of the sample at 340 mm.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a new enzyme that selectively hydrolyzes D-pantolactone in D,L-pantolactone and has the following characteristics:(a) action: acts on pantolactone to produce the corresponding acid;(b) specificity for substrate: acts specifically on D-pantolactone but not on L-pantolactone;(c) pH stability: stable at pH5-9;(d) optimal pH: 7.0-7.5;(e) optimal temperature: ca. 50.degree. C.; and(f) effect of various metal ions or inhibitors: inhibited by Cd.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+ or Cu.sup.2+ EDTA, as well as a process for the preparation thereof. The enzyme is preferably produced by cultivating the microorganisms of the genera Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon, and Gibberella, and most preferably the microorganism Fusarium oxysporum IFO 5942.

Abstract: A feed supplement is disclosed comprising animal plasma protein and a microbial fermentation product of primarily amylase which are blended and spray dried. Animals fed this supplement during the first seven weeks of life experienced an increase in average daily gain of 45%; an increase of feed intake of 7.3%; and an improved feed efficiency of 26% when compared with a control of feed supplemented with animal plasma protein alone.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to an antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55422 having a nominal molecular weight of 580 and the empirical formula C.sub.35 H.sub.48 O.sub.7, or a salt thereof. The antibiotic is useful in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, including Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia, Bacillus and Staphylococcus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing hydrogen gas on an industrial scale by culturing the microorganism Clostridium beijerinckii Ferm BP-3592 or the anaerobic asporogenic bacterium strain Ferm BP-3593 in a medium containing glucose and/or a polysaccharide containing a glucose unit.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an apparatus and a method for improving the rate of cell fusion. Cells contained in chambers are prevented from adhering to the surface of the walls of a chamber in which they are contained by the pulse-like changes in fluid pressure, which causes the cells to separate from the surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A process for the production of dry, free-flowing, enzyme preparations by spraying aqueous enzyme dispersions, which may contain additives, in a spraying apparatus, which comprises the enzyme dispersion being sprayed in the presence of from 5 to 60% by weight, based on the content of enzyme in the dispersion, of a spray auxiliary composed of hydrophobic silica and/or a metal salt of a higher fatty acid at from 0.degree. to 50.degree. C., and drying the resulting particles loaded with spray auxiliary.

Abstract: The invention is an animal chew which contains one or more enzymes and substrates for the purpose of generating antimicrobial compounds upon contact with an animal's saliva. The animal chew, primarily made of rawhide, contains an oxidoreductase and substrate, such as, for example, glucose oxidase and glucose, which produces hydrogen peroxide upon being chewed. The hydrogen peroxide activates the salivary peroxide system present in the saliva, which in turn produces hypothiocyanite, a potent antimicrobial agent. The animal chew may also contain added thiocyanate and iodide ions to enhance its antimicrobial activity. The chew is preferably prepared by placing it into a substrate solution for a period, drying the chew, spraying the dried rawhide chew with a solution of the oxidoreductase, and finally drying the chew again.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.2 is oxo or hydrogen plus hydroxy which may be acylated; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or hydroxy which may be acylated; at least one of the dotted lines represents a single bond, or a salt thereof, produced from Penicillum thomii has potent RA-89 muscarinic receptor blocking activity and is of value as therapeutic agent for parkinsonism, ulcer, etc. or as mydriatics.

Abstract: A new microbiological process for the production of hydroxy-nitrogen-heterocyclic-carboxylic acids or their soluble salts of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group and X is a nitrogen atom or a CR.sub.3 function, wherein R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, starting from the corresponding nitrogen-heterocyclic-carboxylic acids, as well as new microorganisms suitable for use in the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel enzyme called alkaline proteinase K-16 that is characterized as having an optimum pH in an alkaline range, and stability in the presence of various surface active agents, such as sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium .alpha.-olefin sulfonate, sodium alkyl sulfonate, and .alpha.-sulfo-fatty acid ester. The present invention further provides for a microorganism producing the novel alkaline proteinase, and a process for producing the novel alkaline proteinase. Alkaline proteinase K-16 of the present invention exhibits an excellent action against insoluble proteins and maintains sufficient activity over a wide temperature range and in the presence of surface active agents thus providing a use as an enzyme for detergents.

Abstract: The invention provides loaded platelets that include an absorbed loading vehicle having associated diagnostic or therapeutic agents. A method of loading platelets with diagnostic or therapeutic agents is provided. The method includes combining a loading vehicle having associated diagnostics or therapeutic agents with platelets at sufficient concentration and temperature to allow uptake of the loading vehicle by the platelets. Also provided is a method of targeting diagnostic or therapeutic agents to platelet localizing areas. The method includes the steps of: (a) combining a loading vehicle having associated diagnostic or therapeutic agents with platelets at sufficient concentration and temperature to allow uptake of the loading vehicle by the platelets; (b) isolating the platelets from excess loading vehicle; and (c) administering the isolated platelets to an animal in an effective concentration so as to promote targeting of the isolated platelets to platelet localizing areas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fungal microorganism Pseudodiplodia sp. (MF5767) isolated from bark discs of Hibiscus sp. and useful in a fermentation process to form compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## which are squalene synthetase inhibitors and thus useful as cholesterol lowering agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a purified amylase recovered from a fermentation broth, by the addition of a precipitation agent which is a halide salt, most preferably sodium or potassium chloride. According to a preferred embodiment, a further precipitation agent is added which is an organic compound, most preferably an alkyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.The present invention also relates to the purified amylases so obtained and to the uses of these purified amylases.

Abstract: Polyether type antibiotics are produced by culturing a polyether type antibiotic-producing microorganism is a medium containing a fatty acid or its precursor and ammonia or an ammonium salt or urea.