Abstract: A method for producing at least one metal salt of a fatty acid is disclosed. The process first obtains from animal rumen, ruminal fluid containing at least one fatty acid. Next, at least one metal oxide is added to the ruminal fluid. One metal salt of a fatty acid is formed from the addition of these two components. Lastly, the process involves recovering at least some of the at least one metal salt of a fatty acid. The ruminal fluid also contains enzymes which are isolated in the process.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reducing oxysterol buildup in the blood and normalizing cholesterol and blood pressure, in a mammal. The compositions comprise Morinda citrifolia extract, red wine extract, prune extract, blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, apple extract, and an enzyme mixture.

Abstract: A first compound is converted to a second compound enzymatically in a solvent mixture containing water and a fluorinated, non-chlorinated alkane, alkene, or alkyne having up to 4 carbon atoms. Lactams, for example 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), may be prepared by enzymatic conversion of a first compound, for example penicillin-G, in a solvent mixture comprising water and a non-aqueous organic solvent, for example 1,1,1, 2-tetrafluoroethane. The 6-APA can be caused to precipitate, isolated by filtration and optionally derivatized to produce a desired compound. A by-product of the enzymatic conversion, for example phenylacetic acid, can be isolated by solvent extraction, suitably using a solvent which also comprises 1, 1, 1, 2-tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: A powerful formulation for weight loss containing green tea extract, hydroxycitric acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, glucomannan, chromium picolinate, and Lactobacillus acidophilus is disclosed. The formulation boasts metabolic rates, suppresses appetite and helps burn fat.

Abstract: A novel endo-fucoidan-lyase and a novel microorganism, Fucoidanobacter marinus SI-0098 (FERM BP-5403) useful in the production of sugar compounds are disclosed Sugar compounds represented by the following general formula (1), wherein at least one of alcoholic hydroxyl group has been sulfated, or salts thereof: wherein Y represents hydrogen or a group represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: A bio-artificial organ system is provided comprising a wall surrounding a space which has a solid support for cell cultivation. The space includes a there dimensional matrix in the form of a highly porous sheet or mat and including a physiologically acceptable network of fibers or an open-pore foam structure; hydrophobic hollow fibers permeable to gaseous oxygen or gaseous carbon dioxide evenly distributed through the three dimensional matrix material and arranged in parallel running from one end of the matrix material to the other end of the matrix material. Cells obtained from organs are present in the extra fiber space for culture wherein the cells are provided with sufficient oxygenation and are maintained as small aggregates with three dimensional attachment.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated phytase derived from a microorganism. The microorganism is preferably from the genus Monascus. The phytase has a Michaelis constant of 10 to 110 &mgr;M when phytic acid is used as a substrate. A process for producing the phytase is also provided as is an animal feed comprising the phytase. The phytase is preferably isolated from Monascus anka IFO 30873. The phytase has a Km of 107 &mgr;m when phytic acid is used as a substrate, the optimum pH is 2.5, the optimum temperature is 45° C., the molecular weight of the phytase is 140 kDa when measured by gel filtration, and the isolectric point is 5.2 using chromatofocusing.

Abstract: An assay for the screening of a candiadte molecule that inhibits the expression or the activity of a human phosphodiesterase 4A (PDE4A) is disclosed. The method comprises incubating non-recombinant cells in the presence of a concentration of a phorbol ester sufficient to significantly increase PDE4A production in the cells. Next, a candidate molecule is added to the culture medium in which the phorbol ester-treated cells are cultured, then the cells are disrupted and harvested to produce a cell lysate. Finally, the cAMP content in the cell lysate is quantified and then the cAMP content in the cell lysate is compared to the cCAMP content in the cell lysate of the phorbol ester treated cells cultured in the absence of the candidate molecule.

Abstract: A flavoring solution for making pickles having a flavor of foods pickled in rice bran paste, a clear bran pickles flavoring solution, processes for producing the flavoring solutions, a process for producing lactones which are essential components of the flavoring solutions, and a bacterium belonging to the genus Corynebacterium which is useful for producing a lactone are disclosed. The bacterium is preferably Corynebacterium sp. NK-1 (FERM BP-6329). The lactone is preferably a &ggr; lactone.

Abstract: Methods for the recovery and cation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)from biomass containing PHAs, wherein the methods include treating the biomass or partially purified PHA with ozone, in at least one step of a purification process, have been developed. Treatment of PHA-containing biomass or partially purified PHA with ozone yields an enhanced level of purity suitable for coating and other applications. The ozone treatment also has the added advantage that be resulting PHA polymer or polymer latex is essentially odor-free. The ozone treatment may be used alone or in combination with other treatment, extraction, and separation stages, and is especially suitable for the treatment of PHA-containing latexes slurries, suspensions, and organic solutions.

Abstract: A process for stereoselectively inverting a chiral center of a chemical compound is disclosed. The process first consists of forming a mixture of the chemical comopund, an enzymatic system, and a metal catalyst. Next, the process stereoselectively dehydrogenates a group attached to the chiral center with the enzymatic system in the presence of an oxidant to produce a dehydrogenated group, Lastly, the process hydrogenates the dehydrogenated group with the metal catalyst in the presence of a hydrogen source to stereoselectively invert the chiral center of the chemical compound.

Abstract: An integrated continuous process for the production of ethanol and a bio-gas containing methane is disclosed. The process comprises the following steps. First, grain is fermented in an aqueous medium to produce ethanol in the medium which contains a wet distillers' grain with solubles as a wet grain residue and carbon dioxide. Next, the wet grain is feed to livestock in a feedlot which has slatted floors. The wet grain residue constitutes 25-80% of a feed ration of the livestock on a dry weight basis. The feed ration consists essentially of the 25-80% wet grain residue and grain. Third, the manure from the livestock is collected from beneath the slatted floor. Fourth, the collected manure is digested anaerobically with microorganisms to produce the bio-gas containing methane and, as a residue, a bio-fertilizer. Fifth, the bio-gas is combusted to produce heat. Sixth, the grain is dry milled utilizing heat produced by the combustion.

Abstract: A composition for reducing cell apoptosis is disclosed. The composition contains from about 0.01% to about 0.15% of a mixture of avacado lipid unsaponifiables and soybean lipid unsaponifiables which protects against the apoptotic effect of phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA). The composition also prevents the inhibition of cellular aging and for protection of the skin against negative environmental factors and pollutants.

Abstract: A feedstock for feeding to animals is disclosed. The feedstock contains a mixture of feed for animals and shredded tires. Also disclosed is a method of using the feedstock to improve digestive efficiency and control harmful and toxic plants.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion for application on a skin surface is disclosed. The emulsion comprises an oily phase and an aqueous phase. The oily phase comprises a first lipid of vegetable or animal origin. The emulsion is stabilized by containing at least one surfactant/emulsifier. The surfactant/emulsifier is substantially removed from a skin surface onto which the emulsion has been applied and from the emulsion by flushing with a liquid, thereby leaving at least a part of the oily phase on the skin. When the emulsion is diluted with tap water, which has a degree of hardness of about 18 degrees in a volume of 100 parts of water to one part of the emulsion at ambient temperature, it is separated into at least two distinct phases after standing for 24 hours at ambient temperature. The emulsion has a pH value of at least about 6 and at least about 50% w/w of the total concentration of the surfactant/emulsifier which is a fatty acid derivative.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating mucosal inflammation associated with rhinitis or sinusitis by administering peptidases that recognize and cleave polypeptides at Xaa-Pro sequences. In addition, the invention encompasses therapeutic packages in which pharmaceutical compositions containing the peptidases are preloaded in a device suitable for intranasally delivering drug.

Abstract: The phytase is preferably isolated from Monascus anka IFO 30873. The phytase has a Km of 20 &mgr;m when phytic acid is used as a substrate, the optimum pH is 6.0, the optimum temperature is 50° C., the molecular weight of the phytase is 120 kDa when measured by gel filtration, and the isolectric point is 4.8 using chromatofocusing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a protein or polypeptide from Gram positive bacteria, such as Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, which elicits a hypersensitive response in plants. This protein or polypeptide can used to impart disease resistance to plants, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants. This can be achieved by applying the hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide in a non-infectious form to plants or plant seeds under conditions where the protein or polypeptide contacts the cells of the plant or the plant seed and is effective to impart disease resistance, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants or plants grown from the plant seeds.

Abstract: A crystalline form of mammalian TRAP (tartrate-resistant and purple acid phosphatase) is described. The enzyme is activated by cleavage prior to crystallization with a protease and the crystalline form of the mammalian TRAP is capable of being used for X-ray studies.

Abstract: A method of raising the blood sugar level in a mammal having hypoglycemia is described. The method reduces degradation of glucagon by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and physiologically acceptable adjuvants and/or excipients.