Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the immobilization of compounds comprising nucleophilic groups.According to the process of the invention a polymer comprising an amido group is swollen in a buffer. For this purpose any buffer is suitable which contains no amino, sulfhydryl and/or hydroxy groups in the molecule. To the swollen polymer a solution of a quinone - preferably p-benzoquinone - in a water miscible organic solvent is added and the mixture is activated at 273.degree.-343.degree. K. for 0.5-48 hours - preferably for 24 hours. The unreacted quinone is washed out with an aqueous solution of a water miscible organic solvent and thereafter water and/or a buffer. To the purified gel at a pH value between 3 and 11 - preferably between 6 and 8 - a buffered solution of a compound comprising a nucleophilic group is added, the suspension is incubated at 260.degree.-313.degree. K. for 24 hours, the gel is separated and the non-bound compound comprising a nucleophilic group is removed by washing.

Abstract: Ethanol is produced from D-xylose by fermentation with any of the known xylose-metabolizing yeasts, such as Pachysolen tannophilus. To improve the yield of ethanol, small quantities of glucose are added to the fermentation medium during the fermentation process.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of microorganisms, ATCC No. 39327 which are capable of reproducible reduction of sulfur, particularly organic sulfur, in coal wherein the novel microorganisms are grown in situ enriched with sulfur compounds and subsequently grown in the presence of a coal substrate and nutrient medium while maintaining an essentially neutral pH. Contacting an aqueous coal slurry with the novel microorganism of the present invention provides coal having reduced organic sulfur content.

Abstract: An enzyme is cross linked to form a polymerized enzyme which is covalently coupled to an antibody or antibody fragment. The use of the antibody-polymeric enzyme conjugate in immunoassays provides enhanced signal generation and, therefore, short assay time and high sensitivity.

Abstract: Method of measuring the amount of .alpha.-amylase in a liquid sample, including the steps of providing an oligosaccharide substrate for .alpha.-amylase, the substrate being characterized in that it contains at least 3 glucose units, its reducing-end glucose unit is bonded, via a bond cleavable by .alpha.- or .beta.-glucosidase, to a label which exhibits an optically measurable change upon cleavage of the bond, and its terminal glucose unit is bonded to a blocking substituent which inhibits cleavage by exo-enzymes of the bond between the terminal glucose unit and the adjacent glucose unit; contacting the sample with the oligosaccharide substrate and with a first exo-enzyme capable of cleaving the bond between the reducing-end glucose unit and the label, and measuring the optically measurable change as a measure of .alpha.-amylase in the sample.

Abstract: A method for screening bacteria to select strains which will suppress Pythium spp. in small grain crops under field conditions and a method for applying field-suppressive bacteria to suppress Pythium spp. in a commercial setting are described. Four Pseudomonas strains which passed the screen test are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of N-carbamoylsarcosine, wherein a sample solution containing N-carbamoylsarcosine is reacted with N-carbamoylsarcosine-amidohydrolase to give sarcosine, which is then determined.The present invention also provides the enzyme N-carbamoylsarcosine-amidohydrolase, a process for obtaining it and a reagent containing it.

Abstract: In a process for hydrating a nitrile having 2 to 4 carbon atoms by a microbiological treatment to convert the nitrile into the corresponding amide, it is possible to biologically prepare the corresponding amide effectively by utilizing a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas which is capable of hydrating the nitrile to convert the same into the corresponding amide. In particular, it is possible to obtain acrylamides which are highly useful polymers by the very simple and energy-saving process in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of a sulfur-containing carbonaceous material by contacting it in an aqueous medium with the organism Bacillus sulfasportare per ATCC number 39909.

Abstract: A composition for assaying nitrites comprising a diazotizable amine, an acid component and a coupling component, wherein the coupling component is a compound of the following formula I: ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl group and n represents an integer of 1 to 6, with the proviso that the sulfoalkyl group may be substituted with at least 1 hydroxyl group,or a water-soluble salt thereof as well as test devices carrying the composition. This composition is far more sensitive than conventional compositions for assaying nitrites. With this composition, for example, a trace amount of as small as 0.02 mg/100 ml of a nitrite to be detected in urine in the diagnosis of a bacterial infection such as urinary tract infection can be detected surely.

Abstract: Enhanced sensitivity in fluorescent assays employing NADH or NADPH is obtained, particularly in icteric samples, by employing excitation light at a wave length range below about 400 nm and reading emitted light above about 500 nm.

Abstract: A process and agent are provided for testing the sensitivity of bacteria towards antibiotics with a primary action in murein biosynthesis. The process is characterized in that the cytoplasmic enzyme activities released from the bacteria in the presence of the antibiotic and an enzyme substrate are determined directly.

Abstract: A ligand is dissociated from a binder specific for the ligand by directing a beam of ultrasound at the complex of ligand and binder. The procedure may be employed in a solid phase assay to separate a labeled form of ligand, employed as a tracer, from a binder supported on a solid support.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for immunoassay and/or competitive binding assay, wherein an excess amount of unlabeled antigen is added after the start of the reaction between the labeled ligand, the unlabeled ligand, and the binding agent or antibody, to saturate or flood the antibody binding sites. This provides increased sensitivity allowing for more reliable and precise measurements of ligands including antigens than heretofore. The present method extends the scope of applicability of competitive binding technique for assay of hormones, drugs and other compounds.

Abstract: Conjugates of penicilloic acid derivatives and certain poly(amino acids), which are either antigenic or enzymatic, are provided. Antibodies raised against the antigenic poly(amino acids) and the enzyme conjugates are used as reagents in immunoassays. In particular, the compounds of the present invention can be used for measuring the presence of a .beta.-lactamase in a patient serum sample by adding a known amount of penicillin to the sample and observing the production of penicilloic acid over a fixed period of time.

Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization process and a sterilization process using such an indicator are described. The indicator includes a container for holding a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium; a separation member that prevents the nutrient medium from contacting the microorganisms; a penetration member that penetrates the separation member to allow the nutrient medium to contact the microorganisms and a cap, coupled to the penetration member, to seal the microorganisms and nutrient medium within the container.

Abstract: An immunoassay for assaying an antigenic substance (Ag) in a fluid. The immunoassay is the type which comprises contacting the fluid with at least one first entity selected from a group consisting of an antibody (Ab) to the Ag, a soluble, labeled antibody (L-Ab.sub.a) to the Ag, and an antibody (Ab.sub.b) to the Ag bound to a solid support (SC). The immunoassay is characterized in that the fluid is contacted with at least one additional entity selected from a group consisting of at least one different type of soluble, labeled antibody (L-Ab.sub.c) to the Ag, at least one different type of antibody (Ab.sub.d) bound to a solid carrier (SC.sub.1), and at least one different type of antibody (Ab.sub.e) to the Ag. The SC.sub.1 is selected from a group consisting of SC, at least one different solid carrier (SC.sub.2), and mixtures thereof (SC and SC.sub.2). Each type of L-Ab.sub.c, Ab.sub.d -SC.sub.1, and Ab.sub.e has a lower average affinity constant (K) for Ag than each respective K of L-Ab.sub.a, Ab.sub.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for performing an assay on whole blood samples. The method is for a determination of an analyte which is a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) consisting of ligand and homologous receptor. The method involves a binding agent for the red blood cells in such sample, a solid bibulous element to which is bound at least one sbp member, and a signal-producing system. The method comprises combining the whole blood sample, the binding agent, and none or, where appropriate, one or more members of the signal producing system. The medium is next contacted with a portion of a solid bibulous element to which is bound one of the members of the specific binding pair to allow the medium to traverse such element (immunochromatography). The solid bibulous element is contacted with any remaining members of the signal producing system. Signal resulting from the signal producing system is detected and is related to the amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a cyclodextrine glycosyltransferase enzyme.The immobilization can be carried out by two methods. According to the first method a cyclodextrine glycosyltransferase enzyme is activated with a solution of a carbodiimide compound and the thus treated enzyme is applied in a solution having a pH value of 4.5-8.5 onto a polysaccharide derivative comprising at least 0.1 m-equiv./g of free amino group. According to the second method the enzyme is applied in a solution having a pH value of 4.5-8.5 onto a polymer produced from an acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid or acrylic amide and/or methacrylic amide monomer by means of a cross-linking agent of the acrylic or allylic type which polymer comprises at least 0.1 m-equiv./g of functional carboxy group, activating the polymer with a solution of a carbodiimide compound and washing and if desired drying the product thus obtained.