Abstract: The present provides a process for obtaining high-purity 5-methyluridine crystals from nucleic acid ingredients as starting materials using a microorganism. The process comprises culturing a microorganism, removing part or the whole of the culture medium ingredients, conducting the enzyme reaction by the microorganism, crystallizing 5-methyluridine formed, and separating the obtained crystals from other impurity crystals on the basis of a difference in the precipitation rate.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for inactivating pathogenic contaminants in whole blood, plasma, cellular blood components, or in any combination thereof, by adding a phenthiazin-5-ium dye(s) thereto and irradiating said dye-containing composition for an effective length of time with light of wavelengths from 560 to 800 nm or red light, of an effective intensity, whereby the irradiation in conjunction with the dye(s) inactivate substantially all pathogenic contaminants contained therein. The methods of this invention inactivate pathogenic contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, without substantially altering the whole blood, plasma, cellular blood components, or combinations thereof, such that they are suitable for transfusion.

Abstract: Process for the enzymatic production of isomerically pure compounds having the general formulae I and II ##STR1## in which the substituents R have the meanings stated in the claims, as well as their use for the production of isomerically pure isosorbide-2-nitrate having the formula V and isosorbide-5-nitrate having the formula VI, ##STR2## which are both important as therapeutic agents for coronary diseases.

Abstract: A process for the production of pyruvic acid involving the enzymatic reaction of L-lactic acid and oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of catalysts glycolate oxidase ((S)-2-hydroxy-acid oxidase, EC 1.1.3.15) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). High yields of pyruvate at high purity can be achieved at commercially acceptable concentration without substantial product inhibition of the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the electrochemical regeneration of pyridine cofactors.The process of the invention is characterized by the use, in a reaction medium subjected to electrolysis, of a cytoplasmic hydrogenase enzyme.

Abstract: Resolution of asymmetric alcohols by reacting them with a vinyl, propenyl or isopropenyl ester of an alkone- or alkene-di- or tricarboxylic acid in the presence of a lipase, and the use thereof.

Abstract: An esterase with a molecular weight of 55,200 .+-.300 Da is suitable for the chemoselective conversion of a compound of the formula II into a compound of the formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antihyperlipidemic and antiobesity agent which has levan and/or a partial hydrolysate of levan as its active ingredient in order to provide an agent which can suppress increases in lipids in the blood serum and increases in body fat even when high-calorie foods such as carbohydrates are eaten; and at the same time, it is easy to take in effective quantities and there are no adverse side effects or toxicity.

Abstract: An enzymatic assay assemblage for ethanol determination is provided. A diamino compound acts as a buffer and a trapping agent for a product of the enzymatic reaction. Long stability of the assay composition is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a racemic mixture of 3,3-diethyl-4-[(4-carboxy)phenoxy]-2-azetidinone esters into the corresponding (S)-acid using lipase derived from Pseudomonas sp. The process provides the target acid in high enantiomeric excess.

Abstract: A treatment of ischemia and the attendant reperfusion injury entails the administration plasmin and plasmin-forming proteins, including lys-plasminogen and similar substances. Lys-plasminogen, which can be obtained from the proteolytic cleavage of glu-plasminogen, has been found to have a protective effect on tissue that has been injured by ischemic conditions. The administration of lys-plasminogen can used to treat subjects during the time of reperfusion and after reperfusion has already occurred. Lys-plasminogen also can be administered in conjunction with clot lysis therapies, such as those that employ tissue plasminogen activator and the like.

Abstract: A method for making succinic acid employs a fluoroacetate resistant variant of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens. The fluoroacetate variant produces a succinic acid product which contains less acetic acid than the product obtained using the parent strain under identical conditions. A preferred variant FA-10 is obtained from A. succiniciproducens (ATCC No. 29305). A method of obtaining the variant also is described.

Abstract: A method of producing L-phenylalanine employing a microorganism in which cultivation of the microorganism is continued while precipitating alpha-crystals of L-phenylalanine in the culture by means of seed crystals or a pH shift.

Abstract: A method for producing L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine comprising contacting microorganism cells having .beta.-tyrosinase activity with catechol, pyruvic acid and ammonium ion or with catechol and L-serine, at a temperature lower than 25.degree. C. in the presence of anhydrous crystals of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine formed from said contacting precipitates as anhydrous crystals in the reaction mixture, and the thus-precipitated anhydrous crystals can be collected. According to the method of the present invention, crude crystals of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine having a high purity may be obtained at a high yield of recovery.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cryopreservation of cultured tissue equivalents made by in vitro technology. The invention involves immersing a cultured tissue equivalent in a cooled cryoprotectant solution, agitating the cryoprotectant solution and the immersed cultured tissue to achieve effective penetration of the cryoprotectant solution into the cultured tissue equivalent, and then freezing the cultured tissue at a high freezing rate. The cryopreserved cultured tissue equivalent may be stored for indefinite periods of time prior to use. The cultured tissue equivalent is an in vitro model of the equivalent human tissue, which, when retrieved from storage can be used for transplantation or implantation in vivo or for screening compounds in vitro.

Abstract: Phospholipase D enzyme is used to mediate the synthesis of a phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol in a first step. This phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol is reacted to produce a headgroup modified phospholipid in a subsequent step. In the first step, phospholipase D enzyme extract mediates transphosphatidylation of a phospholipid with an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule, producing reproducible and nearly quantitative yields of a phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol. In the subsequent step, the hydroxyl head group of the phosphatidylhydroxyalkanol is further reacted with amino, carboxylic, halogen or thiol containing molecules to produce a headgroup modified phospholipid.

Abstract: Arylalkanoic acids are produced by biotransformation using suitable microorganisms and, in particular, (S)-ketoprofen in greater than 95% purity from racemic ketoprofen ethyl ester.

Abstract: An enzymatic method for the preparation of (2S,3S)-threo-alkyl-2-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2-X-phenylthio)propio nate, where X=NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, NHCOCH.sub.3, NHCOCF.sub.3, NHCO.sub.2 CH.sub.3, NHCO.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 or NHCHO and R is an alkyl group, e.g., CH.sub.3, or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 in an essentially anhydrous organic solvent is described. In this method a lipase which stereospecifically acylates the (2R,3R)-enantiomer of the racemic mixture is used. After enzymatic reaction, the (2S,3S)-enantiomer and the acylated (2R,3R)-compound are separated, e.g., by flash-chromatography or by fraction crystallization of the (2S,3S)-compound from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Optically active 1,3-butanediol can be obtained by treating an enantiomorphic mixture of 1,3-butanediol with a microorganism or cells thereof which have been ground, acetone-treated, or lyophilized capable of acting on an enantiomorphic mixture of 1,3-butanediol so as to leave (R)- or (S)-1,3-butanediol as such. Further, optically active 1,3-butanediol can be obtained by treating 4-hydroxy-2-butanone with a microorganism or cells thereof which have been ground, acetone-treated, or lyophilized capable of asymmetrically reducing the 4-hydroxy-2-butanone into (R)- or (S)-1,3-butanediol.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optically active cis type 1,2-diol derivative of the following formula (I) is produced by reacting a cis type 1,2-diol derivative of the formula (I) with a carboxylic acid derivative of the formula (II) in the presence of a lipase: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, X represents a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, or a phenyl group, and n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group or an aryl group, and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, or COR.sub.3.The cis type means that the bond between the cyclopentane ring and the hydroxy group and the bond between the cyclopentane ring and the benzyl group reside in the same direction as that portrayed on the paper.