Abstract: A biosynthetic method for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is disclosed. Such a method includes the fermentation of a genetically modified microorganism to produce glucosamine and/or N-acetylglucosamine. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that are useful for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. In addition, methods of recovering N-acetylglucosamine that has been produced by a fermentation process, including methods that result in N-acetylglucosamine of high purity, are described. Also disclosed is a method to produce glucosamine from N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: A biosynthetic method for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is disclosed. Such a method includes the fermentation of a genetically modified microorganism to produce glucosamine and/or N-acetylglucosamine. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that are useful for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. In addition, methods of recovering N-acetylglucosamine that has been produced by a fermentation process, including methods that result in N-acetylglucosamine of high purity, are described. Also disclosed is a method to produce glucosamine from N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: A biosynthetic method for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is disclosed. Such a method includes the fermentation of a genetically modified microorganism to produce glucosamine and/or N-acetylglucosamine. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that are useful for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. In addition, methods of recovering N-acetylglucosamine that has been produced by a fermentation process, including methods that result in N-acetylglucosamine of high purity, are described. Also disclosed is a method to produce glucosamine from N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated linoleate isomerase and its nucleic acid and amino acid sequence. The present invention also provides a method for producing CLA from an oil using an immobilized bacterial cell or an isolated linoleate isomerase.

Abstract: A biosynthetic method for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is disclosed. Such a method includes the fermentation of a genetically modified microorganism to produce glucosamine and/or N-acetylglucosamine. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that are useful for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. In addition, methods of recovering N-acetylglucosamine that has been produced by a fermentation process, including methods that result in N-acetylglucosamine of high purity, are described. Also disclosed is a method to produce glucosamine from N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated (trans,cis)-10,12-linoleate isomerase and its nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The present invention also provides a method for producing conjugated linoleic acid or conjugated linolenic acid (CLA), or derivatives thereof, from an oil using an immobilized cell and/or an isolated linoleate isomerase. The present invention also provides an isolated lipase-like protein and its nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The present invention also provides an isolated acetyltransferase-like enzyme and its nucleic acid and amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel arylsulfotransferases. In particular, the present invention relates to novel arylsulfotransferas from Clostridium and from Eubacterium innocuum.

Abstract: Enzymes derived from the isolated and substantially purified microorganisms of the present invention, designated herein as strains 52 and 56wt, are capable of hydrating nitriles such as 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanenitrile (HMB-nitrile) to their corresponding amides, and further, of hydrolyzing amides such as 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butaneamide (HMB-amide) to their corresponding carboxylic acids. Advantageously, the nitrile hydratase of these strains is not substantially inhibited by the .alpha.-hydroxybutyramide product being formed; rather, this enzyme maintains the ability to hydrate an .alpha.-hydroxybutyronitrile to its corresponding amide even at high amide concentrations, including at saturating amide conditions. As such, enzymes derived from strains 52 and 56wt are particularly suited for commercial use in preparing agrichemical intermediates such as HMB-amide.

Abstract: Cis-dihydrodiol compounds of the formula ##STR1## where n is 0 or 1 (preferably 0) are produced by the microbial oxidation of a diphenylaceylene compound of the formula ##STR2## using a mutant of a Pseudomonas bacteria at 25.degree. to 35.degree. C. and pH 6-8. The cis-dihydrodiol compound is in turn treated with an aqueous solution of a base to produce a corresponding 3-hydroxydiphenylacetylene compound or with an aqueous solution of an acid to produce a corresponding 2-hydroxyacetylene compound. The mutant strain is preferably Pseudomonas ATCC 55272.

Abstract: The production of cis-dihydrodiol compounds of the formula ##STR1## where n is 0 or 1 (preferably 0) by the microbial oxidation of a diphenylaceylene compound of the formula ##STR2## using a mutant of a Pseudomonas bacteria at 25.degree. to 35.degree. C. and pH 6-8 is disclosed. The cis-dihydrodiol compound is in turn treated with an aqueous solution of a base to produce a corresponding 3-hydroxydiphenylacetylene compound or with an aqueous solution of an acid to produce a corresponding 2-hydroxyacetylene compound.

Abstract: A process for microbial conversion of benzocyclobutene to the corresponding 3,4-dihydrodiol followed by acid catalyzed dehydration to 4-hydroxybenzocyclobutene.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating compounds of the formula ##STR1## where --R is --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --C.tbd.CH --C.tbd.N or ##STR2## in an aqueous solution thereof is disclosed. In the case where R is --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 or --C.dbd.CH, the temperature is preferably at least 50.degree. C. and preferably 75.degree. to 100.degree. C. The base is at least 0.1N and preferably 1.0 to 8N. Preferred bases are NaOH, KOH and C.sub.5 OH. In the case where --R is C.tbd.N, the temperature preferably is 20.degree. to 50.degree. C.