Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing the purine content of an edible material, including treating an edible material having a first level of purine content with a microorganism capable of digesting purine compounds, such that the thus treated edible material has a second level of purine content lower than the first level of purine content, wherein the microorganism is selected from Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11493, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26850, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 44193, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26831, Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 52362, and combinations thereof. An edible material obtained from the aforementioned method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Proteins isolated from Coprinus clastophyllus having prolyl oligopeptidase activity, nucleic acids encoding the protein and methods for producing and using the protein, wherein SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10 must be contained therein to at least 60% similarity. The proteins and nucleic acids have improved heat stability and perform more favorably in vivo having optimum activity conditions around 40 degrees centigrade and around pH 7, and can therefore be used in medicaments for the treatment of celiac disease caused by proline abundant gluten or other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing the purine content of an edible material, including treating an edible material having a first level of purine content with a microorganism capable of digesting purine compounds, such that the thus treated edible material has a second level of purine content lower than the first level of purine content, wherein the microorganism is selected from Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11493, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26850, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 44193, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26831, Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 52362, and combinations thereof. An edible material obtained from the aforementioned method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protein of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:6 isolated from Coprinus clastophyllus. The protein is stable at 30 to 37 degrees centigrade and has an optimal prolyl oligopeptidase activity at about 45 degree centigrade and at about pH 7. The present invention also relates to a medicament comprising such protein for treating celiac disease caused by proline abundant gluten.

Abstract: Proteins isolated from Coprinus clastophyllus having prolyl oligopeptidase activity, nucleic acids encoding the protein and methods for producing and using the protein, wherein SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10 must be contained therein to at least 60% similarity. The proteins and nucleic acids have improved heat stability and perform more favorably in vivo having optimum activity conditions around 40 degrees centigrade and around pH 7, and can therefore be used in medicaments for the treatment of celiac disease caused by proline abundant gluten or other applications.

Abstract: Proteins isolated from Coprinus clostophyllus having prolyl oligopeptidase activity, nucleic acids encoding the protein and methods for producing and using the protein, wherein SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:10 must be contained therein to at least 60% similarity. The proteins and nucleic acids have improved heat stability and perform more favorably in vivo having optimum activity conditions around 40 degrees centigrade and around pH 7, and can therefore be used in medicaments for the treatment of celiac disease caused by proline abundant gluten or other applications.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: A method of producing erythritol. The method includes growing in a culture an isolated yeast strain that possesses certain unique characteristics and is capable of converting glucose to erythritol in a glucose-containing medium, and purifying erythritol from the culture.

Abstract: A yeast strain capable of converting glucose to erythritol, said strain having the following identifying characteristics: an absence of motile spores; septate mycelia; asexual reproduction; an absence of reniform cells; conidia optionally formed on short denticles but not on elongate stalks; an absence of ballistoconidia; non-monopolar budding on a broad base; acropetal chains of blastoconidia; dark brown, thick-walled chlamydospores; an ability to assimilate sucrose, glycerol and maltose; an inability to assimilate lactose; an inability to ferment galactose; an ability to grow in a vitamin-free medium; and an ability to grow at 25° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: A yeast strain capable of converting glucose to erythritol, said strain having the following identifying characteristics: an absence of motile spores; septate mycelia; asexual reproduction; an absence of reniform cells; conidia optionally formed on short denticles but not on elongate stalks; an absence of ballistoconidia; non-monopolar budding on a broad base; acropetal chains of blastoconidia; dark brown, thick-walled chlamydospores; an ability to assimilate sucrose, glycerol and maltose; an inability to assimilate lactose; an inability to ferment galactose; an ability to grow in a vitamin-free medium; and an ability to grow at 25° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: A method of screening for a given enzyme in colony-forming cells using a substrate of the enzyme that has low solubility. Use of such a method leads to the discovery of glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid (GL-7-ACA) acylase of Pseudomonas nitroreducens. Also disclosed is a method of obtaining GL-7-ACA acylase from Pseudomonas cells.