Abstract: The invention is to provide a novel ?-glucosidase and a gene that codes for the enzyme, and to develop a technique of utilizing the ?-glucosidase or a composition that contains the enzyme for processing plants or plant-derived substances. According to the invention, there are provided a novel enzyme showing a ?-glucosidase activity and derived from filamentous fungi of the genus Acremonium, a gene that codes for the enzyme, a method of using the gene for expressing ?-glucosidase, an enzyme composition that contains ?-glucosidase, and a method of processing plants or plant-derived substances with the enzyme or the enzyme compositions.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a novel &bgr;-glucosidase and a gene that codes for the enzyme, and to develop a technique of utilizing the &bgr;-glucosidase or a composition that contains the enzyme for processing plants or plant-derived substances.

Abstract: A novel megakaryocyte colony stimulating factor has been isolated from the supernatant of the culture obtained by cultivating a cell strain of a human large cell lung cancer. When the factor is applied to human or murine bone-marrow cells in vitro, it forms a megakaryocyte colony. Also, the factor increases the number of platelets in peripheral blood in vivo.

Abstract: Essentially pure plasmids derived from Actinomycetes are described which have at least one restriction cleavage site for specific restriction enzyme and have molecular weight of less than 1.0.times.10.sup.7.

Abstract: New antibiotics, SF-2050 substance and SF-2050B substance are produced by cultivating a microorganism Streptomyces sp. SF-2050 now deposited under FERM-P 4358 and under ATCC. 31450 in a liquid culture medium under aerobic conditions, and these antibiotics may be isolated from the fermentation broth and useful as an antibacterial agent. These antibiotics have an activity inhibitory to .beta.-lactamase.

Abstract: Compounds are provided having the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein X represents an hydroxyl group, an acetoxy group or a thiosulfuric acid residue. The formula I compounds are prepared from compounds of the general formula II: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, a lower alkanoyl group, an arylalkanoyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a lower haloalkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aroyl group, a N-arylcarbamoyl group of a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R.sub.2 either represents hydrogen or, together with the ##STR3## group, represents a phthalimido group; and X represents an hydroxyl group, an acetoxy group or a thiosulfuric acid residue, or their metal salts or their salts with organic bases, by causing the culture of a cephalosporin C acylase-producing strain of a microorganism, especially a mold, fungus, or the secondary preparation therefrom, to act on the latter compounds II in the presence of an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A new antibiotic designated BN-130 substance is now provided, which has antibacterial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as acid-fast bacteria. BN-130 substance is produced by cultivating a strain of Pseudomanas stutzeri under aerobic conditions.