Abstract: A plant which produces polyhydroxy-alkanoate polymer has a recombinant genome which contains one or more than one of the genes specifying enzymes critical to the polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthetic pathway which occurs in certain micro-organistas such as Alcaligenes eutrophus which naturally produce same. The plant species is preferably an oil-producing plant.

Abstract: Microorganisms are modified to permit production of HV/HB copolymers from substrates such as glucose by inducing amiono acid overproduction in those capable of synthesising and polymerising hydroxybutyrate or adding to an amino acid overproducer the genetic material necessary for it to synthesise and polymerise hydroxybutrate.

Abstract: Haloalkanoic acid impurities are decomposed in the presence of certain surfactants carboxymethyl cellulose or thioglycollic acids salts which may contain them as unconverted reactants by contacting them with dehalogenase enzyme.

Abstract: A plant which produces polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer has a recombinant genome which contains one or more than one of the genes specifying enzymes critical to the polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthetic pathway which occurs in certain micro-organisms such as Alcaligenes eutrophus which naturally produce same. The plant species is preferably an oil-producing plant.

Abstract: A microbiological process, capable of producing polymers comprising monomer repeat units of the structure--O.CH((CH.sub.2).sub.x CH.sub.3).CH.sub.2.--CO--wherein x is particularly 6 from glucose, novel polymers produced through the process and new strains of Pseudomonas for use in the process.

Abstract: A microbiological process, and novel bacteria e.g. Alcaligenes eutrophus NCIMB 40124, for use in such a process. The process enables the more efficient production of copolymers comprising hydroxyvalerate and hydroxybutyrate monomer units.

Abstract: A microbiological process, capable of producing polymers comprising monomer repeat units of the structure--O.CH((CH.sub.2).sub.x CH.sub.3).CH.sub.2.--CO--wherein x is particularly 6 from glucose, novel polymers produced through the process and new strains of Pseudomonas for use in the process.

Abstract: A process for the production of extra-cellular microbial cellulose in which a novel strain of the genus Acetobacter capable of producing extra-cellular microbial cellulose is aerobically cultivated in an aqueous culture medium containing a carbon source and other necessary nutrients. The novel strain is also claimed.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of copolymers comprising 3-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV) units by the cultivation of certain strains of Corynebacterium, and Rhodococcus, some of which are novel on a substrate containing e.g. glucose. The process can also be used to produce the previously unknown homopolymer of HV by using a substrate of valeric acid.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of copolymers comprising 3-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV) units by the cultivation of certain strains of Corynebacterium, and Rhodococcus, some of which are novel on a substrate containing e.g. glucose. The process can also be used to produce the previously unknown homopolymer of HV by using a substrate of valeric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of acylamide amidohydrolase by culturing the species Methylophilus methylotrophus. This enzyme is used in the decomposition of acrylamide and in a process for the production of acrylic acid or a salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of extra-cellular microbial cellulose having the following 4 steps: (a) a growth step in which a bacterium in cultured in stirred batch culture until the carbon source present is substantially exhausted, (b) an accumulation step in which the carbon source is supplied continuously to the culture, (c) a removal step and (d) a separation step. The microbial cellulose produced by the process is readily usable as a bulking agent in foods or as a tabletting aid.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of acrylamide using an amidase (acrylamide amido hydrolase) enzyme in which the enzyme is induced in strains of Methylophilus methylotrophus. A method for inducing the enzyme and a process for producing acrylic acid are also claimed. The process for the decomposition of acrylamide is useful in particular for reducing the level of unreacted monomer associated with homo- and hetero- polymers of acrylamide. The activity of the enzyme can be increased by heating it to a temperature in the range 40.degree. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing the enzyme .beta.-galactosidase (lactase) involving a novel microorganism (NCIB No 11259) of unknown genus and for using the enzyme to hydrolyse lactose to glucose and galactose.