Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to natural derivatives of the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM I-1225 with improved properties. For example, the present invention relates to a natural derivative of the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM I-1225 that is deficient in D-lactic acid production and exhibits an improved viability during product storage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to natural derivatives of the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM I-1225 with improved properties. For example, the present invention relates to a natural derivative of the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM I-1225 that is deficient in D-lactic acid production and exhibits an improved viability during product storage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of proteinases and more specifically to chymotrypsin. In particular, the present invention relates to recombinant porcine chymotrypsin and its use in food applications.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to edible compositions and methods to produce them. In particular, the present invention relates to the enzymatic modulation of macron utrients and to food compositions containing such modulated macronutrients. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for modulating macronutrients comprising the steps of producing at least one synthetic gene coding for at least one enzyme or a functional part thereof capable of modulating macronutrients, expressing the at least one enzyme or a functional part thereof, and bringing the macronutrients into contact with the at least one enzyme or a functional part thereof exhibiting the enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An interactive animation environment. The interactive animation environment includes at least one user-controlled object, and the animation method for providing this environment includes determining a position of the user-controlled object, defining a plurality of regions about the position, detecting a user input to move the position of the user-controlled object, associating the detected user input to move the position of the user-controlled object with a region in the direction of movement, and providing an animation of the user-controlled object associated with the mapped region. A system and controller for implementing the method is also disclosed. A computer program and computer program product for implementing the invention is further disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive animation environment. The interactive animation environment includes at least one user-controlled object, and the animation method for providing this environment includes determining a position of the user-controlled object, defining a plurality of regions about the position, detecting a user input to move the position of the user-controlled object, associating the detected user input to move the position of the user-controlled object with a region in the direction of movement, and providing an animation of the user-controlled object associated with the mapped region. A system and controller for implementing the method is also disclosed. A computer program and computer program product for implementing the invention is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of the DNA sequence of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, in particular to its genomic sequence for elucidating interactions of micro-organism with hosts they colonize, and moreover for elucidating the basis of probiotic properties exhibited by such strain. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods of detecting nucleic acids or polypeptides of Lactobacilli and related species, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of La1.

Abstract: An interactive animation environment. The interactive animation environment includes at least one user-controlled object, and the animation method for providing this environment includes determining a position of the user-controlled object, defining a plurality of regions about the position, detecting a user input to move the position of the user-controlled object, associating the detected user input to move the position of the user-controlled object with a region in the direction of movement, and providing an animation of the user-controlled object associated with the mapped region. A system and controller for implementing the method is also disclosed. A computer program and computer program product for implementing the invention is further disclosed.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a ? (1?4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: An interactive animation environment. The interactive animation environment includes at least one user-controlled object, and the animation method for providing this environment includes determining a position of the user-controlled object, defining a plurality of regions about the position, detecting a user input to move the position of the user-controlled object, associating the detected user input to move the position of the user-controlled object with a region in the direction of movement, and providing an animation of the user-controlled object associated with the mapped region. A system and controller for implementing the method is also disclosed. A computer program and computer program product for implementing the invention is further disclosed.

Abstract: A novel microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. Also methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria are provided.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a ? (1?4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of micro-organisms, in particular lactic acid bacteria as e.g. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria for delivering substances beneficial to the recipient to specific parts of its gastro-intestinal tract. In particular, the present invention relates to an ingestable carrier containing micro-organisms with such properties and to the use thereof for supporting the well-being of individuals or for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel micro-organism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the present invention pertains to the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A bacteriocin is obtained by culturing cells of a strain of Micrococcus varians which, upon culturing in a culture medium, produces a bacteriocin which has agar well incubation inhibition test activity against at least one of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Clostridia and Straphylococcus bacteria. The strain is cultured to obtain cultured cells in a concentration of from 107 to 1011 organisms per ml of the medium, and the culture medium supernatant is separated from the cultured cells to obtain the supernatant which contains the bacteriocin, which is also identified by having an amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence differing from SEQ ID NO: 1 by from 1 to 4 amino acids.

Abstract: A lactic acid bacterium having a 16S ribosomal RNA characteristic of the genus Streptococcus, cocci morphology, a growth optimum in the range of about 28° C. to about 45° C., having the ability to ferment D-galactose, D-glucose, D-fructose, D-mannose, and N-acetyl (D)-glucosamine, salicin, cellobiose, maltose, lactose, sucrose and raffinose, and imparting a viscosity of greater than 100 mPa.s at a shear rate of about 293 s−1. The strain often produces an exopolysaccharide comprising a chain of glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine in a proportion of 3:2:1 respectively. The new strain is identified as Streptococcus macedonicus. Other characteristics include a total protein profile obtained after culture in an MRS medium for 24 h at 28° C., extraction of the total proteins and migration of the proteins on an SDS-PAGE electrophoresis gel, exhibits a degree of Pearson correlation of at least 78 with respect to bacterium CNCM I-1920 or I-1926.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a &bgr; (1→4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: Strain of lactic acid bacterium, (1) whose 16S ribosomal RNA is characteristic of the genus Streptococcus, (2) whose total protein profile, obtained after migration of the total proteins on an SDS-PAGE electrophoresis gel, is characteristic of that of the strain of lactic acid bacterium CNCM I-1920 but distinct from those of the recognized species belonging to the genus Streptococcus, namely S. acidominimus, S. agalactiae, S. alactolyticus, S. anginosus, S. bovis, S. canis, S. caprinus, S. constellatus, S. cricetus, S. cristatus, S. difficile, S. downei, S. dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae, S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis, S. equi, S. equi ssp. equi, S. equi ssp. zooepidemicus, S. equinus, S. ferus, S. gallolyticus, S. gordonii, S. hyointestinalis, S. hyovaginalis, S. iniae, S. intermedius, S. intestinalis, S. macacae, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. oralis, S. parasanguinis, S. parauberis, S. phocae, S. pleomorphus, S. pneumoniae, S. porcinus, S. pyogenes, S. ratti, S. salivarius, S. sanguinis, S. shiloi, S.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.