Abstract: Polysaccharides comprising one or more oxime linkages are provided. Methods for their preparation include the polycondensation of saccharides bearing oxime-forming substituents. In some embodiments, polymerization is conducted in the presence of galactose oxidase. The resulting oxime-linked polysaccharides have desirable properties and are useful in numerous applications including paper manufacturing and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A two-component mediator system is disclosed, wherein one component serves as a pro-oxidant and the other component serves as a pro-degradant and booster. When used in combination with a laccase, the two-component mediators enhance the bleaching of pulp. In addition, a composition comprising an oxidative enzyme, a pro-oxidant, and a pro-degradant, and a process for oxidizing a substrate that comprises treating the substrate with an oxidizing enzyme, a pro-oxidant, and a pro-degradant are disclosed. The pro-oxidant can be ascorbic acid, ascorbate, salicylic acid, salicylate, nicotinic acid, nicotinate, a hardwood black liquor, a softwood black liquor, ligno-organosolv, lignin sulfonate, or mixtures thereof. The pro-degradant can be urea, thiourea, sulfamic acid, sulfamide, guanidine, methylsulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent, also referred to as a mediator, is disclosed. A process for oxidizing a substrate that comprises treating the substrate with a composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity and an enzyme enhancing agent is disclosed. The process when used on lignin-containing material bleaches the lignin-containing material. A process for enhancing the activity of an enzyme exhibiting laccase activity that comprises adding an enzyme enhancing agent to the enzyme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polysaccharides comprising one or more oxime linkages are provided. Methods for their preparation include the polycondensation of saccharides bearing oxime-forming substituents. In some embodiments, polymerization is conducted in the presence of galactose oxidase. The resulting oxime-linked polysaccharides have desirable properties and are useful in numerous applications including paper manufacturing and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A process of oxidizing a substrate is disclosed. The process comprising the step of treating the substrate with an oxidizing enzyme, a mediator that enhances the oxidative activity of the enzyme, and a chain transfer agent. In one example, the substrate is a lignin-containing material and the process results in bleaching of the lignin-containing material. Examples of some useful enzymes are laccase, catechol oxidase, monophenol monooxygenase, and bilirubin oxidase. A composition comprising an oxidative enzyme, a mediator that enhances the oxidative activity of the enzyme, and a chain transfer agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant genes encoding variant galactose oxidase enzymes, termed vGOs; constructs and recombinant host cells incorporating the genes; the vGO polypeptides encoded by the genes; antibodies to the polypeptides; and methods of making and using all of the foregoing.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant genes encoding variant galactose oxidase enzymes, termed vGOs; constructs and recombinant host cells incorporating the genes; the vGO polypeptides encoded by the genes; antibodies to the polypeptides; and methods of making and using all of the foregoing.