Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme with amidase activity, particularly towards substrates of the oligomer type derived from PA 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of polyamides 6.6 to give adipic acid monomers and hexamethylenediamine monomers. The present invention further relates to an enzyme with amidase activity particularly towards substrates of the oligomer type derived from PA 6.6 and/or PA 6, said enzyme being characterized in that it consists of a peptide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1 in the attached sequence listing and/or at least one polypeptide homologous to this sequence. The invention further relates to the DNA coding for said enzyme and to the biological precursors thereof The invention further relates to the microorganisms capable of producing this enzyme and to the hydrolysis process in which this enzyme and/or these microorganisms are applied.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polypeptides that possess an enantioselective amidase activity. It also concerns the genetic material required for the expression of these polypeptides as well as a microbiological procedure for their preparation. Finally, this invention concerns the utilization of these polypeptides and of transformed microorganisms for the enantioselective synthesis of acids from racemic amides, and in particular propionic acids, especially (S)-2-aryl-propionamide.

Abstract: Immixture of stereoisomeric alcohols is resolved by selectively enzymatically acylating one of the stereoisomers thereof, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a hydrolase, for example a lipase, esterase or acylase, in a biphasic hydroorganic reaction medium, and thence separating the alcohol stereoisomer from the ester stereoisomer thus formed.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a compound of formula (IX) from 4-hydroxybutyl 3-pyridyl ketone. The compound of formula (IX) is an intermediate useful in the preparation of (1R,2R)-2-(3-pyridyl)-N-alkyl-tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-2-carbothioamide 1-oxides which possess useful pharmaceutical properties, for example anti-hypertensive properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides having a nitrilase activity and to the genetic tools for producing them, namely:the DNA sequence coding for a polypeptide having a nitrilase activity and capable of hydrolyzing nitriles to carboxylates,an analog of this sequence resulting from the degeneracy of the genetic code,a DNA sequence hybridizing with one of these sequences or a fragment thereof and coding for a polypeptide having a nitrilase activity,expression cassettes and microorganisms enabling them to be obtained. Application: enzymatic conversion of nitriles to carboxylates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides having a nitrilase activity and to the genetic tools for producing them, namely:the DNA sequence coding for a polypeptide having a nitrilase activity and capable of hydrolyzing nitriles to carboxylates,an analog of this sequence resulting from the degeneracy of the genetic code,a DNA sequence hybridizing with one of these sequences or a fragment thereof and coding for a polypeptide having a nitrilase activity,expression cassettes and microorganisms enabling them to be obtained.Application: enzymatic conversion of nitriles to carboxylates.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a DNA sequence coding for a polypeptide with enantioselective amidase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzymic process for the synthesis of ammonium adipate by the hydrolysis of adipamide and/or ammonium adipamate by means of a particular polypeptide or a recombinant microorganism generating this polypeptide.

Abstract: S Enantiomers of 2-arylpropionic acids are made by enantioselective hydrolysis of the corresponding racemic 2-arylpropionamides in the presence of a microorganism, or of an enzyme derived therefrom, able selectively to hydrolyze racemic .alpha.-phenylpropionamide to S .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid. The S Enantiomers obtained may be incorporated into antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic compositions.

Abstract: Optically active 2-arylalkanoic acids are made by enantioselective hydrolysis of the corresponding racemic amides in the presence of a microorganism, or of an enzyme derived therefrom, able selectively to hydrolyse racemic .alpha.-phenylpropionamide to S .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a 4-hydroxyquinoline of the formula: ##STR1## in which R represents a hydrogen atom or one, two or three substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from halogen atoms, alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the trifluoromethyl radical, the substituent(s) being in the 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-position, which comprises oxidizing a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-4-one of the general formula: ##STR2## in which R is as hereinbefore defined, in a basic medium, under pressure, by means of excess oxygen or air at a temperature between 80.degree. and 150.degree. C.The 4-hydroxyquinoline products are useful for the preparation of therapeutically useful substances.

Abstract: Optionally aldehyde substituted polyphenols are prepared by oxidizing, with hydrogen peroxide, a hydroxybenzaldehyde bearing at least one aldehyde substituent ortho- and/or para- to the nuclear hydroxyl group, in an aqueous reaction medium and in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal base, the process being characterized in that the pH of the reaction medium is continuously maintained at a value no greater than 7 throughout the course of the oxidation reaction.The subject process is well suited for the preparation of, e.g., hydroxy-p-vanillin from guaiacol, and the novel compound 2,4,6-triformylphenol.