Abstract: A dermal agent for preventing or treating acne, comprising an ascorbic acid derivative which liberates in vivo ascorbic acid, and a zinc salt or comprising a zinc salt of the ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, and a composition comprising tretinoin and an ascorbic acid derivative or a salt thereof, relieving in the irritation of tretinoin by using the dermal agent and tretinoin in combination.

Abstract: A dermal agent for preventing or treating acne, comprising an ascorbic acid derivative which liberates in vivo ascorbic acid, and a zinc salt or comprising a zinc salt of the ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, and a composition comprising tretinoin and an ascorbic acid derivative or a salt thereof, relieving the irritation of tretinoin by using the dermal agent and tretinoin in combination.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel xylanases, a process for producing the enzyme, a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, a method for the treatment of pulp with the xylanase enzyme, and a process for producing xylose or xylo-oligosaccharide using the enzyme.

Abstract: A cellulase is provided having the following properties: (1) an optimum pH of from 9.5 to 10.5 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (2) a stable pH of from 6 to 11 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate after treating at 30.degree. C. and for 30 minutes; (3) an optimum temperature of about 55.degree. C. as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (4) influence of a surfactant being such that residual activity is 90% or more after treatment at 30.degree. C. and pH of 9.0 for 2 hours in the presence of a sodium n-alkylbenzenesulfonate; (5) a molecular weight of 52,000.+-.2,000 as measured by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gel; and (6) an isoelectric point of 4.2.+-.0.2 as measured by isoelectric electrophoresis. The cellulase is produced by Bacillus FERM BP-3431 or a mutant strain thereof. Also disclosed is a detergent comprising the cellulase, a builder and a surfactant. A composition and a method of treating a paper pulp slurry is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulase having the following properties: (1) an optimum pH of from 9.5 to 10.5 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (2) a stable pH of from 6 to 11 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate after treating at 30.degree. C. and for 30 minutes; (3) an optimum temperature of about 55.degree. C. as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (4) influence of a surfactant being such that residual activity is 90% or more after treatment at 30.degree. C. and pH of 9.0 for 2 hours in the presence of a sodium n-alkylbenzenesulfonate; (5) a molecular weight of 52,000.+-.2,000 as measured by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gel; and (6) an isoelectric point of 4.2.+-.0.2 as measured by isoelectric electrophoresis. The cellulase is produced by a Bacillus strain FERM BP-3431 or a mutant strain thereof. A detergent comprising the cellulase, a builder and a surfactant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulase having the following properties: (1) an optimum pH of from 9.5 to 10.5 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (2) a stable pH of from 6 to 11 as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate after treating at 30.degree. C. and for 30 minutes; (3) an optimum temperature of about 55.degree. C. as measured using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate; (4) influence of a surfactant being such that residual activity is 90% or more after treatment at 30.degree. C. and pH of 9.0 for 2 hours in the presence of a sodium n-alkylbenzenesulfonate; (5) a molecular weight of 52,000.+-.2,000 as measured by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gel; and (6) an isoelectric point of 4.2.+-.0.2 as measured by isoelectric electrophoresis. The cellulase is produced by Bacillus sp. SD402, its mutant strains or its genetic engineered strains. An aid for detergents and a paper treating agent, respectively, contain the cellulase as an effective ingredient.