Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, whereby microbial cells are broken up and cellular components are separated and an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method. Preferably, the cells contain extra-chromosomal nucleic acids that are released and are further suitable for additional purification as required for any pharmaceutical or technical use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, whereby microbial cells are broken up and cellular components are separated and an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method. Preferably, the cells contain extra-chromosomal nucleic acids that are released and are further suitable for additional purification as required for any pharmaceutical or technical use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing recombinant proteins by gram-negative bacteria. According to the inventive method, the products are released into the surrounding medium, thereby allowing for high expression and production rates. To this end, the gene of the recombinant protein to be produced is placed under the control of a promoter derived from a gram-positive organism, preferably from a promoter derived from the genus Bacillus that in nature does not control said gene, and a system becomes active that partially opens the outer membrane of the bacteria produced. The preferred bacteria are E. coli or Klebsiella, promoters that are not necessarily inducible from outside, especially constitutive promoters such as the &bgr;-glucanase promoter of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (bgl promoter) and the colicin system. The protein is thereby released into the surrounding medium from where it can be easily purified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biomass for the isolation of ccc plasmid DNA comprising culturing a bacterial transformant in a bioreactor containing an antibiotic-free batch medium under batch-conditions and, at the end of the batch phase, feeding under feed-back conditions the portion of a feed-back medium after the rise of the concentration of dissolved oxigen above a threshold-set point. Said feed-back medium comprises besides a carbon source a magnesium salt, preferably in concentrations above 20 mM. Preferably, the bacterial transformant is harvested after the end of the culture and frozen or freeze-dried. Also preferred is that ccc plasmid DNA is, optionally directly, isolated after harvesting the bacteria.

Abstract: Enzymatic catalysts are produced from mineral particles coated with chitosan. The enzymes may be directly absorbed onto the surface after a cross-linking treatment to stablize the coating or immobilized by chemical bonds after a treatment with a bifunctional reagent, for example with glutaraldehyde. The stability of the biocatalyst is advantageously increased by retreatment with a bifunctional reagent after immobilization of the enzyme. Enzymes sensitive to glutaraldehyde are fixed by a carbodiimide. The catalysts thus prepared are insoluble in aqueous solutions. The particles are rigid and incompressible and are suitable for use in fixed-bed and fluidized-bed reactors. The immobilization yield may reach 90% depending on the circumstances.

Abstract: A device for liquid-solid fluidized beds comprises a reactor in which a number of static mixing elements are disposed in superposed relation. A device of this kind, which is preferably used for chemical reactions, ensures high concentrations of solid and stable operation of the liquid-solid fluidized bed and has good radial exchange properties and reduced backmixing.