Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of itaconic acid, which method comprises fermenting a recombinant cell capable of producing itaconic acid in a suitable fermentation medium, thereby to produce itaconic acid, wherein: (a) the recombinant cell: (i) overexpresses cis-aconitate decarboxylase; and (ii) overexpresses a part of the citric acid cycle and/or has reduced activity of a native metabolic route to acetate and/or lactate; and, optionally, (b) the fermentation is carried out under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: Tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of itaconic acid, which method comprises fermenting a recombinant cell capable of producing itaconic acid in a suitable fermentation medium, thereby to produce itaconic acid, wherein: (a) the recombinant cell: (i) overexpresses cis-aconitate decarboxylase; and (ii) overexpresses a part of the citric acid cycle and/or has reduced activity of a native metabolic route to acetate and/or lactate; and, optionally, (b) the fermentation is carried out under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: A process for producing polylactic acid (PLA) comprising the steps: fermenting in a fermentation vessel a micro-organism of the genus Monascus in a medium at a pH less than or equal to 5 under conditions which produce lactic acid into the medium, converting the lactic acid produced into lactide, and polymerizing the lactide to form PLA.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organicacid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: A process for producing polylactic acid (PLA) comprising the steps: fermenting in a fermentation vessel a micro-organism of the genus Monascus in a medium at a pH less than or equal to 5 under conditions which produce lactic acid into the medium, converting the lactic acid produced into lactide, and polymerizing the lactide to form PLA.

Abstract: A multi-block copolymer comprises at least one hydrophilic collagen-like block and at least one silk-like block. The silk-like block comprises an amino acid sequence ((GA)mGX)n (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein G is glycine, A is alanine, m and n are at least 2. X is an ionizable amino acid. The ionizable amino acid can be inducedle to bear a positive charge or a negative charge. The ionizable amino acid bearing the positive charge is preferably histidine and the one bearing the negative charge is preferably glutamic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing a biologically degradable polyhydroxyalkanoate coating in the form of an elastomeric film, wherein an aqueous dispersion of polyhydroxyalkanoate or a mixture of polyhydroxyalkanoate is prepared and the dispersion is applied to the surface to be coated, after which water is made or allowed to evaporate to obtain a polyhydroxyalkanoate film, the film formation taking place at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polyhydroxyalkanoate, wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is a Pseudomonas polyhydroxyalkanoate other than a polymer or copolymer of &bgr;-hydroxyvalerate or &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate, without requiring additional steps to render the film elastomeric.

Abstract: Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) are used as binders for drying paint systems, wherein the poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) component comprises poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) containing mono- and/or poly-unsaturated side groups. Medium chain length PHAs based on unsaturated vegetable fatty acids are preferred. PHAs are used in the form of a solution in organic solvents and in the form of a dispersion in water. The PHA binders are used for the formulation of solvent-based PHA paint systems and for the formulations of PHA latexes.

Abstract: A method for producing a biologically degradable polyhydroxyalkanoate coating in the form of an elastomeric film, wherein an aqueous dispersion of polyhydroxyalkanoate or a mixture of polyhydroxyalkanoates is prepared and the dispersion is applied to the surface to be coated, after which water is made or allowed to evaporate to obtain a polyhydroxyalkanoate film, the film formation taking place at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polyhydroxyalkanoate, such a temperature even for example being more than 35.degree. C. below the melting point and in which the polyhydroxyalkanoate used is a polymer which is made up of saturated or unsaturated 3-hydroxy fatty acids having a carbon-chain length of 6-14 and/or is a Pseudomonas polyhydroxyalkanoate other than a polymer or copolymer of .beta.-hydroxyvalerate or .beta.-hydroxybutyrate, without requiring additional steps to render the film elastomeric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbiological process for the production of polyesters and utilizes bacteria of the Pseudomanas fluorescens rRNA branch according to the phylogenetic classification of De Vos and De Ley. These bacteria are cultured under aerobic fermentation conditions in a nutrient medium comprising an excess of at least one assimilarable acylic aliphatic hydrocarbon compound having 6-18 carbon atoms and a limiting quantity of at least one of other nutrients essential for growth to form poly-3-hydroxyalkanaoates.