Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide microorganisms which efficiently produce nicotinamide riboside, and microorganisms which can efficiently produce both nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside. Nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside can be produced by culturing lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Fructobacillus.

Abstract: Provided are a composition for enhanced production of a useful substance in cells containing a polysaccharide, a medium for cell culture containing a polysaccharide, and a process for preparing a useful substance including culturing cells in a medium for cell culture containing a polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 2, and E. coli DH5&agr; (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: A process for preparation of (R)-1,2-propanediol which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to genus Pseudomonas or genus Alcaligenes which has ability to assimilate (S)-1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source, in a culture medium containing racemic 1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source and then isolating the remaining (R)-1,2-propanediol from the culture broth.

Abstract: A process for preparation of an optically active 1,2-diol compound of the following formula: wherein R is alkyl group, hydroxy substituted alkyl group, or alkenyl group, which comprises reacting a corresponding racemic 1,2-diol compound with a strain belonging to the genus Alcaligenes which is being cultivated under aeration.

Abstract: A process for preparation of (R)-1,2-propanediol which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to genus Pseudomonas or genus Alcaligenes which has ability to assimilate (S)-1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source, in a culture medium containing racemic 1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source and then isolating the remaining (R)-1,2-propanediol from the culture broth.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active 4-halogeno-1,3-butanediol and (R)-1,2,4-butanetriol or (S)-3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone which comprises reacting a racemic 4-halogeno-1,3-butanediol with a specific microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas.

Abstract: A process for preparation of optically active 4-halogeno-3-hydoxybutyronitrile and 4-halogeno-3-alkanoyloxybutyronitrile, which are simply and economically prepared by reacting a racemic 4-halogeno-3-alkanoyloxybutyronitrile with a microorganism such as a strain of the genus Pseudomonas or the genus Enterobacter, which has the activity stereoselectively hydrolyzing the ester portion, its culture broth or an enzyme(s) derived from the microorganism or an enzyme preparation such as a lipase preparation.

Abstract: A process for preparation of an optically active 1,2-diol compound of the following formula: 1

Abstract: An industrial and economical method for obtaining a (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol, which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus. Pseudomonas which has an ability to assimilate (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol and can grow by assimilating (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source, in a culture medium containing a racemic 3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a substrate, and isolating the (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol from the culture medium.

Abstract: An industrial and economical method for obtaining a (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol, which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas which has an ability to assimilate (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol and can grow by assimilating (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source, in a culture medium containing a racemic 3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a substrate, and isolating the (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol from the culture medium.

Abstract: A novel method for preparing optically active chlorohydrin compound and optically active 1,2-diol compound and/or optically active 3-hydroxy-.gamma.-butyrolactone which are useful as intermediates for preparing medicaments, agricultural chemicals, physiologically active substances and ferroelectric liquid crystals, which comprises treating a racemic chlorohydrin compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H or lower alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group when R.sup.1 is H; or R.sup.2 is H when R.sup.1 is lower alkyl group with a microorganism, whereby selectively degrading only one of optical isomers thereof, and recovering the remaining an other optically active chlorohydrin and isolating optically active 1,2-diol compound and/or optically active 3-hydroxy-.gamma.-butyrolactone converted by the reaction.