Abstract: A process for producing L-alanine, which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter which has L-alanine dehydrogenase activity, but little or no alanine racemase activity, and which is capable of producing L-alanine; allowing L-alanine to accumulate in the culture; and recovering L-alanine from the culture.

Abstract: A storage stable form of the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of the carbapenem derivative known as (1R, 5S, 6S)-2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-pyrrolidinylthio]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-methyl-1-c arbapen-2-em-3-carboxylic acid in crystalline form.

Abstract: Carbapenem compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## [in which: A is a fully saturated heterocyclic group, of which at least one ring atom is nitrogen; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a negative ion; Q is: (i) --B--N.sup.+ R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10, where R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are alkenyl, alkynyl or optionally substituted alkyl, and B is alkylene or alkylidene; (ii) a heterocyclic group of which one ring atom is a >N.sup.+ R.sup.11 R.sup.12, where R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are alkenyl, alkynyl or optionally substituted alkyl; (iii) alkyl substituted by a heterocyclic group as defined in (ii) above; or (iv) alkyl substituted by an aromatic heterocyclic group, of which one ring atom is ##STR2## or R.sup.2 and Q, and the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a group of formula (II): ##STR3## where m and n are 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.6 is optionally substituted alkyl; and R.sup.

Abstract: Carbapenem compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which: A is a fully saturated heterocyclic group, of which at least one ring atom is nitrogen; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a negative ion; Q is: (i) --B--N.sup.+ R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10, where R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are alkenyl, alkynyl or optionally substituted alkyl, and B is alkylene or alkylidene.

Abstract: A novel D-amidase is described. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzes D-.alpha.-alanineamide into D-.alpha.-alanine. It is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter, and is useful as an enzyme for efficiently producing D-.alpha.-alanine having a high optical purity and/or L-.alpha.-alanineamide from DL-.alpha.-alanineamide or D-.alpha.-alanineamide at low cost.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.a is a group of formula (II): ##STR2## where one of R' is a bond to the remainder of the compound, one more of R' is R.sup.2 and the others of R' are all hydrogen, R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, alkanoylamino, alkanoyloxy, alkanoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, --S(O).sub.j R.sup.9 where j is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sup.9 is alkyl, or --CONR.sup.6 R.sup.7 which is optionally substituted carbamoyl or heterocyclyl-carbonyl, --NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 is optionally substituted amino or heterocyclic, and --COOR.sup.5 is carboxy, --COO.sup.-, --COOM.sub.x, where M is a cation and x is the reciprocal of the valence of the cation M or protected carboxy and, where --COOR.sup.5 is carboxy, --COOM.sub.

Abstract: KS-506a, KS-506x and KS-506g having an activity to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and KS-506m and KS-506h having an activity to inhibit histamine release are produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Mortierella.

Abstract: KS-506a, KS-506x and KS-506g having an activity to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and KS-506m and KS-506h having an activity to inhibit histamine release are produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Mortierella.

Abstract: Compounds comprising a linear .beta.1.fwdarw.6 glucan esterified by caproic acid, the number of D-glucose residues being from 7 to 40 and the number of caproic acid residues being from 2 to 30, may be be obtained by fermentation of a microorganism of the genus Aureobasidium. These compounds are designated HS-142-1. Preferred microorganism is Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanigenum KAC-2383 (FERM-BP 2407).The compounds of the present invention exhibit excellent antagonistic activity to ANP and are capable of inhibiting the bonding of ANP to ANP receptors.

Abstract: A novel D-amidase is described. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzes D-.alpha.-alanineamide into D-.alpha.-alanine. It is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter, and is useful as an enzyme for efficiently producing D-.alpha.-alanine having a high optical purity and/or L-.alpha.-alanineamide from DL-.alpha.-alanineamide or D-.alpha.-alanineamide at low cost.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.a is a group of formula (II): ##STR2## or a group of formula (III): ##STR3## (where one of R' is a bond to the remainder of the compound, one more of R' is R.sup.2 and the others of R' are all hydrogen), R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, optionally substiuted alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, alkanoylamino, alkanoyloxy, alkanoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, --S(O).sub.j R.sup.9 (where j is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sup.9 is alkyl), or --CONR.sup.6 R.sup.7 (which is optionally substituted carbamoyl or heterocyclyl-carbonyl), R.sup.2a is hydrogen, alkyl or alkanoyl, --NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 is optionally substituted amino or heterocyclic, and --COOR.sup.5 is carboxy, --COO.sup.-, --COOM.sub.x (where M is a cation and x is the reciprocal of the valence of the cation M) or protected carboxy and, where --COOR.sup.5 is carboxy, --COOM.sub.

Abstract: A novel fermentation product, DC113, represented by the formula ##STR1## which has antimicrobial and antitumor activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound designated "DC114-C" having excellent anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activities. This compound may be obtained by fermentation of a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces, preferably Streptomyces sp. DO-114 (FERM BP-2641).

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, hydroxy or acetoxy and R.sub.2 represents hydroxy or acetoxy.The compounds are capable of protecting the nerve cells and also antagonistic activity against N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors.They may be prepared by fermentation of a microorganism of the genus Verticillium or a mutant thereof.

Abstract: A new compound designated KS-505 having amnesia-inhibiting activity may be prepared by fermentation of a suitable strain of Streptomyces, preferably Streptomyces argenteolus A-2 (FERM BP-2065).

Abstract: Disclosed are DC115A compounds represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents ethyl, propyl or 1-propenyl, and which have antibacterial and anti-tumor activity. DC115A compounds are produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces.

Abstract: A hydroxamic acid compound represented by the general formula (I) or a salt thereof; ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkanoyl group, R.sup.2 represents an unsubstituted alkanoyl, substituted lower alkanoyl or substituted lower alkyl group, and m represents an integer of 3 to 7, which are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by lipoxygenase-mediated metablites.

Abstract: Novel physiologically active substances KS-504a, KS-504b and KS-504d having a vasodilative activity and a novel physiologically active substance KS-504e having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion are produced by culturing a microorganism of the genus Mollisia.

Abstract: Novel physiologically active substances Ks-504a, KS-504b and KS-504d having a vasodilative activity and a novel physiologically active substance KS-504e having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion are produced by culturing a microorganism of the genus Mollisia.

Abstract: UCN-01 having an anti-tumor activity and an anti-bacterial activity is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces.