Abstract: A process for purification of a fragment antibody from a culture medium also comprising at least one impurity is provided. The purification is carried out after the pH of the culture medium has been reduced to a pH at which the fragment antibody is soluble, but one or more of the impurities are insoluble. A process for the preparation of a fragment antibody employing such a purification process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of pDNA from cells is provided. In one aspect, the process comprises heating a liquid comprising the cells to an average temperature of from 95° C. to about 120° C. for a time of less than 10 seconds. In certain preferred aspects, the pDNA is extracted by the use of flow-through apparatus.

Abstract: A process for cell lysis is provided. The process comprises passing a mixture comprising a suspension of cells and a lysis reagent through a flow-through reactor, wherein the mixture passes through the reactor with pulsed or superimposed oscillating flow. The process is preferably employed for the preparation of biological products, such as pDNA or inclusion bodies.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of pDNA from cells is provided. In one aspect, the process comprises heating a liquid comprising the cells to an average temperature of from 95° C. to about 120° C. for a time of less than 10 seconds. In certain preferred aspects, the pDNA is extracted by the use of flow-through apparatus.

Abstract: A process for purification of a fragment antibody from a culture medium also comprising at least one impurity is provided. The purification is carried out after the pH of the culture medium has been reduced to a pH at which the fragment antibody is soluble, but one or more of the impurities are insoluble. A process for the preparation of a fragment antibody employing such a purification process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a fragment antibody from a medium is provided. The process comprises contacting the medium comprising the fragment antibody with a synthetic affinity ligand attached to a support matrix under conditions whereby the fragment antibody binds to the synthetic affinity ligand. The synthetic affinity ligand has the formula (I): wherein Q represent an attachment to a solid support matrix, optionally via a spacer group; A and B are each independently —Y-phenyl or —Y-naphthyl groups substituted with one or more substituents capable of hydrogen bonding, preferably one or more of —OH, —SH or —CO2H groups; each Y independently represents —NR—, —O— or —S—; and each R independently represents H or a C1-4 alkyl group.

Abstract: Oil is extracted from oil containing microorganisms by disintegrating the microorganisms and contacting them in the presence of a water content of at least 70% by weight of that originally present in the cellular material with a water immiscible solvent for the oil, separating the solvent from the microorganisms and recovering the oil from the solvent.

Abstract: A method is presented for spray-drying whole microorganisms of Fusarium lateritium, Methylophilus methylotrophus, and Pseudomonas putida under conditions that the activity of cyanide hydratase, amidase and D-2-haloalkanoic acid halidohydrolase respectively are retained.

Abstract: A chiral (R) stereospecific polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in aqueous latex form having virgin disperse phase particles of very low or undetectable crystallinity is useful in making a water-sensitive structure water-resistant. It may be used as a mixture with a latex of a synthetic polymer. Processes for making the PHA latex are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of recovering PHA from a suspension which comprises particles of PHA in a liquid which comprises maintaining the suspension at a temperature at which the PHA melts and substantial coalescence of PHA particles occurs thereby at least partly forming a layer of molten PHA and separating the layer of PHA optionally after it cooling to form a solid.

Abstract: A hydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA)is recovered from matter derived from living organisms by dissolving the PHA in a solvent which is a lower ketone, dialkyl ether or a lower alcohol or a monocarboxylic acid ester thereof, separating the solution from such matter and recovering PHA from the solution.

Abstract: A process of making a polyhydroxyalkanoate PHA latex comprises making a liquid-form solution of such PHA in a water soluble liquid and contacting that solution with water under shear. Suitably the solution is prepared at a temperature between the boiling point of water and 10.degree. C. below the melting point of the PHA as measured by DSC for example by melt separating PHA from a microbiological suspension thereof, dissolving it in the water soluble liquid, and then contacting the solution at over 100.degree. C. with water at 50.degree.-95.degree. C. The water-soluble liquid may be for example 1,2-propandiol or a liquid more volatile than water such as ethanol, propanol or tertiary butanol. A surfactant may be present or added after contacting, for example one providing steric stabilisation such as an acrylic graft copolymer emulsifier.

Abstract: Polyester particles in suspension in a liquid can be agglomerated below their melting points and the agglomerated particles are more easily filtered.

Abstract: A plastic is recovered from microorganisms containing it by chemically solubilising non plastic material with an oxidising agent in the presence of a chelating agent.