Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved processes for the preparation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to novel intermediates useful for the preparation of DCA and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved processes for the preparation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to DCA and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the carbon atoms of which are derived partially or solely from plant sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved processes for the preparation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to novel intermediates useful for the preparation of DCA and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved processes for the preparation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to DCA and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the carbon atoms of which are derived solely from plant sources.

Abstract: The method of fermentation with selected strains of B. trispora described in the present invention makes it possible to achieve lycopene yields higher than those currently described. The methods of isolation, purification and formulation are applicable to any natural source of lycopene, especially to submerged cultures of mucoral fungi of the genera Blakeslea, Choanephora, Phycomyces or Mucor. The method of extraction makes it possible to simplify the recovery process and increase the purity of the product, relative to the methods previously described. The methods of formulation provide high added value, since they make it possible to obtain stabilized preparations of lycopene for direct application in the food and pharmaceutical fields.

Abstract: The invention consists of fermenting selected strains of Blakeslea trispora in conditions such that ?-carotene is produced in the form of stabilized preparations with residual contents of other carotenoids (?-carotene and ?-zeacarotene). The fermentation conditions chosen include the programmed addition of oxygen and/or ?-ionone during fermentation, and control of the age of the vegetative growth phases of the strains employed. The ?-carotene obtained can be used in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Abstract: An isolated DNA sequence that encodes a peptide with CPC-acetylhydrolase enzymatic activity is disclosed. Also, a method of expressing CPC-acetylhydrolase activity that includes the steps of (a) providing a microorganism that is susceptible to transformation with the isolated DNA sequence and that, upon transformation, expresses the CPC-acetylhydrolase activity encoded by the sequence, and (b) transforming the microorganism with the DNA sequence to cause expression of the CPC-acetylhydrolase activity in the microorganism is disclosed. Also, a method for producing a microorganism with increased capacity to aid in the production of cephalosporin, which method includes the steps of (a) providing a microorganism that has CPC-AH activity by virtue of expression of the DNA sequence or of a fragment thereof coding for the CPC-acetylhydrolase enzyme activity; and (b) inactivating the activity by disrupting expression of the DNA sequence is disclosed.

Abstract: Method of production of &bgr;-carotene by fermentation in mixed culture using (+) and (−) strains of Blakeslea trispora

Abstract: An isolated DNA having the promoter sequence of the hex gene of P. chrysogenum or a DNA fragment that is hybridizable to the complement of the promoter sequence under stringent conditions and is capable of directing expression of DNA downstream of the fragment in P. chrysogenum. Also a process for promoting expression of a coding sequence of interest in a microorganism using the isolated DNA and a process to block expression of a gene of interest in a microorganism using the isolated DNA are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to promoters of the genes glutamate dehydrogenase, &bgr;-acetylhexosaminidase and &ggr;-actin and their use in systems of expression, secretion and anti-sense of filamentary fungi. The invention also relates to the use of the promoters of the genes which code: (I) glutamate dehydrogenase NADP depending (EC.1.4.1.4) of Penicillium chrysogenum, (II) &ggr;-N-actylhexosaminidase (EC.3.2.1.52) of Penicillium chrysogenum and (III) &ggr;-actin of Penicillium chrysogenum and Acrimonium chrysogenum, which can be used for the construction of potent vectors of expression and secretion useful both for P. chrysogenum and for A. chrysogenum and related species. These promoters can also be used for blocking the genic expression through anti-sense construction. Under the control of the above mentioned promoters, it is possible to conduct the expression of other genes in filamentary fungi, thereby increasing the production of antibiotics and/or proteins inherent to the same.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding phenyl acetyl-CoA-ligase and a process of increasing the production of penicillin G in a strain of Penicillium chrysogenum by transforming the strain with the isolated DNA. Also vectors and host organisms having the isolated DNA.

Abstract: Process for producing the enzyme D-amino acid oxydase of Rhodotorula gracilis in host cells. The process for the expression of the enzyme comprises isolating the complementary DNA corresponding to the messager RNA of the gene which codes for the D-amino acid oxydase of any strain of Rhodotorula gracillis producing said enzyme; fusing the fragment of DNA which codes for D-amino acid oxydase of Rhodotorula gracillis with a DNA sequence which contains a site of union to the ribosome and a high efficiency promoter sequence for the express of genes in host cells; inserting the DNA fragment into a plasmid appropriate for the host cell; cultivating the host cells transformed with said plasmid; and collecting the enzyme.

Abstract: A procedure for producing a modified 7.beta.-(4-carboxybutanamide) cephalosporinase enzyme which can be purified in a single chromatographic step. The procedure for production of the enzyme involves: mutagenizing the gene which codes for the enzyme from Acinetobacter sp. ATCC 53891 by inserting a nucleotide sequence coding for six histidine residues; fusing the mutant gene with high-efficiency promoter DNA sequences; transforming Escherichia coli cells with the fusion gene construct; growing the transformed Escherichia coli cells; and recovering the enzyme by the use of supports which contain metal chelates. 7-Aminocephalosporanic acid is an important intermediate for the manufacture of a wide range of antibacterial agents of the cephalosporin family.