Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a malonic acid monoester represented by Formula (II): HOOCCH2COOR  (II) wherein R is alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or C1-20 alkyl, comprising treating a cyanoacetic acid ester represented by Formula (I): NCCH2COOR  (I) wherein R is defined in Formula (II), with a culture, cells or a product from treated cells of a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, Gordona or Rhodococcus and having nitrilase activity to thereby hydrolyze the cyanoacetic acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing optically active 3-quinuclidinol or derivatives, wherein a racemic 3-quinuclidinol ester represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, and (H.sup.+) represents that said ester may be in the form of a salt formed with a mineral acid or an organic acid, is reacted with a microorganism belonging to the genus Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Candida or Pseudomonas having the ability to asymmetrically hydrolyze said ester linkage, a culture of said microorganism, a treated material from said microorganism, an enzyme produced by said microorganism, or an enzyme derived from swine or cattle.According to the present invention, there is provided a process for easily producing optically active 3-quinuclidinol derivatives which are important synthetic intermediates for pharmaceutical preparations etc.

Abstract: A method for culturing cells by supplying oxygen to a culture medium through a multilayer composite membrane consisting of a porous layer(s) and a nonporous layer(s) having a thickness of less than 10 micrometers laminated one after the other. By using this multilayer composite membrane for supplying oxygen to the culture medium, oxygen can be supplied to the culture medium and/or the culture broth without causing foaming in the culture medium, cell growth inhibition or reduction in productivity of cellular products.

Abstract: Process for racemizing an optically active carboxylic acid ester of the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently are alkyl, and n is 1 or 2, which comprises contacting the compound of the formula (1) with an amine compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an organic ester of ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid represented by the general formula (II) or (III): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, aralkyl, or aryl, by reacting ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid with an organic acid or an ester thereof of the general formula (I) :R.sub.1 COOR.sub.2 (I)wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl, in an organic solvent in the presence of an ester hydrolase.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an organic ester of ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid represented by the general formula (II) or (III): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, aralkyl, or aryl, by reacting ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid with an organic acid or an ester thereof of the general formula (I):wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl, in an organic solvent in the presence of an ester hydrolase.

Abstract: Nitrile hydration activity of the nitrilase or the immobilized from thereof can be stably preserved by adding as a stabilizer at least one compound selected from nitriles, amides, and organic acids and salts thereof to a solution or suspension of the nitrilase or of the immobilized form thereof.

Abstract: In a process for hydrating a nitrile compound by the action of a microorganism having nitrilase activity to convert the nitrile compound into the corresponding amide compound, the performances such as yield and reaction velocity are markedly enhanced by irradiation of the microorganism with light. The process of the present invention is characterized in that (a) the microorganism having nitrilase activity is a positive gram-staining microorganism, (b) the microbial cells are allowed to accept light energy of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-2 .mu.E/g microbial cells second before termination of the hydration reaction, and (c) the hydration reaction is carried out in a vessel composed at least partly of a non-light transmitting material.

Abstract: Nitrile hydration activity of nitrile hydratase produced by a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas or Pseudomonas microorganism cells per se or in the immobilized state, all having nitrile hydration activity can be stably preserved by adding as a stabilizer at least one compound selected from nitriles, amides, and organic acids and salts thereof to a suspension or solution of the nitrile hydratase, or the microorganism cells per se or in the immobilized state.

Abstract: Cells of Pseudomonas bacteria having a high nitrile hydratase activity can be obtained in a high yield by adding sequentially to a culture medium at least one compound selected from the group consisting of propionitrile, isobutyronitrile, propionamide, and isobutyramide in the process of cultivation of Pseudomonas bacteria capable of producing nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: Cells of Pseudomonas bacteria having a high nitrile hydratase activity can be obtained in a high yield by adding to a culture medium at least one .alpha.-amino acid, except for cysteine or cystine alone and a combination of these .alpha.-amino acids alone, in the preparation of cells of bacteria having nitrile hydratase activity by cultivating under nitrile hydratase-inducing conditions Pseudomonas bacteria capable of producing nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: Cells of Pseudomonas bacteria having a high nitrile hydratase activity can be obtained in a high yield by adding to a culture medium cysteine and (or) cystine in the preparation of cells of bacteria having nitrile hydratase activity by cultivating under nitrile hydratase-inducing conditions Pseudomonas bacteria capable of producing nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: A process is described for producing bacteria having a high nitrilase activity comprising incubating bacteria having an ability to produce nitrilase, wherein the improvement comprises using a culture medium containing a water soluble iron compound.