Abstract: Methods of obtaining a carotenoid-containing composition were developed, in which degradation of carotenoids is suppressed even though extraction and purification are performed on a culture of microorganism that produces carotenoids including astaxanthin by simple steps using a lower alcohol which is a conventionally known solvent, and the compositions have high astaxanthin content and contain highly pure carotenoids and also have satisfactory crystal properties. Further addition of a simple step that promotes isomerization of astaxanthin successfully improved the carotenoid yield.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining a carotenoid-containing composition were developed, in which degradation of carotenoids is suppressed even though extraction and purification are performed on a culture of microorganism that produces carotenoids including astaxanthin by simple steps using a lower alcohol which is a conventionally known solvent, and the compositions have high astaxanthin content and contain highly pure carotenoids and also have satisfactory crystal properties. Further addition of a simple step that promotes isomerization of astaxanthin successfully improved the carotenoid yield.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.

Abstract: D-aminoacylase derived from fungi is provided. The fungi capable of producing D-aminoacylase include those belonging to the genus Hypomyces, Fusarium, Auricularia, Pythium, and Menisporopsis. The fungal D-aminoacylase is useful for efficiently producing D-amino acids from N-acetyl-D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides the D-aminoacylase-encoding gene derived from Hypomyces mycophilus, a filamentous fungus, the polypeptide encoded by the gene, and the homologues thereof. The D-aminoacylase of the present invention is capable of producing D-tryptophan from N-acetyl-D-tryptophan. D-tryptophan is useful as a medicinal raw material or the like.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polypeptides capable of retaining a strong enzyme activity of formate dehydrogenase in the presence of an organic solvent and to provide the uses thereof. Formate dehydrogenase mutant polypeptides, which are resistant to organic solvents, were constructed by substituting cysteines at position 146 and/or at position 256 in the amino acid sequence of Mycobacterium vaccae-derived formate dehydrogenase by site-directed mutagenesis. The polypeptides have strong activities of formate dehydrogenase in the presence of an organic solvent. The mutants are useful for the production of alcohols using ketones as raw material, etc.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.

Abstract: The present invention provides the D-aminoacylase-encoding gene derived from Hypomyces mycophilus, a filamentous fungus, the polypeptide encoded by the gene, and the homologues thereof. The D-aminoacylase of the present invention is capable of producing D-tryptophan from N-acetyl-D-tryptophan. D-tryptophan is useful as a medicinal raw material or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides the D-aminoacylase-encoding gene derived from Hypomyces mycophilus, a filamentous fungus, the polypeptide encoded by the gene, and the homologues thereof. The D-aminoacylase of the present invention is capable of producing D-tryptophan from N-acetyl-D-tryptophan. D-tryptophan is useful as a medicinal raw material or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enzymatically producing optically active mandelic acid derivatives. An optically active mandelic acid derivative (shown as Formula II) is produced by reacting a culture or cell body of a microorganism, or processed products thereof, with a phenylglyoxylic acid derivative, and then recovering the obtained optically active mandelic acid derivative, wherein the microorganism has the ability to stereo-selectively reduce the phenylglyoxylic acid derivative. An optically active mandelic acid obtained according to the present invention is useful as an intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: D-aminoacylase derived from fungi is provided. The fungi capable of producing D-aminoacylase include those belonging to the genus Hypomyces, Fusarium, Auricularia, Pythium, and Menisporopsis. The fungal D-aminoacylase is useful for efficiently producing D-amino acids from N-acetyl-D-amino acids.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polypeptides capable of retaining a strong enzyme activity of formate dehydrogenase in the presence of an organic solvent and to provide the uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enzymatically producing optically active mandelic acid derivatives. An optically active mandelic acid derivative (shown as Formula II) is produced by reacting a culture or cell body of a microorganism, or processed products thereof, with a phenylglyoxylic acid derivative, and then recovering the obtained optically active mandelic acid derivative, wherein the microorganism has the ability to stereo-selectively reduce the phenylglyoxylic acid derivative. An optically active mandelic acid obtained according to the present invention is useful as an intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: D-aminoacylase derived from fungi is provided. The fungi capable of producing D-aminoacylase include those belonging to the genus Hypomyces, Fusarium, Auricularia, Pythium, and Menisporopsis. The fungal D-aminoacylase is useful for efficiently producing D-amino acids from N-acetyl-D-amino acids.

Abstract: D-aminoacylase derived from fungi is provided. The fungi capable of producing D-aminoacylase include those belonging to the genus Hypomyces, Fusarium, Auricularia, Pythium, and Menisporopsis. The fungal D-aminoacylase is useful for efficiently producing D-amino acids from N-acetyl-D-amino acids.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.

Abstract: The present invention provides the D-aminoacylase-encoding gene derived from Hypomyces mycophilus, a filamentous fungus, the polypeptide encoded by the gene, and the homologues thereof. The D-aminoacylase of the present invention is capable of producing D-tryptophan from N-acetyl-D-tryptophan. D-tryptophan is useful as a medicinal raw material or the like.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.

Abstract: A novel carbonyl reductase useful for producing alcohol, particularly derivatives of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester, is provided. A novel carbonyl reductase derived from Kluyveromyces aestuarii and the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme are provided. The carbonyl reductase has excellent reductase activity and stereoselectivity. The carbonyl reductase reduces ketone to produce alcohol. It can be particularly advantageous when used in industrial production of (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate ester.