Abstract: The invention concerns a product for adjusting the degree of alcohol of wines or alcoholic beverages. According to the invention, this process consists in resorting to two coupled reverse osmosis systems each comprising a tank for supplying the product to be processed upstream from a reverse osmosis cell, in equipping the two reverse osmosis cells P and I with membranes with a distinctly different permeability to ethanol, in withdrawing the permeate originating from said cell P, in sending it into said supply reservoir upstream from said cell I, in withdrawing the permeate originating from said cell I and in sending it into the supply tank upstream from cell P, whilst recovering the corresponding concentrates X and Y.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating fermented juices by reversed osmosis in particular for increasing concentration thereof in organic substances. The fermented product is treated under a pressure of from 30 to 120 bars and a strong turbulency by passing it through at least one semi-permeable membrane having a high retention rate with respect to organic substances of molecular weights lower than 200.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method for synthesizing proteins by means of strains of microorganisms improved as regards their performances in using methanol.

Abstract: This process for preparing L .alpha.-amino-acid is characterized in that the corresponding racemic .alpha.-amino-acid is hydrolysed in liquid phase in a free form or in the form of a salt, by an agent containing an L-stereospecific amidase and in that the L .alpha.-amino-acid obtained is separated from the D .alpha.-amino-amid unhydrolysed. This process is appropriate for the preparation of optically active natural amino-acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of amides.This process for the preparation of an amide by hydrolysis of the corresponding nitrile is characterized in that the said nitrile in aqueous solution is subjected to the action of bacteria having a nitrilasic activity, in that the pH of the said aqueous solution is maintained at a value at least equal to the limiting pH of the amide hydrolysis reaction, and in that the bacteria mass is separated from the amide solution.This process is useful in particular for the preparation of acrylamides.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of galactose which comprises (1) the cultivation of a mutant, non-pathogenic protoprophic yeast or bacteria possessing .beta.-galactosidase activity and a gal.sup.- character on a media containing lactose, e.g., lactoserum and (2) recovery of the galtose. The mutants are produced using two different methods. The galactose solutions produced are suitable for use in beverages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organic acids by biologically hydrolysing the corresponding nitriles.This process is distinguished by the fact that the nitrile in aqueous solution is subjected to the action of bacteria showing nitrilasic activity, preferably selected from the species: Bacillus, Bacteridium as defined by Prevot, Micrococcus and Brevibacterium as defined by Bergey.The process according to the invention can be used in particular for the production of racemic lactic acid.