Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of amylases with reduced disposition to form deamidation products, particularly alpha-amylases, and compositions comprising such amylases. Also described are means and methods for producing such amylases, and uses of amylases and amylase-comprising compositions, for example for cleaning starch-containing stains, textile desizing, starch liquefaction and saccharification, baking and brewing. The invention also discloses means for increasing amylase purity during fermentation, formulation and storage of amylase or amylase-containing formulations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing disposable diagnostic test elements and monitoring a property thereof, where such methods include detecting X-ray fluorescent (XRF) signals of one or more metallic components in a composite of first and second layers applied to a substrate using XRF spectrometry, determining a quantity value for each metallic component in a measured area from the XRF signals, and then calculating an areal coating quantity of the first and the second layers using the quantity values of the metallic components. Additionally or alternatively, the methods can include determining a batch specific code from the XRF signals that can be used when performing a test with a test element. Further provided are systems for monitoring a property of disposable test elements.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of amylases, particularly alpha-amylases, and compositions comprising such amylases. Also described are means and methods for producing such amylases, and uses of amylases and amylase-comprising compositions, for example for cleaning starch-containing stains, textile desizing, starch liquefaction and saccharification, baking and brewing. The invention also discloses means for increasing amylase purity during fermentation, formulation and storage of amylase or amylase-containing formulations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing disposable diagnostic test elements and monitoring a property thereof, where such methods include detecting X-ray fluorescent (XRF) signals of one or more metallic components in a composite of first and second layers applied to a substrate using XRF spectrometry, determining a quantity value for each metallic component in a measured area from the XRF signals, and then calculating an areal coating quantity of the first and the second layers using the quantity values of the metallic components. Additionally or alternatively, the methods can include determining a batch specific code from the XRF signals that can be used when performing a test with a test element. Further provided are systems for monitoring a property of disposable test elements.