Abstract: This invention relates to a .gamma.-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase having novel properties, to a process for the production of the .gamma.-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase which comprises culturing a strain belonging to the genus Brevibacterium capable of producing cyclodextrin glucanotransferase, thereby allowing the strain to produce the .gamma.-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase in a culture medium, and subsequently collecting the enzyme, to a process for the production of cyclodextrin which comprises allowing the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase to react with substrate dissolved in a solution, thereby effecting formation of .gamma.-cyclodextrin as a main product, and to a method for increasing .gamma.-cyclodextrin yield without accompanying yield increase of total cyclodextrin, which comprises adding ethyl alcohol to a reaction solution in which .gamma.-cyclodextrin and .beta.-cyclodextrin are formed from starch by the action of .gamma.

Abstract: An isoamylase, useful in the field of starch saccharification, having a molecular weight of about 105,000, an isoelectric point of 6.4, an optimum pH of 3.0 to 5.0, an optimum temperature of about 50.degree. C. and exhibiting temperature stability at 45.degree. C..times.10 minutes and pH stability at pH 3.5 to 6.0, and a process for producing the same comprising cultivating an isoamylase-producing strain belonging to the genus Xanthomonas and recovering the enzyme produced.

Abstract: A mannose isomerase having excellent properties for industrial use, such as high thermal stability and resistance to high substrate concentrations, can be produced by culturing a strain of Pseudomonas (sp. AM-9582), and extracting it from the cells of AM-9582. Mannose can be effectively produced from fructose of high concentrations using the enzyme.

Abstract: A mannose isomerase having excellent properties for industrial use, such as high thermal stability and resistance to high substrate concentrations, can be produced by culturing a strain of Pseudomonas (sp. AM-9582), and extracting it from the cells of AM-9582. Mannose can be effectively produced from fructose of high concentrations using the enzyme.

Abstract: A novel .alpha.-1,6-glucosidase having the following properties:(1) Action: The enzyme acts on an .alpha.-1,6-glucoside bond to produce linear amylose;(2) Substrate specificity: The enzyme has the following relative activity to polysaccharides:______________________________________ Polysaccharide Relative activity (%) ______________________________________ Pullulan 100 Maize soluble amylopectin 13.5 Soluble starch 6.7 Oyster glycogen 1.7 Hare glycogen 2.6 Maize amylopectin 3.8 Potato amylopectin 4.0 ______________________________________(3) Km value and Vmax to pullulan: the enzyme has Km value of 0.14 mg/ml and Vmax of 70.0 .mu.mol/min/mg protein;(4) Optimum pH: 5.0 to 5.5;(5) pH stability: The enzyme is stable in the pH range of 4.5 to 6.5 for 30 minutes at 40.degree. C. and in the pH range of 5.0 to 6.0 for 30 minutes at 50.degree. C.;(6) Optimum temperature: Approximately 55.degree. C.;(7) Thermal stability: Treatment at pH 4.

Abstract: Aeromonas sp. No. 212 is cultured to allow it to produce a novel cellulase 212 and/or novel hemicellulase in a culture medium, and the so produced cellulase 212 and/or hemicellulase 333 is separated from the culture medium.The so separated novel cellulase 212 and/or novel hemicellulase 333 is used as a cellulosic material-decomposing agent in purifying tanks, plants for treatment of industrial waste waters, excrement treatment plants, drainage disposal treatment plants and the like.