Abstract: The present invention relates to: a reductase gene for an ?-substituted-?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compound which contains a DNA sequence encoding an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 20 and an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 21; an enzyme which is a product of the gene; a plasmid and a transformant each containing the gene DNA; and a method of reducing an ?-substituted-?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compound using the transformant. According to claim the present invention, there is provided an enzyme gene which is useful in producing a corresponding ?-substituted-?,?-saturated carbonyl compound optically active at the ?-position by hydrogenating an ?,?-carbon double bond of an ?-substituted carbonyl compound, which is a compound prochiral at the alpha-position, and an enzyme which is a gene product thereof.

Abstract: A chicane system is provided in a belt filter press in a gravity drainage zone. The gravity drainage zone includes a movable filter belt, an inlet section for receiving a suspension on the filter belt, and an outlet for discharging separated liquid and solid components of the suspension. A support member is mounted over the filter belt and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the filter belt movement. A plurality of flow turners depend from the support member and engage the filter belt to prevent clogging of the filter belt by the suspension solid component. Each flow turner includes a plow portion extending into the suspension and engaging the filter belt and a coupling portion fixed to the support member. The opposite ends of the support member are slidably coupled to the retaining walls for floating translatory movement of the support member and flow turners in a vertical direction toward and away from the filter belt during operation.