Abstract: A novel cholesterol oxidase is disclosed. The enzyme according to the present invention has the following properties: acts on cholesterol to convert it to cholest-5-en-3-one; acts 3&bgr;-sterols but not on 3&agr;-hydroxysteroids; optimum pH: 5.0-8.5; and stable pH: 4 to 11. This enzyme carries out the oxidation reaction at high velocity at low substrate concentrations, reacts in a broad pH range, is heat resistant, and reacts at high reaction velocity even in the presence of an organic solvent. The enzyme according to the present invention is useful as a reagent for measuring cholesterol concentration, as a composition for the extermination of harmful insects, and as a bleaching agent.

Abstract: An expressing system which enables a large amount of production of a protein in Humicola, in particular, Humicola insolens, and particularly host-vector systems and a process for producing a protein using the systems, wherein an expression vector comprising the regulator sequences, i.e., the promoter, the signal sequence, and the terminator, of the cellulase NCE1 gene or NCE2 gene derived from Humicola insolens is constructed and used. The expression vector enables highly efficient production of cellulase NCE4, for example, in Humicola insolens at a rate as high as about 4.5 g or more per one liter of culture.

Abstract: A highly active cellulase suitable for use in a removal of nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers, and its gene are provided. A novel cellulase NCE4 isolated from Humicola insolens is a highly active cellulase, and can be used for various treatments of cellulose-containing fibers.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to analyze the amino acid sequence of the protein constituting the cellulase system, to clone the gene coding for the components of the cellulase system, and to establish a technique of inserting a clonal gene into the above strain thereby to produce cellulase having enhanced avicellase activity. The present invention relates to a protein having a part or the whole of the amino acid sequence depicted in the sequence listing under SEQ ID NO:1 and possessing cellulase activity, a DNA coding for the protein, an expression vector containing the DNA, a microorganism as transformed by the expression vector, and a process for producing a protein having enhanced cellulase activity by using the microorganism.

Abstract: A method for preventing redeposition of desorbed dyes to pre-dyed fabrics or its garments, which comprises adding colloid at the treatment of pre-dyed fabrics or its garments. A dye antiredeposition agent to be used at the treatment of pre-dyed fabrics or its garments, which contains a colloid in an amount of 0.4 g or more per 500 avicelase units of cellulose. The present invention has rendered possible simple and efficient prevention of redeposition of dyes at the time of the treatment of pre-dyed fabrics or its garments. Especially, when an enzyme is used in the treatment, adverse influenced upon the enzyme is characteristically small.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing magnetic powder comprising homogeneous and fine particles using an alkali-producing enzyme. The object of the present invention is to provide a method suitable for preparing magnetic powder comprising relatively small particles, for instance, fine particles having a particle size ranging from 50 to 500 nm. The present invention relates to a method for preparing at least one member selected from the group consisting of iron oxides, iron hydroxides and iron oxyhydroxides which comprises the step of alkalizing a solution containing iron ions utilizing an alkali-producing enzyme and a substrate of the enzyme.According to the present invention, there can be produced magnetite (Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4) and maghemite (gamma-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) useful as magnetic powder as well as goethite (alpha-FeO(OH)), hematite (alpha-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) and lepidocrocite (gamma-FeO(OH)) useful as the starting materials thereof.

Abstract: A livestock feed contains, as sugar component, inulooligosaccharides (oligosaccharides consisting of one to five fructose units linked together through .beta.-1,2 linkage) in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0%. This is effective in markedly reducing scours and loose passage often observed in weaned livestock and poultry and thus promoting their growth.