Abstract: Described are variants of a parent ?-amylase that exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent ?-amylase: specific activity, substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage, thermal stability, pH-dependent activity, pH-dependent stability, oxidative stability, Ca2+ dependency, pI, and wash performance. The variants are suitable for starch conversion, ethanol production, laundry washing, dish washing, hard surface cleaning, textile desizing, and/or sweetener production.

Abstract: An ?-amylase from Bacillus subtilis (AmyE) produces significant amounts of glucose from various carbohydrate substrates, including vegetable starch, maltoheptaose, and maltotriose. Among other things, this advantageous property allows AmyE or variants thereof to be used in a saccharification reaction having a reduced or eliminated requirement for glucoamylase. The reduction or elimination of the glucoamylase requirement significantly improves the efficiency of the production of ethanol or high fructose corn syrup, for example.

Abstract: A personal care composition is provided and includes an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. The personal care composition may be a hair care composition, a skin care composition, a nail care composition, a cosmetic composition, or an over-the-counter pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A personal care composition is provided and includes an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. The personal care composition may be a hair care composition, a skin care composition, a nail care composition, a cosmetic composition, or an over-the-counter pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Biomolecular conjugates are provided which comprise the conjugation product of a repeat sequence protein polymer and at least one active agent. Additional aspects provide methods for their manufacture and various industrial and consumer applications.

Abstract: Biomolecular conjugates are provided which comprise the conjugation product of a repeat sequence protein polymer and at least one active agent. Additional aspects provide methods for their manufacture and various industrial and consumer applications.

Abstract: A personal care composition is provided and includes an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. The personal care composition may be a hair care composition, a skin care composition, a nail care composition, a cosmetic composition, or an over-the-counter pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A feed additive that provides increased feed conversion ratio is prepared containing a physiologically acceptable carrier and one or more of five thermostable xylanases from Microtetraspora flexuosa, preferably strain ATCC 35864. The xylanases can tolerate heating for one minute in a water bath at 95.degree. C. without substantial loss of activity, and tolerate alkaline conditions in a pH range of 7.0-10.0. A feed for poultry or pigs contains the xylanases in a feed containing at least 20% by weight cereal. The five xylanases have the following characteristics: (i) a molecular weight of about 33,100 daltons, a pI of about 8.5, and a maximum activity at pH 7.0-7.5 at a temperature of about 70.degree. C.; (ii) a molecular weight of about 33,300 daltons, a pI of about 7.5, and a maximum activity at pH 7.0-7.5 at a temperature of about 65.degree. C.; (iii) a molecular weight of about 31,000 daltons, a pI of about 6.2, and a maximum activity at pH 7.5 at a temperature of about 65.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel xylanases purified from the microorganism, Microtetraspora flexuosa. Each biochemically unique xylanase is thermostable and has optimal activity in alkaline conditions. The present invention is also directed to methods that utilize either the whole enzyme system or one or more of the above purified thermostable xylanases obtained from Microtetraspora flexuosa. These enzymes are excellent candidates for enhancing the delignification and bleaching of pulp. Furthermore, treating the pulp with the above enzymes prior to bleaching may reduce the amount of chlorine containing and/or peroxide chemicals required in the bleaching process.

Abstract: Five xylanases are purified from the microorganism, Microtetraspora flexuosa,preferably strain ATCC 35864. Each biochemically unique xylanase is thermostable and has optimal activity in alkaline conditions. These enzymes are excellent candidates for enhancing the delignification and bleaching of pulp. Furthermore, treating the pulp with the above enzymes prior to bleaching may reduce the amount of chlorine containing and/or peroxide chemicals required in the bleaching process.