Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal layer that can switch to a light transmitting state and a light scattering state, and lines provided on a portion of the liquid crystal layer on the side opposite to the observation side. The lines are provided with a reflecting portion by which at least a portion of light that entered from the observation side is reflected toward the observation side.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB 10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB 10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to fonts a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: Provided are novel processes for the efficient production of L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol which are useful either as various medicines or intermediates for the syntheses of various medicines. In the processes, inexpensive myo-inositol is used as a starting compound which is reacted with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose, and thereby producing L-epi-2-inosose by conversion of myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. AB 10215 strain is also provided which has a characteristic nature of being capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: Provided are novel processes for the efficient production of L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol which are useful either as various medicines or intermediates for the syntheses of various medicines. In the processes, there is used inexpensive myo-inositol as a starting compound. That is, there is now developed a new process which comprises reacting myo-inositol with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose, and thereby producing L-epi-2-inosose by conversion of myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. Further, a novel process is provided, which comprises reacting the so produced L-epi-2-inosose with a reducing agent made of an alkali metal boron hydride or any other alkali metal hydride in an aqueous reaction medium, to produce epi-inositol and myo-inositol, and then isolating epi-inositol from the resulting reaction product composed of the epi-inositol and myo-inositol.

Abstract: Provided are novel processes for the efficient production of L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol which are useful either as various medicines or intermediates for the syntheses of various medicines. In the processes, inexpensive myo-inositol is used as a starting compound which is reacted with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose, and thereby producing L-epi-2-inosose by conversion of myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. AB 10215 strain is also provided which has a characteristic nature of being capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose.

Abstract: An acrylonitrile solution of maleimide manifesting transparency, precluding coloration and opacification during the course of handling, and excelling in stability, a method for the preparation of the acrylonitrile solution, and an acrylonitrile based copolymer obtained by using the acrylonitrile solution are provided. The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is such that, when it is subjected to a forced coloration test, the differences &Dgr;L, &Dgr;a, &Dgr;b values (invariably as absolute values) each between L, a, and b values before and after the test are respectively not more than 5, not more than 5, and not more than 10. The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is prepared by lowering the water content in the acrylonitrile solution to a level of not more than 0.1% by weight, or causing the acrylonitrile solution to permit coexistence therein of a polymerization inhibitor and lowering the water content in the acrylonitrile solution to a level of not more than 0.3% by weight.

Abstract: An aqueous iminocarboxylic acid salt solution composition the iminocarboxylic acid salt of which has a structure of the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and Y is a sodium atom, a potassium atom, or an ammonium group, contains an aspartic acid backbone moiety whose molar ratio of the isomers, i.e. D form/L form, is in the range of 1/0 to 0.7/0.3 or D form/L form, in the range of 0/1 to 0.3/0.7, and accounts for a concentration in the range of 40 to 70% by weight and a method for handling the composition while keeping the pH value thereof kept in the range of 7 to 12.

Abstract: An acrylonitrile solution of maleimide manifesting transparency, precluding coloration and opacification during the course of handling, and excelling in stability, a method for the preparation of the acrylonitrile solution, and an acrylonitrile based copolymer obtained by using the acrylonitrile solution are provided.The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is such that, when it is subjected to a forced coloration test, the differences .DELTA.L, .DELTA.a, and .DELTA.b values (invariably as absolute values) each between L, a, and b values before and after the test are respectively not more than 5, not more than 5, and not more than 10. The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is prepared by lowering the water content in the acrylonitrile solution to a level of not more than 0.

Abstract: The epoxidation is carried out in a reaction system made of metal under conditions such that the inner surface area (S) of the reaction system exposed to the gaseous-phase part thereof and the amount of the reaction solution (V) in the reaction system satisfy the formula: 0<S/V.ltoreq.2 (m.sup.2 /m.sup.3). The epoxidation, otherwise, is carried out in a reaction vessel such that at least the inner surface thereof exposed to the gaseous-phase part thereof has been inactivated or in a reaction vessel such that at least the inner surface thereof exposed to the gaseous-phase part thereof has been inactivated. A hydroxy iminodisuccinic acid is produced by causing the epoxysuccinic acid which has been obtained as described above to react with L-aspartic acid. By this reaction, an epoxy compound can be produced with a high yield without inducing coloration by epoxidizing a corresponding ethylenic compound with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A novel acrylic ester which is represented by general formula (2) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an organic residue, R.sub.3 represents an organic residue, n is a positive number among 1 to 3, and m is a positive number among 1 to 100 and which is applicable to various uses, is obtained by reacting an acrylic ester of general formula (3) ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic residue, and R.sub.3 represents an organic residue, with a cyclic ether compound of general formula (4) ##STR3## wherein R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic residue, and n is a positive number among 1 to 3. Moreover, a novel acrylic acid derivative whose use is even wider is obtained by hydrolyzing the acrylic acid derivative.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a solid catalyst which enables a person to simply and efficiently carry out an etherification reaction; and a process by which an ether compound is simply and efficiently produced using the solid catalyst. The solid catalyst is a first solid catalyst comprising at least one rare earth element, or is a second solid catalyst comprising a metallic compound which includes a metal atom and a nonmetal atom bonded to the metal atom, wherein the metallic compound has molecular orbitals including: at least one orbital (L) having an energy of E.sub.L (eV) which satisfies E.sub.LUMO .ltoreq.E.sub.L .ltoreq.(E.sub.LUMO +0.05) wherein E.sub.LUMO is an energy (eV) of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital around the metal atom; and at least one orbital (H) having an energy of E.sub.H (eV) which satisfies (E.sub.HOMO -0.02).ltoreq.E.sub.H .ltoreq.E.sub.HOMO wherein E.sub.

Abstract: An acrylic ester derivative expressed by Formula (1) below is produced by reacting an acrylic ester expressed by Formula (2) below with a saccharide containing a hemiacetal hydroxyl group expressed by Formula (3) below and/or an alkylglycoside expressed by Formula (4) below: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or organic residue, R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, counter ion, or organic residue, and G represents a saccharic residue; ##STR2## where R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or organic residue and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a counter ion, or organic residue;G--H (3)where G represents a saccharic residue; andG--R.sub.3 (4)where G represents a saccharic residue and R.sub.3 represents an organic residue. An acrylic-ester-based polymer is produced by letting a monomeric component containing such an acrylic ester derivative undergo polymerization.