Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of sugar hydrolysates from cellulosic material. The method may be used e.g. for producing fermentable sugars for the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic material. Cellulolytic enzymes and their production by recombinant technology is described, as well as uses of the enzymes and enzyme preparations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aqueous glucose solution from the starch components of Triticeae grains, for example from rye, triticale or in particular wheat grains. The invention also relates to a glucose-based fermentation method for manufacturing organic compounds in which the glucose manufactured for fermentation is produced from the starch components of Triticeae grains by way of a method according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sugar chain synthesizer capable of continuously reacting sugar chains when a plurality of sugar chains are successively reacted. The sugar chain synthesizer of the present invention includes a plurality of vessels containing respective sugar nucleotide solutions, a plurality of vessels containing respective glycosyltransferases, and a reactor containing a primer that is a water-soluble polymer, into which the above described sugar nucleotide solution and glycosyltransferase are introduced. In the present invention, components in a reaction solution obtained in the reactor are separated through an ultrafiltration column, and a reaction product is then returned to the above described reactor, so as to continuously synthesize sugar chains. Although it is a complicated synthesis of sugar chains, it becomes possible to carry out such synthesis continuously and automatically.

Abstract: Improved constructs for increasing efficiency of transformation of thermophilic host cells for production of carbon-based products of interest and methods for producing carbon-based products of interest are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactose phosphorylase enzymes and the uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to lactose phosphorylase enzymes created by mutation of a cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellulomonas uda. By introducing mutations in this enzyme, the activity can be switched from cellobiose phosphorylase into lactose phosphorylase.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using an isolated cyanobacterium that includes a portion of an exogenous bacterial cellulose operon sufficient to express bacterial cellulose, whereby the cyanobacterium produces extracellular glucose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trehalulose-containing composition, its preparation and use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enzyme cleavage of polysaccharides comprising a first sequence [?4)-?-D-GlcpA-(1?4)-?-L-Rhap3 sulphate-(1?]n and a second sequence [?4)-?-L-IdopA-(1?4)-?-L-Rhap3 sulphate-(1?]m, the first and second sequences respectively comprising two monosaccharide units connected by an osidic bond, wherein said method is such that: said polysaccharide sequences are provided; a microorganism capable of producing an enzyme substance of the lyase class is provided; and said enzyme substance is brought into contact with said polysaccharide sequences in such a way as to bring about cleavage of the osidic bond according to a ?-elimination reaction. The invention is characterised in that a microorganism belonging to the bacteria of the Ochrobactrum genus is chosen for producing said enzyme substance.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using an isolated cyanobacterium that includes a portion of an exogenous bacterial cellulose operon sufficient to express bacterial cellulose, whereby the cyanobacterium produces extracellular glucose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: A novel process is described for production of 6-acyl-sucrose comprising enzymatic acylation of sucrose by an esterifying agent including an organic acid in presence of a lipase or an esterase in a solvent in which the enzyme used is stable. Chlorinated sucrose, the high intensity sweetener trichlorogalactosucrose can be prepared by chlorination and deacylation of 6-acyl sucrose prepared by the process of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an aqueous glucose solution from maize or maize kernels. The invention also relates to a glucose solution obtainable by this process, and to its use for the production of organic compounds. The process according to the invention comprises: a) fractionating dry milling of maize kernels, where the maize kernels are separated into a maize-starch-comprising endosperm fraction and a high-oil germ fraction and, if appropriate, a bran fraction; b) enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification of the maize starch in an aqueous suspension of the endosperm fraction, which gives an aqueous glucose solution comprising maize gluten; and c) depletion of the maize gluten and, if appropriate, any bran present from the aqueous glucose solution.

Abstract: Maltobionate has an antioxidative effect in food and feed products. The antioxidant can be produced directly from starch or maltose already present in the food product, using enzymatic catalyzed processes. The antioxidant production can be performed on an isolated fraction of a food product from which it can be added back to the food production process or the final food product. Alternatively, the antioxidant can be produced as an integrated part of the food production process by adding the relevant enzymes to the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for increasing the yield of a compound produced by an organism. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for increasing the total or soluble carbohydrate content or sweetness or increasing the content of an endogenous carbohydrate of a plant tissue by producing a sugar-metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an endogenous sugar (one that is normally produced in the plant) to an alien sugar (one that is not normally produced in the plant at the same developmental stage). The invention also relates to plants and plant parts that produce a sugar-metabolizing enzyme to yield an alien sugar, with the consequence of higher total fermentable carbohydrate content, and to fermentable carbohydrates and other products derived therefrom.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding an alternansucrase are provided. Moreover, vectors, host cells and plant cells transformed by the herein-described nucleic acid molecules and plants containing them are provided. Furthermore, methods are described for preparing transgenic plants which synthesize the carbohydrate alternan, because of the insertion of nucleic acid molecules encoding an alternansucrase. Moreover, methods for preparing alternan and products resulting from them are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes cell based systems and methods for production of hyaluronate unsaturated disaccharide. The methods and systems include the use of a host cell that produces hyaluronic acid transformed with an expression vector encoding a recombinant chondroitinase AC. Expression of chondroitinase AC in the presence of native hyaluronic acid results in digestion of hyaluronic acid into multiple units of hyaluronate unsaturated disaccharide, which can then be isolated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new ?-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum. The ?-galactosidase is capable of converting mellibiose to ?-galactobiose disaccharides which may be incorporated into numerous food products or animal feeds for improving gut health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut, and repressing the growth of the pathogenic microflora.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enzymatic hydrolysis of granular starch into a soluble starch hydrolysate at a temperature below the initial gelatinization temperature of said granular starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of at least one nonvolatile microbial metabolite in solid form by sugar-based microbial fermentation, in which process a microorganism strain which produces the desired metabolites is grown using a sugar-containing liquid medium with a monosaccharide content of more than 20% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid medium, and the volatile constituents of the fermentation liquor are subsequently largely removed, the sugar-containing liquid medium being prepared by: a1) milling selected starch feedstock from cereal grains; and a2) liquefying the millbase in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one starch-liquefying enzyme, followed by saccharification using at least one saccharifying enzyme, where, for liquefaction purposes, at least a portion of the millbase is liquefied by continuous or batchwise addition to the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of biotechnology. The invention particularly relates to a composition and process for stabilizing or preserving biological molecules, as well as devices that comprise correspondingly stabilized or preserved biomolecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of at least one microbial metabolite having at least 3 carbon atoms or at least 2 carbon atoms and at least 1 nitrogen atom by means of sugar-based microbial fermentation, comprising: a) the preparation of a sugar-containing liquid medium with a monosaccharide content of more than 20% by weight from a starch feedstock, the sugar-containing liquid medium also comprising non-starchy solid constituents of the starch feedstock; b) the fermentation of the sugar-containing liquid medium for the production of the metabolite(s); and c) depletion or isolation of at least one metabolite from the fermentation liquor, wherein a microorganism strain which produces the desired metabolite(s) is cultivated with the sugar-containing liquid medium, said liquid medium being obtained by: a1) milling the starch feedstock; and a2) liquefying the millbase in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one starch-liquefying enzyme, followed by saccharification using at lea

Abstract: An enzymatic process to obtain 4-O-?-D-galactopyranosyl-D-xylose useful in compositions or solutions in the in vivo evaluation of intestinal lactose activity in humans, that comprises the steps of preparing a reaction mixture of D-xylose, a ?-D-galactopyranoside and a reaction medium that comprises water buffered to a pH between 5.0 and 9.0; adding 10 to 1,000 units of ?-D-galactosidase per gram of ?-D-galactopyranoside; subjecting the reaction mixture to a reaction or a temperature between a temperature higher than the freezing point of the reaction mixture and 45° C., for 2 to 48 hours; for the reaction by deactivation of the ?-D-galactosidase; and to isolate and crystallize the fractions that contain 4-O-?-D-galactopyranosyl-D-xylose from a crystallization mixture selected between mixtures of acetone/methanol in a ratio between 5/1 to 20/1 and mixtures of acetone/water in a ratio between 5/1 to 20/1.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a ?-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum. The ?-galactosidase is capable of converting lactose to a mixture of oligosaccharides which are ?-linked and unexpectedly produces the ?-linked disaccharide galactobiose. The mixture may be incorporated into numerous food products or animal feeds for improving gut health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut, and repressing the growth of the pathogenic microflora.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems of producing neoagarobiose, useful in whitening melanoma cells and in cosmetics, using polypeptides having neoagarobiosebiohydralase activity, including Aga86E from Saccharophagus degradans. The reaction can be enhanced by including other agarases, including Aga16B, also from S. degradans.

Abstract: A novel method of very efficiently elevating the yield of oligosacchrides containing ?-galactosyl, compared with the conventional methods, which comprises treating galactose or a galactose-containing material with a specific ?-galactosidase and thus performing a dehydrocondensation reaction at a high substrate concentration. Anti-candida compositions originating in foods, having a high safety and excellent anti-candida effect and not being restricted in the supply, which contain as the active ingredient oligosacchrides obtained by treating galactose or a galactose-containing material with an ?-galactosidase and thus performing a dehydrocondensation.

Abstract: A novel modified thermoplastic starch is manufactured from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by the fungus species Ophiostoma ulmi, by growing a culture in a yeast extract medium; adding the native starch; mixing, and harvesting the modified thermoplastic starch. The modified thermoplastic starch may be used in the manufacture of a biodegradable plastic which exhibits low water absorbency and high tensile strength. The plastic may be used to manufacture films or moulding products by casting, extrusion, injection, or compression techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to the implementation of enzyme-catalysed reactions in the presence of ionic liquids.

Abstract: A sucrose phosphorylase (SP) having improved thermostability obtained by modifying a natural SP and a method for producing the SP having improved thermostability is provided. This SP having improved thermostability has an amino acid residue which is different from that of the natural sucrose phosphorylase, in at least one position selected from the group consisting of a position corresponding to position 14, a position corresponding to position 29 and a position corresponding to position 44 in motif sequence 1; a position corresponding to position 7, a position corresponding to position 19, a position corresponding to position 23 and a position corresponding to position 34 in motif sequence 2; and a position corresponding to position 19 in motif sequence 3, and wherein the enzyme activity of the SP having improved thermostability at 37° C., after heating the SP having improved thermostability in 20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.0) at 55° C.

Abstract: A test kit for immunochromatography comprising a test strip and a test tube is described. The test strip comprises a detection zone for detecting an analyte in a sample. The test tube accommodates the test strip. The test tube comprises an indicator at a position corresponding to the detection zone of the test strip which is inserted into the test tube.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors containing B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Characterization, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel enzymes that convert sucrose to isomaltulose. More particularly, the present invention discloses novel sucrose isomerases, polynucleotides encoding these sucrose isomerases, methods for isolating such polynucleotides and nucleic acid constructs that express these polynucleotides. Also disclosed are cells, including transformed bacterial or plant cells, and differentiated plants comprising cells, which contain these sucrose isomerase-encoding polynucleotides, as well as extracts thereof. Methods of producing isomaltulose are also disclosed which use the polypeptides, polynucleotides, cells, cell extracts and plants of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides, including sialylated product saccharides. In particular, it relates to the use of recombinant cells to take up low cost precursors such as glucose, pyruvate and N-actyl-glucosamine, and to synthesize activated sugar moieties that are used in oligosaccharide synthesis. The methods make possible the synthesis of many oligosaccharides using microorganisms and readily available, relatively inexpensive starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention have objects to provide an option of non-reducing saccharide by providing a novel non-reducing saccharide composed of glucose as constituents and to provide a novel enzyme forming the non-reducing saccharide, a method and process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, a composition comprising the non-reducing saccharide, and uses thereof. The present invention solves the above objects by providing an isocyclomaltooligosaccharide(s) having a structure represented by General Formula 1, a novel isocyclomaltooligosaccharide-forming enzyme, a method and process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, a composition comprising the isocyclomaltooligosaccharide (s) or a saccharide composition comprising the same, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enriching trehalose from solutions, in which the enrichment is performed using an adsorbent, in which the adsorbent is an aluminosilicate. Preferably, the aluminosilicate is a zeolite. The invention further relates to the enrichment and purification of trehalose from fermentation broths, in particular as a coupled product of production by fermentation of other products of value.

Abstract: A biosensor in which a carbohydrate or a derivative of a carbohydrate is used to generate a detectable signal by way of the specific binding to a protein, a virus or a cell.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there can be provided a novel polypeptide having ?1,3-galactosyltransferase activity involved in the synthesis of type 1 sugar chains, a DNA coding for said polypeptide, a recombinant vector comprising said DNA, a transformant carrying said recombinant vector, a process for producing type 1 sugar chain-containing sugar chains and complex carbohydrates by use of said polypeptide or said transformant, an antibody recognizing said polypeptide, a method for detecting or quantifying said polypeptide by use of said antibody, a method for screening a substance correlated with said polypeptide, a method for diagnosis or treatment of cancers in the digestive system by use of said DNA or said antibody, and a method for treatment of cancers in the digestive system by use of a substance obtained by said screening method.

Abstract: A physiologically active substance of aglycon type, in particular, aglycon isoflavone, can be efficiently produced, without resort to any acid/alkali treatment or fermentation and substantially without changing the physical properties of a material, by treating the material with a sufficient amount of diglycosidase for a sufficient period of time at an appropriate temperature and pH so that a physiologically active substance of glycoside type contained in the material can be converted into the physiologically active substance of aglycon type. Moreover, by using diglycosidase and/or a specific enzyme preparation, the aglycon content in a protein or protein-containing food can be increased and the flavor thereof can be improved.

Abstract: Mutant glycosidase enzymes are formed in which the normal nucleophilic amino acid within the active site has been changed to a nonnucleophilic amino acid. These enzymes cannot hydrolyze disaccharide products, but which can still form them. Using this enzyme, oligosaccharides are synthesized by preparing a mixture of an &agr;glycosyl fluoride and a glycoside acceptor molecule; enzymatically coupling the &agr.glycosyl fluoride to the glycoside acceptor molecule to form a glycosyl glycoside product using the mutant glycosidase enzyme; and recovering the glycosyl glycoside product. Particular enzymes include a mutant form of Agrobacterium &bgr.Glucosidase in which the normal glutamic acid residue at position 358 is replaced with an alanine residue.

Abstract: A thermostable alpha-glycosidase derived from various Thermococcus, alcaliphilus AEDII12RA is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry.

Abstract: A method for enzymatically synthesizing a polymer by combining a preselected quantity of an enzyme, a first reactant selected from polymers with at least one carboxylic acid pendant group, a second reactant selected from alcohols, i.e., polyols, in a reaction vessel; heating the reaction vessel to a preselected temperature; and maintaining the reaction vessel at the preselected temperature for a preselected time with mixing, wherein an esterification reaction results at at least one carboxylic acid pendant group of the polymer with one hydroxyl group from the polyol and results in a modified polymer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a biosensor in which an immobolized carbohydrate or a derivative thereof is used to generate a detectable signal when a protein, a virus or a cell is bound to the carbohydrate surface. The sensor is an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electrochemical electrode or a thermistor. A method of binding carbohydrates to a gold surface is also described.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for producing isomaltose and uses thereof and is solved by providing a process for producing isomaltose characterized in that it comprises the steps of allowing &agr;-isomaltosylglucosaccharide-forming enzyme, in the presence or the absence of &agr;-isomaltosyl-transferring enzyme, to act on saccharides, which have a glucose polymerization degree of at least two and &agr;-1,4 glucosidic linkage as a linkage at the non-reducing end, to form &agr;-isomaltosylglucosaccharides, which have a glucose polymerization degree of at least three, &agr;-1,6 glucosidic linkage as a linkage at the non-reducing end, and &agr;-1,4 glucosidic linkage as a linkage other than the non-reducing end, and/or to form cyclo{→6)-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→}; allowing isomaltose-releasing enzyme to act on the formed saccharides to release isomaltose; an

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises genes for biosynthesizing acarbose and homologous pseudo-oligosaccharides; to oligonucleotide primers for the PCR amplification of the molecule; to proteins which can be obtained by expressing the genes located on a molecule; to vectors and host cells which comprise the above-mentioned DNA molecule; to proteins which are encoded by the DNA molecule; to proteins which are expressed by means of said vectors in said host cells; to processes for preparing acarbose by introducing the characterized genes into appropriate host organisms and/or eliminating these genes from the host organisms; to processes for completing the gene cluster of genes for biosynthesizing acarbose, to processes for isolating analogous gene clusters in organisms other than Streptomyces glaucescens GLA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trehalose-producing microorganism and a process for producing trehalose. It also to a novel trehalose synthase protein, a trehalose synthase gene, recombinant plasmids carrying said trehalose synthase gene, and transformed microorganism with said recombinant plasmids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding glycosyltransferases, the proteins encoded thereby, and to methods for synthesizing oligosaccharides using the glycosyltransferases of the invention. In particular, the present application is directed to identification a glycosyltransferase locus of Neisseria gonorrhoeae containing five open reading frames for five different glycosyltransferases. The functionally active glycosyltransferases of the invention are characterized by catalyzing reactions such as adding Gal &bgr;1→4 to GlcNAc or Glc; adding GalNAc or GlcNAc &bgr;1→3 to Gal; and adding Gal &agr;1→4 to Gal.

Abstract: A dehydrated composition is provided that includes freeze-dried erythrocytic cells. Alcohol (e.g., sterol or cholesterol) is at least partially removed from erythrocytic cells including erythrocytic membranes. After removal of at least part of the alcohol, the erythrocytic cells have a low phase transition temperature range, an intermediate phase transition temperature range, and a high phase transition temperature range. The erythrocytic cells may be loaded with an oligosaccharide (e.g., trehalose) which preserves biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. A process for increasing cooperativity of a phase transition of an erythrocytic cell. A process for preserving and/or increasing the survival of dehydrated erythrocytic cells, including storing dehydrated erythrocytic cells having a residual water content equal to or less than about 0.30 gram of water per gram of dry weight erythrocytic cells.

Abstract: An artificial plasma-like substance having at least one water soluble polysaccharide oncotic agent selected from the group consisting of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, dextran 40 and dextran 70, which is buffered by lactate and has a pre-administration pH of between 4 and 6.5 is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial plasma-like solution may have at least two water soluble polysaccharide oncotic agents one of which is eliminated from the circulation slowly and the other of which is eliminated from the circulation quickly. Supplementation of the plasma-like solution with certain ions is described. A system for administration of the plasma-like solution to a subject wherein the system comprises a first and second solution each having particular buffers is described. Methods for the administration of the plasma-like solution are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vaccine composition is disclosed that comprises polypeptides and fragments of polypeptides containing histidine triad residues or coiled-coil regions, some of which polypeptides or fragments lie between 80 and 680 residues in length. Also disclosed are processes for preventing infection caused by S. pneumoniae comprising administering of vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Methods for improving sensitivity and specificity of polynucleotide synthesis are disclosed. The method includes reversibly blocking thermophilic polymerase activity with non-nucleic acid polyanions in a temperature dependent manner. The methods control target specific primer extension throughout all stages of a DNA or RNA amplification reaction. Corresponding compositions and kits are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simplified synthesis, new carbohydrate-based products and practical use of different carbohydrate-based products. Examples of these are (Gal?1-3Gal), GlcNAc?1-3Gal, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3Gal- containing tri-, or higher oligosaccharides, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, GlcNAc?1-3Gal containing tri-, tetra-, or higher oligosaccharides, and derivatives and/or ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3GalGlcNAc?1-3Gal, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3Gal?1-4GlcNAc?1-3Gal?1-4Glc, or other higher oligosaccharides containing the Gal?1-3Gal-structure, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, modified carbohydrates, di-, tri-, oligo-, or polyfunctional products containing carbohydrate structures, and the use of the products for synthesis, affinity purification, diagnostic applications and therapy.

Abstract: A single, reproducible scheme to simultaneously purify all three of the heparin lyases from F. heparinum to apparent homogeneity is disclosed herein. The kinetic properties of the heparin lyases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability. Mono-clonal antibodies to the three heparinases are also described and are useful for detection, isolation and characterization of the heparinases.