Abstract: Described herein are materials and methods useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and bone disorders, as well as healing wounds, in a subject. Materials described herein include polysaccharide digestive products resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of low acyl gellan gum. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of such materials, and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of an aqueous composition suitable for direct use in a water-flood oil recovery process, which comprises a clarified fermentation fluid containing at least one dissolved polysaccharide, along with the clarified fermentation fluid and aqueous compositions prepared by such method.

Abstract: Described herein are materials and methods useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders as well as bone disorders in a subject. Materials described herein include polysaccharide digestive products resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of low acyl gellan gum. Also describe herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of such materials, and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that bind to serum resistance-associated (SRA) protein of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and methods of use. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to SRA. The antibodies of the invention are useful for inhibiting or neutralizing SRA activity, thus providing a means of treating human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and symptoms associated with the disease. The antibodies of the invention may also be useful for diagnosis of sleeping sickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP56 KCTC 11402BP, a composition containing the Lactobacillus for treating intestinal diseases, and a composition containing the Lactobacillus for enhancing immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 KCTC 11401BP, a composition for treating bowel disease containing the lactobacillus, and a composition for immunological enhancement containing the lactobacillus.

Abstract: The production of a diutan polysaccharide exhibiting increased viscosity properties as compared with previously produced polysaccharide of the same type of repeating units. Such an improved diutan polysaccharide is produced through the generation of a derivative of Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 53159 that harbors a multicopy broad host range plasmid into which genes for biosynthesis of diutan polysaccharide have been cloned. The inventive methods of production of such an improved diutan polysaccharide, as well as the novel cloned genes required to produce the improved diutan within such a method, are also encompassed within this invention. Additionally, the novel engineered Sphingomonas strain including the needed DNA sequence is encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A method and a container for production of a biomembrane are disclosed in the present invention. The biomembrane produced in the method and in the container of the present invention can be processed into a mask, wherein processes for changing the shape of the biomembrane are unnecessary. The mask produced from the biomembrane can be efficient to maintain the skin, and to supply the moisture thereto.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of providing a biopolymer comprises: cryodesiccating a broth, wherein the broth comprises: (A) a biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer is an exopolysaccharide; and (B) a liquid growth medium. According to certain embodiments, the biopolymer is produced by the fermentation of at least one carbohydrate via a microbe. According to an embodiment, the microbe is a bacterium. According to another embodiment, the microbe is a fungus.

Abstract: Xanthan gums with improved characteristics are provided, a method for preparing the xanthan gums as well as compositions and products comprising the xanthan gums. In particular, the invention relates to xanthan gums obtained from Xanthomonas campestris strains, pathovar cynarae CFBP 19, juglandis CFBP 176, pelargonii CFBP 64, phaseoli CFBP 412 or ATCC 17915, celebenois ATCC 19046, or corylina CFBP 1847 or from a derivative or progeny thereof and to methods of producing xanthan gum from these strains.

Abstract: A new method to produce formulations of bacterial cellulose that exhibit improved viscosity-modifying properties particularly with low energy applied to effectuate viscosity changes therewith is provided. Such a method includes the novel co-precipitation with a water soluble co-agent that permits precipitation in the presence of excess alcohol to form an insoluble fiber that can than be utilized as a thickener or suspension aid without the need to introduce high energy mixing. Such bacterial cellulose properties have been available in the past but only through highly labor and energy intensive processes. Such an inventive method as now proposed thus provides a bacterial cellulose-containing formulation that exhibits not only properties that are as effective as those for previous bacterial celluloses, but, in some ways, improvements to such previous types. Certain end-use compositions and applications including these novel bacterial cellulose-containing formulations are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing polysaccharide gum comprising extracting a plant material with an aqueous solvent to produce a polysaccharide gum-containing extract; contacting the extract with at least one proteolytic enzyme to at least partially digest proteins in the extract; adding an organic solvent to the extract to precipitate the polysaccharide gum; and collecting the precipitated polysaccharide gum.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for the aerobic production of xanthan by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas on a solid or semi-solid substrate. In the exemplary embodiment of the method, a substrate is provided that has a total solids content of about 6.5% or higher. The substrate is sterilized and cooled. Bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are inoculated into the substrate and incubated. After incubation, the bacteria are destroyed, the substrate is either diluted or washed, and the xanthan is isolated.

Abstract: A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen as the sole gas introduced into a fermentation vessel while fermentation reactions are active. The oxygen is introduced at multiple locations along the height of the vessel, and is preferably introduced in the vicinity of the blades of an impeller. The invention enhances the rate at which oxygen can be transferred to the fermentation medium, and is especially useful for fermentation media which become very viscous as the process continues. The invention can be used in the manufacture of viscous products such as xanthan gum, or other products having viscosities greater than about 100 cp.

Abstract: DNA constructs and genetically engineered microbial strains constructed using these DNA constructs, which produce a nuclease enzyme with specificity for DNA and/or RNA, are provided. These strains secrete nuclease into the periplasm or growth medium in an amount effective to enhance productivity and/or recovery of polymer, and are particularly suited for use in high cell density fermentation processes. These constructs are useful for modifying microbial strains to improve production and recovery processes for polymers such as intracellular proteins, such as enzymes, growth factors, and cytokines; for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates; and for producing extracellular polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum, alginates, gellan gum, zooglan, hyaluronic acid and microbial cellulose.

Abstract: A method of oxidising carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate derivatives having primary alcohol groups comprising contacting a reaction medium containing said carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate derivatives with a nitroxy radical mediator and a peroxidase enzyme, characterized in that the initial reaction medium contains at least 10% by weight carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate derivatives, in that the peroxidase enzyme is an oilseed peroxidase and in that a hydroperoxide and an alkali compound are gradually added to the reaction medium such that its pH is maintained at between 3.5 and 10.0 (pH-Stat); use of said method in a process for producing gluconic acid, glucaric acid and/or D-glucuronolactone.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: A method and a container for production of a biomembrane are disclosed in the present invention. The biomembrane produced in the method and in the container of the present invention can be processed into a mask, wherein processes for changing the shape of the biomembrane are unnecessary. The mask produced from the biomembrane can be efficient to maintain the skin, and to supply the moisture thereto.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: Interleaving circuit for a multiband OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transceiver of a ultra wide band wireless personal access network transmitting OFDM modulated symbols, wherein each OFDM symbol consists of a predetermined number (NCBPS) of encoded bits, said interleaving circuit comprising a symbol interleaving unit which receives an input bitstream of encoded bits and permutes adjacent bits of said input bitstream across different OFDM symbols; an intra-symbol tone interleaving unit which receives the bits permuted by said symbol interleaving unit and permutes adjacent bits of each OFDM symbol across uncorrelated data sub-carriers; and an intra-symbol cyclic shift unit which shifts cyclically NCBPS bits of each OFDM symbol in response to a shift value (K) which is changed between adjacent OFDM symbols.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for the aerobic production of xanthan by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas on a solid or semi-solid substrate. In the exemplary embodiment of the method, a substrate is provided that has a total solids content of about 6.5% or higher. The substrate is sterilized and cooled. Bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are inoculated into the substrate and incubated. After incubation, the bacteria are destroyed, the substrate is either diluted or washed, and the xanthan is isolated.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a polysaccharide excreted by the Vibrio diabolicus species for making a medicine with cicatrising activity, in particular bone repair activity. The invention also concerns a bone reconstruction biomaterial comprising said polysaccharide and a bone endoprosthesis whereof the surface is coated with such a polysaccharide.

Abstract: Animal-free meninge fermentation media and process is developed based upon use of a chemically defined medium. To improve polysaccharide production, fed-batch fermentation is examined using different feed solutions and feeding strategies. A feed solution containing glucose, amino acids, and trace metal elements produces Group A polysaccharide at approximately 3 times the level observed with batch fermentation. This process is used successfully to produce polysaccharides of N. meningitidis serotypes, A, C, Y and W-135 and is run reproducibly at the 20 L scale and can be scaled to 400 L or more.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing exopolysaccharides by fermenting micro-organisms characterised in that it consists in carrying out the fermentation in a nutrient medium comprising at least a source of carbon available to the micro-organisms and at least a source of nitrogen, said source being derived from a fraction of carob seed.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for clarifying an aqueous xanthan gum solution comprising treatment of the xanthan solution with at least one chelating agent, surfactant, organic acid, or a mixture thereof, and with a protease enzyme or a lysozyme and a protease enzyme. Also disclosed is a highly purified solid xanthan gum and compositions containing the same, wherein the gum is obtained from the clarified xanthan gum solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lubricating composition usable for lubricating an interface between a tire and a safety support mounted on a wheel rim within said tire, and a mounted assembly for an automobile provided with said lubricating composition. The lubricating composition according to the invention comprises an aqueous or non aqueous lubricating agent, and a polysaccharide intended to thicken said lubricating agent. The lubricating agent comprises glycerine in a mass fraction equal to or greater than about 60% of the lubricating agent and the lubricating agent is present in said composition in a mass fraction of between about 95% and 99%. The invention also relates to the lubrication between the support and the tire when traveling on a flat tire, following a drop in inflation pressure within said tire.

Abstract: DNA and protein sequences from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, which may be targeted for activity reduction or enhancement using directed genetic engineering. Transformed microorganisms having reduced activity of at least one protein, e.g. galactomannanase, can be provided by disrupting a gene encoding the protein or introducing antisense nucleic acid sequence, providing xanthan gum essentially free of galactomannanase, amylase, cellulase or protease activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heteropolysaccharide (HP) characterised in that it is obtainable by fermenting in a medium comprising at least an Agrobacterium radiobacter I-2001 (or DSM 12095) strain, one of its recombinants, or one of its mutants, and a carbon source capable of being assimilated by said strain, one of its recombinants or one of its mutants. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said heteropolysaccharide and its use as thickening and/or gelling agent.

Abstract: A system for providing improved bulk liquid mixing and effective gas-liquid contacting for mass transfer of the gas to the liquid, especially a non-Newtonian liquid, the viscosity of which decreases when under shearing conditions (shear thinning), in an upright tank. An upright draft tube is mounted within the tank and has a lower end spaced from the tank bottom and an upper end spaced below the surface of the liquid in the tank. A plurality of mixing impellers in the draft tube are sufficiently close to each other to establish a field or pattern of agitation to cause shear thinning and upflow throughout the draft tube and which produces significant turbulence at the liquid surface. A plurality of radially inwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced baffles extend from the draft tube and are proximate the mixing impellers to prevent swirling of the liquid within the draft tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing chitin or chitosan by culturing a Rhizopus azygosporus fungus or an Actinomucor taiwanensis fungus and isolating chitosan or chitin from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention is related a high viscosity xanthan and processes for producing said high viscosity xanthan. In particular, the invention relates to a process for increasing the viscosity of xanthan comprising the steps of: (i) diluting xanthan in a fermentation broth with more than 30 percent by volume of a diluent to said fermentation broth volume; and (ii) pasteurizing said diluted xanthan fermentation broth. A particularly preferred pasteurization process is to utilize steam from a direct steam injection system. Xanthans with increased viscosities have improved product functionality for a number of different commercial applications are produced using the processes of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for providing improved bulk liquid mixing and effective gas-liquid contacting for mass transfer of the gas to the liquid, especially a non-Newtonian liquid, the viscosity of which decreases when under shearing conditions (shear thinning), in an upright tank. A process, such as fermentation which produces commercial quantities of polysaccharides such as xanthan gum. may be carried out in the tank. An upright draft tube is mounted within the tank and has a lower end spaced from the tank bottom and an upper end spaced below the surface of the liquid in the tank. A plurality of mixing impellers in the draft tube are sufficiently close to each other to establish a field or pattern of agitation to cause shear thinning and upflow throughout the draft tube and which may produce turbulence at the liquid surface. A plurality of radially inwardly projecting. circumferentially spaced baffles extend from the draft tube and are proximate the mixing impellers to prevent swirling of the liquid within the draft tube.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: A treatment for enhancing the recovery of exopolysaccharide from bacterial cells is disclosed, which treatment includes adding to a cultivation medium containing said cells an amount, effective for the purpose of an alkylsulfosuccinate surfactant.

Abstract: A food or pharmaceutical composition including a liquid composition comprising the liquid fermentation broth product of a biologically active substance, in a carbohydrate medium other than dairy whey wherein said liquid fermentation broth product has not been subject to any concentrating or drying steps prior to introduction of the broth product into said food or pharmaceutical composition is provided.

Abstract: Xanthan molecules are degraded using an xanthanase enzyme complex that is stable at temperatures above 250.degree. F., such as those temperatures found in some wellbores and process streams. The xanthanase enzyme complex is produced by a novel soil bacterium. The xanthanase enzyme complex may be used to remove xanthan based formation damage, such as drilling filter-cakes and filtrates, or to remove xanthan based filter-cakes and/or residues present in processing equipment. The xanthanase enzyme complex may also be used to reduce the viscosity of xanthan-containing fluids, such as hydraulic fracturing fluids, blocking gels, drilling muds, and process fluids. The xanthanase enzyme complex may also be used in conjunction with other well or process treatments, such as stimulations and cementing operations, to improve the effectiveness of these treatments.

Abstract: A treatment for enhancing the recovery of exopolysaccharide from bacterial cells is disclosed, which treatment includes adding to a cultivation medium containing said cells an amount, effective for the purpose of an alkylsulfosuccinate surfactant.

Abstract: A new recombinant bacteria for the production of exopolysaccharides is disclosed as well as a method for making the recombinant bacteria and making an exopolysaccharide from the bacteria by submerged aerobic fermentation of the bacteria utilizing a sugar substrate. The exopolysaccharides obtained from the inventive bacteria exhibit improved, more desirable or different properties from the exopolysaccharide produced by the non-recombinant bacteria from which the recombinant bacteria was derived. In addition, the present invention provides a method of producing bacterial exopolysaccharides by fermentation from sugar substrates that the bacteria which the exopolysaccharides are native to cannot utilize.

Abstract: A recombinant bacteria for the production of exopolysaccharides is disclosed as well as a method for making the recombinant bacteria and making an exopolysaccharide from the bacteria by submerged aerobic fermentation of the bacteria utilizing a sugar substrate. In addition, the present invention provides a method of producing bacterial exopolysaccharides by fermentation from sugar substrates that the wild-type bacteria for producing the exopolysaccharide cannot utilize.

Abstract: Xanthan gum is purified by heat-treating a xanthan gum fermented broth, and consecutively treating the broth first with alkaline protease and then with lysozyme or in reverse order, and thereafter recovering xanthan gum from the treated broth. A clear aqueous solution of xanthan gum may be obtained without complex procedures. The xanthan gum is separated and purified and 0.3% aqueous solution of the purified xanthan gum has a transmittance of at least 80%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA segments isolated from Sphingomonas sp. and involved in the biosynthetic production of sphingan polysaccharides to increase the production of the polysaccharide in engineered microorganisms. The present invention also relates to methods of engineering strains of Sphingomonas to produce bacteria which are hyperproducers of sphingan, methods of identifying and utilizing DNA fragments useful to enhance production of sphingan in bacteria and the hyperproducer bacteria.

Abstract: A fermenter for the production of xanthan gum is provided with an upper helical impeller and a lower turbine impeller which are positioned therewithin, and an agitator shaft for driving these helical impeller and turbine impeller. The helical impeller consists of a pair of vertically spaced arms extending from the agitator shaft in opposite directions and arranged in twisted relationship, and at least one shearing paddle bridging these arms, and the turbine impeller consists of a rotating disc having at least one turbine blade attached thereto.

Abstract: A system for providing improved bulk liquid mixing and effective gas-liquid contacting for mass transfer of the gas to the liquid, especially a non-Newtonian liquid, the viscosity of which decreases when under shearing conditions (shear thinning), in an upright tank. A process, such as fermentation which produces commercial quantities of polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, may be carried out in the tank. An upright draft tube is mounted within the tank and has a lower end spaced from the tank bottom and an upper end spaced below the surface of the liquid in the tank. A plurality of mixing impellers in the draft tube are sufficiently close to each other to establish a field or pattern of agitation to cause shear thinning and upflow throughout the draft tube and which may produce turbulence at the liquid surface. A plurality of radially inwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced baffles extend from the draft tube and are proximate the mixing impellers to prevent swirling of the liquid within the draft tube.

Abstract: Water-soluble polysaccharide polymers are provided including a polymer composed of repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a polymer composed of repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-?1,4! configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-?1,3! configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-?1,2! configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-?1,4! configuration. Also an isolated acetylase deficient mutant of Xanthomonas is used in a process to produce the polysaccharide.

Abstract: A method of increasing xanthan gum production, comprising culturing a Xanthomonas campestris strain having a xanthan-increasing modification in a culture medium, wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of (1) a mutation causing rifampicin-resistance; (2) a mutation causing bacitracin-resistance; or (3) exogenous genetic information controlling the synthesis of xanthan; and separating xanthan from the culture medium, is provided along with specific DNA sequences and Xanthomonas campestris strains showing increased xanthan gum production.