Abstract: Calcium in a sample is brought into contact with a transglutaminase capable of being activated with calcium as an activating factor and the transglutaminase activity, which varies depending upon the calcium amount in the sample, is measured to thereby determine the calcium amount in the sample. By the method of the invention, accurate determination of calcium in various samples such as body fluids is possible without removal of proteins from them.

Abstract: A mutant of the genus Escherichia is described, the .alpha.-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity of which is deficient or reduced, and/or the phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase and/or glutamate dehydrogenase activities of which are amplified. The mutant is useful in the fermentative production of L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA fragment derived from Coryneform bacteria and containing a gene coding for a protein having sucrase activity and a recombinant DNA vector containing said DNA fragment and capable of expression in Coryneform bacteria, The recombinant DNA is introduced into Coryneform bacteria to enhance their sucrase activity, By using the bacteria having enhanced sucrase activity a method is provided for efficiently producing L-amino acids and nucleic acids in a short period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to coryneform microorganisms capable of assimilating lactose which carry a recombinant DNA capable of conferring the ability to assimilate lactose on coryneform microorganisms; and to a process for producing L-amino acids which comprises culturing said coryneform microorganism capable of assimilating lactose in a culture medium containing lactose to form an amino acid, and recovering said amino acid accumulated in the culture broth. Further, the invention relates to a method for preparing recombinant plasmids containing a DNA fragment essential to the expression of a gene in coryneform microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation, comprising the steps ofculturing a mutant of an L-glutamic acid-producing microorganism of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium which has lower .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity compared with the wild strains from which said mutant is derived, in a liquid nutrient culture medium containing biotin at a concentration of 10 to 1000 .mu.g/l without adding a biotin activity-suppressing substance thereto;producing and accumulating L-glutamic acid in the culture solution; andrecovering L-glutamic acid from said culture solution.According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to industrially produce L-glutamic acid by fermentation in a more economical and efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant and discloses a process for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation using a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia. The L-glutamic acid is produced and accumulated in a culture medium by culturing a mutant designated as FERM P-12379 which is derived from Escherichia coli K-12 strain and the mutant is deficient or low in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity, has low L-glutamic acid decomposing ability, and is capable of producing L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant and a process for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation using a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia. In the present process, L-glutamic acid is produced and accumulated in a culture medium by (A) culturing an Escherichia mutant which is deficient or low in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity, has low L-glutamic acid decomposing ability, and is capable of producing L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: Amino acid fermentation is conducted by fermenting bacterial cells in a culture medium in a fermentor and separating fermentation solution withdrawn from the fermentor into a solution containing said bacterial cells and a solution not containing bacterial cells by a cell separator. The solution containing said bacterial cells being circulated from said cell separator to said fermenter by circulating means to perform amino acid fermentation continuously, and bubbles being removed from said fermentation solution by a bubble separator before said fermentation solution is fed to said circulating means and said cell separator.

Abstract: An enzyme produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Myrothecium hydrolyzes .gamma.-polyglutamic acid with an endo action to produce oligoglutamic acid consisting of 2 to 4 glutamic acid residues.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of optically pure diastereoisomers of tetrahydrofolate compounds is described, comprising the conversion, for example, of only the 5,6S,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid component of a racemic mixture of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid to 10-formyl-5,6S,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid in the presence of a formyl tetrahydrofolate synthetase, followed by cyclizing, hydrolyzing and derivatizing. The process is also useful to make a desired substantially pure (6R or 6S) enantiomer of a derivative of (radiolabeled) tetrahydrofolic acid or a salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: A basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid may be concurrently produced by either culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria under conditions for producing an acidic L-amino acid or mix-culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria and an acidic L-amino acid-producing bacteria.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and an improved method utilizing them is disclosed for the preparation of an optically pure, L-amino acid from its D and D,L isomer forms. The process utilizes cell cultures that possess high aminotransferase activity that exhibits moderate selectivity in the conversion of D and L amino acids to their respective 2-keto acids as well as absolute stereospecificity in the conversion of the 2-keto acids to the L isomer alone.

Abstract: Culturing an L-amino acid producing microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium or corynebacterium and having a resistance to a dipeptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid gives L-amino acids in high yield.

Abstract: A process for the production of L-glutamic acid comprising growing microorganisms belonging to the genera Brevibacterium and Corynebacterium that are resisted to prumycin.

Abstract: Novel bacteria identified as effective in glutamic acid production through fermentation chemistry conducted at temperatures above 42.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for expressing a gene and producing a metabolic product formed by the gene by culturing a transformant microorganism carrying a recombinant DNA constructed of a DNA fragment having at least one gene to be expressed and a vector DNA, at least one of which is foreign to the host microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a general method of enzymatic synthesis of isotopically labeled carbohydrates, sugars and nucleosides. Labeled citric acid cycle intermediates, amino acids and ribose mononucleotides may be rapidly and conveniently synthesized from labeled pyruvate, lactate or L-alanine. The method employs a novel nicotinamide dinucleotide regeneration system which permits use of low NADH levels. The method may be manipulated to allow labeling at a variety of carbon/hydrogen sites.

Abstract: Families of chlorins, families of purpurins and metal complexes thereof are disclosed. The purpurins and their metal complexes have the structures of FIGS. 1, 7, 14-18, 29-38, 44-48 and 54-58 of the attached drawings. The chlorins and their metal complexes have the formulas of FIGS. 2, 8, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 39, 40, 42, 43 and 49-53 of the attached drawings. Solutions of the purpurins, of the foregoing and other chlorins and of the metal complexes which are physiologically acceptable for intravenous administration are also disclosed, as are emulsions or suspensions of the solutions. The solvent for the solutions can be a product of the reaction of ethylene oxide with castor oil. A method for detecting and treating tumors in human and animal patients is also disclosed. The method comprises administering one of the purpurins, chlorins or metal complexes to the patient.

Abstract: A basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid may be concurrently produced by either culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria under conditions for producing an acidic L-amino acid or mix-culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria and an acidic L-amino acid-producing bacteria.

Abstract: An improved biological conversion of a nitrile such as acrylonitrile or a cyanopyridine into the corresponding carboxylic acid such as acrylic acid or a nicotinic acid by the action upon the nitrile of a nitrilase enzyme, in which the improvement resides in the use as the source of the enzyme of a microorganism of Rhodococcus, such as Rh. rhodochrous J-1, FERM BP-1478, which is cultured in the presence of a lactam compound.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein A means the residue of an amino acid molecule, from D,L-aminonitriles of general Formula II ##STR2## wherein A has the meaning given above, characterized by fermenting the .alpha.-aminonitriles with a culture of Actinetobacter calcoaceticus DSM 3875 and reacting the thus-obtained D,L-amino acid amides of general Formula III ##STR3## wherein A has the meaning given above, with a culture of a microorganism containing amino acid amide racemases and L-amino acid amide amidases.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which recognize activated T lymphocytes are secreted by hybridomas produced by conventinal fusion and selection methodology following immunization of mice with a human lymphocyte fraction containing T lymphocytes activated by a mitrogen or an antigen. The monoclonal antibodies are used in a method to monitor subsets of activated T lymphocytes present, for example, from a patient's blood.

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: Process is described for the production of L-amino acids of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means an alkyl radical with at most 12 carbon atoms optionally substituted by hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, halogen atoms, amino groups, carbonyl groups or guanidino groups and/or interrupted by oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms or sulfur atoms, and in the case of mercapto compounds of formula I also their dithio compounds, characterized in that the microorganism Nocardia spec. DSM 3306 or its enzymes are allowed to act on a D,L-imidazolidinedione derivative of general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 has the above-named meaning or, in the case of mercapto compounds of formula II, also in their dithio compounds.

Abstract: Families of chlorins, families of purpurins and metal complexes thereof are disclosed. The purpurins and their metal complexes have the structures of FIGS. 1, 7, 14-18, 29-38, 44-48 and 54-58 of the attached drawings. The chlorins and their metal complexes have the formulas of FIGS. 2, 8, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 39, 40, 42, 43 and 49-53 of the attached drawings. Solutions of the purpurins, of the foregoing and other chlorins and of the metal complexes which are physiologically acceptable for intravenous administration are also disclosed, as are emulsions or suspensions of the solutions. The solvent for the solutions can be a product of the reaction of ethylene oxide with castor oil. A method for detecting and treating tumors in human and animal patients is also disclosed. The method comprises administering one of the purpurins, chlorins or metal complexes to the patient.

Abstract: A process for recovering a high-purity L-amino acid from a fermentation liquor obtained by fermentation or an enzymic method, which comprises removing the impurities contained in said fermentation liquor by passing said fermentation liquor through an ultrafilter membrane and then through an ion-exchange or adsorbent resin; concentrating or cooling the effluent thus obtained to result in crystallization of said L-amino acid, and isolating said crystalline L-amino acid from said fermentation liquor.

Abstract: A process for recovering a high-purity L-amino acid from a fermentation liquor obtained by fermentation or an enzymic method, which comprises removing the impurities contained in said fermentation liquor by passing said fermentation liquor through an ultrafilter membrane and then through an ion-exchange or adsorbent resin; concentrating or cooling the effluent thus obtained to result in crystallization of said L-amino acid, and isolation said crystalline L-amino acid from said fermentation liquor.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid by an optical resolution, which comprises subjecting a racemic ester of (R,S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the general formula [(R,S)-I] to the action of an enzyme or a microorganism having a stereo-selective esterase activity, which is capable of asymmetrically hydrolyzing the racemic ester [(R,S)-I] to give optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the formula [II*] so as to produce the hydrolysis product, i.e. optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid [II*] and an unreacted optically active ester of indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the general formula [I*], isolating each optically active form, and further, if necessary, hydrolyzing the obtained optically active ester [I*] to give an optical antipode of the acid [II*].According to the process of the present invention, optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid with a high optical purity can be prepared in a simple process with a good yield.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for producing a desired amino acid is disclosed. The method involves contacting a 2-ketoacid corresponding to the desired amino acid with lactic acid, aspartic acid and ammonia, or salts thereof, in the presence of:(a) one or more transaminase enzymes capable of catalyzing the conversion of the 2-ketoacid and L-aspartic acid to the desired amino acid and oxaloacetic acid;(b) a malate-lactate transhydrogenase enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of lactic acid and oxaloacetic acid to pyruvic acid and malic acid;(c) a fumarase enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of malic acid to fumaric acid; and(d) an aspartate-ammonia lyase enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of fumaric acid and ammonia to aspartic acid.

Abstract: A hybridoma is provided which yields a monoclonal antibody which binds to an epitope on an unreduced, nonenzymatically-glycated plasma protein, and which is substantially free of cross-reactivity with the corresponding non-glycated plasma protein.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing L-glutamic acid, the process involves culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or Brevibacterium and having both an ability to produce L-glutamic acid and a resistance to .alpha.-naphthoquinoline, an antibiotic inhibiting energy metabolism or a precursor for ubiquinone biosynthesis in a nutrient medium until L-glutamic acid is accumulated in the resulting culture liquor, and recovering the L-glutamic acid therefrom.

Abstract: L-Glutamic acid is produced in a high yield by cultivating an L-glutamic acid-producing microorganism which requires oleic acid but does not require biotin for growth in a culture medium containing an oleic acid compound and a biotin compound of no less than 100 .mu.g/liter as biotin, with carbohydrate and acetic acid as carbon sources being maintained in a weight ratio of about 80:20 through about 40:60.

Abstract: An improved fermentation process for producing carboxylic acids, especially fumaric acid, is disclosed. The improvement comprises growing fungi of genus Rhizopus in the presence of an effective amount of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters having fatty acid residues of 12 to 24 carbons, and triglyceride mixtures.

Abstract: A process for the production of a fermentation starting material from cane molasses which comprises: inverting most of the sugar contained in cane molasses either enzymatically with invertase or with a mineral acid, passing the cane molasses containing invert sugar through a column containing a cation exchange resin, eluting invert sugar from the resin with water (pH 5-8), and obtaining an eluate fraction containing the invert sugar to be used as a carbon source for the production of L-glutamic acid by a fermentation technique.

Abstract: A process for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation is disclosed, which process comprises culturing aerobically in a culture medium a mutant of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium which has an increased superoxide dismutase activity and is capable of producing L-glutamic acid in the culture medium and recovering the L-glutamic acid. The yield of L-glutamic acid can be increased by using the aforementioned mutants.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities including humic substances, gums, polysaccharides, proteins or a mixture thereof from an amino acid fermented liquor obtained from cane, beet molasses, or a mixture thereof, said amino acid being selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, lysine, and a mixture thereof; said method comprising:(a) adjusting the pH of the fermented liquor to a value of from 2-5 to precipitate said impurities, said impurities having an isoelectric point falling within a pH range of 2-5;(b) ultrafiltering said impurities from said fermented liquor using a semipermeable ultrafiltration membrane.

Abstract: An L-glutamic acid producing microorganism which is constructed by incorporation into a recipient strain of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium of a hybrid plasmid having inserted therein a DNA fragment with genetic information related to L-glutamic acid production which is derived from a donor strain of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium, is useful for the production of high levels of L-glutamic acid by fermentation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which an amino acid-producing microorganism having an ability to assimilate lactic acid is aerobically cultivated in the presence of at least one lactic acid microorganism in an aqueous nutrient medium containing at least one carbohydrate which is assimilable by the lactic acid microorganism but nonassimilable or weakly assimilable by the amino acid-producing microorganism as the main carbon source and an accumulated amino acid is recovered from the culture broth. An industrially advantageous production of an amino acid has become feasible by utilizing inexpensive carbon sources or those organic substances in agricultural or livestock wastes that have heretofore not been effectively utilized.

Abstract: An L-glutamic acid producing microorganism, which is obtained by incorporation into a host strain of the genus Escherichia of a hybrid plasmid having inserted therein a DNA fragment with genetic information controlling L-glutamic acid production, said fragment being derived from a donor strain of Escherichia which is capable of producing L-glutamic acid useful for the production of high levels of L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation which comprises culturing aerobically in a culture medium a mutant of the genus of Brevibacterium or Corynebaterium which is resistant to Decoyinine or Tubercidin and capable of producing L-glutamic acid, and recovering the L-glutamic acid accumulated in the culture medium.

Abstract: Mutants of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium requiring acetic acid for growth produce L-glutamic acid in an improved yield, especially when they are cultured in an aqueous culture medium containing both saccharide and aliphatic alcohol or acid as the carbon source.

Abstract: Mutants of the genus Brevibacterium or Coryne-bacterium resistant to a respiratory inhibitor or ADP phosphorylation inhibitor produced L-glutamic acid in a high yield, when they are cultured aerobically in an aqueous culture medium.

Abstract: A mutant of the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium resistant to a compound having vitamine-P activity produces L-glutamic acid in a high yield, when it is cultured in an aqueous medium aerobically.

Abstract: The process according to the invention comprises submerged cultivation of microorganisms producing an amino acid in a nutrient media including nitrogen, mineral salts and a source of carbon - a mixture of hexose and pentose monosaccharides obtained by percolation hydrolysis of cellulose-containing plant raw materials, purified to remove furfural and containing oxymethyl furfural and lignogummin substances in an amount of 1-3% by weight of the monosaccharides.The advantage of the process according to the invention resides in the abundance and low cost of the carbon source, reduction of the number of production steps, the presence of a mixture of monosaccharides stimulating the growth of microorganisms in the solution and improvement of quality of the end product.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of cellulase-elaborating bacteria of mutant microorganisms of Cellulomonas (ATCC-21399) which have the ability to excrete L-glutamic acid or L-lysine, or both, when the mutant microorganisms are grown in a fermentation medium in the substantial absence of yeast extract on an assimilable source of carbon, and supplied with nitrogen and mineral nutrients, in the presence of oxygen at temperatures ranging from about 20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. The preferred mutant microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of: Cellulomonas sp. ATCC-21399 strain LC-10 (ATCC-31230), Cellulomonas sp. ATCC-21399 strain A.sup.r -1 (ATCC-31231) and Cellulomonas sp. ATCC-21399 strain A.sup.r -156 (ATCC-31232).

Abstract: A process for preparing D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids by subjecting 5-substituted hydantoins to the action of a cultured broth, cells or treated cells of microorganisms having an ability in asymmetrically hydrolyzing the hydantoin ring in an aqueous medium of pH 7 to 10. The process is suited for the industrial manufacture of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids which are useful intermediates for the preparation of medicines.

Abstract: D-.alpha.-amino acids are produced by contacting a 5-substituted hydantoin with an effective amount of an enzyme capable of converting the 5-substituted hydantoin to the D-.alpha.-amino acid produced by a microorganism in an aqueous medium at a pH in the range of 4 to 9, the microorganism being capable of utilizing the D-isomer of the 5-substituted hydantoin as the sole nitrogen source, but substantially incapable of utilizing the L-isomer of the 5-substituted hydantoin as the nitrogen source and the substituent of the 5-position being such that upon reaction with the enzyme, an optically active D-.alpha.-amino acid isomer is produced; and recovering the D-.alpha.-amino acid which accumulates in the aqueous medium.