Abstract: The invention provides aldolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them, including chemoenzymatic processes for making ?,?-dihydroxyheptanoic acid side chains and compositions comprising these side chains, e.g., [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-b,d-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid (atorvastatin, LIPITOR™), rosuvastatin (CRESTOR™), fluvastatin (LESCOL™), related compounds and their intermediates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kaempferol preparing method comprising isolating kaempferol from kaempferol glucosides using an acid, a base, an enzyme or a microbe producing the enzyme. More specifically, the method comprises obtaining a plant extract containing kaempferol glycosides from a plant using water or an organic solvent; and hydrolyzing the plant extract using an acid, a base, an enzyme or a microbe producing the enzyme to isolate kaempferol. The kaempferol glycosides comprise camelliaside A or camelliaside B. The plant extract is derived from a seed or leaf of green tea. When using the method of the invention, it is possible to mass-produce kaempferol, which is one of main physiological activating ingredients, from a plant, particularly a seed or leaf of green tea.

Abstract: A method of producing a flavonoid aglycone concentrate from plant material containing a suitable flavonoid glycoside and/or conjugate thereof comprising the steps of: (i) enzymatically converting the flavonoid glycoside or conjugate thereof into the flavonoid aglycone; and (ii) adjusting the pH to render the flavonoid aglycone relatively insoluble and forming a concentrate containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing compounds by using a protein derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, which has an activity of hydroxylating a compound represented by the formula (I-a): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an alkali metal, and R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a ring-closed lactone from thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are the uses of specific genes of the mevalonate and isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways, and of inactive gene sites (the pseudogene) to (1) enhance biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate, dimethylallyl diphosphate and isoprenoid pathway derived products in the plastids of transgenic plants and microalgae, (2) create novel antibiotic resistant transgenic plants and microalgae, and (3) create a novel selection system and/or targeting sites for mediating the insertion of genetic material into plant and microalgae plastids. The specific polynucleotides to be used, solely or in any combination thereof, are publicly available from GeneBank and contain open reading frames having sequences that upon expression will produce active proteins with the following enzyme activities: (a) acetoacetyl CoA thiolase (EC 2.3.1.9), (b) 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase (EC 4.1.3.5), (c) HMG-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), (d) mevalonate kinase (EC 2.7.1.36), (e) phosphomevalonate kinase (EC 2.7.4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose from a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and a substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde in the presence of an aldolase and water, the reaction between the substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and the substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde being carried out at a carbonyl concentration of at most 6 moles/l of reaction mixture and the final concentration of the 2,4-dideoxyhexose or the 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose being at least 2 mass % of the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to the use of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose obtained by means of a process according to the invention in the preparation of a medicine, particularly in the preparation of a statine.

Abstract: An improved fermentation process for preparing pseudomonic acid A (mupirocin) is disclosed. The metabolically controlled fermentation process provides culturing a Pseudomonas sp. strain in a submerged medium at a temperature within about 20-30° C. The pH of the fermentation medium is regulated to be at about 5.5-6.0 by feeding the fermentation medium with an assimilable carbon source, a mineral salt, or an acidic/alkali solution. Accordingly, the resulting fermentation broth contains an increased yield of highly purified pseudomonic acid A as the main component. The pseudomonic acid B as an impurity in the fermentation broth is significantly decreased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA encoding a novel flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent D-erythronate 4-phosphate (EN4P) dehydrogenase originated from Sinorhizobium meliloti, which is involved in vitamin B6 biosynthesis, and a recombinant microorganism transformed with a vector having the DNA. It also relates to a process for production of vitamin B6 by using the recombinant microorganism. “Vitamin B6” as used in this invention includes pyridoxol (PN), pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is a vitamin indispensable to human beings or other animals, and is used as a raw material of medicines or as feed additives.

Abstract: Polypeptides and domains of leptomycin polyketide synthase and the nucleic acids encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare leptomycin, leptomycin analogs, and leptomycin derivatives are described, as are methods to prepare other polyketides using the nucleic acids encoding leptomycin polyketide synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) wherein R and R? represent optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups and X represents a hydrocarbyl linking group. The process comprises either the stereoselective reduction of the keto group in a dihydroxy keto precursor followed by selective esterification of a primary hydroxy, or selective esterification of a primary hydroxy of a dihydroxy keto precursor followed by stereoselective reduction of the keto group.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic chemical and chemoenzymatic methods of producing simvastatin and various intermediates. In one aspect, enzymes such as hydrolases, e.g., esterases, are used in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Dihydrocoumarin produced technologically from coumarin by biotransformation is claimed together with related production variants that are carried out with the aid of isolated enzymes and/or microorganisms. Pure coumarin as well as coumarin isolated from a plant extract or coumarin-containing plant extracts can be used as starting materials. Selected strains of Saccharomyces, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Basidiomycetes and Fusarium can be directly used for the biotransformation or can provide the enzymes required for the biotransformation. Preferred enzymes are coumarate and coumarin reductases. A production variant is additionally claimed which starts with coumarin and which, via o-coumaric acid or via intermediary dihydrocoumarin, leads to the subsequent melilotic acid which is subsequently dehydrated to dihydrocoumarin.

Abstract: A depolymerizing process of polylactic acid, wherein the polylactic acid is depolymerized in the presence of a hydrolase in an organic solvent or a supercritical fluid, thereby producing a re-polymerizable oligomer. A producing process of polylactic acid, wherein the re-polymerizable oligomer obtained by the above-mentioned depolymerization process is polymerized in the presence of a hydrolase or a polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel stemphones having enhancing effect of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent, and a process for production thereof. The process is comprised of culturing microorganism belonging to genus Aspergillus and having ability to produce stemphones, the microorganism of which is Aspergillus sp. FKI-2136 NITE BP-83, accumulating the stemphones in the cultured mass, and isolating the stemphones from the cultured mass. Since the obtained stemphones have an action enhancing activity of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent by combining with ?-lactam antibiotic, the stemphones are expected to be useful as the therapeutic agent for MRSA infection and infectious diseases caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms including ?-lactam antibiotic resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel processes for the preparation of (R)-4,4-dimethoxy-pyran-3-ol. This compound is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of compounds which possess pharmacological activity including CCR2 antagonists.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for production of flavonoids in microbial hosts. The compositions comprises a set of genes which encode for enzymes involved in one or more steps in the biosymthetic pathway for the conversion of phenylpropanoids to various flavonoids. The method comprises the steps of introducing the set of genes into a heterologous host cell, allowing growth of the cells in a suitable medium such that the expression of the genes results in production of enzymes. When specific substrate(s) is/are provided to the transformed cell, the enzymes act on the substrate(s) to produce the desired flavonoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides two new microorganism strains of Saccharothrix, designated as YS-44442 and YS-45494, a process of producing pravastatin using the strains, and an improved process for isolation of (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a lactone comprising culturing Candida sorbophila in a medium containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy fatty acid, a hydroxy fatty acid derivative, and a hydrolysate of a hydroxy fatty acid derivative and recovering the produced lactone from the medium. This invention also relates to a method for producing a lactone comprising culturing Candida sorbophila in a medium containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy fatty acid, a hydroxy fatty acid derivative, and a hydrolysate of a hydroxy fatty acid derivative and lactonizing the lactone precursor hydroxy fatty acid produced in the medium.

Abstract: A process for producing a monomer for resists represented by the following general formula 1: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl group; R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent hydrogen or a substituent; and X, Y and Z each independently represent a direct bond or an optionally substituted alkylene group with 1 to 3 chain members, the process comprising carrying out esterification or transesterification in the presence of a biocatalyst.

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: A procedure for the preparation of pseudomonic acid A comprising submerged cultivation of a Pseudomonas bacterium strain capable of biosynthesis of the substantially pure pseudomonic acid A in aerated conditions via fermentation; and isolation of the desired compound is disclosed. In particular, the procedure of the present invention comprises cultivation of the Pseudomonas sp. bacterium strain No. 19/26 deposited under accession No. NCAIM(P)B 001235 in the National Collection of the Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary, or its pseudomonic acid A-producing mutant or variant, on a medium at a temperature of between about 20° C. and 30° C. containing organic nitrogen and carbon sources and, optionally, mineral salts.

Abstract: A method for the production of a polyketide by fermentation comprising the steps of growing a culture of a polyketide-producing organism at a pH value conducive to cell growth for a time sufficient to generate the producing culture, lowering the pH of the culture to a value conducive to polyketide product stability, continuing the fermentation until a maximal titer of polyketide is achieved, and optionally extracting the polyketide from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active chiral alcohols using tuberous root Daucus carota; particularly invention relates to an enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active alcohols by enantioselective reduction of corresponding ketones using tuberous root Daucus carota.

Abstract: The process for the preparation and isolation of the hypolipaemic active substance lovastatin in substantially pure form having a purity of at least 95% which comprises lactonizing the mevinolinic acid to lovastatin in a totally aqueous medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing enantiomer-enriched heterocyclic (R)- and (S)-cyanohydrins of the formula (I), where R1, R2, R3, R4 independently of one another are H, an unsubstituted or substituted C1–C24-alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radical, where one or more carbon atoms in the chain can be replaced by an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, an SO or an SO2 group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl radical or heterocyclic radical or halogen, hydroxyl, NR5R6, acetyl, oxo, C1–C6-carbalkoxy, C1–C6-carbalkoxyamino, COOR7, cyano, amide, benzoylamino or NO2, R5 and R6 are H, C1–C6-alkyl radical, phenyl radical, benzyl radical or COOR7, or together form a C2–C8-alkylene or heteroalkylene radical, R7 is H or C1–C6-alkyl, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, X, Y and Z can be an unsubstituted or substituted carbon atom or a radical selected from the group consisting of N, O, S or NR5R6, where R5 and R6 are as defined above, SO or SO2, and at least one of the radicals X, Y and Z is not a carbon atom, where the compo

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, which has an activity of hydroxylating a compound represented by the formula (I-a): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an alkali metal, and R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a ring-closed lactone form thereof; a DNA encoding the protein; and a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA.

Abstract: Processes for the production of isoflavones are described wherein plant material from plants of the genus leguminosae are contacted with water, an enzyme which cleaves isoflavone glycosides to the aglucone form and a C2-C10 organic solvent, so as to form a combination, incubating the combination for a time sufficient to allow isoflavones of the aglucone form to partition into the organic solvent component, and thereafter recovering isoflavones from the organic solvent component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose from a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and a substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde in the presence of an aldolase and water, the reaction between the substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and the substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde being carried out at a carbonyl concentration of at most 6 moles/l of reaction mixture and the final concentration of the 2,4-dideoxyhexose or the 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose being at least 2 mass % of the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to the use of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose obtained by means of a process according to the invention in the preparation of a medicine, particularly in the preparation of a statine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a compound (II-a) or a compound (II-b), each of which is a hydroxylated product of a compound represented by the formula (I-a) (hereinafter referred to as compound (I-a)): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an alkali metal, and R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or a ring-closed lactone form thereof (hereinafter referred to as compound (I-b)). wherein the process comprises: treating the compound (I-a) or compound (I-b) in an aqueous medium comprising with a microorganism acting to hydroxylate compound (I-a) or compound (I-b), having no ability to sporulate and showing no hyphal growth, a culture of the microorganism, or a treated product of the culture, as an enzyme source; and collecting a hydroxylated product of compound (I-a) or compound (I-b) from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides pravastatin sodium substantially free of pravastatin lactone and epiprava, the C-6 epimer of pravastatin. The present invention further provides a novel process for recovering pravastatin sodium from a fermentation broth in such high purity. The process includes the stages of forming an solution of the compound by extraction, obtaining an ammonium salt of pravastatin from the solution, purifying the ammonium salt of the compound and transposing the salt of the compound to pravastatin sodium.

Abstract: Novel processes for producing enantiomerically enriched and enantiomerically pure compositions of 2-acyl substituted chromane compounds, and 2-acylchromane compounds that are intermediates for producing platelet aggregation inhibitors and/or are themselves potent platelet aggregation inhibitors are disclosed. Further disclosed are processes for producing salts such as acid addition salts for such enantiomerically enriched compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fermentation process for producing lipstatin comprising the steps of: a) preparing a fermentation medium containing a lipstatin-producing microorganism comprising an oil and an assimilable carbon source, wherein the wt/wt ratio of oil and assimilable carbon source is regulated to achieve an optimal lipstatin biosynthesis by the microorganism; and b) feeding the fermentation medium with an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier provides an optimal viscosity for the fermentation medium and optimal pH during the fermentation to permit fermentation for lipstatin production. The disclosed process also provides a process for extracting a lipstatin from a fermentation broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing pravastatin sodium. More specifically, in the process for preparing pravastatin sodium by adding a precursor of the pravastatin to a microorganism-culturing medium to obtain pravastatin sodium, the precursor of the pravastatin is added to a culture medium that is culturing Streptomyces carbophilus KBT229 (KCCM-10317), which is obtained by UV-mutating a Streptomyces carbophilus FERM BP-1145, and cultured to obtain the pravastatin sodium with high density and high efficiency.

Abstract: A process for the isolation and purification of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors from a mycelium biomass is described, which process comprises: clarifying a mycelium broth and concentrating the clarified broth to a lower volume, acidifying of the concentrate to a pH value in the range of 4.5 to 7.5, followed by extracting the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor with ethyl acetate, crystallization of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor from a water-miscible or water-soluble organic solvent, and crystallization of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor from an organic solvent having limited miscibility or solubility with water. The crystallization steps may also be reverse. The concept of a combination of the specified crystallization steps can also be used for the purification of a crude HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Abstract: In a process for preparing mevinolin by fermentation of a biomass in a fermentation liquor, which includes dissolving mevinolin from the biomass into the fermentation liquor, and separating the biomass from the fermentation liquor to obtain a separated fermentation liquor, separating the mevinolin from the separated fermentation liquor, and recovering the end product, the improvement which comprises carrying out the dissolving at a pH between 7.5 and about 10, and the separating of the mevinolin is carried out at a pH between about 4.5 and about 1.

Abstract: A microorganism having ability to produce FKI-0076 substance represented by the following formula [I] is cultured in a medium allowing for the accumulation of FKI-0076 substance in the culture liquid. The FKI-0076 substance from can then be isolated the cultured mass. Since the substance has the ability to enhance azole antifungal agents, it provides an action against various fungal infections such as deep-seated mycosis and other fungal infections in low concentration and within a short term. Consequently, the FKI-0076 is useful for reducing the frequency of appearance of resistant microorganisms. Further, usefulness for overcoming resistance is expected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose from a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one &agr;-hydrogen atom and a substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde in the presence of an aldolase and water, the reaction between the substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one &agr;-hydrogen atom and the substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde being carried out at a carbonyl concentration of at most 6 moles/l of reaction mixture and the final concentration of the 2,4-dideoxyhexose or the 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose being at least 2 mass % of the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to the use of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose obtained by means of a process according to the invention in the preparation of a medicine, particularly in the preparation of a statine.

Abstract: The process which comprises causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to introduce hydroxy into the [n-5]-position (n is an even number of 10 or more) and hydrogen into the [n-6]-position of a straight-chain fatty acid having n carbon atoms wherein at least the [n-6]-position is a double bond to make the [n-6]-position a single bond or a treated matter thereof to act on a straight-chain fatty acid having n carbon atoms wherein at least the [n-6]-position is a double bond or a composition containing the fatty acid to form an [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid wherein the [n-6]-position is a single bond, causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to &bgr;-oxidize an [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid wherein the [n-6 ]-position is-a single bond or a treated matter thereof to act on the formed [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid, and recovering the formed &dgr;-lactones.

Abstract: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

Abstract: This disclosure describes new antibiotic Cytosporacin having the structure: 1

Abstract: &agr;-Hydroxy-&ggr;-carboxymuconic acid-&egr;-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, a gene encoding the enzyme, a recombinant vector containing the gene and a transformant carrying the gene, and processes for producing the enzyme and 2-pyrone-dicarboxylic acid by using the transformant. Use of the transformant can produce &agr;-hydroxy-&ggr;-carboxymuconic acid-&egr;-semialdehyde dehydrogenase in a large amount, thereby permitting industrial production of 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides two new microorganism strains of Saccharothrix, designated as YS-44442 and YS-45494, a process of producing pravastatin using the strains, and an improved process for isolation of (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: A method of increasing the production of lovastatin or monacolin J in a iovastatin-producing or non-lovastatin-producing organism is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of transforming an organism with the A. terreus D4B segment, wherein the segment is translated and where an increase in lovastatin production occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the systhesis of optically enriched dextro- and laevo-rotatory isomers of rose oxide from racemic citronellol. The invention particularly relates to the preparation of optically enriched (−)-(2 S, 4 R)-rose oxide and its isomer (+)-(2 R, 4 S)-rose oxide torn racemic citronellol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new microbial process for the preparation of the compound formula (I) from a compound of general formula (II) wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, by the submerged cultivation of a mold strain able to 6&bgr;-hydroxylate a compound of the Formula (II) in aerobic fermentation and by the separation and purification of the product of Formula (I) formed in the course of the bioconversion. The process comprises cultivating a strain of Mortierella maculata filamentous mold species that is able to 6&bgr;-hydroxylate a compound of the general Formula (II), on a nutrient medium containing assimilable carbon and nitrogen sources and mineral salts and separating the product formed from the fermentation broth, then isolating the compound of formula (I) and purifying the same. Novel strains of Mortierella maculata are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optically active 2-substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ols or esters thereof may be prepared using esterases or hydrolases from the corresponding racemic mixtures of esters or alcohols. This provides a route to the corresponding optically active ketones. The racemic mixtures are preferably in the cis-form. such mixtures may be produced by reacting but-3-ene-1-ol with an aldehyde in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ascopyrone P, or a derivative thereof, said process comprising the steps of:

Abstract: The present invention provides two new microorganism strains of Saccharothrix, designated as YS-44442 and YS-45494, a process of producing pravastatin using the strains, and an improved process for isolation of (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods are provided for producing plants and seeds having altered tocopherol content and compositions. The methods find particular use in increasing the tocopherol levels in plants, and in providing desirable tocopherol compositions in a host plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification and characterisation of ascopyrone P synthase.