Abstract: The invention provides a microbiological method for preparing diol and furan compounds from a variety of substrates using the microorganism Hyphozyma roseoniger, CBS 214.83 and ATCC 20624.

Abstract: A process for producing a primary or secondary alcohol derivative of a phosopholipid which comprises reacting the phospholipid with a primary or secondary alcohol in the presence of phospholipase DM.

Abstract: A process for producing a sphingophospholipid derivative comprising reacting a sphingophospholipid with a specified compound having an alcoholic hydroxyl group selected from the group consisting of specified primary alcohol compounds, specified secondary alcohol compounds and specified saccharides or their phenol glycosides in the presence of phospholipase DM.

Abstract: A novel antibiotic compoudn 3-(6-isocyano-3,7-dioxatricyclo[4.1.0.0.sup.2,4 ]hept-4-yl)propenoic acid is produced by a newly isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Penicillium.

Abstract: An in vitro enzymatic process for preparing O-.beta.-D-glucuronides which comprises reacting a solution of D-glucuronic acid with a solution of a compound which has a primary alcohol, and a solution of .beta.-glucuronidase for a time sufficient to form the desired glucuronide. The glucuronides can be used for the following purposes: antiperspirants, cardiotonic agents, gastric acid inhibitors, vitamin D derivatives, treatment of psoriasis, and as antitumor agents.

Abstract: Antibiotic A-39183 complex, comprising microbiologically active, related factors A, B, C, D, and E, is produced by submerged, aerobic fermentation of a new microorganism Streptomyces sp., NRRL 12049. The A-39183 antibiotics are closely related antibiotics. The individual A-39183 factors are separated by chromatography. The A-39183 factors are antibacterial agents which have activity against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species that are penicillin resistant. The A-39183 factors are also active against both gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, and are ionophores.

Abstract: A process for the production of tripdiolide, triptolide and celastrol comprises the steps of:(a) preparing a cellular inoculum from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F;(b) inoculating a nutrient growth medium with the cellular inoculum and incubating the inoculated growth medium at 20.degree.-30.degree. C. for up to 8 weeks to produce a cellular product;(c) harvesting the cellular product from the inoculated growth medium; and(d) isolating tripdiolide, triptolide and celastrol from the cellular product and supernatant inoculated growth medium.

Abstract: A novel antibiotic having the ascribed formula ##STR1## is provided. They physical characteristics are as follows: (a) Elementary analysis: Calculated (for C.sub.20 H.sub.16 O.sub.7): C,65.22; H,4.35%. Found: C,64.60; H,4.34%.(b) Molecular weight (mass-spectrometric): 368.(c) Melting point: 225.degree.-226.degree. C.(d) Specific rotation: [.alpha.].sub.D .sup.20 =+123.5.degree. (c=0.2 in chloroform).(e) Ultraviolet absorption spectrum:.lambda..sub.max .sup.methanol =235 nm (.epsilon.=28600); 262 nm (.epsilon.=21900); 434-435 nm (.epsilon.=11300);.lambda..sub.max .sup.0.1-N NaOH/methanol =246 nm (.epsilon.=22400); 256 nm (.epsilon.=23200); 523-524 nm (.epsilon.=9600).(f) Infrared absorption spectrum: 3500, 1710, 1672, 1628, 1600, 1575, 1472, 1452, 1420, 1390, 1295, 1255, 1218, 1200, 1182, 1105, 1025, 1005, 962, 938, 848, 765, 752, 730 cm.sup.-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compound nanaomycin A and derivatives thereof represented by general formula: ##STR1## in which (a) R is H and R' is OH (nanaomycin A),(b) R is H and R' is NH.sub.2 (nanaomycin C),(c) R is COCH.sub.3 and R' is CH (acetylnanaomycin A), and(d) R is H and R' is OCH.sub.3 (nanaomycin A methyl ester).Nanaomycin A is a new compound of quinone type and its acute toxicity (LD.sub.50, intra-penetrial injection) in mice is 28.2 mg/Kg. Nanaomycin A and derivatives thereof are active on Gram-positive bacteria, trichophyton and mycoplasma and are useful as a medicament for humans and animals. Nanaomycins A and C are produced by culturing a nanaomycin-producing strain belonging to the genus Streptomyces aerobically in a medium to accumulate nanaomycins A and C in the cultured broths. The derivatives acetylnanaomycin A and nanaomycin A methyl ester have similar properties to those of nanaomycin A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compound designated as nanaomycin B represented by general formula: ##STR1## Nanaomycin B is a quinone type and is active on mycoplasma, Gram-positive bacteria and trycophyton. This compound is useful as a medicament for infectious diseases of humans and animals caused by a parasite of trichophyton or mycoplasma etc. The acute toxicity (LD.sub.50, intra-penetrial injection) in mice of this compound is 169 mg/kg. Nanaomycin B is produced by fermentation in which a nanaomycin-producing strain belonging to the genus Streptomyces is cultured in a medium under aerobic conditions and the accumulated nanaomycin B in the cultured broths is recovered therefrom.