Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing organic acid by high-efficiency fermentation, which comprises the steps of continuous culture of organic acid bacteria and collection of organic acid produced from the culture employing a cell-recycle multiple-stage continuous fermentor with serially connected fermentors, each of which comprises a fermentor containing a ferment container, temperature controller, stirrer, and pH controller; pumps for efflux-circulation of media from the fermentor; and, cell separator for separation and circulation of media from the pumps. According to the present method, the high-concentration lactic acid of 90 g/L can be produced with the high productivity of 50 g/L/h, which can reduce the facility cost and production cost in the bulk manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the kinetic resolution of racemic functionalized epoxides in the presence of microorganisms, crude or pure preparations thereof comprising a polypeptide having epoxide hydrolase activity. Preferred microorganisms are yeasts and bacteria which may also be recombinant.

Abstract: Two gene clusters have been isolated from an Brevibacterium sp HCU that encode the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. Individual open reading frames (ORF's) on each gene cluster are useful for the production of intermediates in the adipic acid biosynthetic pathway or of related molecules. All the ORF's have been sequenced. Identification of gene function has been made on the basis of sequence comparison and biochemical analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence having one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added. The polypeptide further comprises polyester synthase activity. The invention further relates to a polyester synthase gene comprising DNA coding for a polypeptide, a recombinant vector comprising the gene, and a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector.

Abstract: A gene cluster has been isolated from an Acinetobacter sp. that encodes the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. The entire gene cluster has been cloned and all open reading frames have been sequenced. Cosmid clones have been identified containing the gene cluster. Demonstration of conversion of cyclohexanol to adipic acid has been made with the recombinant E. coli host strain containing the cosmids.

Abstract: A method for producing a microbial polyester by culturing a microorganism being capable of producing a poly hydroxyalkanoate polyester in a culture medium containing 1-hexene as a sole carbon source.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biocatalytic process to produce terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. Terephthalic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. Conversion of p-xylene into terephthalic acid is accomplished by a single bacterial strain that produces all of the requisite enzymes. In addition, this invention relates to the preparation of isophthalic acid from a mixture of m- and p-xylene.

Abstract: Two gene clusters have been isolated from an Brevibacterium sp HCU that encode the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. Individual open reading frames (ORF's) on each gene cluster are useful for the production of intermediates in the adipic acid biosynthetic pathway or of related molecules. All the ORF's have been sequenced. Identification of gene function has been made on the basis of sequence comparison and biochemical analysis.

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: A process is provided for preparing an S-enantiomer compound having the formula in enantiomeric excess, or an R-enantiomer compound having the formula in enantiomeric excess, said process comprising hydrolyzing a compound having the formula with: (a) an enzyme capable of producing an enantiomeric excess of the S-enantiomer compound of formula (IA) of at least 70%, or (b) an enzyme capable of producing an enantiomeric excess of the R-enantiomer compound of formula (IB) of at least 70%, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl.

Abstract: A polyester containing aromatic moieties is contacted with microorganisms having the activity of decomposing the polyester to decompose or reduce it. Preferably, either or both of Trichosporon FERM BP-6445 or Arthrobacter FERM BP-6444 was contacted with the polyester to decompose or reduce it. A fiber made of the polyester or a cloth made of such fiber may be reduced by contacting it with the microorganisms having the activity of decomposing the polyester.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process for oxidation of a hydroxy group of C1 and/or C2 and/or C3 and/or C4 and/or C5 and/or C6 of a sugar monomer of an oligo- or a polysaccharide comprising contacting, in an aqueous medium, the oligo- or the polysaccharide with a phenol oxidizing enzyme and an enhancing agent, whereby an oligo- or a polysaccharide with altered characteristics compared to the native oligo- or polysaccharide is created.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of aspartic acid poly-condensate from a carbohydrate comprising the steps of: fermenting a carbohydrate-containing medium by means of a fumaric acid-producing microorganism, whereby a fumarate-containing fermentation liquor is formed; forming a purified ammonium fumarate solution from the fumarate-containing fermentation liquor; enzymatically converting the purified ammonium fumarate into purified ammonium aspartate; heating an aqueous solution of an aspartate salt derived from the purified ammonium aspartate whereby water is removed, an aspartic acid condensate is formed and a second product is formed, which second product is basic and contains the cation of the aspartate salt; and removing and using the basic second product as a reagent in another step of the process.

Abstract: A process for producing citric acid/citrate for use in producing citric acid, comprising the steps of continuously feeding to a fermenter containing a yeast capable of transforming glucose to citric acid by fermentation, in the presence of a nutrient medium and oxygen, sugar, especially glucose as a C source and at least one ammoniun compound as an N source fermenting the sugar to citric acid in said fermenter at a temperature, a pH and with a residence time sufficient to transform at least a major part of the sugar continuously fed to said fermenter to citric acid continuously withdrawing fermentation product from said fermenter recovering citric acid/citrate from said fermentation product controlling a C/N ratio fed to said fermenter to correspond to a molar ratio of glucose to ammonium compounds of 12 to 22 during fermentation of the glucose to citrate.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids, particularly dicarboxylic acids, are separated from a fermentation broth by adjusting the pH of the fermentation broth to about 2.0 or below, and then heating the broth to a temperature sufficient to cause formation of three immiscible phases, one of which is an organic phase containing the carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids are recovered from a fermentation broth by adjusting the pH of a fermentation broth comprised of a carboxylic acid to at least about 6.0 and then heating the pH-adjusted broth to a temperature sufficient to effect the formation of three immiscible phases, one of which is an oily phase rich in the carboxylic acid.

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: This invention relates to a biocatalytic process to produce terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. Terephthalic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. Conversion of p-xylene into terephthalic acid is accomplished by a single bacterial strain that produces all of the requisite enzymes. In addition, this invention relates to the preparation of isophthalic acid from a mixture of m- and p-xylene.

Abstract: The method to produce itaconic acid is a solid-state fermentation method. Sugarcane pressmud or peeled sugarcane pressmud is the support used to adsorb liquid medium for the production of itaconic acid by an Aspergillus terreus mutant strain. This mutant strain was derived from Aspergillus terreus ATCC 10020 by successive mutation. Beside the remaining sucrose in the sugarcane pressmud, other carbon source can be added, i.e. glucose, fructose, sucrose, or starch hydrolysate. Appropriate amounts of nitrogen source, such as ammonium nitrate, or ammonium sulfate are added. Mineral salts, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, ferric chloride, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate can be added to the medium. The suitable amount of liquid medium that can be added to the support is 4 to 6 times its dry weight for the sugarcane pressmud and 8 to 14 times its dry weight for the peeled sugarcane pressmud. The optimal pH of the medium is between 2.0-3.0.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process for oxidation of a hydroxy group of C.sub.1 and/or C.sub.2 and/or C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 and/or C.sub.5 and/or C.sub.6 of a sugar monomer of an oligo- or a polysaccharide comprising contacting, in an aqueous medium, the oligo- or the polysaccharide with a phenol oxidizing enzyme and an enhancing agent, whereby an oligo- or a polysaccharide with altered characteristics compared to the native oligo- or polysaccharide is created.

Abstract: This invention provides a low-cost method of producing .alpha.,.omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acids. Particular bioconversion conditions result in highly efficient conversion of fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or alkane substrates to diacids. Candida tropicalis AR40 or similar yeast strains are grown in a medium containing a carbon source and a nitrogen source at a temperature of 31.degree. C. to 38.degree. C., while additional carbon source is continuously added, until maximum cell growth is attained. Within 0-3 hours of this point, substrate is added to the culture to initiate conversion. An .alpha.,.omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acid made according to this method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention describes a low cost biofermentation medium, and an economical method using the medium, for the manufacture of .alpha., .omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acids. The invention provides a biofermentation medium and a method of bioproduction for these important diacids which makes their large scale commercial production economically feasible using a biocatalyst. This method of production obviates the need for chemical synthesis using expensive starting materials from fossil fuels, and does not generate a costly hazardous waste stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 where in, one or more amino acids are deleted, replaced or added, and the polypeptide having polyester synthase activity. A polyester synthase gene comprising DNA coding for the above polypeptide; a recombinant vector comprising the gene; and a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector is also provided.

Abstract: Aliphatic polycarboxylic acids are made by a process comprising the steps of: (1) fermenting a beta-oxidation blocked C. tropicalis cell wherein both copies of the chromosomal POX5 gene and the chromosomal POX4A and POX4B genes are disrupted in a culture medium comprised of a nitrogen source, an organic substrate and a cosubstrate wherein the substrate is an unsaturated aliphatic compound having at least one internal carbon--carbon double bond and at least one terminal methyl group, a terminal carboxyl group and/or a terminal functional group which is oxidizable to a carboxyl group by biooxidation; (2) reacting the product of step (1) with an oxidizing agent to produce one or more polycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoate from a biological source material containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate, the process comprising: a) comminuting the biological source material; b) suspending the comminuted biological source material in a fluid; c) partitioning the polyhydroxyalkanoate from the other components of the biological source material by centrifugal fractionation to form a solid-solid separation; and d) recovering the polyhdroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoate from biological source material containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate, the process comprising: a) comminuting the biological source material; b) suspending the comminuted biological source material in a fluid; c) partitioning the polyhydroxyalkanoate from the other components of the biological source material by centrifugal fractionation to from a solid-solid separation; and d) recovering the polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: The present invention is an economical fermentation method for the production of carboxylic acids comprising the steps of a) inoculating a medium having a carbon source with a carboxylic acid-producing organism; b) incubating the carboxylic acid-producing organism in an aerobic atmosphere to promote rapid growth of the organism thereby increasing the biomass of the organism; c) controllably releasing oxygen to maintain the aerobic atmosphere; d) controllably feeding the organism having increased biomass with a solution containing the carbon source to maintain the concentration of the carbon source within the medium of about 0.5 g/L up to about 1 g/L; e) depriving the aerobic atmosphere of oxygen to produce an anaerobic atmosphere to cause the organism to undergo anaerobic metabolism; f) controllably feeding the organism having increased biomass a solution containing the carbon source to maintain the concentration of the carbon source within the medium of .gtoreq.

Abstract: Coal is treated aerobically or anaerobically to produce humic acid, volatile fatty acids, lower alcohols, and/or methane using a consortium of bacteria designated Mic-1 or KSARC56. This process can also be used to convert aromatic compounds, such as phenols and derivatives thereof, to methane and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Recovery of carboxylic acid from an amine-based, water-immiscible organic extractant solution thereof that contains an enhancer, by extraction of the acid into an aqueous phase. A low molecular, at least partly water-miscible organic compound being a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkanol, an acetate of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol and acetone is used as enhancer. In operation, the enhancer is recovered and recycled. The process is applicable, among others, to the recovery of carboxylic acid from a fermentation broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically active .alpha.-substituted carboxylic acid derivative represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is a hydroxyl group, ##STR2## R.sub.2 is a methyl group or a chlorine atom; R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1-6 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1 or 2; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, provided that R.sub.2 is a chlorine atom when R.sub.1 is a hydroxyl group);and a method for producing the optically active .alpha.-substituted carboxylic acid derivative represented by the general formula (I) and antipodes thereof using a culture, cells or a material obtainable from cells of a microorganism having an ability to asymmetrically hydrolyze ester bonds. The optically active .alpha.-substituted carboxylic acid derivatives and antipodes thereof provided by the invention are useful as raw materials for various liquid crystals and as synthetic intermediates for various optically active medicines or agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A process is described for producing organic acids such as lactic acid. The process includes the steps of producing lactic acid by fermentation, resulting in an aqueous fermentation broth containing lactic acid, and adding a calcium base, such as calcium carbonate, to the fermentation broth, thereby producing calcium lactate in the broth. Biomass is removed from the broth, thereby leaving an aqueous solution or dispersion of calcium lactate. The calcium lactate is reacted with a source of ammonium ions, such as ammonium carbonate, or a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby producing an ammonium lactate. Contaminating cations can be removed by ion exchange. The free lactic acid or a derivative thereof can be separated from the ammonium ions, preferably by salt-splitting electrodialysis.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing an organic acid and/or its salts from a solution obtained through fermentation. In this process, a pure carbohydrate-containing raw material is used. The acid-containing solution prepared by means of fermentation is supplied to a cell separation, and the acid-containing permeate is supplied to a protein precipitation, where it is mixed with a silicon-containing precipitant at temperatures between 2.degree. and 70.degree. C. The solution thus obtained is supplied to a protein separation, and the acid-containing permeate is concentrated and then supplied to a single- or multi-stage crystallization or a granulation.

Abstract: Coal is treated aerobically or anaerobically to produce humic acid, volatile fatty acids, lower alcohols, and/or methane using a consortium of bacteria designated Mic-1 or KSARC56. This process can also be used to convert aromatic compounds, such as phenols and derivatives thereof, to methane and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: We describe a bioorganic process for the preparation of cyclopentanone and cyclopentenone derivatives of formula ##STR1## by .beta.-oxidation of appropriate substrates, carried out by means of microorganisms.The process is useful for preparation of 3-oxo-2-pentyl-1-cyclopentaneacetic and (Z)-3-oxo-2-(2-pentenyl)-1-cyclopentane-acetic acids and their methyl esters, compounds useful in the perfume and flavor industries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for accumulating a poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid in bacterial cells by continuously fermenting a methanol-assimilating bacterium having a capability of producing a poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, in a single fermentation vessel by using methanol as carbon source at a limited feeding rate of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium such that the retention time for the fermentation is more than 10 hours.

Abstract: The omega-hydroxylase activity in the yeast Candida tropicalis is increased by amplification of the P450ALK and P450RED genes. The specific productivity (grams of dicarboxylic acid/liter/hr) of substantially pure alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acids is increased by culturing C. tropicalis strains having amplified P450ALK and P450RED genes.

Abstract: Itaconic acid and/or salt thereof is produced via aerobic microbial fermentation, for example by means of the species Aspergillus terreus or Aspergillus itaconicus, of a nutrient medium containing a source of assimilable carbon, such carbon source at least in part comprising an effective amount of glycerol.

Abstract: The omega-hydroxylase activity in the yeast Candida tropicalis is increased by amplification of the P450ALK and P450RED genes. The specific productivity (grams of dicarboxylic acid/liter/hr) of substantially pure alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acids is increased by culturing C. tropicalis strains having amplified P450ALK and P450RED genes.

Abstract: A heterologous cell transformant is provided that biocatalytically converts a carbon source to catechol and cis, cis muconic acid. The cell transformant expresses heterologous genes encoding the enzymes 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase, protocatechuate decarboxylase, and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase.

Abstract: Phthalyl amidase is an enzyme previously unknown in the art that catalyzes removal of the phthalyl moiety from phthalyl-containing amides. The current invention provides a phthalyl amidase, a method for producing it by culturing the natural organism from which the activity was identified, and methods for using the phthalyl amidase to remove the phthalyl moiety from phthalyl-containing amides. The enzyme is isolated from Xanthobacter agilis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid, comprising treating phthalic acid with a product which is obtained by treating the cell membrane fraction of microorganism bacterial bodies capable of converting phthalic acid to 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid with a condensate of polyethylene oxide with a higher alcohol, thereby converting the phthalic acid to 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid. According to the method, only 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid, which is an intermediary metabolite, can be produced efficiently in a process of biodegrading phthalic acid with a microorganism.

Abstract: A plant which produces polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer has a recombinant genome which contains one or more than one of the genes specifying enzymes critical to the polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthetic pathway which occurs in certain micro-organisms such as Alcaligenes eutrophus which naturally produce same. The plant species is preferably an oil-producing plant.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing adipic acid. The method comprises the steps of culturing a cell transformant capable of converting a carbon source to catechol for a period of time sufficient to convert said carbon source to catechol, biocatalytically converting the catechol to cis, cis-muconic acid using catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, and hydrogenating the cis, cis-muconic acid to produce adipic acid.Also provided is a heterologous transformant of the host cell having an endangeous common pathway of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The heterologous transformant is characterized by the constitutive expression of structural genes encoding 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase, protocatechuate decarboxylase, and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase.

Abstract: Itaconic acid and/or salt thereof is produced via aerobic microbial fermentation, for example by means of the species Aspergillus terreus or Aspergillus itaconicus, of a nutrient medium containing a source of assimilable carbon, such carbon source at least in part comprising an effective amount of glycerol.

Abstract: The invention related to recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology and, more particularly, to a process whereby poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers can be synthesized in a recombinant host strain containing the poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbiological process for the production of polyesters and utilizes bacteria of the Pseudomanas fluorescens rRNA branch according to the phylogenetic classification of De Vos and De Ley. These bacteria are cultured under aerobic fermentation conditions in a nutrient medium comprising an excess of at least one assimilarable acylic aliphatic hydrocarbon compound having 6-18 carbon atoms and a limiting quantity of at least one of other nutrients essential for growth to form poly-3-hydroxyalkanaoates.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing the production of PHB from a transformed E. coli host which includes the genes coding for the PHB biosynthetic pathway. By inserting the genes coding for PHB into a host which includes a lactose utilization system, a low cost minimal medium including whey can be used as the fuel and carbon source for PHB production. A plasmid which codes for the PHB biosynthetic pathway plus four hundred extra bases on either side of the first and last genes in the pathway has been inserted into the host and has been shown to produce a larger amount of PHB accumulation in a shorter period of time than other plasmid constructs. CaCl.sub.2 has been shown to be an effective agglomerating agent for agglomerating PHB which has been produced in a transformed E. coli host.

Abstract: The POX genes of C. tropicalis are disrupted resulting in the complete blockage of the beta-oxidation pathway in the strain. Fermentation of C. tropicalis cells having disrupted genes on alkane, fatty acid and fatty acid ester substrates produces substantially pure dicarboxylic acids in substantially quantitative yield.

Abstract: Itaconic acid is produced economically, with high productivity, by microbiologically fermenting an aqueous nutritive medium containing at least one starch as a source of assimilable carbon, in the presence of at least one saccharifying amylolytic enzyme.

Abstract: A process for the production of an optically active 3-methyladipic acid represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein the symbol * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, comprising the steps of culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Candida and capable of producing the optically active 3-methyladipic acid in a medium containing squalene, to produce an optically active 3-methyladipic acid; and recovering the optically active 3-methyladipic acid from the cultured product.