Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: A process for producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphtoic acid, comprising initiating the culture of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid producing bacteria belonging to propionic acid bacteria under anaerobic conditions and culturing the bacteria under aeration into a medium when the concentration of a carbon source in the medium is 3.5% by mass or less.

Abstract: Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: A construct in which at least a part of the magnetic material is coated with a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and a method for producing a construct by immobilizing a PHA synthesizing enzyme on the surface of the magnetic material, thereby biosynthesizing and coating a PHA.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for the enzymatic production of glycolic acid from glycolonitrile. These methods include: 1) use of Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid, and 2) methods to improve catalyst stability and/or productivity. The methods to improve catalyst stability/productivity include use of reaction stabilizers, running the reactions under substantially oxygen free conditions, and controlling the concentration of substrate in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: An efficient method for producing an optically active ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by the following general formula (I) [A represents a residue of a 5- or 6-membered cyclic compound, * indicates a carbon atom in the S- or R-configuration, X represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms], which comprises the step of treating a corresponding ester compound (not optically pure) with cell bodies or a culture, or a processed product or an extract thereof of a microorganism of the genus Leifsonia, genus Cylindrocarpon, genus Verticillium, or the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing substantially enantiopure 3-hydroxy carboxylic acids or esters of the general formula (III) by reacting racemic oxetan-2-ones of the general formula (I) with compounds R3-OH of the general formula (II) in the presence of a lipase from Candida antartica or Burkholderia plantarii, and separating the resulting products of the formula (III) and (IV) from one another where the radicals have the following meaning: R1, R2, R3 independently of one another H; C1-C10-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or hetaryl, where R1 and R2 may not simultaneously have the same meaning.

Abstract: A method for the production of vanillic acid and vanillin from waste residue (niger) of rice bran oil by microbial fermentation and biotransformation is provided. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of hydrolization of ferulic acid esters in waste residue of rice bran oil to ferulic acid and further conversion into vanillic acid using microbial strain Aspergillus niger CGMCC 0774 screened and preserved by the present inventor, followed by conversion of vanillic acid to produce vanillin using another microbial strain Pycnoporus cinnabarinus CGMCC 1115. The method for the production of vanillin according to the present invention utilizes renewable source from rice processing and alleviates the environmental pollution caused by the chemical synthesis of vanillin.

Abstract: A process of producing fermentation product comprising the steps of, (i) forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolysable, (ii) allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis by action of the acid at a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: Provided is a PHB block copolymer having orientation-induced rubber-elasticity and temperature-sensitive shape memory effects, comprising a plurality of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) blocks as a repeating unit and a plurality of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) blocks as a repeating unit, and optionally a hydroxy acid repeating group containing 6 or more carbon atoms. The PHA block copolymer exhibits orientation-induced rubber-elasticity and shape memory effects with a fast shape-recovery rate, and therefore such characteristics in conjunction with physical properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility unique to PHA enable application thereof to a variety of uses.

Abstract: A thermostable TAL enzyme was identified from the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, which has high activity at temperatures of 40° C. to about 60° C. The enzyme was produced in engineered cells and used for production of para-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA) from tyrosine. When the pHCA production reaction was run at high temperature, the enzyme was more active and pHCA was produced more rapidly, making the reaction more efficient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fungal host cells that are transformed with a nucleic acid construct encoding a fungal oxygen-binding proteins or fragments thereof that comprise the oxygen-binding domain. Upon transformation of the host cell with the construct, the oxygen-binding protein confers to the host cell improved fermentation characteristics as compared to untransformed host cells. These characteristics include e.g. increases in oxygen uptake rates, biomass densities, volumetric productivities and/or product yields. The invention further relates to fermentation processes in which the host cells are used and to fungal oxygen binding proteins, in particular fungal flavohemoglobins and hemoglobin domains, and to nucleotides sequences encoding these proteins.

Abstract: A bioprocess for producing carboxylic acids, alcohols and aldehydes is provided by culturing Candida sp. in a fermentation medium containing various defined substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: A process for producing a sulfur-containing ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound, which comprises a step for reacting a sulfur-containing dihydroxy compound with a cell or a material from treated cell of a microorganism that has an ability to convert the sulfur-containing dihydroxy compound to a corresponding ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxylation catalyst by i) embedding a cystochrome P450 monooxygenase in a sol-gel matrix, ii) embedding an enzymatic NADPH-regenerating system in a sol-gel matrix, and combining the two components i) and ii) unless they were already mixed together before the embedding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing optically active IHOG, which can in turn be used for the production of monatin. The present invention further relates to a method for producing optically active monatin, and an aldolase which can be used in these methods. As such, the present invention enables the synthesis of 4-(Indole-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid with high optical purity, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of optically active monatin, from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (or oxaloacetic acid).

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: A DNA fragment encoding a ? subunit is obtained by inverse PCR using primers designed based on the nucleotide sequnece of a N-terminal signal sequence region of a GDH ? subunit derived from Burkholderia cepacia KS1 strain.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an anmionium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acid, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing efficiently glutamic acid derivatives (including salts thereof) such as monatin by converting a substituted ?-keto acid of formula (1) into a glutamic acid derivative of formula (2) in the presence of an enzyme catalyzing conversion of the same

Abstract: 4-vinylguaiacol is produced using recombinant E. coli containing a decarboxylase gene from Bacillus pumilis in an aqueous fermentation broth and in an immobilized whole cell system. The 4-vinylguaiacol is extracted and recovered from an organic hydrocarbon solvent, preferably n-octane, whereby the product can readily be separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a complex of an organic amine and lactic acid in a reactor, characterized in that a water-miscible organic amine is brought into contact with magnesium lactate in an aqueous medium in the reactor to form the complex and precipitated magnesium hydroxide, after which the magnesium hydroxide is separated from the complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for reacting (di)amines as substrates in the presence of a lysine oxidase arid a reducing agent, resulting in alcohols, diols or cyclic secondary amines. In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to methods of preparing cyclic secondary amines suitable for ultimately synthesizing piperidine-2-carboxylic acid and proline derivatives, useful, for example as thrombin inhibitors.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for the enzymatic production of glycolic acid from glycolonitrile. These methods include: 1) use of Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid, and 2) methods to improve catalyst stability and/or productivity. The methods to improve catalyst stability/productivity include use of reaction stabilizers, running the reactions under substantially oxygen free conditions, and controlling the concentration of substrate in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase is then produced using an optimized amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production and recovery of multifunctional aromatic compounds from a fermentation medium. Preferred multifunctional aromatic compounds include para-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and para-hydroxystyrene (pHS). The multifunctional aromatic compounds may be produced in a biphasic growth medium comprising a fermentation medium having a specified volume of an extractant. The multifunctional aromatic compounds are extracted into the extractant and recovered by standard means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel genetically modified Escherichia coli JM109 bearing accession number PTA 1579, containing the gene coding for poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate synthesis and a method of using this bacterium to produce poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate to the extent of 60% or more of the cell weight.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: A process for preparing (R)-hydroxy ester (II) from alpha-keto ester I comprising adding the alpha-keto ester I to a mixture comprising the ketoreductase enzyme and non-ketoreductase enzyme components, wherein the ketoreductase enzyme has a molecular weight between 36000 and 38000, and wherein the ketoreductase enzyme has an N-terminal amino acid sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of (SEQ. ID NO. 1) Ala-Ile-Pro-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ser-Leu- Val-Lys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly (SEQ. ID NO. 4) Met-Ala-Ile-Pro-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ser- Leu-Val-Lys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly, and (SEQ. ID NO. 2) Met-Ala-Lys-Ile-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Glu-Gly- Ser-Leu-Val-Leu-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly.

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 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: A process for producing biopolymers comprises passing nitrogen deficient wastewater through a treatment system comprising micro-organisms which grow aerobically in nitrogen deficient wastewater, and controlling the environment in the treatment system by maintaining a sufficiently stable dissolved oxygen level to thereby encourage the growth and/or activity of micro-organisms which produce the biopolymers, and recovering the biomass produced and the biopolymers.

Abstract: A process for the resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of a chiral carboxylic acid, including an esterification reaction of the carboxylic acid in an organic solvent, in the presence of a stereoselective hydrolase, characterized in that an orthoester of the formula R1—C(OR2)3, in which R1 is selected from H and C1–C4alkyl and R2 is C1–C8alkyl or —CH2—C6-10aryl, is used as the esterification reactive.

Abstract: A novel tyrosine-inducible tyrosine ammonia lyase enzyme was isolated from the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum. This enzyme has a higher activity for tyrosine than for phenylalanine and is useful for the production of para-hydroxycinnamic acid directly from tyrosine. The gene encoding this enzyme was sequenced using 3? and 5? RACE cloning of the TAL cDNA and the gene was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the bacterium Escherichia coli.

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: A process for the preparation of D-pantothenic acid and/or salts thereof or feedstuffs additives comprising these by fermentation of microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, in particular those which already produce D-pantothenic acid, in which the nucleotide sequence(s) in the microorganisms which code(s) for the adk gene is/are enhanced, in particular over-expressed.

Abstract: Transgenic microbial strains are provided which contain the genes required for PHA formation integrated on the chromosome. The strains are advantageous in PHA production processes, because (1) no plasmids need to be maintained, generally obviating the required use of antibiotics or other stabilizing pressures, and (2) no plasmid loss occurs, thereby stabilizing the number of gene copies per cell throughout the fermentation process, resulting in homogeneous PHA product formation throughout the production process. Genes are integrated using standard techniques, preferably transposon mutagenesis. In a preferred embodiment wherein mutiple genes are incorporated, these are incorporated as an operon. Sequences are used to stabilize mRNA, to induce expression as a function of culture conditions (such as phosphate concentration), temperature, and stress, and to aid in selection, through the incorporation of selection markers such as markers conferring antibiotic resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new microbial process for the preparation of compound of formula (I) from a compound of general formula (II) wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, by the submerged culture of a strain which is able to 6?-hydroxylate the compound of 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 latter comprises the cultivation of a Micromonospora strain which is able to 6?-hydroxylate a compound of general formula (II)—wherein R is as defined above—at 25-32° C. on a nutrient medium containing available carbon—and nitrogen sources and mineral salts, thereafter feeding the substrate to be transformed into the developing culture, then hydroxilating the substrate until finishing of the bioconversion, then separating the compound of formula (I) from the culture broth and, if desired, purifying the same.

Abstract: A method is provided which biosynthesizes a PHA having an epoxy group on a side chain with improved physicochemical properties. Specifically, a method of producing a polyester containing an epoxy group in a side chain thereof using alkene as a raw material is provided which comprises the steps of bringing alkene into contact with a microorganism having an ability to uptake alkene and convert it to a polyester and allowing the microorganism to convert the alkene into a polyester containing an epoxy group in a side chain thereof. Further, a method of producing a crosslinked polymer is provided which comprises reacting the polyester obtained by the above mentioned method with a diamine compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method for producing ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, which comprises hydrolyzing cyanohydrin in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent; a method for producing optically active ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, which comprises: producing optically active cyanohydrin by performing a reaction between a carbonyl compound and hydrogen cyanide, using a solvent comprising at least one organic solvent selected from a group consisting of an alcoholic solvent, an ester solvent, an ethereal solvent and a carboxylic solvent; removing said organic solvent from said reaction solvent; and hydrolyzing the remaining reaction mixture without isolating optically active cyanohydrin; a method for producing optically active ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, which comprises hydrolyzing optically active cyanohydrin, using at most 10 equivalents of mineral acid relative to said optically active cyanohydrin under the condition that maximum temperature when reacting is 90° C.