Abstract: A process is disclosed for the microbiological production of ketones from C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes by contacting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes under aerobic conditions with resting microbial cells derived from a methylotrophic microorganism or enzyme preparation derived from said cells, wherein the microorganism has been previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing methane or dimethyl ether.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the microbiological production of ketones from C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols by contacting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols under aerobic conditions with resting microbial cells derived from a microorganism of enzyme preparation derived from said cells, wherein the microorganism has been previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing a methyl-radical donating compound. Typical methyl-radical donating compounds are: methane, methanol, dimethyl ether, methylamine, methyl formate, methyl carbonate, ethanol, propanol, butanol, etc. Isolation and purification of a novel C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a newly-discovered and isolated enzyme which is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+)-linked C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohol-specific dehydrogenase. This enzyme, in the presence of oxygen and NAD, is capable of converting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols to the corresponding methyl ketones. The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of 95,000 .+-. 3,000 dalton as determined by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and contains two zinc atoms per molecule of protein. Primary alcohols are not oxidized by this enzyme.

Abstract: ATP and other nucleoside triphosphates labeled in the .gamma.-phosphate with .sup.32 P are prepared from L-.alpha.-glycerophosphate and their corresponding nucleoside diphosphates by a series of enzymatic reactions in the presence of NAD.sup.+, preferably regenerated by lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate. The resulting [.gamma.-.sup.32 P]nucleotides are useful as reagents for analytical determinations.