Abstract: A process for treating contaminated water containing BOD sources and nitrogen sources, which comprises supplying oxygen or oxygen-containing gas from one side of a gas-permeable membrane to grow microorganisms including aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria on the other side of the gas-permeable membrane, and performing decomposition of the BOD sources and nitrification and denitrification simultaneously by the action of these microorganisms. Especially good results are obtained when a membrane composed of porous hollow fibers is used as the gas-permeable membrane.

Abstract: L-Phenylalanine can be prepared using microorganisms belonging to the series comprising E. coli, Paracoccus denitrificans, Torula, Rhodotorula or Streptomyces after adaptation to phenylpyruvic acid, by amination with suitable sources of nitrogen. It is advantageous to employ the microorganism in the form of fixed cells.

Abstract: Biocatalyst such as enzymes or cells are immobilized in hollow porous microspheres for use as bioreactors in biochemical processes. The microspheres are of substantially uniform diameter of 200 to 10,000 microns and of substantially uniform wall thickness of 1 to 1000 microns. Walls of the microspheres are formed of sintered together particles such as inorganic particles. The walls have interconnecting voids that are continuous and extend from outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The biocatalyst is introduced into the microspheres through macropores in the walls, and then immobilized. Immobilization may be performed by introducing a gel forming material with the biocatalyst and forming a semipermeable gel in situ within the microspheres.

Abstract: A composition comprising immobilized cells obtained by applying a dispersion of cells and curable prepolymer material selected from the group consisting of polyazetidine prepolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyurethane hydrogel prepolymers and polymethylene isocyanates. as a coating to a solid inert carrier and curing the prepolymer on the carrier at a temperature below the temperature at which enzyme activity of the cells is significantly reduced. The composition may be used to produce various materials such as L-aspartic acid, L-alanine, 6-Aminopenicillanic acid, high fructose corn syrup, prednisolone or phenylalanine.

Abstract: Phenylalanine is produced by contacting cells having transaminase activity with phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate in the presence of an amine donor. The cells may be ruptured or permeabilized to release their transaminase activity. Preferably, the cells are immobilized with a polyazetidine polymer. Preferred reaction conditions are an excess of amine donor in a ratio of at least 1.1:1 amine donor to phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate and a pH of 5-10 such as to convert at least 85% of the phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate to phenylalanine. Phenylalanine may also be produced from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalamine ammonia lyase activity.

Abstract: A porous gel containing an immobilized enzyme is prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of not lower than 95 mol% and an average polymerization degree of not lower than 1,000, with an enzyme or enzyme-producing cell, and activated carbon powder, pouring the mixture into a container of any desired form, gelating and molding the mixture by dehydrating it up to a dehydration ratio of not lower than 50%, immersing the resulting molding in water, and drying the immersed molding. Preferably, dehydrating is by leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature or a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The enzyme or enzyme-producing cell may be mixed with or adsorbed on an inorganic or organic carrier. The dried molding may be granulated.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibril matrix is prepared containing entrapped viable cells such as animal, bacterial, fungal or yeast cells. Cells are blended with surfactant and soap-free PTFE in aqueous dispersion to form a damp paste. Water is added to the paste and a resultant stiff dough is biaxially calendered between calendering rolls to cause fibrillation and form the PTFE fibril matrix. Calendering is preferably carried out at a temperature of 5.degree. to 70.degree. C. and a pressure of 1000 to 3000 MPa. The fibril matrix may be dried.

Abstract: Phenylalanine is prepared by contacting phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate with an enzyme having transaminase activity in the presence of an amine donor. The enyzme may be free or immobilized or in whole cells which may be free or immobilized. The enzyme is preferably contained by E. coli ATCC 11303. Yield of phenylalanine can be improved by removing oxaloacetate, produced during reaction of the enzyme, to drive the reaction to completion. Phenylalanine may also be produced from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity.

Abstract: An improved process of performing analysis methods based upon biospecific affinity reactions in heterogeneous systems, wherein a ligand dissolved in a liquid is reacted with a receptor immobilized on a carrier, characterized by utilizing as the carrier a porous matrix in the form of a material body having an open capillary pore system capable of absorbing and retaining liquid phase and having such limited void dimensions that the total reaction rate of the biospecific reaction or reactions within the pore system between ligand and immobilized receptor will be at least substantially independent of the diffusion of the ligand in the liquid phase. A porous matrix for use in said process has the characteristics mentioned above.

Abstract: Transplants, such as pancreatic islets, are made suitable for transplantation into a genetically dissimilar individual by coating the transplant with a surface-conforming bonding bridge layer of a multifunctional material that binds chemically to a surface component of the transplant followed by a semipermeable, biologically compatible layer of a polymer that binds chemically to the bonding bridge layer.

Abstract: Gel inserts comprising a solidified liquid such as agarose suitable for use in an electrophoretic method, lysed cells entrapped within a matrix formed by the solidified liquid and macromolecules such as DNA or intact chromosomes derived from the lysed cells may be advantageously used in electrophoretic separations. The gel inserts are placed directly in a suitable support medium and subjected to one or more electric fields to separate the macromolecules.

Abstract: A porous, bead-like copolymer which can be employed to excellent effect for the fixation of enzymes is obtained by suspension polymerization of monomeric oxiranylalkyl compounds and/or 2-aziridinylalkyl compounds, n-valent crosslinking agents, N-vinylamides, heterocyclic 5-membered ring compounds or 6-membered ring compounds, having a polymerizable olefinic group in each case, and polymerizable quaternary ammonium salts.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA constructs having an avian retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) ligated to the bovine growth hormone gene, were co-transformed into a mammalian cell (mouse) culture in order to obtain a stable cell culture secreting large amounts of bovine growth hormone. The transformed mouse cells were encapsulated in hollow fibers and implanted into animals, thereby producing circulating bovine growth hormone.

Abstract: Waste water and/or outgoing air are purified by contact with a polyurethane hydrogel containing surface active coal, a polymer having cationic groups and cells having enzymatic activity and being capable of growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides strongly antigenic tumor-specific substances (also cellular material containing said strongly antigenic tumor-specific substances) prepared by radiofrequency or microwave electromagnetic radiation, acting on cancer tissue or cancer cells of known pathohistologic character. Said substances and also cellular material containing said substances are characterized by such sensitizing antigenic qualities that when they are contacted with a composition of naturally cancer-sensitized lymphocytes taken from a host having pathohistologically related cancer, then said lymphocytes produce and exude lymphokine.The invention further provides diagnostic tests for cancer and compositions which contain or utilize said strongly-antigenic cancer-specific substances.

Abstract: Isomaltulose is produced by a process in which at least the isomaltulose-forming enzyme system of an isomaltulose-forming micro-organism is immobilized and then the immobilized enzyme system is contacted with a sucrose solution to convert at least part of the sucrose to isomaltulose.

Abstract: A core material such as viable cells is encapsulated by gelling an alginate polymer with a polyvalent cation to form shape-retaining gelled masses containing the core material, expanding and hydrating the gelled masses by contacting the masses with an aqueous saline solution, and forming a membrane about the expanded gelled massed to form capsules by contacting the gelled masses with a polycationic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 3,000 daltons. Expanding before membrane formation, permits better control of permeability properties and uniformity of the membrane. The gelled masses within the membrane may be liquified by contacting the capsules with a chelating agent which is preferably ethylene glycol bis-(.beta.-amino ethyl ether)-N,N-tetra-acetic acid. A second membrane layer may be formed by contacting the capsules with a second polycationic polymer. The second membrane may be coated with a polyanionic polymer such as alginate.

Abstract: A modified polysaccharide material which comprises: (1) polysaccharide covalently bonded to a synthetic polymer; (2) the synthetic polymer being made from (a) a polymerizable compound which is capable of being covalently coupled directly or indirectly to said polysaccharide, and (b) one or more polymerizable compounds containing (i) an ionizable chemcial group, (ii) a chemical group capable of transformation to an ionizable chemical group, (iii) a chemical group capable of causing the covalent coupling of the compound (b) to an affinity ligand or a biologically active molecule or (iv) a hydrophobic compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for immobilizing biological cells based on the dielectric properties of biological cells. An inhomogeneous electric field emanating from a grid point location or other contact area is created and attracts the biological cell into contact therewith. Appropriate controls over a series of grid points permits controlled inter-grid point movement of cells thereby permitting sequential testing or sorting processes to be carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for isolating from a mixed population of cells disired living cells either producing and releasing a particular product or having a characteristic molecule on their surface. The isolation techniques depend upon the localized interaction between the product (or molecule) and other agents added to the system such that distinguishable conditions can be caused to occur (or not occur) only in the immediate vicinity of desired cells which produced and released the product or which contain the molecule on their surface.

Abstract: A film or membrane containing a biologically active protein such as an enzyme is prepared from a polymer substituted with acyl hydrazide groups. Preferably, the polymer is an acrylamide/methacrylamide copolymer in the ratio of about 70/30, and the film or membrane is about 30-100 microns thick. The film or membrane is prepared on an electrode and crosslinked to produce an enzyme electrode.

Abstract: The strength of a bead containing microbial cells within a retaining permeable membrane is improved by incorporating finely divided sericitic clay particles within a hydrocolloid-containing composition used to form the membrane. The hydrocolloid is preferably alginic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, methylethylcellulose or polyvinyl alcohol in an amount of about 10 to 40% by weight.

Abstract: Ethanol and fermented beverages such as beer or wine are produced in a batch process by contacting a fermentable substrate with yeast cells encapsulated within a porous, semi-permeable material. Contacting is carrier out in a vessel containing the substrate and a semi-permeable retaining means submerged in the substrate. Encapsulated yeast cells are maintained below the retaining means and in contact with the substrate during fermentation while being freely movable in a portion of the substrate. The retaining means is permeable to the substrate and is substantially impermeable to the encapsulated yeast cells. Preferably, the matrix encapsulating the yeast cells is an alginate gel.

Abstract: Microbial cells are immobilized with a curable polyaziridine or polyfunctional aziridine prepolymer to obtain an insoluble, crosslinked polymer containing the cells. The microbial cells immobilized may be cells having L-aspartase or L-phenylalanine transaminase activity for the production of L-aspartic acid or L-phenylalanine. The polymer containing the cells may be formed as a coating on a solid inert carrier.

Abstract: A method for isolating a mutant microorganism is described. The method comprises the steps of: (a) separately microencapsulating in a semi-permeable membrane each or a small number of microorganisms from a microorganism population containing said mutant; (b) growing said microencapsulated microorganisms including treating to induce a detectable difference between microcapsules containing mutant microorganisms and those containing non-mutant microorganisms; and (c) separating said microcapsules containing mutant microorganisms from those containing non-mutant microorganisms based on said difference.

Abstract: Viable biomaterial such as animal cells, plant cells, bacteria, algae or fungi are immobilized with retained ability of growth by encapsulation in polymer beads. Encapsulation is carried out by adding the biomaterial to an aqueous solution of a polymer such as agar, agarose, carrageenan, chitosan, gelatin, collagen or fibrinogen, dispersing the solution in a water-insoluble dispersion medium such as soybean oil, tri-n-butylphosphate, liquid silicone, paraffin oil or phthalic acid dibutylester and allowing the polymer to gel.

Abstract: Isomaltulose (6-0-alpha-D-glucopyranosido-D-fructose) is produced by passing a pure sucrose solution through a reactor containing dead, immobilized cells of an isomaltulose-forming microorganism. The sucrose solution preferably contains 45 to 75% by weight sucrose and has a temperature of 45.degree. to 65.degree. C.

Abstract: A biologically active composition is prepared comprising a polyurethane hydrogel containing surface active coal, a polymer having cationic groups and cells having enzymatic activity and being capable of growth. The composition is used for purifying waste water and outgoing air.

Abstract: A fluorine resin membrane is made hydrophilic to a prescribed depth in the direction of thickness thereof to produce an asymmetrical membrane having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. An enzyme is immobilized in the hydrophilic portion of the membrane to obtain a membrane having a function of enzymatic reaction and a function of selective gas permeation. The hydrophilic portion is formed by causing a perfluoroalkyl surface active agent to penetrate the prescribed depth that is to be hydrophilic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing immobilized L-asparaginase preparations. Its principal object is to produce immobilized L-asparaginase preparations which are excellent in antithrombogenicity and mechanical strength.The present invention is concerned with production of immobilized L-asparaginase preparations by pouring an aqueous solution containing 6% or more of a polyvinyl alcohol with a degree of hydrolysis of 97 mol. % or higher and a viscosity-average degree of polymerization of 1,800 or more an antileukemic asparaginase into a vessel or a mold of an appropriate shape, subjecting the solution to cooling, solidification and molding at a temperature of -15.degree. C. or lower and partially dehydrating the molded mass without thawing to a dehydration ratio of 5% by weight or more and, if desired, immersing the product in water.According to the invention, L-asparaginase can be embedded in a highly hydrous gel excellent in antithrombogenicity and mechanical strength by simple procedures.

Abstract: A carrier for immobilization of physiologically active substances is prepared by treating an assembly of regenerated cellulose fibers having a single fiber fineness of from 0.5 to 30 deniers and a length of at least 1 millimeter with a solution of a polymer having an acid anhydride group. This carrier is easy to handle and permits immobilization of a large amount of a physiologically active substance. Thus it can be used as a catalyst for chemical reactions, a specific absorbent for separation and purification, a material for clinical examination, or a medical material.

Abstract: A granular fixed molded article of an enzyme or microorganism strain is prepared by adding dropwise a liquid composition, composed of (a) a hydrophilic photocurable resin having at least two ethylenically unsaturated bonds per molecule, (b) a photopolymerization initiator, (c) a water-soluble high-molecular-weight polysaccharide having the ability to become a gel upon contact with at least one polyvalent metal ion and (d) an enzyme or microorganism strain, to an aqueous medium containing a polyvalent metal ion to gel the composition in a granular form, and then irradiating actinic light on the resulting granular gel to cure the photocurable resin in the granular gel.

Abstract: Biocatalysts in bead form which contain microorganisms are particularly advantageously obtained by radical polymerization of acrylamide with methylene-bis-acrylamide in aqueous-organic phase suspension when the organic phase is a highly fluorinated carbon compound. The biocatalysts thus obtained have high stability and activity and are suitable for biotechnical processes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing phenylalanine which comprises contacting phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate with immobilized whole cells having transaminase activity in the presence of an amine donor. The cells are preferably immobilized with a polyazetidine polymer. Ruptured or permeabilized cells, with the enzyme in the free or immobilized state, may also be used. The preparation of phenylalanine from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filter comprising fibrin in gel form, the gel having substantially uniform pore sizes, and the filter comprising means for retaining the shape of at least one surface of the gel against deformation when contacted by a flowing medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering nonsecreted substances produced by cells. The process eliminates some of the high molecular weight contaminants thereby simplifying the purification process. The cells are encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane having properties which permit rapid passage of the relatively low molecular weight substances of interest but retard or prevent passage of higher molecular weight contaminants. The encapsulated cells are suspended in a culture medium and undergo normal cell growth and mitosis. The encapsulated cell culture grows to substantially fill the capsules but not rupture them. The cell membrane is then lysed without disrupting the capsule membrane. The permeability of the capsule membrane is such that the substances of interest diffuse rapidly through the capsule membrane into the extracapsular fluid while the higher molecular weight contaminants and cell fragments are retained within the capsule.

Abstract: Plant cells containing intra-cellular chemical compounds are induced to excrete the compounds by maintaining the cells in a sufficiently high cell density. A sufficiently high cell density is preferably maintained by immobilizing the cells in a modified polyacrylamide gel containing polyacrylamide and a minor amount of xanthan gum or sodium alginate. Vinca plant cells can be immobilized to produce the chemical compounds, ajmalicine and serpentine. Alternative to immobilizing the cells, a sufficiently high cell density can be provided by maintaining the cells in a permeable enclosure such as a woven nylon bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-floating, non-abrasive, highly-filled polyurethane (urea) compositions of high water-absorbability, which during their production contain no cells capable of growth as carriers for biomasses in the biological treatment of waste-containing liquids. These carriers have a filler content of greater than 15% by weight and less than 95% by weight (based on the moisture-free weight of the filler-containing polyurethanes). The fillers are selected from the group consisting of natural materials containing finely-divided fossil lignocelluloses or the secondary products thereof (e.g., peat, lignite, mineral coal or coke), active carbon, finely-divided distillation residues, inorganic fillers, homogeneous or cellular plastics particles (and more particularly polyurethane foam (waste) particles) and mixtures thereof. The polyurethane (urea) is a hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic polyurethane(urea), and preferably contains cationic groups.

Abstract: A metal ion that inhibits enzyme deactivation is bonded to a carrier and inhibits enzyme deactivation when contacted with a substrate for the enzyme. A carrier-bound metal ion such as ions of iron is particularly suitable for inhibiting deactivation of glucose isomerase when isomerizing glucose to fructose. Glucose isomerase life is remarkably prolonged by contacting carrier-bound iron ions with a glucose substrate solution prior to isomerizing with glucose isomerase.

Abstract: The concentration of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alcohol in an essentially water immiscible organic system is accurately determined by a simple and quick process. A sample of the water immiscible organic system containing less than about 0.01% (W/V) of the alcohol is contacted with an aqueous layer of alcohol oxidase immobilized on an electrode for measuring dissolved oxygen content. Ethanol in the water immiscible organic system partitions into the aqueous layer where alcohol oxidase catalyzes oxidation of the alcohol. Oxygen consumed during the oxidation is measured by the electrode, and the concentration of alcohol determined therefrom. To obtain less than about 0.01% alcohol in the sample, the sample may be diluted with the water immiscible organic system.

Abstract: Continuous fermentation with yeast to produce alcohol is carried out by continuously passing a carbohydrate-containing substrate liquid through a vessel packed with a thin film means having yeast immobilized therein. Surfaces of the thin film means extend in the direction of flow within the vessel to provide elongated parallel passages. The thin film means occupies from 10 to 65% of the volume of the vessel and preferably has a thickness of 0.1 to 3 mm. Preferably, the thin film means is formed by mixing an aqueous yeast suspension with a photo-crosslinkable resin and subjecting the mixture to radiation to photo-crosslink the resin.

Abstract: A biocatalyst contains microorganisms, e.g., of the species Arthrobacter simplex, Aspergillus ochraceus, Bacillus sphaericus, Curvularia lunata, Flavobacterium dehydrogenans, Mycobacterium spec., or Saccharaomyces uvarum, immobilized on a copolymer of acrolein and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, crosslinked by reaction with an alkylenedioxydiamine of the formulaH.sub.2 NO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n ONH.sub.2wherein n is a number of 2 to 12. The preparation of steroids is also disclosed.

Abstract: Spherically shaped bacterial cell aggregates are produced by spheronizing extruded flocculated cells. The cells are flocculated from aqueous medium with a cross-linked polyamine which is the reaction product of an epihalohydrin/polyamine copolymer and a cross-linking agent. Prior to being extruded, a filter cake having 68 to 76 weight percent water is produced by filtration of the flocculated cells, and the filter cake is ground into particles no greater than 60 mesh. Spheronizing is with a plate rotating at a tangential velocity of 4.5 to 12 meters per second within a cylinder containing the plate. Toughness of the spherical aggregates produced can be increased by the addition of a binder after filtration and before extrusion. During spheronizing, fines may be produced. These fines can be recycled by mixing them with the wet filter cake and binder before extrusion.

Abstract: Gelatins are crosslinked in a non-anhydrous environment to yield water-swellable, essentially water-insoluble foams. The gelatin is contacted with a polyisocyanate at a pH between about 6 and about 8 and subjected to a high rate of agitation. The process of this invention can be employed to immobilize proteins, enzymes, antibodies, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is an improved microbial bioconversion to produce 1,2-dehydro steroids from their corresponding 1,2-saturated derivatives.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed, which can be used for carrying out, in a continuous manner simultaneously and in one and the same reaction space, two or more stages of a biochemical conversion reaction which is of the kind requiring, for certain reaction stages, the presence of an enzyme, and for other reaction stages the presence of a microorganism. The catalyst comprises solid bodies of one or more polymers of which at least one is a cross-linked polymer. At least one enzyme is bound to the polymer material of the solid bodies by covalent bonds, and at least one microorganism is physically entrapped in the three-dimensional structure of the cross-linked polymer of the solid bodies.

Abstract: Biocatalysts such as microbial cells are immobilized by forming spherical gel beads containing the microbial cells from a hydrogel such as agar or carrageenan, incubating the beads for a time sufficient to permit the microbial cells to produce CO.sub.2 and thereby decrease resistance of the beads to diffusion, diffusing into the beads a monomer, cross-linking agent and accelerator and contacting the beads with a polyermization initiator to cause polymerization of the monomer. The polymerized monomer prevents breakup characteristic of hydrogels containing growing microbial cells. This method is particularly suitable for the immobilization of microbial cells for use in fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: Biological materials are immobilized by being absorbed into vermiculite particles which then are coated with a polymeric coating material. A variety of cross-linking, condensing, and gelling agents may be used to strengthen and crosslink the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyurethane foam having significantly improved longevity in a microbiological process in which the foam functions as a support medium for microorganism in a water system containing nutrients for the microorganisms. Also provided is a method of making said improved foam and an improved microbiological metabolizing (e.g., digestion) process employing said improved foam. The present invention is based upon the discovery that enhanced foam life in such a watery, abrasive environment is substantially enhanced if the polyurethane foam formulation has a urea/urethane ratio of less than about 5 and preferably a urethane index of about 100.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of growing anchorage-dependent cells: cells of the type which normally undergo mitosis only when anchored on a substrate, e.g., fibroblasts or epithelial cells. The method comprises the steps of encapsulating a seed culture of the cells within a semipermeable membrane and suspending the capsules in a growth medium. The interior surfaces of the capsule membrane and/or collagen enclosed within the capsules serve as a substrate for the cells. The ratio of the available substrate surface area to the volume of the culture may be large, thereby allowing the cells to be grown substantially throughout the volume of the culture medium.