Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant process for the production of truncated or mutated dextransucrases while conserving the enzymatic activity or their specificity in the synthesis of the ?-1,6 bonds. The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences of truncated or mutated dextransucrases, vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences and host cells transformed by sequences encoding truncated or mutated dextransucrases. In another aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing, in a recombinant manner, truncated or mutated dextransucrases which conserve their enzymatic activity or which conserve their specificity in the synthesis of ?-1,6 bonds and can produce, from saccharose, dextrans with high molar mass and modified rheological properties compared with the properties of dextran obtained with the native enzyme and isomalto-oligosaccharides with a controlled molar mass and dextrans.

Abstract: A starch-based biodegradable material composition includes: an enzyme-hydrolyzed starch; and a biodegradable polyester selected from at least one of an aliphatic polyester of polybutylene succinate and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester. The enzyme-hydrolyzed starch is prepared by hydrolyzing a native starch using a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme. The starch-hydrolyzing enzyme has an activity unit ranging from 15000 to 40000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant process for the production of truncated or mutated dextransucrases while conserving the enzymatic activity or their specificity in the synthesis of the ?-1,6 bonds. The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences of truncated or mutated dextransucrases, vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences and host cells transformed by sequences encoding truncated or mutated dextransucrases. In another aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing, in a recombinant manner, truncated or mutated dextransucrases which conserve their enzymatic activity or which conserve their specificity in the synthesis of ?-1,6 bonds and can produce, from saccharose, dextrans with high molar mass and modified rheological properties compared with the properties of dextran obtained with the native enzyme and isomalto-oligosaccharides with a controlled molar mass and dextrans.

Abstract: A novel enzyme which has an activity to release side chain carboxyl groups and ammonia from a protein by acting upon side chain amido groups in the protein. This invention relates to a method for the production of an enzyme, which comprises culturing in a medium a strain that belongs to a bacterium classified into Cytophagales or Actinomycetes and has the ability to produce an enzyme having a property to deamidate amido groups in protein, thereby effecting production of said enzyme, and subsequently collecting said enzyme from the culture mixture. It also relates to a method for the modification of protein making use of a novel enzyme which directly acts upon amido groups in protein as well as to an enzyme which has a property to deamidate amido groups in protein and a gene which encodes said enzyme.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene (isolated nucleic acid molecule) encoding the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase which produces a considerable amount of ?-cyclodextrin (?-CD) from the substrates selected from among starch and starch decomposition products such as dextrin, amylopectin and amylose; recombinant plasmids comprising this gene; transformants transformed with the recombinant plasmid; methods of manufacturing the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase by employing these transformants to act upon the substrates selected from among starch and decomposition products thereof and causing the production of ?-CD as a main product; and methods of manufacturing ?-CD and CD-comprising compositions having a desired CD balance (?-, ?- and ?-CD balance) employing this recombinant cyclodextrin glucanotransferase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for economically producing N-acetylneuraminic acid without using expensive materials such as pyruvic acid and phosphoenolpyruvic acid. The process comprises: allowing (i) a culture of a microorganism having N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase activity or N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase activity, or a treated matter of the culture, (ii) a culture of a microorganism capable of producing pyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, or a culture of a microorganism capable of producing phosphoenolpyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, (iii) N-acetylmannosamine, and (iv) an energy source which is necessary for the formation of pyruvic acid or phosphoenolpyruvic acid to be present in an aqueous medium to form and accumulate N-acetylneuraminic acid in the aqueous medium; and recovering N-acetylneuraminic acid from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: Avian and reptile derived heparanase and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: Novel mannanases comprising e.g. an amino acid sequence as shown in positions 31-330 of SEQ ID NO:2 or their homologues may be derived from e.g. Bacillus sp. I633, or may be encoded by polynucleotide molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 from nucleotide 91 to nucleotide 990, polynucleotide molecules that encode a polypeptide that is at least 65% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid residue 31 to amino acid residue 330, or degenerate nucleotide sequences thereof. The mannanases are alkaline and are useful e.g. in cleaning compositions, in a fracturing fluid useful to fracture a subterranean formation, for modifying plant material, and for treatment of cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A &bgr;-Glucanase enzyme capable of hydrolytically cleaving mixed glucans is presented. The &bgr;-Glucanase is sufficiently stable under alkaline conditions for use in industrial cleaning processes, especially in the brewing industry.

Abstract: A process for production of an alkaline tolerant dextranase enzyme comprises culturing a dextran-producing microorganism Streptomyces anulatus having accession no. ATCC PTA-3866 to produce an alkaline tolerant dextranase, Dex 1 wherein the protein in said enzyme is characterized by a MW of 63.3 kDa and Dex 2 wherein its protein is characterized by a MW of 81.8 kDa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental plaque hydrolyzing or inhibiting enzyme having simultaneously dextranase and amylase activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral care compositions and products comprising a dextranase and a mutanase, and optionally other enzymes.

Abstract: A food or cosmetic composition containing active dextran sucrase enzymes which are produced by a strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris and which synthesize dextran. In addition to culturing the strain in a food or cosmetic composition containing sucrose to obtain a composition containing the active enzymes, the strain may be cultured in a culture medium containing sucrose to obtain a culture product containing the active dextran sucrase enzymes which may be isolated from the culture product and incorporated into a food or cosmetic substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral care composition comprising a Starch Binding Domain and further ingredients conventionally used in oral care compositions, oral care products, and the use of SBDs for oral care purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cloned DNA sequence encoding an enzyme with dextranase activity, a recombinant expression vector comprising said DNA sequence, a filamentous fungus host cell, a method for producing said recombinant dextranase, and the isolated and purified enzyme.The invention also relates to compositions comprising the recombinant enzyme, oral care compositions and products and the use for removing of dental plaque.

Abstract: There are described DNA sequences, which lead to the formation of levans, plasmids containing these DNA sequences, as well as a process using these plasmids for preparing transgenic plants with levan accumulation.

Abstract: A method for the isolation and expression of a gene coding for dextranase of the fungus Penicillium minioluteum. This enzyme of fungal origin is produced by expression at high levels in yeast. For this purpose, a cDNA copy of the mRNA coding for dextranase enzyme of the Penicillium minioluteum fungus was isolated and sequenced. This cDNA was transfered into Pichia pastoris cells. Recombinant yeasts capable of secreting dextranase to the culture medium were obtained thereby. The dextranase enzyme obtained can be used, e.g. in the sugar industry to hydrolyze the dextran in cane juices to increase the sugar production.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions such as foods and pharmaceuticals, and methods of their production, comprising at least one lactic acid bacterium capable of assisting in intestinal regulation and preventing dental caries. The bacterium is an isolated living Streptococcus salivarius strain identified as FERM BP-3885 and is further capable of producing dextranase while persisting in the oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel cycloisomaltooligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of novel cycloisomaltoheptaose having a cyclic structure composed of 7 glucose residues in .alpha.-1,6 linkage, novel cycloisomaltooctaose having a cyclic structure composed of 8 glucose residues in .alpha.-1,6 linkage and novel cycloisomaltononaose having a cyclic structure composed of 9 glucose residues in .alpha.-1,6 linkage, novel cycloisomaltooligosaccharide synthase forming said oligosaccharides from dextran, and a process for producing said oligosaccharides by use of said enzyme or a microorganism capable of producing said enzyme.

Abstract: A process for the production of dextran polymers of controlled average number molecular weight sizes, and molecular weight size distributions via the mixed culture fermentation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and a constitutive mutant microorganism capable of elaborating the enzyme dextranase, particularly Lipomyces starkeyi ATCC 74054, in the presence of sucrose. The Leuconostoc mesenteroides produces the dextran polymer, and the mutant Lipomyces starkeyi ATCC 74054 concurrently produces dextranase, an enzyme whose activity reduces the size of the dextran polymers and permits their growth or reduction in molecular weight size in direct relation to the temperature and time period regimen imposed as conditions for the reactions.

Abstract: Novel single-chain protease resistant urokinase derivatives are provided. In particular, derivatives are provided wherein the Lys.sub.135 Lys.sub.136 and Arg.sub.156 to Lys.sub.158 sites are rendered less susceptible to proteolytic cleavage are provided by occluding the sites or by covalently modifying them. Preferred covalent modifications are amino acid sequence variants at the sites where proteolysis of urokinase occurs. These are optimally produced by synthesis of single-chain urokinase mutants in recombinant cell culture. The novel urokinase derivatives herein offer the advantage of avoiding the generation of substantial two-chain urokinase, either in vivo or during recombinant cell culture. However, the derivatives continue function to activate plasminogen in initiating blood clot lysis.

Abstract: In a sulfur dioxide detector using SO.sub.2 -oxidant microbes, a bio-membrane is located at one end of an oxygen concentration sensor, the bio-membrane containing the SO.sub.2 -oxidant microbes between an immobilized membrane and a gas permeable membrane. The sensor has an electrode in contact with the immobilized membrane. A dish-shaped or frusto-conical cell has an open end which is in contact with the gas permeable membrane so that SO.sub.2 -laden solution supplied to the cell causes sulfurous acid to oxidize to sulfuric acid as the SO.sub.2 permeates through the bio-membrane so as to change an output from the sensor. An inlet and outlet hole are formed on a sidewall of the cell. The outlet hole is located to be always directly above the inlet hole so as to drain foam formed when the SO.sub.2 -laden solution is supplied to the cell through the inlet hole and drained from the outlet hole.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyglucans obtained by cross-linking polyglucans having branched chains intermolecularly and/or intramolecularly or cross-linked homooligomers obtained by cross-linking .alpha.-1,4-linked homooligomers of glucose intermolecularly can selectively adsorb glucoamylase and/or .beta.-amylase thereto. By the use of such three-dimensional, cross-linked high molecular weight substances, glucoamylase and .beta.-amylase can be isolated and purified extremely efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biotechnology.It relates to a process for preparing a syrup, the dry extract of which includes a high content of isomaltose, which comprises treating an aqueous solution of sucrose with a mixture of the enzymes dextransucrase and dextranase at a temperature of 0.degree. to 50.degree. C. and at a pH in the range from 4.5 to 7, so as to obtain an aqueous syrup containing fructose, isomaltose, glucose and, possibly, isomaltotriose as the main constituents.The syrup obtained is a useful intermediate for the synthesis, in particular, of isomaltitol.

Abstract: A method of culturing Lipomyces, such as Lipomyces starkeyi, at pH of 2.5-4.5 and producing extracellular dextranase with co-production of alpha-glucosidase so that the dextranase containing product is essentially free from contamination.

Abstract: Apatite containing immobilized glucanase for decomposition of polysaccharies associated with dental carries is prepared by adding dropwise glutaraldehyde to an aqueous solution in which glucanase, protein and apatite are present in a mixed state. The protein in preferably lysozyme.

Abstract: A mutant species of Lipomyces starkeyi ATCC No. 12659 capable of hyperproducing dextranase and an improved method of culturing to achieve such at low pH to provide biologically contaminant free supernatant liquid containing dextranase. The further improved method of culturing the mutant species on a non-dextran, assimilable carbon source with optimal dextran induction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-heme haloperoxidase which is substantially resistant to inactivation, at room temperature, in up to 0.3M H.sub.2 O.sub.2 for up to 25 hours, and up to 0.5 mM HOCl for up to two minutes. One such haloperoxidase, isolated from Curvularia inaequalis, contains about 2 gram atoms of zinc per molecule. A halogenation reaction employing the enzyme can be performed at H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and hypohalous acid concentrations which produce rapid inactivation of heme-containing haloperoxidases.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the recovery of biological material from an aqueous solution comprising contacting a water-insoluble, particulate binder with a solution containing biological material to produce a water insoluble biological material/binder composition which may then be recovered. The aqueous solutions may then be recycled.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to theophylline having 5% or less cross-reactivity with caffeine and the continuous hybrid monoclonal cell lines for their production are provided. These antibodies are useful in a particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay for theophylline.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for the separation, purification and recovery of dextranase from impure solutions such as fermentation broth by precipitating a complex of dextranase with tannic acid and thereafter separating the purified dextranase from the tannic acid.