Abstract: The invention is in the field of use of engineered microbes for the delivery and administration of therapeutic peptides or proteins to humans or animals suffering from a disease, or the use of engineered microbes for the delivery of antigens such as for vaccination purposes. More in particular, the invention relates to a recombinant microbe that has reduced capacity of colonizing the mucosa in comparison to its wild type ancestor, in particular when residing in the alimentary tract as part of a treatment or vaccination of a human or animal. In particular, the recombinant microbe contains an inactive thymidylate synthase gene that causes the reduced capability for the microbe to colonize in the alimentary tract. The invention also covers the use of said recombinant microbes comprising nucleic acids or vectors for expressing heterologous or homologous proteins; and also for delivery, especially therapeutic delivery, of the said proteins to animals or humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism, a microbial phosphate fertilizer and a method for manufacturing said microbial phosphate fertilizer, wherein said microorganism is Streptomyces cellulosae with Accession number CGMCC No. 2167 or Aspergillus versicolor with Accession number CGMCC No. 2171. The microbial phosphate fertilizer of the present invention comprises a fermentation product of the microbial composition consisting of the following four microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis strain WH2, Bacillus licheniformis strain WH4, Streptomyces cellulosae strain WH9 and Aspergillus versicolor strain WH13. A method for manufacturing said microbial phosphate fertilizer is also provided, wherein the manufacture of said microbial phosphate fertilizer may involve the use of ground phosphate rock having 8%-12% P2O5.

Abstract: The objective is to provide a method for rapidly, and highly accurately performing genetic detection of the cyclopiazonic acid-producing ability in a strain belonging to genus Aspergillus, etc. as well as a transformant (strain), etc. that does not produce cyclopiazonic acid or a precursor thereof, cycloacetoacetyl L-tryptophan (CAT). A polynucleotide encodes the following polypeptides: (1) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2; (2) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with one or several amino acids deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having a polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase activity; or (3) a polypeptide having 90% or more homology (identity) as an overall average with the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having a polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase activity.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modifying fungal morphology. The method comprises introducing an amount of a surfactant to a fungus, or to a growing mixture comprising a fungus, wherein said amount of a surfactant is sufficient to induce a change in the morphology of said fungus.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which comprises an amino acid sequence of the mature Fe_RF6318 enzyme having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15. The serine protease is obtainable from Fusarium equiseti, more preferably from the deposited strain CBS 119568. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, such as plasmid pALK2521 comprising the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:9 deposited in E. coli RF7664 under accession number DSM 22171 and plasmid pALK2529 comprising the full-length gene SEQ ID NO: 10 deposited in E. coli RF7800 under accession number DSM 22172. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, for treating wool, for treating hair, for treating leather, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material.

Abstract: Method for stereoselectively preparing a (R) or (S) gamma-lactone consists in microbially biosynthesizing gamma-lactone, wherein the biosynthesis is carried out from a substrate selected from C5 to C20 fatty acids with the aid of a strain selected from those enabling a stereoselective hydroxylation in C4 of the substrate, in particular Aspergollus sp or Mortierella sp. The biosynthesis of the gamma-lactone and the use thereof in perfumery and for food flavouring agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fungal strains capable of producing insecticide and a process for production of insecticide. It also relates to a method of cultivation of fungal strains and a fermentation medium for culturing the fungal strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel stemphones having enhancing effect of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent, and a process for production thereof. The process is comprised of culturing microorganism belonging to genus Aspergillus and having ability to produce stemphones, the microorganism of which is Aspergillus sp. FKI-2136 NITE BP-83, accumulating the stemphones in the cultured mass, and isolating the stemphones from the cultured mass. Since the obtained stemphones have an action enhancing activity of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent by combining with ?-lactam antibiotic, the stemphones are expected to be useful as the therapeutic agent for MRSA infection and infectious diseases caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms including ?-lactam antibiotic resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to new asparaginases having improved properties, preferably improved thermotolerance, such as improved activity at high temperatures and/or improved thermostability. The invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding such improved asparaginases, their production in a recombinant host cell, as well as methods of using the asparaginases, in particular for reduction of acrylamide in foods. The invention furthermore relates to methods of generating and preparing asparaginase variants having improved properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wastewater treatment in general and to methods of controlling odors and degrading compounds contained in wastewater in particular.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a co-culture method of Sphingomonas sp. bacterial strain and Aspergillus sp. fungus strain, in which the novel Sphingomonas sp. bacterial strain KMK-001 is cultured in a liquid medium and the novel Aspergillus sp. strain KMC-901 separately cultured in another liquid medium is added to the above culture solution, a novel glionitrin biosynthesized therefrom and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said glionitrin or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt as an active ingredient. The glionitrin herein has strong cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and has antibiotic effect on 10 pathogenic bacteria including the novel Sphingomonas sp. bacterial strain KMK-001, so that it can be effectively applied in antibiotics or anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: A method of processing stillage from fermentation derived alcohol is disclosed, including dry-grind ethanol production from corn, by fermentation with filamentous fungi. This produces high-value fungal biomass that can be recovered by screening, is easily dewatered and used as an animal feed, human food or as a source of nutraceuticals. The methodology uses an airlift reactor to enhance the morphology of the fungi for easy harvesting and separation of water for recycling and reuse and to recover added enzymes and mineral acid with the water. The process also separates oil from the stillage. The fungal processing removes organic substances from the water that are otherwise inhibitory to the reuse prospects for the water, i.e. suspended and dissolved organic matter, including glycerol, lactic and acetic acids. The process also separates oil from the stillage by enmeshing the oil in the fungal biomass and can produce more oil through cultivation of oleaginous fungi.

Abstract: Methods, enzymes, recombinant microorganism, and microbial systems are provided for converting suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides, such as those derived from biomass, as well as various aldehydes and/or ketones, into commodity chemicals, such as biofuels. Commodity chemicals produced by the methods described herein are also provided. Commodity chemical enriched, refinery-produced petroleum products are also provided, as well as methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using a feedback-resistant mevalonate kinase polypeptide, such as an archaeal mevalonate kinase polypeptide. The resulting isoprene compositions may have increased yields and/or purity of isoprene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process for the recovery of conjugated isoflavones of residues and sub-products of food industries based on the use of soy and its derivatives. It also concerns of isoflavones obtained from food composition containing isoflavones and from the fungus genetically modified used in this process, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 22786 (RIB 430). More specifically, the present invention concerns of a process of conversion of conjugated isoflavones, in the form of isoflavone malonate and acetates, in glucosylated isoflavones, which through fermentative and enzymatic processes are transformed into aglycone isoflavones. The products obtained in this process, pass to show a promising therapeutic as nutritive application as previously described, and may be used as a functional food or as a functional ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a salt-free miso-like food having strong umami and rich flavor with strong taste. As a means to solve the problem, a liquid koji is prepared by culturing an aspergillus in a predetermined amount of lactic acid bacterium culture solution or a supernatant thereof. The thus-obtained liquid koji is added to a food material, and koji making is performed in a hermetically sealed koji-making machine while successively or intermittently supplying disinfected air thereto. Subsequently, a lactic acid bacterium culture solution or a supernatant thereof is mixed into the obtained koji, and optionally a food material is mixed therewith. The obtained mixture is provided as it is or in paste form to give moromi, and the moromi is hydrolyzed in the absence of salt.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which filamentous fungi are macerated and encapsulated in an inert matrix to form beads, which can be used to promote reactions carried out by the fungi. The beads are useful, e.g., for producing compounds and compound libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter DNA sequence highly suited in an improved expression cloning method for isolation of DNA sequences comprising a DNA sequence encoding a protein of interest in a host cell and to the improved expression cloning method wherein use is made of this promoter. The isolated DNA sequences are useful in processes for producing a protein of interest.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a fungal strain deficient in nicotinamide riboside import and salvage and use thereof for producing nicotinamide riboside. Methods for producing nicotinamide riboside and a nicotinamide riboside-supplemented food product using the strain of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel enzyme which enables to determine the glucose level more accurately, a bacterium capable of producing the enzyme, and use of the enzyme. Disclosed is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding glucose dehydrogenase having the following properties (1) to (3): (1) the enzyme has an activity of catalyzing a reaction for oxidizing a hydroxyl group in glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor to produce glucono-?-lactone; (2) the enzyme has a molecular weight of about 100 kDa as measured by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or about 400 kDa as measured by gel filtration chromatography; and (3) the enzyme is less reactive to maltose, D-fructose, D-mannose and D-galactose. Also disclosed is a microorganism Aspergillus oryzae which can produce the enzyme. Further disclosed are a glucose determination method, a reagent for the determination of glucose, and a kit for the determination of glucose, each utilizing the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to process of producing ethanol using starch with enzymes generated through solid state culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a phospholipase C enzyme(s) having ability to hydrolyze phospholipid in both acidic and around neutral ranges and the activity in a citrate buffer solution as well as having some degree of heat stability, and having a property not to hydrolyze phosphate esters not containing lipid moieties. The phospholipase C enzyme(s) shows the activity at from acidic to neutral pH and does not substantially hydrolyze any phosphate esters except for phospholipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fungus which produces substantially no functional protein with regulating activity on the transcription of genes which are involved in cell wall stress response. It also relates to a method for screening for antifungal agents, in particular to antifungal agents which target the cell wall. It also relates to a kit for screening for antifungal agents which disturb cell wall biogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to further genetic modifications in eukaryotic host cells that have been transformed to express a xylose isomerase that confers the host cell the ability of isomerising xylose to xylulose. The further genetic modifications are aimed at improving the efficiency of xylose metabolism and include e.g. reduction of unspecific aldose reductase activity, increased xylulose kinase activity and increased flux of the pentose phosphate pathway. The modified host cells of the invention are suitable for the production of a wide variety of fermentation products, including ethanol, in fermentation processes in which a source of xylose or a source of xylose and glucose are used as carbon source.

Abstract: Various methods for the production of cellulase are disclosed. In one embodiment the method for producing cellulase includes contacting a culture comprising a sophorolipid producer and a cellulase producer with a substrate that is consumed by the sophorolipid producer. In addition, a microorganism culture made from a sophorolipid producer and a cellulase producer is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of targeted integration of a polynucleotide to a pre-determined site into the genome of a filamentous fungal cell with a preference for NHR, wherein said polynucleotide has a region of homology with said pre-determined site, comprising steering an integration pathway towards HR. The present invention also relates to a mutant filamentous fungus originating from a parent cell, said mutant having an HR pathway with elevated efficiency and/or an NHR pathway with a lowered efficiency and/or a NHR/HR ratio with decreased efficiency as compared to said HR and/or NHR efficiency and/or NHR/HR ratio of said parent cell under the same conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits altered properties, in particular improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism having one or more gene disruptions, the one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding an enzyme obligatory coupling 3-hydroxypropionic acid production to growth of the microorganism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme, whereby the one or more gene disruptions confers stable growth-coupled production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid onto the non-naturally occurring microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating CMP-sialic acid in a non-human host which lacks endogenous CMP-Sialic by providing the host with enzymes involved in CMP-sialic acid synthesis from a bacterial, mammalian or hybrid CMP-sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. Novel fungal hosts expressing a CMP-sialic acid biosynthetic pathway for the production of sialylated glycoproteins are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating food waste by fermenting a raw material comprising the food waste by means of a koji mold to obtain a liquid substance. The koji mold is a koji mold belonging to genus Aspergillus capable of producing citric acid. The liquid substance comprises a citric add produced by the koji mold and has a pH of 5.5 or less. The method enables food waste to be used for feed without the problems usually associated with pig farming techniques using garbage. Additionally, the method allows food wastes to be preserved for a long time without putrefaction. Also offered is a feed composition comprising a treated food waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel stemphones having enhancing effect of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent, and a process for production thereof. The process is comprised of culturing microorganism belonging to genus Aspergillus and having ability to produce stemphones, the microorganism of which is Aspergillus sp. FKI-2136 NITE BP-83, accumulating the stemphones in the cultured mass, and isolating the stemphones from the cultured mass. Since the obtained stemphones have an action enhancing activity of ?-lactam antibiotic used as an antibacterial agent by combining with ?-lactam antibiotic, the stemphones are expected to be useful as the therapeutic agent for MRSA infection and infectious diseases caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms including ?-lactam antibiotic resistance.

Abstract: Described herein are protease inhibitors, variants thereof and methods for their production.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids containing unsaturation at the carbon 9 position (i.e., “?9-elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?9-elongase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6). The production of dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) from eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6), and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) from dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) is then catalyzed by ?8-desaturase and ?5-desaturase, respectively. AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The ability of two Aspergillus flavus Link isolates (CT3 and K49) to reduce aflatoxin contamination of corn was assessed in a four-year field study (2001 to 2004). Soil was treated with six wheat inoculant treatments: toxigenic isolate F3W4; the non-toxigenic isolate K49; the non-aflatoxigenic isolate CT3, two mixtures of CT3 or K49 with F3W4; and an autoclaved wheat control, applied at 20 kg/ha. In 2001, inoculation with the toxigenic isolate increased corn grain aflatoxin levels by 167% compared to the non-inoculated control, while CT3 and K49 inoculation reduced aflatoxin levels in corn grain by 86% & 60%, respectively. In 2002, inoculation of CT3 and K49 reduced aflatoxin levels by 61% and 76% compared to non-inoculated controls, respectively. In 2001 mixtures of toxigenic and non-toxigenic isolates had little effect on aflatoxin levels, but in 2002 inoculation with mixtures of K49 and CT3 reduced aflatoxin levels 68 and 37% compared to non-inoculated controls, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitrites to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide of interest by (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Aspergillus cell, wherein (i) the mutant comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes responsible for the biosynthesis or secretion of at least one toxin, and (ii) the mutant produces less of the toxin than the parent Aspergillus cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the culture medium. Also, mutants of Aspergillus cells are provided, as well as methods for obtaining the mutant cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2-phenylbenzofurans of formula (I) which are formed, during fermentation, by the microorganism Aspergillus flavipes ST003878 (DSM 15290), to a process for preparing them and to their use as pharmaceuticals for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of bacterial infectious diseases or mycoses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel compound having a molecular formula C13H15NO5 having molecular structure of Formula I and a process for the isolation of said compound. The present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting 13-lipoxygenase and having free radical scavenging activity.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to polynucleotides encoding the enzyme oxalate decarboxylase from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and methods of use. The subject invention also pertains to methods of using the enzyme oxalate decarboxylase from Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broadly reactive vaccine against Gram-negative bacteria which is composed of a biological glycan-pilus conjugate. The conjugate core is a common pilus type to which is attached the glycan of choice in vivo. Pooling of these bioconjugates produces a multivalent vaccine. These pili give high bronchial titers when delivered by the intranasal route. Mice vaccinated with pure glycosylated P. aeruginosa strain 1244 pili in this manner are protected against respiratory challenge with P. aeruginosa strain 1244. The present invention further relates to a DNA and amino acid sequence of a new gene, pilO, which is capable of glycosylating pilin of Gram-negative bacteria and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are Hansenula polymorpha mutants useful as host cells through which various proteins can be produced as being intact at high yield and a process for preparing recombinant proteins using the host cells. Using various vectors, Hansenula polymorpha is made to be a mutant which is deprived of methanol assimilating ability and incapable of utilizing methanol as a carbon source. This Hansenula polymorpha mutant is used as a high yield host to produce recombinant proteins without continuous feeding of methanol, with the aid of an expression cassette carrying a promoter capable of inducing the expression at a low concentration of methanol. Further, the mutant is also lacking in carboxypeptidase Y, protease Y and/or carboxypeptidase a activity, so the recombinant protein of interest is not degraded at its carboxyl terminal when being expressed in the cell. Thus, intact recombinant protein can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of constructing and screening a library of polynucleotide sequences of interest in filamentous fungal cells by use of an episomal replicating AMA1-based plasmid vector, thus achieving a high frequency of transformation and a stable and standard uniformly high level of gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising microorganisms as an active ingredient, which can maintain a high survival rate of the same over long periods, and exhibit superior physical properties during applications, and provide a method for stably storing the wettable composition for use in agriculture for a long period of time. That is, the present invention corresponds to a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising spores of filamentous fungi which are in the form of dried powders having a volume median diameter ranging from 2 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m, and having a ratio of (volume 90% diameter)/(volume 10% diameter;) of not more than 5.62, and an adsorbent having a water absorption ability in an amount of at least 1% by mass based on the total mass of the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of A. fumigatus profilin, methods of screening for A. fumigatus profilin modulators using biologically active A. fumigatus profilin, and kits for screening for A. fumigatus profilin modulators.

Abstract: Newly-isolated and purified metabolites which are effective in regulating the development of at least one filamentous fungal microorganism species are disclosed. These compounds, which are referred to as conidiogenol and conidiogenone, may be used to induce conidiation in and/or to inhibit the growth of populations of such fungal species. The compounds are preferably produced by culture of the fungal species Penicillium cyclopium, and may be subsequently recovered from the culture medium and purified. Methods of using and methods of producing these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of compounds of the formula: from a compound of the formula comprising hydroxylating a compound of the formula I in the presence of an enzyme produced by a microorganism of the genera Cunninghamella species or Aspergillus. Preferred microorganisms are Cunninghamella echinulata var. elegans and Aspergillus flavipes. Mixtures of compounds of formulae II and III may also be highly enriched in their composition of compound II by using the enzyme from Cunninghamella echinulata ATC 8688b.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition useful for early and profuse sporulation in fungi with about 100 fold increase in spore count within 48 hours of inoculation, said composition comprising molasses ranging between 5-20 g/L, Corn Steep Liquor (CSL) ranging between 10-25 g/L, Sodium chloride (NaCl) ranging between 5-15 g/L, calcium sulphate (CaSO4) ranging between 0.1-0.5 g/L, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) ranging between 0.001-0.01 g/L, Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7 H2O) ranging between 0.001-0.01 g/L, Copper sulphate (CuSO4) ranging between 0.001-0.0050 g/L, Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) ranging between 0.0009-0.005 g/L, an anti-foam agent, and optionally solidifying agent and a method thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inexpensive phytase with a low Km value for phytic acid, DNA coding for the phytase, recombinant DNA having the DNA introduced thereinto, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for preparing a phytase by use of the transformant, and an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: A process for reforming oil fuel comprises the steps of contacting oil fuel with activated aspergillus fungi for a certain period and then mixing the resulting oil fuel with unreformed oil fuel. The reformed oil fuel may be treated with a magnetic catalyst after treatment by the activated aspergillus fungi.