Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucanotransferase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A variant of a cell-wall degrading enzyme having a beta-helix structure, which variant holds at least one substituent in a position determined by identifying all residues potentially belonging to a stack; characterising the stack as interior or exterior; characterising the stack as polar, hydrophobic or aromatic/heteroaromatic based on the dominating characteristics of the parent or wild-type enzyme stack residues and/or its orientation relative to the beta-helix (interior or exterior); optimizing all stack positions of a stack either to hydrophobic aliphatic amino acids, hydrophobic aromatic or polar amino acids by allowing mutations within one or all positions to amino acids belonging to one of these groups; measuring thermostability of the variants by DSC or an application-related assay such as a Pad-Steam application test; and selecting the stabilized variants. Variant of a wild-type parent pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.

Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: A method is provided for enzymatically modifying a polyester resin, film, fiber, yarn, fabric or textile to modify the characteristics thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treatment of cellulosic material, as for example, knitted or woven cotton fabric, comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous enzyme solution comprising pectinase, treating the cellulosic material with an effective amount of the aqueous enzyme solution under alkaline scouring conditions; e.g., pH of 9 or above and a temperature of 50° C. or above, in a low calcium or calcium-free environment, yielding a modification of the cellulosic material such that exhibits an enhanced respond to a subsequent chemical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme preparations consisting essentially of an enzyme which has cellulytic activity and comprises a first amino acid sequence having the following sequence 1 (SEQ ID NO:79) Thr Arg Xaa Xaa Asp Cys Cys Xaa Xaa 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 Xaa Cys Xaa Trp Xaa 10  11  12  13  14

Abstract: An isolated or purified polypeptide having xyloglucanase activity which is obtained from a strain of the genus Malbranchea and has xyloglucanase activity in the pH range 4-11, measured at 50° C.; and/or a molecular mass of 25±10 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE; and/or an isoelectric point (pI) in the range 3-5; and/or an N-terminal sequence Ala-Asp-Phe-Cys-Gly-Gln-Xaa-Asp-Ser-Glu-Gln-Ser-Gly-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Val-Tyr-Asn-Asn-Leu is useful in industrial applications such as in laundry detergent compositions and for treatment of textiles.

Abstract: The structure of a flash memory is described. Device isolation structures are located on the substrate. Sources are provided on the top layer of the substrate between two device isolation structures. Tunneling oxide layers are provided at both ends of the device isolation structures and on the substrate where the sources are present. Drains are provided in the top layer of the substrate where the tunneling oxide layer is absent in between the device isolation structures. Polysilicon blocks are extended across the ends of two device isolating structures, above the tunnel oxide layer. A silicon oxide cap layer is located on the polysilicon block. The silicon oxide layers are formed on the sidewalls of the polysilicon blocks. The polysilicon layer is on the sidewall of the polysilicon blocks and the polysilicon blocks are separated by the silicon oxide layer. The silicon oxide layer covers the surface of the polysilicon layers.

Abstract: A method for treating cellulosic materials is disclosed which comprises contacting the cellulosic material with a cellulase obtainable from Thermomonospora fusca corresponding to E5 or a derivative thereof. Particularly preferred methods comprise stonewashing and detergent cleaning of cotton fabrics, the production of paper products, as an additive to animal feed and in the production of food, starch, ethanol and sugar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant &agr;-amylase having an amino acid sequence obtained by making deletion or replacement by another arbitrary amino acid residue of at least a methionine residue at the 202-position or a position homologous thereto among amino acid residues set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, which constitute a liquefying alkaline &agr;-amylase, a gene thereof, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant &agr;-amylase. The mutant &agr;-amylase has the optimum pH in an alkaline range, an excellent &agr;-amylase activity, and high and lasting resistance to oxidizing agents, and is hence particularly useful as a component of detergent compositions containing a bleaching agent and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Genes encoding novel cellulases, and a gene encoding a protein that facilitates the action of such novel cellulases, the novel cellulases and a protein that facilitates the action of such cellulases, and enzyme preparations containing such proteins are described. The native hosts and the culture medium of said hosts containing said novel cellulases are also disclosed. These proteins are especially useful in the textile and detergent industry and in pulp and paper industry.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating cellulose containing fabrics with cellulase comprising contacting the cellulose fabrics with truncated cellulase enzyme. Treatment of cellulose containing fabrics with cellulase core domains of the invention are disclosed as offering specific advantages of reduced redeposition of dye and increased abrasion.

Abstract: Applying bacterial spores to fabric to rid the fabric of allergens. The spores are allowed to remain on the fabric for an extended period of time after application so as to continuously rid the fabric of allergens. Also, contemplated by this invention is applying the spores to a surface to rid the surface of allergens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides with reduced immune response including reduced allergenicity having one or more amino acid residues being substituted with other amino acid residues and/or having coupled one or more polymeric molecules in the vicinity of the polypeptides metal binding site, a method for preparing modified polypeptides of the invention, the use of the polypeptide for reducing the immunogenicity and allergenicity and compositions comprising the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pectate lyases comprising the amino acid sequence Asn Leu Asn Ser Arg Val Pro (NLNSRVP) (SEQ ID NO: 2) belonging to Family 1 of polysaccharide lyases have good performance in industrial processes under neutral or alkaline conditions such as laundering and textile processing. The pectate lyase may be derivable from Bacillus species.

Abstract: A method for treating cellulosic materials is disclosed which comprises contacting the cellulosic material with a cellulase obtainable from Thermomonospora fusca corresponding to E5 or a derivative thereof. Particularly preferred methods comprise stonewashing and detergent cleaning of cotton fabrics, the production of paper products, as an additive to animal feed and in the production of food, starch, ethanol and sugar.

Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high-temperature biopreparation of cellulosic fibers by contacting the fibers with pectin-degrading enzymes, preferably thermostable, alkaline, divalent cation-independent pectate lyases, under conditions compatible with scouring and bleaching technologies.

Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: A novel pectate lyase belonging to a novel family of polysaccharide lyases has good performance in industrial processes under neutral or alkaline conditions such as laundering and textile processing. The pectate lyase may be derivable from Bacillus species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme preparations consisting essentially of an enzyme which has cellulytic activity and comprises a first amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acid residues having the following sequence Thr Arg Xaa Xaa Asp Cys Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Cys Xaa 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12 Trp Xaa 13  14 and a second amino acid sequence consisting of 5 amino acid residues having the following sequence Trp Cys Cys Xaa Cys 1   2   3   4   5 wherein, in position 3 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Trp, Tyr or Phe; in position 4 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Trp, Tyr or Phe; in position 8 of the first sequence, the amino acid is Arg, Lys or His; in

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein disulfide isomerases which are encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes with (i) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or (ii) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, under the following conditions: presoaking in 5×SSC and prehybridizing for 1 h at ˜40° C. in a solution of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, and 50 &mgr;g of denatured sonicated calf thymus DNA, followed by hybridization in the same solution supplemented with 50 &mgr;Ci 32-P-dCTP labelled probe for 18 h at ˜40° C. followed by washing three times in 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 40° C. for 30 minutes; and fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding the protein disulfide isomerases, compositions comprising said protein disulfide isomerases and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A more efficient method of improving the feel and appearance of cellulosic-containing fabric prior to finishing which method comprises contacting the fabric with a cellulase solution under pressure, and under conditions wherein the solution cascades across the fabric, and under conditions effective in improving the feel and appearance of the cellulosic-containing fabric.

Abstract: Polymethylgalacturonases belonging to family 28 of polysaccharide lyases and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 show good performance in industrial processes such as laundering and textile processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of dyeing a material which involve contacting the material with a dyeing system which comprises: (a) a mixture of (i) an aromatic diamine and (ii) one or more of a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene and (b) an oxidation system comprising (i) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (ii) an enzyme exibiting oxidase activity on one or more of the compounds of mixture (a). The material may be a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of fur, hide, leather, silk or wool, or made of cationic polysaccharide, cotton, diacetate, flax, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, synthetic polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, triacetate, or viscose.

Abstract: A novel cellulase composition is provided which is predicable by an Actinomycete. The cellulase has an approximate calculated molecular weight of 36 kD and has a pH optimum at 40° C. of 8 and at 60° C. of 7. Also provided is a DNA encoding said cellulase, a method for producing the cellulase and applications thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening chemically modified mutant enzymes for amidase and/or esterase activity. This method includes providing a chemically modified mutant enzyme with one or more amino acid residues from an enzyme being replaced by cysteine residues, where at least some of the cysteine residues are modified by replacing thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residues with a thiol side chain, contacting the chemically modified mutant enzyme with a substrate for an amidase and/or a substrate for an esterase, and determining whether the chemically modified mutant enzyme exhibits amidase and/or esterase activity. The present invention also relates to chemically modified mutant enzymes and a method of producing them where one or more amino acid residues from an enzyme are replaced by cysteine residues, and the cysteine residues are modified by replacing at least some of the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residue with a thiol side chain to form the chemically modified mutant enzyme.

Abstract: A xyloglucanase having a relative xyloglucanase activity of at least 50% at pH 7 and either no or an insignificant cellulolytic activity is obtainable e.g. from a strain of Bacillus. A xyloglucanase comprising an amino acid sequence as shown in positions 30-261 of SEQ ID NO:2 or homologues may be derived from eg Bacillus licheniformis, ATCC 14580, and may be encoded by polynucleotide molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 from nucleotide 88 to nucleotide 783; and a xyloglucanase comprising an amino acid sequence as shown in positions 1-537 of SEQ ID NO:4 or homologues may be derived from eg B. agaradhaerens, NCIMB 40482, and may be encoded by polynucleotide molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 1611. The xyloglucanases are useful e.g. in cleaning compositions and for treatment of cellulosic fibres.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating cellulose containing fabrics with cellulase comprising contacting the cellulose fabrics with truncated cellulase enzyme. Treatment of cellulose containing fabrics with cellulase core domains of the invention are disclosed as offering specific advantages of reduced redeposition of dye and increased abrasion.

Abstract: Disclosed are strength loss resistant methods for treating cotton toweling with cellulase so as to impart permanent softening to the toweling. In particular, the methods disclosed herein involve the application of a specified amount of cellulase onto one or both of the surfaces of a cotton toweling so as to result in permanent softening of the toweling.

Abstract: Lipase is immobilized on surfaces to facilitate oil removal from the surfaces and to alter wettability of the surfaces. The lipase is isolatable from a Pseudomonas organism such as Pseudomonas putida ATCC 53552 or from an organism expressing a coding region found in or cloned from the Pseudomonas. A particularly preferred lipase has a molecular weight of about 30 to 35 kd and is resolvable as a single band by SDS gel electrophoresis. Lipase sorbed on fabric forms a fabric-lipase complex for oil stain removal. The lipase may be sorbed on fabric before or after an oil stain, and the lipase is active to hydrolyze an oil stain on dry fabric or fabric in laundering solutions. The sorbed lipase has enhanced stability to denaturation by surfactants and to heat deactivation, is resistant to removal from fabric during laundering, retains substantial activity after drying fabric at an elevated temperature, and retains activity during fabric storage or wear.

Abstract: A one-step process for combined desizing and “stone-washing” of dyed denim, wherein the denim is treated with an amylolytic enzyme in combination with a first abrading monocomponent endoglucanase and a second streak-reducing monocomponent endoglucanase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing wool or animal hair material with improved properties such as shrink-proofed (anti-felting tendency), increased whiteness, improved dyeability, increased softness and/or reduced pilling tendency, the method comprising the steps of treating wool, wool fibers or animal hair material in a process selected from the group consisting of plasma treatment processes and the Delhey process, and subjecting the wool or animal hair material to a treatment with a proteolytic enzyme (a protease), preferably a serine protease, more preferably a subtilisin, in an amount effective for improving the properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for higha-temperature biopreparation of cellulosic fibers by contacting the fibers with pectin-degrading enzymes, preferably thermostable, alkaline, divalent cation-independent pectate lyases, under conditions compatible with scouring and bleaching technologies.

Abstract: During the desizing and enzymatic stonewashing of denim fabric and/or garments, redeposition of blue color often occurs back onto the surfaces of the denim. The invention relates to a redepositing or backstain inhibiting composition and a method requiring the inclusion of an added protease prior to, during or subsequent to the stonewashing process which reduces the redeposition of the blue dye and hence improves the stonewashing process when using redepositing or backstaining cellulases to give an appearance closer to that when using stones alone or nonredepositing cellulases in the stonewashing process.

Abstract: An enzymatic antimicrobial composition comprising a haloperoxidase, a hydrogen peroxide source, a halide source, and an ammonium source, in particular an ammonium salt or an aminoalcohol, in which there is a hitherto unknown synergistic effect between the halide and the ammonium source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel improved protein mutant which produces low allergenic response in humans compared to the parent of that mutant. Specifically, the present invention comprises neutralizing or reducing the ability of T-cells to recognize epitopes and thus prevent sensitization of an individual to the protein.

Abstract: A novel cellulase composition is provided which is producible by an Actinomycete. The cellulase has an approximate calculated molecular weight of 35 kD and has a pH optimum at 40° C. of 6 and at 60° C. of 6 or less. Also provided is a DNA encoding said cellulase, a method for producing the cellulase and applications thereof.

Abstract: A novel cellulase composition is provided which is producible by an Actinomycete. The cellulase has an approximate calculated molecular weight of 36 kD and has a pH optimum at 40° C. of 8 and at 60° C. of 7. Also provided is a DNA encoding said cellulase, a method for producing the cellulase and applications thereof.

Abstract: A novel group of pectate lyases comprising the amino acid sequence Asn Leu Asn Ser Arg Val Pro (NLNSRVP) belonging to Family 1 of polysaccharide lyases have good performance in industrial processes under neutral or alkaline conditions such as laundering and textile processing. The pectate lyase are derivable from Bacillus species.

Abstract: A method of releasing particulates from a solid matrix is provided. The method is effected adding to the solid matrix a degrading enzyme capable of degrading the solid matrix, to thereby release the particulates from the solid matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of polyamides 6.6 to give adipic acid monomers and hexamethylenediamine monomers. The present invention further relates to an enzyme with amidase activity particularly towards substrates of the oligomer type derived from PA 6.6 and/or PA 6, said enzyme being characterized in that it consists of a peptide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1 in the attached sequence listing and/or at least one polypeptide homologous to this sequence. The invention further relates to the DNA coding for said enzyme and to the biological precursors thereof The invention further relates to the microorganisms capable of producing this enzyme and to the hydrolysis process in which this enzyme and/or these microorganisms are applied.

Abstract: There is provided a detergent composition comprising one or more surfactants and a compound capable of binding to coloured substances which may occur as stains on fabrics.

Abstract: Pectin degrading enzymes derived from or endogeneous to Bacillus licheniformis or other Bacillus species which are at least 99% homologous to Bacillus licheniformis based on aligned 16S rDNA sequences have optimum activity at pH higher than 8. The pectin degrading enzymes belongs to the enzyme classes pectate lyases (EC 4.2.2.2), pectin lyases (EC 4.2.2.10) and polygalacturonases (EC 3.2.1.15) and are useful in industrial processes under alkaline conditions such as in textile processing and as an active ingredient eg in laundry detergents and hard surface cleaning products.

Abstract: A highly active cellulase suitable for use in a removal of nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers, and its gene are provided. A novel cellulase NCE4 isolated from Humicola insolens is a highly active cellulase, and can be used for various treatments of cellulose-containing fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are strength loss resistant methods for treating cotton toweling with cellulase so as to impart permanent softening to the toweling. In particular, the methods disclosed herein involve the application of a specified amount of cellulase onto one or both of the surfaces of a cotton toweling so as to result in permanent softening of the toweling.

Abstract: Samples of commercial cellulose having high crystallinity (>80%) and a degree of polymerization of approximately 1500 were pretreated enzymatically under various conditions with commercial endoglucanases, before the chemical conversion to substituted cellulose derivatives was carried out. The enzymatically pretreated cellulose samples exhibited a significantly higher substitution, up to 222% higher, in comparison with control samples which had been treated with buffer without enzyme. The increase in substitution during the chemical reaction could be observed in the presence of various amounts of alkali, but fell as the amounts of alkali decreased. At the same degree of substitution of the cellulose derivative, the use of cellulose pretreated with endoglucanase significantly reduced the amount of alkali required by 60%, as compared with the use of cellulose pretreated only with buffer.

Abstract: A method of introducing into the surface of dyed denim fabric or garment, localized areas of variations in colour density, the method comprising contacting the fabric or garment with an aqueous composition comprising an effective amount of a pectolytic enzyme preferably selected from the group consisting of pectin lyases (EC 4.2.2.10), galactanases (EC 3.2.1.89), arabinanases (EC 3.2.1.99), pectin esterases (EC 3.1.1.11), mannanases (EC 3.2.1.78), polygalacturonases (EC 3.2.1.15) and pectate lyases (EC 4.2.2.2) at a pH of the aqueous composition between 3 and 11 and a temperature of or below 90.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of treating wool, wool fibers or animal hair with a haloperoxidase (together with a hydrogen peroxide source and a halide source), and a proteolytic enzyme. The described method results in improved shrink-resistance, handle, appearance, wettability, reduction of felting tendency, increased whiteness, reduction of pilling, improved softness, tensile strength retention, improved stretch, improved burst strength, and improved dyeing characteristics such as dye uptake and dye washfastness. Furthermore, relative to treatments with proteolytic enzymes alone (no haloperoxidase), the described method results in reduced weight loss, reduced fiber damage, and improved burst strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for dyeing a material, comprising (a) treating the material with a dyeing system which comprises one or more reduced vat dyes and/or one or more reduced sulfur dyes; and (b) oxidizing the one or more reduced vat dyes or one or more reduced sulfur dyes adsorbed onto the treated material with an oxidation system comprising (i) an oxygen source and one or more enzymes exhibiting oxidase activity or (ii) a hydrogen peroxide source and one or more enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity, to convert the one or more reduced dyes to their original oxidized insoluble colored forms; wherein the material is a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of cotton, diacetate, flax, fur, hide, leather, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, silk, tencel, triacetate, viscose or wool.