Abstract: Non-yeast protein is mixed with yeast, and enzymatic hydrolysis is carried out with yeast autolytic enzymes and optionally added exogenous enzymes to produce a yeast extract containing hydrolyzed non-yeast protein. More specifically, a mixture of yeast cells and 5 to 50% of cereal and/or animal non-yeast protein source is maintained at 40.degree. to 50.degree. C. for 5 to 15 hours and then at 55.degree. to 65.degree. C. for 1 to 5 hours to allow enzymatic hydrolysis to produce a water-soluble fraction. The water-soluble fraction is separated and concentrated. The non-yeast protein source may be one or more of maize gluten, corn gluten, wheat gluten, soya bean meal, whey solids, dried red blood, oat bran and wheat bran. By appropriate selection of the non-yeast protein, a yeast extract with specific flavor can be produced for use as a taste additive in the food industry.

Abstract: Proteolytic enzyme compositions and processes for digesting connective tissue are provided. The enzyme compositions include collagenase, which is essentially free of toxins and non-collagen specific components, and chymopapain, which is essentially free of toxins. The enzyme compositions are used for dissociating microvessel cells from connective tissue. Recovered microvessel cells are incorporated into artificial vessel grafts. The composition preferrably contains collagenase having an activity of about 43 nkat/ml to about 51 nkat/ml and chymopapin having an activity of about 0.22 nkat/ml to about 0.44 nkat/ml.

Abstract: Bleaching pulp with an enzyme system, containing thermostatic xylanose activity, obtained from a strain of Thermomonospora fusca and more specifically from a new strain with the designation KW3 and deposition number DSM 6013.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting and processing tissue to produce an endothelial cell product having a vessel for rinsing, draining, digesting and isolating tissue. The vessel has a rinsing and digesting chamber for containing tissue during processing. An inlet in the rinsing and digesting chamber allows entry of rinsing solution and tissue from a liposuction device. A waste chamber in fluid communication with the rinsing and digesting chamber preferably connects with a vacuum source. An isolation chamber is separated from the rinsing and digesting chamber by a screen. An ampule in fluid communication with the isolation chamber includes a pair of ports controlled by valve devices to be selectively in fluid communication with the isolation chamber. After processing, the ampule isolates a pellet of endothelial cells and the valve devices permit the pellet to be in fluid communication with the ports.

Abstract: A process for preparing a stabilized aloe vera gel which includes separating the clear gel from the whole leaf of the aloe vera plant, by grinding and mixing the whole leaf with a cellulose dissolving compound. Clear aloe vera gel is obtained through a series of filtration steps. A selected quantity of an oxygen scavenging enzyme, such as glucose oxidase is added to the mixture to remove oxygen from within the gel and inhibit the growth of aerobic bacteria therein, and ultra-violet light is used to sterilize the gel without the addition of heat thereto. The material can be passed through a final organic filter to remove any remaining bacteria.

Abstract: Method for processing vegetable, fruit and garden waste, indicated as VFG-waste, in which, after a pre-sorting has taken place, the waste (3) is brought into a washing-separating device (4), in which, with the help of water, the waste is separated into a coarse organic fraction (6) which is composted and into a residual fraction (7). The coarse fraction contains particles larger than 2 up to 4 mm. The residual fraction (7) is separated into an inert fraction (11) for recovering sand (13) therefrom, and into a fraction (15) consisting of liquid containing a fine organic fraction (17) and substances dissolved and colloidally divided in the liquid. The fraction (15), obtained from the residual fraction (7) after removing the inert fraction (11) therefrom, is subjected to an anaerobic stabilization.

Abstract: A method of producing intact islets of Langerhans in an insulin producing condition uses a mixture of Hank's solution and 10% by volume fetal calf serum to ductally distend the human pancreas. The exocrine tissue of the pancreas is digested at about 37.degree. C. by an enzyme preparation of collagenase, trypsin and proteolytic enzyme present in the mixture at a level of about 0.2% by weight. The digestion is monitored at regular intervals during the process. The digested pancreas is comminuted, filtered and intact islets of Langerhans are recovered. The recovered islets retain their insulin producing properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for staining slides using immunochemical reagents. The method comprises the following steps. The assay region of a slide (the region containing the tissue section) is washed with an improved rinsing solution comprising water and a detergent. An evaporation inhibitor liquid is applied to the slide to cover the assay region. For antigens requiring unmasking, the tissue section is combined with an improved, stabilized proteolytic enzyme solution. The slide is rinsed, and the evaporation inhibitor liquid is reapplied to the slide. A primary antibody in an improved diluent containing globulins from the same species as a second antibody is combined with the tissue section for a time sufficient for substantially complete antibody binding. The slide is rinsed, and the evaporation inhibitor liquid is reapplied. A labeled second antibody in the improved diluent is combined with the tissue section for a time sufficient for substantially complete antibody binding.

Abstract: It has been found that Ambrosia sp. and Apocynum sp. accumulate lead in the leaves, stems, and roots when it grows in soil containing organic or inorganic species of lead. Lead is accumulated in the leaves and stems to a greater extent than in most other plants. Lead can be economically recovered from contaminated soil and sludge by harvesting Ambrosia sp. or Apocynum sp. grown in media containing high concentrations of lead.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the control or prevention of aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities. Non-toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus are shown to inhibit aflatoxin production by toxigenic strains. Additionally, the non-toxigenic strains produce a factor in culture that alone inhibits aflatoxin production by toxigenic strains.

Abstract: A process for biologically controlling the preharvest accumulation of aflatoxin in soil-borne crops. Non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus parasiticus having all of the relevant identifying characteristics of NRRL 18786 and NRRL 18991 are shown to inhibit aflatoxin production by native toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus in the soil environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the allergenicity of psyllium seed husk by treatment with an enzyme. An aqueous slurry of psyllium seed husk is treated with the enzyme under conditions sufficient to inactivate the allergenic protein thus reducing the allergenicity of the psyllium seed husk.

Abstract: The content of phosphorus-containing components and the iron content of an edible vegetable or animal oil, preferably an oil such as soybean oil which has been wet-refined to remove mucilage, are reduced by enzymatic decomposition by contacting the oil with an aqueous solution of phospholipases A.sub.1, A.sub.2, or B and then separating the aqueous phase from the treated oil.

Abstract: Microorganisms are removed from the surface of materials such as fabrics or contact lenses by treatment with a Type II endoglycosidase. The Type II endoglycosidase may be used alone or in combination with other enzymes, detergents, surfactants and/or disulfide cleaving reagents to facilitate removal of the microorganisms. The Type II endoglycosidase may be an Endo-.beta.-N-acetylglucosaminidase, Endo-.alpha.-N-acetylgalactosaminidase or Endo-.beta.-N-galactosidase.

Abstract: A method for separation and recovery of polymeric beads from an antibiotic fermentation broth comprising suspending a mixture of the beads and any inherent mold from the fermentation in an aqueous solution having a specific gravity which is effective to cause the beads to form a discrete layer at or on the surface of the solution, separate and apart from the mold. The separate layer of the beads may then be easily removed from the liquid by a conventional physical methods.

Abstract: A process is described for converting organic materials (such as biomass wastes) into a bioplastic suitable for use as a biodegradable plastic. In a preferred embodiment the process involves thermally gasifying the organic material into primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen, followed by photosynthetic bacterial assimilation of the gases into cell material. The process is ideally suited for waste recycling and for production of useful biodegradable plastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunohistochemical staining method using improved reagents. In one aspect, the method uses an evaporation inhibitor liquid to prevent evaporation of reagents applied to an assay region of a slide.

Abstract: Antibacterially active compositions are prepared from a proteolytic enzymatic digestate of glycopeptides obtained from a protein isolate enriched with soya glycoprotein 7S or with bean glycoprotein II. The glycopeptide digestate is treated with endo-.beta.-N-acetylglucosaminidase H to obtain oligosaccharide compositions which then also may be treated with exo-.alpha.-mannosidase to obtain further oligosaccharide compositions.

Abstract: A method for separation and recovery of polymeric beads from an antibiotic fermentation broth comprising suspending a mixture of the beads and any inherent mold from the fermentation in an aqueous solution having a specific gravity which is effective to cause the beads to form a discrete layer at or on the surface of the solution, separate and apart from the mold. The separate layer of the beads may then be easily removed from the liquid by a conventional physical methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantitatively assaying the presence of DSP toxins such as okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-1 in marine samples. The method comprises the steps of preparing a marine extract, fractionating the prepared marine extract and selecting the extract fraction containing the toxin to be assayed. Once the desired extract fraction has been selected, a labelled substrate for protein phosphatase and at least one protein phosphatase are added to the extract in an assay. The amount of toxin present is quantitatively measured by the ability of the extract fraction to inhibit catalysis, mainly dephosphorylation, of the labelled substrate by protein phosphatases, such as phosphatase-1 (PP1) or phosphatase-2A (PP2A). Preferably, the method of the present invention is used to assay the presence of okadaic acid in marine organisms such as mussels, oysters, scallops, phytoplankton and the like.

Abstract: A method for separation and recovery of polymeric beads from an antibiotic fermentation broth comprising suspending a mixture of the beads and any inherent mold from the fermentation in an aqueous solution having a specific gravity which is effective to cause the beads to form a discrete layer at or on the surface of the solution, separate and apart from the mold. The separate layer of the beads may then be easily removed from the liquid by a conventional physical methods.

Abstract: An enzyme preparation is obtained containing a nuclease that is produced by a fungus such as Trichoderma, Aspergillus and Fusarium and which remains active even after heating at 100.degree. C. for 30 minutes. This enzyme preparation may be effectively used when it is necessary to decompose nucleic acids at elevated temperature over a prolonged period.

Abstract: An extraction method for lysing chlamydial, gonococcal or herpes organisms and extracting detectable antigen therefrom involves the use of a protease. In particular, the antigen can be effectively extracted from a biological specimen which contains whole blood or mucous using a protease. The extracted antigen can be effectively detected in an immunoassay involving antibodies directed to the antigen. The protease is novel to the process and is obtained from Bacillus subtilisin.

Abstract: Bone is enzymatically debrided prior to undergoing further processing which renders the bone suitable for osteoprosthetic use.

Abstract: A method of extracting cellular components, e.g., nucleic acids, particularly DNA, from biological, expecially solid tissue, samples, particularly from plants is provided, whereby all of the steps can be performed in one vessel, and the entire process can be automated. A vessel suitable for this process is provided, as well as a system for the automated performance of the process steps.

Abstract: Disclosed is hylan, a chemically modified hyaluronan preparation characterized by the presence of small amounts (0.0002-0.05% by weight) of aldehyde cross-linking groups covalently bonded to the hyaluronan molecular chains. Also disclosed is an improved method of obtaining hylan comprising treating hyaluronan in situ in animal tissues containing same with a treatment mixture including an aldehyde which is reactive towards hyaluronic acid and the proteins contained in the animal tissue. Treatment is effected at temperatures below about 16.degree. C. at very high pH, e.g., 8-14 whereby the overall yield is increased while maintaining the high molecular weight of the hylan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling or preventing sapstain in wood or wood products using the fungus Mariannaea elegans as a biological control agent. The method comprises treating the wood or wood products with an inoculum of Mariannaea elegans.

Abstract: The soaking of hides and skins is enzymatically assisted in a method using an aqueous float having a pH from 9 to 11 which containsA) a lipase having an activity optimum in the pH region from 9 to 11,B) a protease with activity in the pH region from 9 to 11, andC) a surface active agent.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for release from the cell-receptor complex of positively selected cells in viable, functional condition, where a ligand involved in the particular receptor-ligand interaction utilized for the affinity purification is selectively attacked by one or more degradative enzymes specific for that ligand. A resulting cell suspension can be obtained substantially free of receptor material.This invention, in one embodiment, contemplates a method for positive stem cell selection, utilizing anti-MY10 and immunomagnetic microspheres to isolate CD34-positive marrow cells and employing an enzyme to release micropheres from the isolated CD34-positive cells. Reproducible enzymatic cleaving of immunomagnetic microspheres from MY10-positive cells can be achieved by brief treatment of the preparation with papain or chymopapain. The isolated CD34-positive cells are particularly desirable for bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing L-rhamnose by hydrolyzing a rhamnosidic bond of a glycoside having rhamnose in a terminal position, by enzymatically hydrolyzing the glucoside with an enzyme combination comprising biological structural material degrading enzyme and a naringinase preparation which has a higher rhamnosidase activity than beta-glucosidase activity. Preferably the enzyme combination having rhamnosidase activity together with additional enzyme activity is a selected partially purified enzyme preparation having high rhamnosidase activity and low glucosidase activity together with biological structural material degrading activity. More preferably the additional enzyme activity is derived from an enzyme of the group consisting of protease, lipase, pectinase, cellulase and hemicellulase.

Abstract: Methylotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms are supported on a rigid substrate bed. Oxygen, such as from air, and a low-molecular-weight alkane, such as methane, flow through the bed. Organic compounds in contaminated water processing through the bed are biodegraded by the microorganisms. The bed may be formed of manufactured particlate material, such as of activated carbon. These bed-forming materials may be preloaded with organic carbon materials to provide a nutrient source for the microogranisms. The biological reactor may continuously treat effluent from, for example, an industrial plant, in either a batch or continuous process. A water solids removal subsystem may be positioned upstream of the biological reactor to remove organic carbon compounds and various solids from the contaminated water prior to treatment. Optional bed cleaning mechanisms may also be included in the biological reactor.

Abstract: Unique marine amoebae capable of digesting algal cell walls and degrading complex hydrocarbons, including plastics, and methods for treating algae and complex hoydrocarbons using the amoebae and partially purified enzymes from the amoebae.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dehalogenating and further biodegrading organic compounds, including halogenated organic compounds, present in an aqueous mixture, the mixture comprising the waste effluent produced in a continuous high flow rate by an industrial plant such as a bleach pulp or paper mill using chlorine and chlorine compounds. The aqueous mixture is passed through at least one combination of a first oxygen-enriched liquid zone and a second zone containing a mixed population of methylotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms supported on a substrate bed. A first gas including oxygen is flowed through the first zone and second gas consisting substantially of a low-molecular-weight alkane is flowed through the second zone as the aqueous mixture passes through the first and second zones.

Abstract: A method and a test kit for rapidly determining the presence of functional cellular steroid receptors by assaying a tissue sample for nuclear steroid or antisteroid binding is disclosed which comprises treating the tissue with collagenase, incubating the isolated cells with a labelled steroid or a labelled antisteroid capable of complexing said receptors and measuring the bound nuclear radioactivity and the DNA of the isolated cellular nuclei.

Abstract: Controlled enzymatic treatment may be used to selectively degrade undesirable contaminants to a size or charge range which can be more readily removed by subsequent separation steps. Treatment is especially useful for purifying rDNA or monoclonal antibody culture products by using nuclease enzyme treatment to degrade undesirable residual nucleic acids to a molecular size or charge range sufficiently different from the product to be purified so that this difference can be exploited in a subsequent purification step (e.g. precipitation, size exclusion chromatography or ion exchange chromatography). The nuclease enzyme treatment is done in the presence of a detergent.

Abstract: The invention teaches a method and kit for purifying nucleic acid, such as DNA, from a sample, such as lysed cell or tissue sample. A sample is applied to an anionic exchange matrix column uniformly distributing the sample therein. The column bed is then washed with a weak ionic salt solution which is then removed. The anionic exchange material is optionally primed with an amount strong ionic salt solution which is insufficient to elute the nucleic acid from the column. The priming solution is then removed. An elution buffer is added either directly after the washing step or after the priming step. This is also a strong ionic salt solution of an ionic salt. The elution buffer removes the purified nucleic acid from the material. The method permits purification of nucleic acids without using organic solvents, and, if the priming step is used, in more concentrated form. Uniform distribution of the sample via disturbance of the matrix or column facilitates the purification.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane bioreactor process for continuous selective removal of organic toxicants or other oleophilic solutes present in an aqueous process stream wherein low concentration levels of said toxicant are removed from the aqueous process stream by being extracted and concentrated by the permeably selective hollow fiber membrane and then provided to a microorganism for metabolization into a water soluble metabolite. The water soluble metabolite is prevented from reentering the aqueous process stream and removed from the bioreactor in the aqueous nutrient effluent stream.

Abstract: Substantially pigment-free gliding bacteria adjuvant (GBA) is isolated from medium in which Cytophaga strain GB-2 has been cultured by extraction with acetone to remove pigment, enzymatic digestion and filtration to remove residual protein and nucleic acids, and affinity chromatography to remove residual lipopolysaccharide. This pure form of GBA shows unexpectedly high specific immunopotentiating activity relative to crude GBA.

Abstract: Use of diols or acetalized triols, di- or tricarboxylic acid esters, mixtures of dicarboxylic acid esters or butyrolactone as extracting agents for obtaining pure polyesters or copolyesters containing 3-hydroxybutyric acid units.

Abstract: A method for the wet degreasing of raw hides and skins, pelts, and wet blues under the conditions of enzymatic bating, wherein enzymatic bating of the hide stock is carried out with proteolytic enzymes in the presence of synthetic surface active substances, for example, a mixture of a non-ionic emulsifier and anionic emulsifier.

Abstract: Enzymes isolated from krill of the order Euphausiaceae are used to remove biological contaminants. Preferably, a mixture of enzymes including exo-and endopeptidase is isolated. The enzymes can be used in laundering or to clean or debride living tissue. Isolation may be carried out by homogenizing krill and extracting the enzymes with an aqueous medium. The enzymes may be further purified by gel chromatography. After lipids have been removed, the enzymes can be lyophilized for long time storage.

Abstract: Bone is enzymatically debrided prior to undergoing further processing which renders the bone suitable for osteoprosthetic use.

Abstract: A substantially purified human chorionic gonadotropin releasing factor (hCG-RF) which is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight between about 50,000 and about 70,000. This hCG-RF is capable of stimulating release of human chorionic gonadotropin as well as prostaglandins, particularly from human term placental cultures. This hCG-RF is capable of degrading GnRH and is isolatable from human placenta, preferably term placenta. Such hCG-RF may be used to affect a state of pregnancy, particularly mammalian pregnancy. This effect upon pregnancy may comprise the induction of a normal labor.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating a biodegradable organic material in an aqueous medium to produce methane gas is disclosed. The method involves flowing the aqueous medium under pressure through a hydrolytic-redox, immobilized microbe bioreactor to form a reaction product and then continuing the flow of the reaction product through an anaerobic, immobilized microbe bioreactor whereby methane gas is evolved. The aqueous medium is flowed in a downward direction counter to the flow of the gaseous carbon dioxide given off during the reaction and the aqueous medium may be recycled.

Abstract: Fragments of a biopsy sample on the order of about 50 to 5000 cells are preferred for establishing viable tumor cell cultures for purposes such as establishing cell lines, chemotherapeutic assays and the like. Such fragments retain the three-dimensional cellular structure or organization of the original tumor and, therefore, can be cultured more readily. To obtain such fragments suitable for culturing, the biopsy sample can be enzymatically digested in a proteolytic or nucleolytic enzyme, such as collagenase, or by mechanical dissociation, or both where necessary. The fragments can then be suspended in an aqueous medium so that non-aggregated cells (e.g., red blood cells, lymphocytes, macrophages) and cellular debris will form a supernatant while the remaining fragments containing aggregated tumor cells are deposited in a sediment layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming stabilized admixtures of dried viable harmless lactic acid producing bacteria. A blend is prepared from a non-toxic particulate carrier and a hydrophilic molecular sieve adsorbent. Preferably the blend contains at least 95% by weight of a carrier which has a very low water absorbing capacity, and the molecular sieve adsorbent is blended in about 0.1 to 2 parts by weight for each 98 to 99.9 parts of the carrier. The resulting admixtures are storable without refrigeration.

Abstract: A process is described for rapid conversion of organic acids and alcohols anaerobic digesters into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the optimal precursor substrates for production of methane. The process includes addition of photosynthetic bacteria to the digester and exposure of the bacteria to radiant energy (e.g., solar energy). The process also increases the pH stability of the digester to prevent failure of the digester. Preferred substrates for photosynthetic bacteria are the organic acid and alcohol waste products of fermentative bacteria. In mixed culture with methanogenic bacteria or in defined co-culture with non-aceticlastic methanogenic bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria are capable of facilitating the conversion or organic acids and alcohols into methane with low levels of light energy input.

Abstract: A method for enzyme immunoassay includes contacting under binding conditions a liquid suspected of containing an analyte, an antianalyte affixed to a solid support and a tracer having an enzyme conjugated thereto. A bound fraction is separated from the liquid and incubated in a second liquid with a masked ligand. The masked ligand is converted by the enzyme on the bound fraction to give free lignad which binds to an antiligand. A signal system, such as a signal enzyme and substrate therefor, or a label-loaded vesicle and vesicle lysing agent, is added to generate a signal used to detect or measure the analyte in the liquid. The invention includes a kit of materials useful in performing the assay of the invention.

Abstract: A procedure for isolating high molecular weight nucleic acids utilizing a mixture of lytic enzymes and a chaotropic agent to complete protein denaturation and dissociation from nucleic acids is provided. The nucleic acids so obtained are useful for restriction enzyme analysis and DNA probe hybridization.

Abstract: The separation of cationic materials from an ore body is assisted by the application of an electric potential, and resulting current, to the ore body, in association with iron or sulphur oxidizing bacteria. The combined process induces migration of cationic metals to a cathode suspended within the ore body so that the cationic metal can be preferentially separated from the ore body.