Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for suppressing the action of nucleic acid synthesis inhibitory substances and thereby amplifying a nucleic acid in a sample efficiently. According to the present invention, in a method for synthesis of nucleic acids to amplify an intended nucleic acid in a sample, the sample is brought in advance into contact with an insoluble polymer of a polyanion, a sulfated polymer or a sulfated polysaccharide, to remove nucleic acid synthesis inhibitory substances.

Abstract: Supercritical and near critical fluids are used to fractionate biomass materials such as microbial cells in two steps. In the first step, the biomass is exposed to elevated pressure supercritical or near critical fluid to bring about disruption of the biomass to liberate structural biomass constituents. In the second step, the disrupted biomass is subjected to a multiplicity of supercritical or near critical fluid extraction steps, with different solvation conditions used for each fraction. Thus, fractionation of the biomass to obtain one or more compounds is effected. Different solvation properties are obtained using different temperatures, pressures and/or modifier concentrations.

Abstract: A method for obtaining starch from maize involving soaking maize kernels in water to produce soaked maize kernels, grinding the soaked maize kernels to produce a ground maize slurry, and incubating the ground maize slurry with enzyme (e.g., protease).

Abstract: The present invention relates to physiologically active materials separated from the cereals and manufacturing method thereof. Physiologically active materials such as ferulic acid and arabinoxylan present in cereal brans were separated by the extrusion process and the subsequent treatment with plant cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes. This combined process of extrusion and enzyme treatments for cereal brans, compared to the individual treatment, significantly increased the separation efficiency of physiologically active materials in cereal brans, ferulic acid and arabinoxylan, which inherently exist as insoluble materials in the cell wall of cereal bran.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic treatment of organic wastes in a liquid filled vessel wherein particles of the waste are buoyed and form a floating bed in the liquid by the gasses generated by the anaerobic digestion of the wastes. The bed forms to an upper stratum of the least digested, least dense waste and a lower stratum of the most digested, most dense waste. Liquid from beneath the bed is continuously sprayed over the upper surface of the bed through a series of discharge ports which expands to bed downwardly. Each spraying period is followed by a quiescent period to allow the bed to reform. Over time the floating bed is moved from an inlet end to an outlet end of the vessel where the most digested waste is removed.

Abstract: Purified collagen such a type I collagen is produced by a method containing steps of contacting collagen with a first proteolytic enzyme followed by contacting with a reducing agent and a second proteolytic enzyme. Preferably, the first and second proteolytic enzymes are papain and the reducing agent is sodium sulfide, dithiothreitol, glutathionine or sodium borohydride. In a further step, the purified collagen may be contacted with a delipidation agent such as a mixture of chloroform and methanol to produce delipidated collagen. The delipidated collagen may be filter-sterilized and contacted with a phosphorylation agent such as sodium trimetaphosphate to produce phosphorylated collagen. The delipidated collagen may also be treated by compressing, dehydrating, dispersing and drying to form collagen fibers. De-epithelializing of the collagen may carried out prior to treating with the first proteolytic enzyme. The collagen may be solubilized using a solubilizing agent such as acetic acid.

Abstract: A biocontrol agent containing Phoma glomerata for suppressing development of fungal diseases on plants and methods of using this biocontrol agent in the suppression of fungal disease on plants are provided. The Phoma glomerata is preferably Phoma glomerata ATCC MYA-2373 that suppresses powdery mildew on plants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic treatment of organic wastes in a liquid filled vessel wherein particles of the waste are buoyed and form a floating bed in the liquid by the gasses generated by the anaerobic digestion of the wastes. The bed forms to an upper stratum of the least digested, least dense waste and a lower stratum of the most digested, most dense waste. Liquid from beneath the bed is continuously sprayed over the upper surface of the bed through a series of discharge ports which expands to bed downwardly. Each spraying period is followed by a quiescent period to allow the bed to reform. Over time the floating bed is moved from an inlet end to an outlet end of the vessel where the most digested waste is removed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing tissue by inoculating the tissue with a solution having microorganisms, where the microorganisms are selected to produce compounds that process the tissue. The tissue is incubated with the inoculated microorganisms under conditions that are effective for processing the tissue by the chemicals produced by the microorganisms. The tissue maybe subsequently treated to substantially remove or inactivate the microorganisms.

Abstract: An MF2 protein having the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ. ID. NO. 2, itself or as a part of any larger protein, or a functional derivative thereof having antiviral and/or antifungal activities, which protein is derivable from Bacillus thuringiensis. The invention also concerns a method for isolating and purifying the protein from bacterial cells expressing said protein, recombinant expression of the MF2 gene in a host cell, and the use of said protein as plant protectant.

Abstract: The inventors have isolated lysophospholipases from Aspergillus (A. niger and A. oryzae) having molecular masses of about 68 kDa and amino acid sequences of 600-604 amino acid residues. The novel lysophospholipases have only a limited homology to known amino acid sequences. The inventors also isolated genes encoding the novel enzymes and cloned them into E. coli strains.

Abstract: Methods for identifying organisms capable of degrading fumonisin. Fumonisin can be incorporated into culture medium for selection of organisms resistant to fumonisin and/or capable of growing on fumonisin as a sole carbon source. Using this method, several organisms have been identified. These organisms can be used to isolate the enzymes and the genes responsible for conferring fumonisin-resistance. The gene can be cloned and inserted into a suitable expression vector so that the protein can be further characterized. Additionally, the DNA encoding for fumonisin degrading enzymes can be used to transform plant cells normally susceptible to Fusarium or other toxin-producing fungus infection. Plants can be regenerated from the transformed plant cells. In this way, a transgenic plant can be produced with the capability of degrading fumonisin, as well as with the capability of producing the degrading enzymes.

Abstract: Recombinant, thermostable alpha-glucosidases from archaeal micro-organisms and isolated DNA encoding for such alpha-glucosidases are provided. The isolated DNA is obtained by use of DNA or antibody probes prepared from the DNA encoding S. sulfataricus alpha-glucosidase. Also provided are methods for producing recombinant archaeal thermostable alpha-glucosidase and transformants incorporating thermostable alpha-glucosidase. Autoprocessing of plant tissue through the use of transgenic thermostable glycosyl hydrolases is described.

Abstract: The production of thermostable xylanses having bacterial origin is described. These compositions are useful for modifying plant biomass and for enzyme-aided bleaching of wood pulp.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve a conventional soil percolation technique to thereby provide a method of enriching and isolating decomposing bacteria decomposing an organochlorine agricultural chemical PCNB which is difficult to decompose, in a short time period, and to provide decomposing bacteria for efficiently processing PCNB. To practice the method, an enrichment soil layer 2 is formed by mixing a soil containing an organochlorine agricultural chemical PCNB with a fragmented porous material having an infinite number of micropores and at the same time a greater adsorptivity for adsorbing PCNB than the soil, and an inorganic salt medium 3 containing a carbon and nitrogen source, the carbon and nitrogen source being formed by only PCNB, is circulated through the enrichment soil layer 2, thereby enriching the aerobic bacteria Burkholderia cepacia in the fragmented porous material.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cell harvesting are disclosed. More particularly this invention relates to devices and methods for enabling the formation of a dispersion of cells from tissue for medical or research use. This invention provides a rapid method for cell isolation thereby reducing the time and costs associated with the production of autologous cells where required, for example, for tissue engineering in the operating theater or in research. Alternately this invention may be used to separate a cell dispersion containing cells of varying sizes or types from a predigested tissue dispersion. Also a kit is disclosed which provides the basic components of the device and instructions on how to accomplish the use of the device.

Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) using a fungal inoculum is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one CCA-tolerant fungi, a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the CCA. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of yeast strains associated with spoilage of silage is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising killer yeast strains, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. According to the invention, strains of Saccharomyces exiguus have been purified and isolated which are nontoxic, safe, do not assimilate lactate and which improve aerobic stability of silage, are disclosed. Portions of these strains have been sequenced to further characterize the invention.

Abstract: A Rhodobacter species and variants thereof are provided for odor remediation of anaerobic livestock waste lagoons. Also provided are vector systems and genetically reconstituted Rhodobacter PS9 cells, and related methods for biomass production in anaerobic livestock waste lagoons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for extracting toxins from biological tissues. The system comprises a lixiviator, an ion-exchange column, a diatomaceous silica-active carbon column, and a vacuum concentrator. Twenty to one hundred kilograms of raw material can be processed at one time when puffer fish ovaries are used as the starting material.

Abstract: A polypeptide with the properties of collagenase class I from Clostridium histolyticum (CHC I) and the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2 which is optionally N-terminally extended by one or several amino acids of the sequence SEQ ID NO:3 is advantageously suitable for the isolation of cells from mammalian tissue and human tissue.

Abstract: There are provided an adsorbent which can effectively adsorb and remove endogenous cannabinoid in fluid, and a process for removing endogenous cannabinoid in fluid by means of the adsorbent. The adsorbent of endogenous cannabinoid is obtained by fixing a compound having a log P value (P indicating distribution coefficient in octanol-water system) of at least 3.50 on a water-insoluble carrier. Endogenous cannabinoid in fluid can be adsorbed and removed in an effective manner by contacting the adsorbent of endogenous cannabinoid with fluid containing endogenous cannabinoid.

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 present invention relates to a method for the separation of flour into one gluten fraction and at least one other fraction, comprising the steps of: mixing the flour and a liquid to obtain a dough, separating the dough into a fraction comprising gluten and at least one other fraction, recovering at least the gluten fraction, wherein an oxidoreductase is added at any of steps a), b) or c).

Abstract: A method for converting organic solid waste into humic products and the corresponding apparatus, in which a preliminary aerobic fermentation of the organic solid waste is performed, followed by a second aerobic fermentation of the organic waste in the presence of specific microorganisms in order to provide a basic precursor on which the selective metabolization occurs of specific bacterial strains to provide the humic product.

Abstract: A purified xylanase derived from B. Pumilus PRL B12 is disclosed. This xylanase is efficient for use in the biobleaching of wood pulp, permitting a strong reduction in the quantity of chlorine used and AOX compounds produced in classical and ECF wood pulp bleaching sequences as well as the quantity of ozone used in TCF sequences. The gene coding for the xylanase was isolated and purified and used to construct an expression vector therefor. A recombinant host strain of B. licheniformis is also disclosed which is efficient for expressing heterologous enzymes, including the xylanase when transformed by the expression vector.

Abstract: A method of preparing a low allergic natural rubber latex which is less likely to cause allergy, comprising adding a protease having an exopeptidase activity to a natural rubber latex and aging the natural rubber latex, thereby to decompose a protein in the latex to such a degree that the protein and a protein decomposition product, which have a number-average molecular weight of 4500 or more, are not detected; a method of preparing a deproteinized natural rubber latex which is less likely to cause allergy, comprising adding an alkali protease to a natural rubber latex, thereby to decompose a protein in the latex, adding a protease having an exopeptidase activity, thereby to further decompose the protein and a decomposition product thereof in the latex, and removing the protein and the decomposition product thereof; a low allergic natural rubber obtained by a decomposition treatment of a protein, wherein the protein and a protein decomposition product, which have a number-average molecular weight of 4500 or m

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: A method of detecting peptide fragments of protein(s) that are differentially present in biological samples. The identity of the peptides may be determined and correlated with the protein(s) that are differentially present in the samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating cell material from a tissue system and/or a liquid includes (1) a vessel open at the top, into which the cell material to be isolated can be introduced in the tissue system and/or the liquid; and (2) a separating device having a stamp-shaped configuration and including a flat separating disk having a peripheral edge fitting with the inner walls of the vessel in a fluid-tight manner and presenting at least one passage opening which is covered by a filter membrane, and which device can be inserted from the top into the vessel. The isolating disk pressurises the cell material inclusive of the tissue system and/or the liquid and acts thereupon with shearing forces by rotation. The cells and/or cell systems pass through the pores of the filter membrane whereas the residual tissue material is retained.

Abstract: A substantially water-free, liquid, enzyme-containing composition comprises: (A) an enzyme; (B) a substance selected from (i) substances which in aqueous medium are substrates for said enzyme, (ii) substances which in aqueous medium are precursors for substrates for said enzyme, and (iii) substances which are cofactors for said enzyme; and (C) a non-aqueous liquid phase.

Abstract: A process is provided for the biological digestion of animal carcasses. First, the carcass is cut into smaller pieces with equipment that masticates, grinds or comminutes in the presence of water to create a solid-liquid mixture. The next steps include treating the solid-liquid mixture with a special blend or combination of bacteria that have been specifically cultured to digest the carcass; the mixture is subsequently aerated to form a stabilized biomass. The stabilized biomass is aerated in an open basin to further digest and liquefy the carcass, water, bacteria mixture. From the open basin, the primarily liquid waste stream is passed to a clarifying tank where the suspended solids are precipitated as sludge, thus clarifying the liquid. Sludge is removed from the clarifying chamber and the clarified liquid is either discharged or recirculated for further use in this novel process.

Abstract: A method for the direct analysis of the presence of an analyte which becomes embedded in keratinized structures, e.g., hair, fingernails and toenails, from the bloodstream of a subject which comprises preparing a mixture containing dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol (“DTT”), an enzyme suitable for the digestion of the keratin structure and a sample of the keratin structure; permitting the enzyme to digest the sample of keratin structure to form a digest solution, followed by the addition of a salt of a metal of copper, zinc, manganese, iron, lead, cadmium, mercury, silver and cobalt to deactivate the DTT; and finally subjecting the digest solution to analysis to determine the presence of the analyte in the keratin structure sample. The protease enzymes papain, chymopapain, and proteinase K are preferred for use in the invention.

Abstract: A process for producing water-insoluble substances derived from fishes and shellfishes, includes the treating of the waste of fishes and shellfishes containing the substances with proteolytic enzymes under stirring to obtain an oil-in-water (O/W) type emulsified composition. This composition contains water-soluble amino-acids, oligoproteins having a molecular weight of not greater than 30,000, water-soluble minerals, water-insoluble highly unsaturated fatty acids and proteins (solid matter) having a molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, with 50% or more of all the proteins in said emulsified composition having a molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000. Thereafter the emulsified composition is separated into solid and liquid phases, and the obtained solid composition containing proteins with a molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000 and fats and oils is extracted with an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a xylanase originating from a Bacillus strain and particularly to Bacillus sp. strain 720/1 (LMG P-14798) and to xylanase obtained from derivatives and mutants of this strain. The xylanase of the invention is active over a wide range of acid and basic pH. This invention also relates to uses of the xylanases and enzyme compositions comprising the xylanases.

Abstract: A puncture sealing agent for sealing an inner surface of a tire comprises a deproteinized rubber latex that is formed by removing protein from a natural rubber latex. The puncture sealing agent includes nitrogen content at 0.1 wt. % or less of rubber solid content of the deproteinized rubber latex, and ammonia content at 0.5 wt. % or less of the rubber solid content.

Abstract: A composition is provided for ingestion by mammals for in vivo conversion of alpha-D-galactoside comprising an amount of alpha-galactosidase effective to hydrolyze alpha-D-galactoside to D-galactose, and non-toxic, ingestible excipient(s) for said alpha-galactosidase. Gastric distress in mammals due to ingestion of foods containing alpha-D-galactoside may be reduced by ingesting the foregoing composition of alpha-galactosidase and non-toxic, ingestible excipient contemporaneously with the ingestion of said food in an amount effective to hydrolyze the alpha-D-galactoside to D-galactose.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical method for the preparation of chondroitin sulfates A and C useful as an effective ingredient of medicaments from fish scales as a waste material discharged from fishery in large quantities. Fish scales are enzymatically decomposed in an aqueous medium in the presence of a protease to isolate the chondroitin sulfate compounds and by-product polypeptides followed by removal of the by-product polypeptides from the aqueous solution by a cation-exchange treatment and then the aqueous solution of the chondroitin sulfate compounds is subjected to fractional precipitation by the addition of ethyl alcohol as the precipitant.

Abstract: A method has been found for reducing amino acid biosynthesis inhibiting effect of a sulfonyl-urea based compound of the general formula: comprising contacting in an aqueous solution said sulfonyl-urea based compound with an enzyme capable of reducing said amino acid biosynthesis inhibiting effect.

Abstract: A device and method for producing refined adipose tissue for use in autologous adipose transplantation or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for refining tissue comprising a first flexible container, a second flexible container having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first flexible container and the interior of the first enveloping flexible container, a first port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first flexible container and thereby provides a means for introducing fluids into the interior of the first flexible container and allowing waste effluent to exit the first container, a second flexible container, a second port for inserting tissue into the second container and expressing refined tissue out of the container, and a means for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating organic waste matter in a fermentation container having an shoveling conveyor, comprising the steps of: a) depositing or showering organic waste matter into an entry port of the fermentation container which contains at least one of crushed wooden materials and natural fibers, and incinerated ash thereof; b) transporting the organic waste matter toward an exit port of the fermentation container by the shoveling conveyor; c) unloading the treated matter from the container at the exit port; and d) redepositing the treated matter into the container at the entry port together with untreated organic waste matter. According to the present invention, organic solid waste matter does not overflow the container. Accordingly, there is no need of post-treatment of organic solid waste matter.

Abstract: A process for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids and/or oligonucleotides for use in gene therapy wherein said nucleic acids and/or oligonucleotides are isolated or purified from an essentially biological source, characterized in that said essentially biological sources are lysed, the fractions obtained are optionally freed or depleted from the remainder of said biological sources by per se known mechanical methods, such as centrifugation, filtration; the fractions thus treated are subsequently treated with affinity chromatographic material or with inorganic chromatographic material for the removal of endotoxins; followed by isolation of said nucleic acids and/or oligonucleotides on an anion exchanger which is designed such that DNA begins to desorb from the anion exchanger only at an ionic strength corresponding to a sodium chloride solution of a concentration higher by at least 100 mM than one corresponding to the ionic strength at which RNA begins to desorb from the anion exchanger material.

Abstract: The production of thermostable xylanses having bacterial origin is described. These compositions are useful for modifying plant biomass and for enzyme-aided bleaching of wood pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA construct exhibiting &bgr;-1,3-glucanase activity, which DNA sequence comprises: a) the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 12, or b) an analogue of the DNA sequence defined in a), which i) is homologous with the DNA sequence defined in a), or ii) hybridizes with the same oligonucleotide probe as the DNA sequence defined in a), or iii) encodes a polypeptide which is homologous with the polypeptide encoded by a DNA sequence comprising the DNA sequence defined in a), or iv) encodes a polypeptide which is immunologically reactive with an antibody raised against the purified &bgr;-1,3-glucanase derived from Oerksovia xanthineolytica LLG109 encoded by the DNA sequence defined in a). The DNA construct may further encode a mannose binding domain. The invention also relates to a DNA construct encoding a mannose binding domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial pectate lyases, more specifically to microbial enzymes exhibiting pectate lyase activity as their major enzymatic activity in the neutral and alkaline pH ranges, to a method of producing such an enzyme, and to methods for using such enzymes in the textile, detergent and cellulose fiber processing industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preserving aqueous solutions or dispersions containing organic substances, and to an apparatus for carrying out this method and the application of the method. Also a method of preserving aqueous solutions or dispersions comprising glue or starch is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antifungal biocontrol agents which enhance plant growth and reduce plant diseases by suppressing fungal pathogens, and the manufacturing and application methods thereof. The antifungal biocontrol agents of the present invention consist of one of the newly isolated strains of Streptomyces sp. WYE 20 (KCTC 0341BP) and WYE 324 (KCTC 0342BP) and a delivery medium which canies and stabilizes the cells. In particular, WYE 20 and WYE 324 of the present invention exhibit strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici and can be used in various ways to reduce fungal diseases in plants such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and golf course turfgrasses.

Abstract: A composition for the transfection of higher eucaryotic cells, comprising complexes of nucleic acid, a substance having an affinity for nucleic acid and optionally an internalizing factor, contains an endosomolytic agent, e.g. a virus or virus component, which may be conjugated. The endosomolytic agent, which is optionally part of the nucleic acid complex, is internalized into the cells together with the complex and releases the contents of the endosomes into the cytoplasm, thereby increasing the gene transfer capacity. Pharmaceutical preparations, transfection kits and methods for introducing nucleic acid into higher eucaryotic cells by treating the cells with the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of combatting micro-organisms in industrial processes, particularly in the wood processing industry, by adding glucose oxidase and optionally glucose or a source of glucose to the process solution or slurry.

Abstract: A non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals comprising at least one surfactant and at least one high terpene containing natural oil. The pesticide is used to effectively control insects and parasites such as lice, ticks, mites, aphides and chiggers found on plants and animals.