Abstract: Novel bactericidal antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (“MenB”) are disclosed. The antibodies either do not cross-react or minimally cross-react with host tissue polysialic acid and hence pose minimal risk of autoimmune activity. The antibodies are used to identify molecular mimetics of unique epitopes found on MenB or E. coli K1. Examples of such peptide mimetics are described that elicit serum antibody capable of activating complement-mediated bacteriolysis of MenB. Vaccine compositions containing such mimetics can be used to prevent MenB or E. coli K1 disease without the risk of evoking autoantibody.

Abstract: Processes for the production of isoflavones are described wherein plant material from plants of the genus leguminosae are contacted with water, an enzyme which cleaves isoflavone glycosides to the aglucone form and a C2-C10 organic solvent, so as to form a combination, incubating the combination for a time sufficient to allow isoflavones of the aglucone form to partition into the organic solvent component, and thereafter recovering isoflavones from the organic solvent component.

Abstract: Unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed jojoba protein having high simmondsin concentration are provided. These jojoba proteins may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion containing a mixture of amino acids, peptides and/or protein fractions derived from the extraction and hydrolysis of naturally occurring jojoba protein, or dried into a powder.

Abstract: Unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed jojoba protein having high simmondsin concentration are provided. These jojoba proteins may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion containing a mixture of amino acids, peptides and/or protein fractions derived from the extraction and hydrolysis of naturally occurring jojoba protein, or dried into a powder.

Abstract: There are disclosed a stable factor VIII/vWF-complex, particularly comprising high-molecular vWF multimers, being free from low-molecular vWF molecules and from proteolytic vWF degradation products, as well as a method of producing this complex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a antibiotic from a crude or partially purified solution containing the lantibiotic. In preferred embodiments, the lantibiotic is nisin, although the common structural features of lantibiotics dictate the effectiveness of the disclosed purification methods for other members of the lantibiotic genus. The method includes the step of forming an incubation mixture comprising the solution containing the lantibiotic and a proteolytic enzyme, and incubating the mixture under conditions optimized for selective proteolytic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified sulfite reductase which has the following characteristics:

Abstract: A method for extracting contaminants and pollutants from an ecosystem. The method includes extracting from the ecosystem a quantity of animal tissue and grinding or macerating the animal tissue to form a slurry-like mixture and adding the mixture to a digestion vessel. The pH of the ground animal tissue is reduced to a range of from approximately 3.5 to approximately 4.5 and the ground tissue is allowed to decompose through the action of digestive enzymes released from the visceral tissue of the animal tissue by the maceration step. The decomposed tissue is separated into a lipid portion, a proteinaceous portion and a bone fragment or hard tissue portion. At least a part of the lipid portion may then be extracted from the decomposed tissue for further processing or disposal of contaminants and pollutants contained therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a lantibiotic from a crude or partially purified solution containing the lantibiotic. In preferred embodiments, the lantibiotic is nisin, although the common structural features of lantibiotics dictate the effectiveness of the disclosed purification methods for other members of the lantibiotic genus. The method includes the step of forming an incubation mixture comprising the solution containing the lantibiotic and a proteolytic enzyme, and incubating the mixture under conditions optimized for selective proteolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a method for recovering a polypeptide comprising exposing a composition comprising a polypeptide to a reagent which binds to, or modifies, the polypeptide, wherein the reagent is immobilized on a solid phase; and then passing the composition through a filter bearing a charge which is opposite to the charge of the reagent in the composition, so as to remove leached reagent from the composition.

Abstract: A method for purifying factor VIII/vWF complex or free vWF by immunoaffinity chromatography in a form suitable for use as a medicament. Factor VIII/vWF complex or free vWF is recovered from an immunoaffinity adsorbent by using an eluting agent containing a zwitterionic species. The presence of the zwitterionic species allows for the use of mild conditions throughout the preparation, facilitating retention of molecular integrity, activity, and incorporation of the recovered proteins into pharmaceutical preparations without the need for additional stabilizers or preservatives.

Abstract: A method for isolating casein and calcium phosphate as separate products from a milk source, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the milk source with carbon dioxide under pressure in order to precipitate the casein; b) separating the casein from the milk source while maintaining the pressure to obtain a casein fraction and a whey fraction; and c) releasing the pressure from the whey fraction to allow calcium phosphate to precipitate therefrom.

Abstract: A method for the isolation of nucleic acids from a liquid sample, which contains nucleic acids, using a filtering device, which has pores, through which the sample is allowed to flow in the course of the isolation, the nucleic acids, and contained in the sample, being retained selectively in or at the pores, wherein the sample is mixed with a concentration of the precipitating agent for nucleic acids, which is sufficient to condense the nucleic acids and the sample is then allowed to flow through the filtering device, the pores of the filtering device used having inner wall regions with variable surface structures, which are constructed differently depending on the medium passed through the pores and by which the permeability of the pores can be adjusted between a state, in which the condensed nucleic acid molecules are retained, and a state, in which the dissolved nucleic acid molecules can pass through.

Abstract: An immunoassay for selectively measuring human C-peptide as well as a kit therefor is disclosed. In the method, human C-peptide contained in a sample, a first anti-human C-peptide antibody, and a second anti-human C-peptide antibody which is immobilized on a solid support are reacted to form an immune complex among these three components. The formed immune complex is separated from the non-reacted antibodies and sample; and then the separated immune complex is quantified. The first antibody recognizes an epitope existing in the region from 1st to 16th amino acid residue from the N-terminal of the human C-peptide, and the second antibody recognizes an epitope existing in the region from 1st to 16th amino acid residue from the N-terminal of human C-peptide; with the proviso that the first and second antibodies do not recognize the same epitope so that they can simultaneously bind to said human C-peptide.

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 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 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: The process includes a first stage to eliminate polyphenols from the starting vegetable isolates, followed by a double hydrolysis treatment, firstly with non-specific endoproteases and then, with specific endoproteases and exoproteases. The hydrolyzed peptones obtained in this way are applicable to the agroalimentary and medico-pharmaceutical industries, especially in the sectors of human, animal and clinical nutrition.

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 present invention provides improved methods for the production of recombinant peptides from bacterial cells.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a method for recovering a polypeptide comprising exposing a composition comprising a polypeptide to a reagent which binds to, or modifies, the polypeptide, wherein the reagent is immobilized on a solid phase; and then passing the composition through a filter bearing a charge which is opposite to the charge of the reagent in the composition, so as to remove leached reagent from the composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for reducing gelatin insolubles which includes providing a gelatin solution and adding to the gelatin solution amylase in an amount to provide a concentration of amylase of at least 0.1 ppm for a time sufficient to reduce gelatin insolubles. The present invention also provides a gelatin having a Bloom strength of from 60 to 400 and a concentration of amylase of greater than 0.1 ppm.

Abstract: Processes for the production of isoflavones are described wherein plant material from plants of the genus leguminosae are contacted with water, an enzyme which cleaves isoflavone glycosides to the aglucone form and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 organic solvent, so as to form a combination, incubating the combination for a time sufficient to allow isoflavones of the aglucone form to partition into the organic solvent component, and thereafter recovering isoflavones from the organic solvent component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of .beta.-conglycinin and a process for producing the same. The soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of .beta.-conglycinin is prepared by allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soybean protein to selectively decompose .beta.-conglycinin in the soybean protein, and the process for producing the same comprises allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soybean protein at a temperature of higher than 50.degree. C. to less than 90.degree. C., preferably 55 to 85.degree. C., more preferably 60 to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of deriving an antigen from Bordetella pertussis, wherein the antigen is characterized by the following features: a relative molecular weight of about 67,000 to 73,000 as determined by 12%(w/w) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a proline:glutamic acid ratio of about 1:1 as determined by amino acid analysis. The method comprises: (a) culturing Bordetella pertussiscells; (b) treating the culture of (a) to obtain an outer membrane fraction; and (c) isolating the antigen from the outer membrane fraction of (b).

Abstract: The invention herein provides a method for recovering a polypeptide comprising exposing a composition comprising a polypeptide to a reagent which binds to, or modifies, the polypeptide, wherein the reagent is immobilized on a solid phase; and then passing the composition through a filter bearing a charge which is opposite to the charge of the reagent in the composition, so as to remove leached reagent from the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for industrial production of a peptide preparation having specific specifications by hydrolysis of a protein material, preferably based on whey. The method comprises several steps, which makes it easy to control the method so as to obtain a product which, e.g. because of low mineral content, is well suited for peritoneal dialysis and parenteral feeding. The method gives a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides the cDNA sequence encoding bovine dipeptidylaminopeptidase 1. The invention demonstrates that bovine DAP 1 coded by a single cDNA. The mature protein is derived from a single polypeptide consisting of a signal peptide, and a major polypeptide which is processed to generate the a subunit, b subunit and g subunit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of glycinin wherein glycinin as a major component in soybean protein is selectively decomposed and a process for producing the same. The soy protein hydrolysate with a low content glycinin is obtained by allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soy protein to selectively decompose glycinin in the soybean protein, and the process for producing a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of glycinin comprises allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soy protein at pH 1.0 to 2.8, preferably pH 1.5 to 2.5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new nutritional composition resulting from maize steeping. This composition comprises an inorganic phosphorous concentration to total phosphorus concentration ratio (Pi/Pt) of between 35 and 95%. The composition also comprises proteins in an amount which gives a value of less than or equal to 5 according to a C test and reducing substances in an amount which gives a value of less than or equal to 0.9% in the BERTRAND method. A process for producing a nutritional composition is also disclosed, wherein the process requires maize steepwater to be subjected to a treatment with the aid of protease and phytase enzymes in the presence of lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, the enzymatic treatment is performed on a steepwater whose dry matter content is between 5 and 25%, and Ph between 3 and 5, at a temperature varying between 40 and 50.degree. C. and for 4 to 16 hours.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a target molecule from a mixture is described. The method employs oil bodies and their associated proteins as affinity matrices for the selective, non-covalent binding of desired target molecules. The oil body proteins may be genetically fused to a ligand having specificity for the desired target molecule. Native oil body proteins can also be used in conjunction with an oil body protein specific ligand such as an antibody or an oil body binding protein. The method allows the separation and recovery of the desired target molecules due to the difference in densities between oil bodies and aqueous solutions.

Abstract: An aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein whey, whey protein material, high genistein material, high daidzein material, and aglucone isoflavone material are provided, as well as a process for producing the same from a vegetable protein whey. Isoflavone conjugates in a vegetable protein whey are converted to isoflavone glucosides by treating the whey at a temperature and a pH for a period of time sufficient to effect the conversion. The isoflavone glucosides are converted to aglucone isoflavones by enzymatic reaction to produce an aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein whey. Aglucone isoflavone whey protein material is recovered from the aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein whey. A high genistein content material, a high daidzein content material, and an aglucone isoflavone material are produced from an alcohol extract of the aglucone isoflavone whey protein material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for converting isoflavone conjugates in vegetable protein materials to isoflavone aglucones by forming an aqueous mixture of a vegetable protein material containing isoflavone conjugates, converting the isoflavone conjugates to isoflavone glucones, and converting the isoflavone glucones to isoflavone aglucones. The vegetable protein material may also contain isoflavone glucones which are converted to isoflavone aglucones. The isoflavone conjugates, isoflavone glucones, or isoflavone aglucones present in the vegetable protein material may be removed from the vegetable materials before, during, or after the conversion process.

Abstract: A method for purifying heat shock protein complexes is provided which comprises the steps of adding a solution containing heat shock protein complexes, in which heat shock proteins are associated with peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens, to a column containing an ADP matrix to bind the heat shock proteins complexes to the ADP matrix and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the heat shock protein complexes in an elution product. Additionally a method for synthesizing heat shock protein complexes and purifying the complexes so produced is provided which comprises the steps of adding heat shock proteins to an ADP matrix column to bind them to the matrix, adding a solution of peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens to the column to bind them to the heat shock proteins as heat shock protein complexes and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the complexes in an elution product.

Abstract: An aglucone is isoflavone enriched vegetable protein extract and protein material are provided, as well as a high genistein content material and a high daidzein content material. Isoflavone conjugates in a vegetable material are converted to isoflavone glucosides by treating the vegetable material at a temperature and a pH for a period of time sufficient to effect the conversion. The isoflavone glycosides are converted to glucose isoflavones by enzymatic reaction. The vegetable material is extracted with an aqueous extractant having a pH above about the isoelectric point of protein in the vegetable material to extract protein and the isoflavones either before or after conversion of the isoflavone conjugates to isoflavone glucosides or the conversion of the isoflavone glucosides to aglucone isoflavones. An aglucone isoflavone enriched protein material is produced by precipitating the protein and aglucone isoflavones from the extract.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of insoluble cytoskeletal proteins, or fragments thereof, which are characteristic of the origin of the tissue. The invention relates as well to the method for detecting such proteins by breaking down and solubilizing the protein for immunological detection and quantitation. The method allows detection of tissue lesions or other pathological foci and metastases.

Abstract: A comestible hydrolysate product is prepared by hydrolyzing a proteinaceous substrate devoid of viable mesophilic microorganisms and spores in a sterile system with a sterile enzyme preparation suitable for hydrolyzing the substrate.

Abstract: A vaccine effective against S. zooepidemicus-caused infections is made by enzymatic digestion of S. zooepidemicus and subsequent detergent treatment of the product of this digestion. The antigenic material thus obtained is then combined with an appropriate adjuvant.

Abstract: The method for processing of potatoes is characterized by the fact that the method is carried out in a potato processing plant, which comprises an oil separator, heating equipment and at least one enzyme reactor and which is modified in such a manner that it can also be used for processing of rape. It is not obvious that such modification is sufficiently small for achieving an economically sound method for processing of rape outside the potato season.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge tube containing a porous selection means for selectively separating and recovering biological substances from gels, broths, or solutions containing the same, and thus concentrating them, the tube comprising separate upper and lower containers and means for joining the two containers to form a unitary device, the bottom of the upper container comprising a porous selection means, preferably a membrane containing a particulate substance which will selectively bind the biological substances while allowing unbound substances to pass through from the upper to lower container while being centrifuged.

Abstract: A method of separating a hydrophobic fermentation product selected from the group consisting of lipase, esterase, endoxylanase and an antibiotic from a mixture comprising said product and contaminants which method comprises adding to the mixture sequentially(1) 0.5 to 15% (w/v) of a nonionic surfactant,(2) 0.5 to 60 mg of a flocculating agent per gram of said mixture,(3) 1 to 20% (w/v) of an extra nonionic surfactant,(4) a suitable K, Na, NH.sub.4 or Mg salt selected from the group of chlorides, sulfates, acetates, carbonates or phosphates, whereby the concentration of the salt is chosen so as to have the surfactant layer on top and is between 2 and 30%;to obtain a three phase product mixture, separating the product mixture into liquid-liquid-solid fractions and recovering the hydrophobic fermentation product.

Abstract: A transparent storage stable acidic beverage or other alimentary product containing casein phosphopeptide is obtained by reacting casein with trypsin, precipitating insoluble components at acid pH, adding a divalent cation such as calcium to the reaction medium, recovering the reaction product, and adding the casein phosphopeptide to a mixture to produce a beverage or product having beneficial solubilizing effects on calcium.

Abstract: Non-phosphorylated peptides and phosphopeptides useful as alimentary products or medicaments are produced by proteolytic enzyme hydrolysis of a casein-based material. Membrane ultrafiltration is used to separate phosphopeptides which are retained by the membrane in a retentate from the non-phosphorylated peptides which pass through the membrane in an ultrafiltrate. The phosphopeptides in the retentate are disaggregated and are subjected to further membrane ultrafiltration where the phosphopeptides pass through the membrane and are separated from the enzyme. The non-phosphorylated peptides have nutritive value and can be used to form compositions for providing nutrition. The phosphopeptides form salts, which have dietetic uses, with macroelements such as calcium and/or magnesium and/or oligoelements such as iron and zinc.

Abstract: Non-phosphorylated peptides and phosphopeptides useful as alimentary products or medicaments are produced. A hydrolyzate containing non-phosphorylated peptides and phosphopeptides is prepared by proteolytic enzyme hydrolysis of a casein-based material. The hydrolyzate is subjected to ultrafiltration with a membrane which allows peptides to pass through to produce a permeate containing the non-phosphorylated peptides and phosphopeptides. A bivalent cation-containing salt capable of aggregating the phosphopeptides is added to the permeate to produce a mixture containing phosphopeptide aggregates and non-phosphorylated peptides. The mixture is subjected to ultrafiltration with a membrane that retains the phosphopeptide aggregates and separates them from the non-phosphorylated peptides. The non-phosphorylated peptides have nutritive value and can be used to form compositions for providing nutrition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cosmetic material which consists of a disintegration phase which is obtained by harvesting lactic acid bacterial cells from the lactic fermentation broth, disintegrating the cells, subjecting the broken cells to centrifugation to give a supernatant and adding to the supernatant 10 .mu.M of 500 .mu.M of at least one metal ions followed by filtration to obtain a filtrate and an extraction phase which is obtained by extracting cell pellets precipitated by the centrifugation step in (a) with water or an organic solvent and a non-ionic surfactant and subjecting the extract to filtration to obtain a filtrate. The cosmetic material of the present invention exhibits properties of scavenging harmful oxygen species, reinforcing DNA repair system of the skin and reinforcing immune systems of the skin. It further comprises mannitols or flavonoids in order to enhancing its ability of scavenging harmful oxygen species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein fiber wherein a vegetable protein material is extracted to form a slurry of protein, fiber and glucone isoflavones. The pH of the slurry is adjusted to about 6 to 8 and the slurry reacted with a beta glucosidase to convert the glucone isoflavones in said slurry to aglucone isoflavones. The fiber fraction is then recovered from the slurry by centrifugation or similar means to provide an aglucone enriched fiber.

Abstract: An enzymatic process is developed to produce high-maltose syrup and high-protein byproduct simultaneously from materials that contain starch and protein. In the process, the slurry of milled starting material is first liquefied with .alpha.-amylase and then centrifuged. The precipitated fraction is recovered as high-protein flour. The supernatant fraction was then saccharified with .beta.-amylase and debranching enzyme (isoamylase or pullulanase) simultaneously to produce high-maltose syrup at various conditions. The yield of high-maltose syrup is affected by temperature, pH, DE values of liquefied starch, different enzyme combinations and varieties of starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating and concentrating acidic peptide, especially phosphopeptide having a phosphoserine residue, from a peptide mixture prepared by digesting casein with protease.

Abstract: Nonphosphorylated peptides and phosphopeptides useful as alimentary products or medicaments are produced by proteolytic enzyme hydrolysis of a casein-based material. Membrane ultrafiltration is used to separate phosphopeptides which are retained by the membrane in a retentate from the nonphosphorylated peptides which pass through the membrane in an ultrafiltrate. The phosphopeptides in the retentate are disaggregated and are subjected to further membrane ultrafiltration where the phosphopeptides pass through the membrane and are separated from the enzyme. The phosphopeptides form salts, which have dietetic uses, with macroelements such as calcium and/or magnesium and/or oligoelements such as iron and zinc.

Abstract: A biochemical procedure for identification and characterization of cells in a biopsy or sample of a body fluid. The method can be used to determine cell type, i.e. epidermal, neuronal; tissue of origin, i.e. breast tissue, liver tissue; and degree of abnormality. The procedure can also be used to make antibodies and hybridization probes to detect cell or tissue specific antigens and nuclear matrix associated nucleic acids in cellular material and body fluids.The procedure is based on the isolation and analysis of the components of a specific subcellular protein fraction referred to here as the "nuclear matrix". The nuclear matrix includes proteins and nuclear matrix associated DNA specific to different cell types. These proteins and nucleic acids are altered or new ones expressed as a result of viral infection, genetic defects or malignancy.