Abstract: Cellulose strands are produced by causing a growing medium containing Acetobacter xylinum to flow along a straight-line path over a growing surface. Cellulose fibrils produced by the bacteria arrange themselves in strands on the growing surface. These strands can be converted into threads and/or yarns. The cellulose fibrils produced by Acetobacter xylinum can also be converted to microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A method of producing fructose from aqueous glucose and fructose mixtures by fermenting in one step an aqueous mixture of fructose and glucose with a stable mutant of Zymomonas mobilis, and also producing the stable mutant of Zymomonas mobilis.

Abstract: Method of improving the filterability of a microbial broth containing microbial cell matter resulting from the breaking down of cells, which comprises contacting that broth with one or more enzymes having nuclease activity; use of the method for improving the flow of a microbial polysaccharide containing fluid displacement solution which is applied in enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: Aqueous guar gum compositions having a very low content of insolubles, the compositions being formed by impregnating free-flowing solid, particulate guar gum with one or more hydrolytic enzymes and thereafter dissolving the particles of guar gum in water.

Abstract: A microorganism of a new species of the genus Streptomyces having an ability to produce chitinase has been found, and a method of producing chitinase using this microorganism is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation by fractionation, utilizing as oil-recovery means aqueous guar gum compositions having a very low content of insolubles, the compositions being formed by impregnating free-flowing solid, particulate guar gum with one or more hydrolytic enzymes and thereafter dissolving the particles of guar gum in water.

Abstract: Process for disrupting cells of a polysaccharide-producing microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas, preferably Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 11592, which contain one or more RP4 and/or RP4::Mu.sub.ts plasmids.Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 11592 containing one or more plasmids. Process for preparing polysaccharides by cultivating the latter. Process for displacing a fluid through a well and/or a permeable subsurface formation using the polysaccharides.

Abstract: Process for disrupting cells by contacting an aqueous, cell-containing medium with a protease enzyme, wherein the enzymic contact is preceded by contact with an ionic surfactant; the polysaccharide solutions thereby produced; and a process for displacing a fluid through a well and/or a permeable subsurface formation communicating with the well, by injecting into the well an optionally diluted, aqueous solution of such a polysaccharide.

Abstract: Purified vegetable protein particularly from soymeal produced by enzymatic treatment to dissolve the remanence employing a novel enzyme composition agent adapted to decompose a hitherto unreported pectic-like polysaccharide capable of binding to proteins.

Abstract: SPS--A novel pectic-like polysaccharide derived from soy plant cell walls characterized by capability to bind to proteins.SPS-ase--The carbohydrase complex capable of decomposing SPS into decomposition products incapable of attaching to protein, and method for producing SPS-ase by cultivation of an SPS-ase producing microorganism for which preferred microorganism strains are Aspergillus aculeatus CBS 101.43 and Aspergillus japonicus IFO 4408.

Abstract: The filtrability of xanthan gum aqueous solutions is improved by an enzymatic treatment in two successive steps, the first step by means of a polysaccharase and the second step by means of a protease, the operating conditions of each step being such that the corresponding enzyme is active in said step.

Abstract: Enzymatic treatment, in aqueous dispersion, of a xanthan gum containing bacteria cell residues and microgels, as impurities, by means of Basidiomycete cellulase, the aqueous dispersion having a pH from 3 to 7 and containing at least 0.1 equivalent/liter of at least one salt of alkali or alkaline-earth metal, said treatment being conducted at a temperature from 25.degree. to 65.degree. C., improved the injectivity and filtrability thereof.

Abstract: A novel Bacillus isolated from the soil is unique in its capacity to produce xanthanase, and is especially productive of the enzyme when cultured in the presence of other soil organisms. Both crude and purified xanthanases recovered from the fermentation broth effectively degrade xanthan gum. Moreover, tolerance of the Bacillus to sodium chloride levels as high as about 4%, render it useful for the in situ degradation of the heteropolysaccharide in petroleum recovery fluids and other thickened industrial brines.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the microbiological modification of hardwood in that a microorganism, or an enzymatically active preparation thereof, specially selected for the hardwood in question, is supplied to the surface of the wood for attack thereof under carefully regulated conditions as regards temperature, relative moisture content, O.sub.2 content and CO.sub.2 content. Thereafter, the process is discontinued in a suitable manner, for example by treatment with steam or hot water, followed by drying; or by drying only.

Abstract: Water-soluble polysaccharide guar gum, guaran, is altered to convert its properties from those of producing a highly viscous stable dispersion to enable production of a sequence of products that may be separately produced through the selective removal of D-galactopyranosyl side units so as to produce different lengths of molecular segments containing no derivatizing .alpha.-D-galactopyranosyl groups. The structure therefore yields a high viscosity polysaccharide with the ability to form gels of various strengths ranging from very weak gels to strong gels by appropriate selection of the extent to which the .alpha.-D-galactopyranosyl groups are removed.

Abstract: Gonococcal antigens are solubilized by a process involving trypsin-digestion.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying crude fatty acid esters of saccharide containing at least fatty acid glycerides as impurity, and which method comprises decomposing the fatty acid glycerides by the treatment thereof with a lipid splitting enzyme or with a combination of a lipid splitting enzyme and a reducing agent in the presence of water.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the ability of polysaccharides in aqueous solution to flow through a porous medium comprises contacting the polysaccharides with an endoenzyme capable of hydrolyzing at least one of the linkages of the sugar units of the polysaccharides and maintaining the polysaccharides in contact with the enzyme under hydrolysis conditions for a time sufficient to decrease the tendency of the polysaccharides to plug the porous medium yet insufficient to decrease the viscosity of the aqueous polysaccharides by more than 25%. The partially hydrolyzed polysaccharides are useful as thickening agents for flooding water used to recover oil from oil-containing subterranean formations.

Abstract: A method of producing milo starch which comprises the steps of immersing refined milo in a weakly acidic solution of sodium chlorite to remove the tannin, grinding the same to provide a starch slurry, and removing the proteins from the latter. The method is capable of producing milo starch of high purity at low cost without causing odor pollution.A method of producing milo starch includes, besides the steps described above, the steps of lactic-fermenting the waste liquid resulting from the immersion of white grain milo, concentrating the liquid, mixing the concentrated liquid with the bran resulting from the refining of milo, and drying the mixture to provide milo feed. By this method, it is possible to produce milo starch without having to provide any special equipment for treating the waste water.

Abstract: The solution viscosity of a polysaccharide, microbial alginate, produced by culturing strains of Azotobacter vinelandii, is controlled by addition of a protease to the culture broth. The protease can be added during the culture, to obtain a polysaccharide of increased viscosity. Alternatively or additionally protease can also be added after culture but before the polysaccharide is isolated from the broth, for example, to prevent reduction of viscosity during storage. Neutral and alkaline proteases having activity at around pH 7 are particularly suitable.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic streatment of waste water of wheat starch plants in which the waste water is subjected before or alternating with the first steps of the concentration process to a process at least consisting of(a) a heat treatment followed by separation of the solid substance, and(b) a treatment with enzyme preparations exhibiting amylase and/or cellulase and/or hemi-cellulase activity and optionally glucoamylase and/or .beta.-glucanase activity.

Abstract: An improved process for producing defatted heparin tissue is disclosed wherein frozen heparin-bearing tissue is particulated, thawed and warmed in a heat exchanger, fermented at temperatures ranging from about 60.degree.-85.degree. F. for 5 to 12 hours and subjected to azeotropic distillation and extraction to substantially remove water and fat. Putrefaction and odor are avoided, the tissue has improved uniformity in biochemical content, is lower in fat content and is capable of high heparin yields when processed according to known procedures. The defatted tissue is exceptionally permeable to heparin recovery solutions and heparin isolation is facilitated.

Abstract: An improved method of tempering frozen heparin-bearing animal tissue is disclosed wherein the frozen tissue is particulated, thawed and warmed in a heat exchanger and fermented at temperatures ranging from about 60.degree.-85.degree. F. for 5-12 hours. Putrefaction and odor are avoided; the tissue has improved uniformity in biochemical content and is capable of high heparin yields when processed according to known procedures. When the tempered tissue is defatted with an azeotropic solvent, more of the fat is removed and the defatted tissue is more permeable to heparin recovery solutions and heparin isolation is facilitated.