Abstract: A process for the prodution of phosphatiolic acid is carried out by treating phospholipids with an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing a phospholipid into phosphatidic acid and a nitrogen-containing base and another enzyme capable of hydrolyzing a phospholipid into a diglyceride and a phosphoryl base. Further, another process for the production of phosphatidic acid is carried out by treating phospholipids with a treatment product of an oilseed is disclosed.

Abstract: In the enzymatic stereoselective ester cleavages of 2-arylpropionate, the reaction rate of the hydrolyzing enzymes can be drastically increased if the vinyl ester of the 2-arylpropionate is employed as the substrate.

Abstract: Bacteria that metabolize phenylacetate along a mandelate-to-cis,cis-muconate pathway are disclosed. Bacteria that express the pathway for metabolizing phenylacetate through a mandelate intermediate can be isolated reproducibly by first selecting bacteria that can utilize both L-phenylalanine and mandelate as the sole carbon source and then blocking alternate pathways for the degradation of L-phenylalanine. The activity of selected enzymes along the mandelate-to-cis,cis-muconate pathway can be blocked in these bacteria to effect the accumulation of selected intermediates.

Abstract: Microorganisms of the genus Pseudomonas containing aspartate beta-decarboxylase at a high level are produced by culturing said microorganism in a medium supplemented with a chelating agent. L-Alanine can be efficiently produced from L-aspartic acid said microorganisms or the treated product thereof.

Abstract: A random copolymer comprising, as repeating units,(i) 20 to 90 mol % of 3-hydroxybutyrate unit (3HB) having the formula (I): ##STR1## (ii) 5 to 70 mol % of 3-hydroxyvalerate unit (3HV) having the formula (II): ##STR2## and (iii) 1 to 15 mol % of 4-hydroxyvalerate unit (4HV) having the formula (III): ##STR3## wherein the total of the units 3HB, 3HV, and 4HV is 100 mol %, and having a weight average molecular weight within the range of from 10,000 to 2,500,000 and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for growth acid-producing bacterial cultures, such as diary cultures, wherein the culture is selected to contain a urease-producing strain of bacteria and the medium used for the culturing contains added urea. During culturing the urease hydrolyzes the urea to acid-neutralizing ammonia which limits the pH drop of the medium, thereby producing cultures of higher bacterial activity. The urea-containing culture media can also be employed with bacterial cultures which do not produce urease, providing urease is added to the culture medium during growth of the bacteria.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing L-alanine by reacting in a single reaction tank, in an aqueous reaction mixture having a pH of 6 to 10 and containing at least one .alpha.-keto acid, fumaric acid or a salt thereof with ammonia or ammonium ions in the presence of two microorganisms having fumarase inactivity.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from plant biomass includes forming a substrate from the biomass with the substrate including hydrolysates of cellulose and hemicellulose. A species of the yeast Brettanomyces custersii (CBS 5512), which has the ability to ferment both cellobiose and glucose to ethanol, is then selected and isolated. The substrate is inoculated with this yeast, and the inoculated substrate is then fermented under conditions favorable for cell viability and conversion of hydrolysates to ethanol.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein A means the residue of an amino acid molecule, from D,L-aminonitriles of general Formula II ##STR2## wherein A has the meaning given above, characterized by fermenting the .alpha.-aminonitriles with a culture of Actinetobacter calcoaceticus DSM 3875 and reacting the thus-obtained D,L-amino acid amides of general Formula III ##STR3## wherein A has the meaning given above, with a culture of a microorganism containing amino acid amide racemases and L-amino acid amide amidases.

Abstract: This application relates to an improved method for oxidizing multimetallic sulphide ores and concentrates, using a combination chemical/biological leaching process and at least three different types of bacteria. The treatment process for multi-metallic ores such as arsenopyrite can be made to work rapidly and to as much as 98% sulphide oxidation, when the finely ground ore or concentrate is leached in agitated, air sparged tanks, with strains of three different bacteria, T. thiooxidans, T. ferrooxidans, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. L. ferrooxidans is quite similar to T. ferrooxidans and obtains its energy for growth from the oxidation of ferrous iron. The process of the invention may conveniently be a continuously operating process utilizing more than one stage. Most of the chemical/biological action using the bacterium T. thiooxidans preferably takes place in the first stage, while in the subsequent stages the activity of T. thiooxidans is decreased in favor of the activity of the bacteria T.

Abstract: The operating latitude of the tri-level xerographic process is improved by replacing the standard DC bias that is applied to one or both of the developer housings in conventional tri-level imaging with a chopped DC (CDC) developer bias. Chopped DC biasing is the alternate application of two discrete bias voltages to a developer stucture in a periodic fashion at a given frequency, with the period of each cycle divided up between the two bias levels at a duty cycle of from 5%-10% or 90%-95% depending upon which of the two developer structures is being biased. In the case of the DAD developer structure the duty cycle of higher of the two biases is 5%-10% and in case of a CAD developer structure the duty cycle of higher of the two biases is 90%-95%.

Abstract: A method for preparing cellobiose from sucrose in a high yield at low cost without difficulty by using three enzymes of sucrose phosphorylase, glucose isomerase and cellobiose phosphorylase in the presence of orthophosphate. The additional method of the invention comprises 4 steps: to treat sucrose with sucrose phosphorylase in the presence of orthophosphate to produce fructose and glucose-1-phosphate; to treat the fructose obtained in the preceding step with glucose isomerase to produce glucose; to treat the glucose obtained in the preceding step and the glucose-1-phosphate obtained in the first step with cellobiose phosphorylase to produce cellobiose and orthophosphate; and to recover at least a part of cellobiose from the reaction mixture in the preceding step and to recycle at least a part of the remaining reaction mixture containing orthophosphate to the first step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formulaCH.sub.3 (CHOH).sub.n --COCH.sub.2 OHin which n is an integer from 1 to 4, wherein L-serine, glyoxylic acid and an aldehyde of formula CH.sub.3 (CHOH).sub.n-1 CHO are reacted in the presence of a glyoxylate aminotransferase and a transketolase. The intermediate aldehyde CH.sub.3 (CHOH).sub.2 CHO is enzymatically prepared by the action of a polyol dehydrogenase and a xylose reductase on CH.sub.3 CHOHCOCH.sub.2 OH.

Abstract: A novel mutant strain of Morel mushroom has been found to produce the blue pigment indigo by submerged fermentation in a nutrient culture medium containing a carbon and a nitrogen substrate. A red/purple pigment is also produced. The novel strain is Morchella rotunda nov. ES-1 sp. ATCC 20951.

Abstract: Incubation of 13-deoxy ivermectin aglycone with a species of B. subtilis and of S. griseus results in the production of 13-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the major product and of 5-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the minor product.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of alkaline earth salts of acetic acid. Biomass is fermented under appropriate conditions to produce acetic acid, which is extracted from the fermentation broth with the aid of a basic liquid ion exchanger dissolved in an organic phase. The organic phase containing the product acetic acid is then reacted directly with a basic material such as limestone, and the resulting alkaline earth acetate product is recovered from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A feedstock containing a biomass such as lignocellulosic materials, e.g. forest biomass; agricultural residues; or manures, is pretreated and thereafter is fractionated into cellulose, lignin and hemicelluloses. New mutants are disclosed which include Chaetomium cellulolyticum IAF-101 (NRRL 18756), Aspergillus sp. IAF-201 (NRRL 18758), Penicillum sp. IAF-603 (NRRL 18759), and Trichoderma reesei QMY-1. With these new mutants and also known fungi including Pleurotus sajor-caju and other Pleurotus spp. unfractionated predetermined biomass is converted into feed. The same treatment can also be applied to hemicelluloses, and cellullose. Cellulose can also be hydrolyzed by means of a cellulase-system prepared from cellulose and Tricoderma reesei to prepare glucose which can be converted to alcohol with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces spp. and Zymomonas mobilis. The residual microbial biomass of these microorganisms from alcohol fermentation broth is also used as feed.

Abstract: Novel immobilized cells are prepared by immobilizing cells of at least one aerobic microorganism and cells of at least one anaerobic microorganism in a single gel immobilizing carrier. The immobilized cells are utilized in a fermentation method. Many useful fermentation products can be readily and economically obtained by using the immobilized cells which accommodate both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic function simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mixture of galactooligosaccharides having the following formula:Gal-(Gal)n-Glcwhere Gal represents a galactose residue, Glc represents a glucose residue, and n represents an integer between 1 and 4, and monosaccharides by having microorganisms containing .beta.-galactosidase or .beta.-galactosidase act on lactose, the method comprising:having glucose isomerase coexist in a liquid to be reacted or adding glucose isomerase after completion of the reaction, whereby a portion of glucose prepared by the .beta.-galactosidase processing is converted into fructose. Then, sweetener is prepared by separating monosaccharides from the mixture.

Abstract: The conversion of 2,6-dialky naphthalene to the corresponding 2,9-dicarboxy naphthalene by microbiological means is described. Exemplary means include the use of NAH7 plasmids, encoding aromatic oxygenase enzymes, in a Pseudomonas host. The conversion product is useful as a monomer in the production of high performance synthetic polymers.

Abstract: A method and medium for selective growth of Propionibacterium from mixed culture samples is disclosed. The medium comprises a lactic acid source as its primary energy or nutrient source and in combination therewith a small but effective amount of a heavy metal salt to which Propionibacterium is resistant, selected from a group of water-soluble cadmium and arsenic salts.

Abstract: Process for obtaining a mass of polysaccharide-producing microorganisms, consisting in conducting the growth of the microorganisms in a medium containing an enzyme which hydrolyzes the formed polysaccharide.Application in a process for the production of polysaccharide in two stages, in which the growth stage takes place in the presence of an enzyme, particularly for the production of scleroglucane using sclerotium type fungi.

Abstract: A mutant Bacillus sphaericus strain ATC No. 53969 which has the property of sulfur removal and sulfur metabolism by selective cleavage of C-S bonds in organic carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: A process for producing a physiologically active substance by a combined enzymatic method is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel mixed bacterial culture isolated from soil by enrichment culture techniques produces a xanthanase enzyme complex which is stable to 65.degree. C. in the presence of salt. These properties render the heat-stable, salt-tolerant zanthanase useful for in situ degradation of xanthan gum in petroleum recovery fluids and other thickened industrial brines.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol in the substantial absence of fusel oils by Zymomonas fermentation wherein fermentation is carried out under conditions unfavorable for the growth and replication of yeast. In the preferred embodiment, Zymomonas are initially inoculated into a carbohydrate containing medium undergoing active fermentation by yeast, then the fermentation conditions altered to inhibit growth and replication of yeast.

Abstract: Cellulolytic, N.sub.2 -fixing bacteria have been isolated from terrestrial ecosystems. Many of these bacteria can be taxonomically classified as Bacilli, while others may not be characteristic of any previously defined taxon. These organisms are useful for converting lignocellulosic and other cellulosic materials into foods and fertilizers having increased carbohydrate digestibility and enhanced assimilable nitrogen content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing ribavirin utilizing microorganisms and a method for producing ribose-1-phosphoric acid which is a precursor of ribavirin. The methods involve contacting certain microorganisms with orotidine, orotidic acid, or salts thereof, and inorganic phosphoric acid or a salt thereof (to produce ribose-1-phosphoric acid), and further with 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide or a salt thereof (to produce ribavirin) in an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved process for the preparation of gamma-irone by bioconversion comprising treating an iris rhizome substrate selected from the group consisting of iris rhizomes, iris rhizome parts, iris rhizome extracts, iris rhizome extraction wastes, plant cell cultures of iris rhizomes, and mixtures thereof, with a bacteria selected from the genera group consisting of Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonacea, the active enzyme fractions of such bacteria, and mixtures thereof, in the presence of a plant cell culture medium.

Abstract: A process for converting AMP into ATP which comprises (a) using an enzyme which converts AMP into ADP and has been produced from microorganisms having an optimum growth temperature of 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. and an enzyme which converts ADP into ATP and has been produced from microorganisms having an optimum growth temperature of 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. is disclosed. In addition, there is disclosed a process for producing a physiologically active substance by a multienzyme process which comprises forming ATP from AMP by the step (a), (b) synthesizing a physiologically active substance with the resulting ATP, converting AMP resulting from the reaction in step (b) into ATP by the reaction in step (a), and repeatedly utilizing the converted ATP for synthesis of the physiologically active substance in step (b). By using the process it is possible to stably and efficiently carry out conversion of AMP into ATP over a long period of time.

Abstract: A process of producing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by fermentative conversion of L-sorbose utilizing a fermentation system composed of component produced from a microorganism having the identifying characteristics of strain DSM No. 4025 and a yeast component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of homogentisic acid which involves growing a fungus (typically a yeast of the species Yarrowia lipolytica) which has been mutated to provide a strain which is unable to grow on L-tyrosine and/or L-phenylalanine as the sole carbon source in a suitable growth medium containing L-tyrosine and/or L-phenylalanine together with a sub-optimal concentration of carbohydrate assimilable by the yeast. The yeast secretes recoverable quantities of homogentisic acid which can be rapidly and completely polymerized by raising the pH of the medium to above 10 thereby forming a melanin pigment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of growing a mixture of two or more species of lactic acid producing bacteria whose growth rates are differently affected by the pH of the nutrient growth medium. The method involves maintaining the pH of the medium at a low level which actively selects for the growth of one species until that species has reached the desired concentration. The pH is then raised to a level that actively selects for the growth of another species and maintained at this level until that species has reached the desired concentration. The method is especially useful for preparing a starter culture for Italian type cheese containing a mixture of coccus and rod bacteria because the ratio of these bacteria, one to the other, can be closely controlled.

Abstract: A dried granular form of a whole grain leavening barm containing viable cells of a maltosa-fermenting Lactobacillus and viable cells of a non-maltose-fermenting Saccharomyces has now been produced. The product of the drying process in preferred embodiments contains an admixture of Saccharomyces dairensis (ATCC 20782) and Lactobacillus brevis (ATCC 53295), whole grain flour, nonvolatile products of fermentation, and 5-12% water. Soybean oil containing the emulsifying agent lecithin and antioxidant tocopherols and malted whole grain flour are optional additives. The process of drying provided by this invention employs whole grain flour as a partial drying agent and also employs a sequential method for drying in which the microorganisms are supported on flour in the form of granules for the final warm air-drying stage.

Abstract: A mixed enzyme product comprising a mixture of the alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis and the alpha-amylase from B. stearothermophilus, said mixture containing from 10%-90%, preferably 25%-90%, more preferably 25%-75% by activity as NU/g DS of the Bacillus licheniformis enzyme and is usable with advantage for liquefaction of starch or starchy grains.

Abstract: Sorbic acid can be prepared by the activity of a specific microorganism on 2,4-hexadienal. This method can be performed under mild conditions and, different from organo-chemical methods, is advantageous because no by-products are formed.

Abstract: A method is provided for microbial enhanced oil recovery, wherein a combination of microorganisms is empirically formulated based on survivability under reservoir conditions and oil recovery efficiency, such that injection of the microbial combination may be made, in the presence of essentially only nutrient solution, directly into an injection well of an oil bearing reservoir having oil present at waterflood residual oil saturation concentration. The microbial combination is capable of displacing residual oil from reservoir rock, which oil may be recovered by waterflooding without causing plugging of the reservoir rock. Further, the microorganisms are capable of being transported through the pores of the reservoir rock between said injection well and associated production wells, during waterflooding, which results in a larger area of the reservoir being covered by the oil-mobilizing microorganisms.

Abstract: Process for treating a xanthan gum in order to improve the filterability of its aqueous solutions, comprising an enzymatic treatment of an aqueous solution of xanthan gum containing, as dissolved salts, a proportion of alkali and/or alkaline-earth metals of at least 10.sup.-2 equivalent/liter, said treatment being performed by means of two enzyme extracts of different types, a so-called PG enzyme having as main activity a polygalacturonase activity and a so-called P enzyme extract whose main activity is a protease activity, in conditions compatible with the activity of said enzyme extracts. The obtained xanthan gum powder or solution can be used as enhanced oil recovery agent.

Abstract: A novel mixed bacterial culture isolated from soil by enrichment culture techniques produces a xanthanase enzyme complex which is stable to 65.degree. C. in the presence of salt. These properties render the heat-stable, salt-tolerant xanthanase useful for in situ degradation of xanthan gum in petroleum recovery fluids and other thickened industrial brines.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol in the substantial absence of fusel oils by Zymomonas fermentation wherein fermentation is carried out under conditions unfavorable for the growth and replication of yeast. In the preferred embodiment, Zymomonas are initially inoculated into a carbohydrate containing medium undergoing active fermentation by yeast, then the fermentation conditions altered to inhibit growth and replication of yeast.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of homogentisic acid which involves growing a fungus (typically a yeast of the species Yarrowia lipolytica) which has been mutated to provide a strain which is unable to grow on L-tyrosine and/or L-phenylalanine as the sole carbon source in a suitable growth medium containing L-tyrosine and/or L-phenylalanine together with a sub-optimal concentration of carbohydrate assimilable by the yeast. The yeast secretes recoverable quantities of homogentisic acid which can be rapidly and completely polymerized by raising the pH of the medium to above 10 thereby forming a melanin pigment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preserving agricultural products comprising treating these products with an effective amount of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 53187 or mutants thereof and the treating organism.

Abstract: A simultaneous sequential anaerobic fermentation process for the in vitro production of propionic and acetic acids is disclosed. The process comprises employing an obligatory two-component co-culture which maintains a relatively constant ratio of species populations over multiple passages. A first co-culture component is a Lactobacillus or Streptococcus which homofermentatively converts the hexose to lactic acid. A second microorganism in the co-culture is a Veillonella which is metabolically incapable of assimillating the hexose and converts the lactic acid product to propionic and acetic acids. The co-culture is inoculated into a nutrient growth feedstock such as whole whey or a clarified dairy whey lactose permeate which contains a metabolizable source of a hexose such as glucose, lactose or sucrose.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the production of ethanol by the fermentation of molasses in the presence of the yeasts S. cerevisiae and Schwanniomyces castellii (R69), which is capable of growing and producing amylase in a molasses-containing meduim. The amylase converts starch and higher sugars in the unfermentable component of the medium to a hexose sugar which is converted to ethanol by S. cerevisiae.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of optically pure D- or L-lactic acid by fermentation of an aqueous nutrient medium, which contains nitrogen, vitamins, aminoacids, sugars and trace elements, by means of a microorganism, at pH 4-6, wherein the nutrient medium contains brewers' yeast as the source of nitrogen, vitamins, aminoacids and trace elements.

Abstract: A thermally stable tryptophanase having (1) an optimum temperature for activity at a pH of 8.0 of about 70.degree. C., and (2) such thermal stability that it is not thermally deactivated when maintained at temperatures up to about 65.degree. C. and a pH of 8.0 for 40 minutes. The thermally stable tryptophanase can be produced by cultivating in a tryptophan-containing culture medium a thermally stable tryptophanase-producing bacterium which does not grow alone in said medium but grows there in the presence of Bacillus sp. strain S, and obtaining the resulting thermally stable tryptophanase from the culture broth. The thermally stable tryptophanase-producing microorganism for use in the above process is a novel organism.

Abstract: Contact lens cleaning compositions and a method which comprises treating soft contact lenses with general purpose proteases in combination with endoproteinase lys-C are effective in dissolving away and hydrolyzing lysozyme, the major protein component of tears.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel microorganism of the genus Rhodococcus, to the use thereof in a process for the microbiological degradation of amino-s-triazines and cyanuric acid in wastewaters, as well as to a process for the microbiological degradation of s-triazine derivatives to biomass or to degradation products such as NH.sup.30.sub.4 and/or chloride, which comprises the combined use of said microorganism with Pseudomonas spp.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of fermented whey having a high concentration of divalent ion propionate is disclosed in which a whey medium having a solids content ranging from about 0.5% to about 18% by weight is prefermented with a galactose and glucose utilizing lactic acid producing organism, neutralized with a divalent metallic ion hydroxide and sterilized. The sterilized medium is then inoculated with a propionic acid-producing bacterium and incubated for a sufficient period of time to produce a high concentration of divalent metallic ion propionate. The divalent metallic ion is preferably calcium, and the whey medium preferably contains yeast extract.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing catabolite repression-resistant mutant strains of C. thermosulfurogenes and C. thermohydrosulfuricum. The method comprises challenging a wild strain of the organism with nitrosoguanidine, followed by enrichment on 2-deoxyglucose and culturing an iodine stained starch-glucose containing agar. The colonies which convert starch most efficiently are catabolite repression-resistant. Pure cultures of the mutants and methods employing the mutants to prepare enzymes are also described.