Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel plasmid and its use in a microbial host to degrade a variety of organic compounds. Some of these compounds, such as ethylene dichloride, are undesirable waste products found in various dump sites. The invention also concerns a novel microbe hosting the novel plasmid. The novel plasmid has been shown to encode the gene(s) responsible for the degradation of the organic compounds. Thus, microbes hosting this plasmid, denoted pEDC, can be used to degrade ethylene dichloride, and other compounds.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel plasmid and its use in a microbial host to degrade a variety of organic compounds. Some of these compounds, such as ethylene dichloride, are undesirable waste products found in various dump sites. The invention also concerns a novel microbe hosting the novel plasmid. The novel plasmid has been shown to encode the gene(s) responsible for the degradation of the organic compounds. Thus, microbes hosting this plasmid, denoted pEDC, can be used to degrade ethylene dichloride, and other compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the biotechnological preparation of poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) which comprises continuously culturing a microorganism that is a strain of Alcaligenes latus or a PHB-producing mutant thereof, in two separate successive fermentation stages with unrestricted supply of nutrients. The PHB-containing microorganism population cultured in the first stage with a dissolved oxygen content of 25 to 50% of the saturation value for air is then continuously transferred into a second fermentation stage in which the culture is continued at a dissolved oxygen content of 8-15% of the saturation value of air. The PHB is extracted in the usual manner from the biomass thereby obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, which comprises cultivating a microorganism having the ability to produce S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase within its cells in a nutrient medium to accumulate said hydrolase in the cells, said microorganism being a bacterium belonging to the genera Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Enterobacter, Rhodopseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Chromobacterium, Xanthomonas, Flavobacterium, Cellulomonas, Azotobacter and Protaminobacter, or an actinomycete belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Streptoverticillium, Micromonospora, Micropolyspora, Streptosporangium and Microellobosporia; and then recovering S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase from the cells.

Abstract: S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine is produced by contacting adenosine with D-homocysteine in an aqueous medium in the presence of cells or treated cells of a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas having the ability to racemize D-homocysteine to DL-homocysteine and in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, to synthesize S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, and thereafter collecting it.

Abstract: There is provided the novel compound 11-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one-20-carbaldehyde, as well as a microbial method for production of the same. This novel compound is of value as a starting material for antiinflammatory corticoids such as hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisolone and prednisone.

Abstract: Antibiotic U-66,026 is produced in a fermentation under controlled conditions using the microorganism Alcaligenes sp., NRRL B-15269. Enhanced fermentation of titers U-66,026 are obtained when Alcaligenes sp., NRRL B-15269, is cultivated in mixture with Streptomyces plicatus strain 395, NRRL 15273.Antibiotic U-66,026 is a useful antibiotic which has antifungal activity.

Abstract: A microbial process for producing 12.alpha.-hydroxypregna-1,4-dien-3-one-20.alpha.-carboxylic acid or a salt thereof which comprises cultivating a microbe of the species Pseudomonas arvilla or the genus Alcaligenes, e.g. Alcaligenes faecalis, which is capable of producing 12.alpha.-hydroxypregna-1,4-dien-3-one-20.alpha.-carboxylic acid or a salt thereof by utilizing deoxycholic acid or a salt thereof as a substrate, in a culture medium containing the substrate and collecting the resulting compound.

Abstract: .alpha.-L-aspartylphenylalanine lower alkyl esters are prepared by a process wherein L-aspartic acid and a lower alkyl ester of L-phenylalanine are contacted with a culture or treated culture product of a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Torulopsis, Rhodotorula or Sporobolomyces and being capable of producing a .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine lower alkyl ester from L-aspartic acid and a lower alkyl ester of L-phenylalanine.

Abstract: A monomethylamine-oxidizing enzyme can be obtained by cultivating in a medium a strain which belongs to Genus Bacillus and has an ability to produce a monomethylamine-oxidizing enzyme. This enzyme exhibits several beneficial properties including the ability to oxidatively deaminate the amino group of monomethylamine to produce formaldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme exhibits a high substrate specificity for monomethylamine, ethylamine, and n-proplyamine while showing no substrate specificity for benzylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylenediamine and tryamine. In addition, the enzyme is stable through an elevated temperature range permitting faster reaction rates and therefore a shorter overall quantitative evaluation. Another property includes a low Km value which allows smaller quantities of the enzyme to be employed per sample.

Abstract: High molecular weight copolymers containing 3-hydroxybutyrate residue, i.e. units of the formula--O.CH(CH.sub.3).CH.sub.2.CO--and up to 50 mole % of residues of other hydroxy acids, viz units of the formula--O.CR.sup.1 R.sup.2.(CR.sup.3 R.sup.4).sub.n.CO--where n is 0 or an integer and, if n=1 and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 =H, R.sup.1 is not methyl.The copolymers are made microbiologically: for part of the cultivation the micro-organism is under conditions such that polymer is accumulated, e.g. by limitation of a nutrient, e.g. nitrogen source, required for growth but not polyester accumulation. For at least part of this period of polymer accumulation the substrate is an acid or a derivative thereof that gives the comonomer units. Proprionic acid, which gives polymers where n=1, R.sup.2 =R.sup.3 =R.sup.4 =H and R.sup.1 =C.sub.2 H.sub.5, is the preferred acid.

Abstract: Continuous fermentation of Alcaligenes micro-organisms capable of accumulating PHB under limitation of a nutrient required for growth, but not PHB accumulation, so that the PHB content is above 25% by weight. By means of this the carbon in the carbon and energy source, i.e. the substrate, is utilized more efficiently.

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: A novel polysaccharide S-194 is disclosed composed of principally carbohydrate, about 14% protein, and 9-11% O-acetyl groups. The carbohydrate portion comprises about 8.8-9.2% glucuronic acid and the neutral sugars glucose and rhamnose in the approximate molar ratio 4:1. This polysaccharide is produced by a new Alcaligenes species ATCC 31961, in a suitable fermentation medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement of the floc-formation property of activated sludge contained in waste water.A waste water treatment process comprises steps culturing a novel strain-Alcaligenes faecalis HRL-1 - and adding the cultured cells to to-be-treated waste water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-stage continuous process for the production of a gelable curdlan-type exopolysaccharide. In the first stage a stable, curdlan-producing strain of microorganism such as Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes ATCC 31749 and ATCC 31750, is grown aerobically in an aerated, agitated culture medium containing assimilable carbon, nutrients and organic salts. The amount of nitrogen in the first stage is so limited that the effluent therefrom contains substantially no inorganic nitrogen. The effluent is introduced into a second stage in a constant volume fermenter wherein it is mixed with a nitrogen-free carbohydrate. The resultant mixture is aerated and mixed at pH 5.5 to 6.5 at a temperature of from 25.degree. to 35.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically active acylated cephalosporin analogs which are useful as antibacterial agents and methods for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: Optically active cephalosporin analogs are produced by optically selective deacylation of an optically inactive acylated analog. The compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of optically active acylated antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically active cephalosporin analogs which are produced by optically selective deacylation of an optically inactive acylated analog. The compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of optically active acylated antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A microbial lipase which has (i) an optimal pH for activity of about 9.+-.0.5, (ii) an optimal temperature for activity of about 40.degree. C. to about 48.degree. C., (iii) a lipase activity to be activated by bile salts, (iv) a cholesterol esterase activity, and (v) a molecular weight of about 30.times.10.sup.4 to about 40.times.10.sup.4 ; a process for its preparation; and microbiologically pure culture therefor.

Abstract: A process for removing melamine from liquids containing melamine by biological means. The aqueous solution or suspension of melamine is brought into contact with microorganisms or enzyme preparations having melaminase activity, and the resulting mixture is maintained under anaerobic conditions whereby at least a portion of the melamine is biodegraded.

Abstract: A novel methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme can be obtained by cultivating in a medium a bacterium belonging to Genus Alcaligenes and having an ability to produce a methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme. This methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme has an ability to decompose methylguanidine into methylamine and urea. Its optimum pH range is 10.9-12.3 and its stable pH range is 5.0-10.6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of manufacturing D(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid by breeding microorganisms capable of producing said acid in a nutrient medium containing certain specific carbon source; bacterial strains especially suitable in carrying out the process; an application of the process for obtaining such microorganisms; and uses of thus produced acid.