Abstract: A pure cultured microorganism of a Bacillus badius MA001 (FERM BP-4493) strain having deodorant and sporogenic properties. A microbial composition containing the same as the active ingredient and a method of deodorizing offensive odor sources with the composition. The order sources include fatty acids of approximately 1 to 10 carbon atoms, ammonia, indole, skatole and trimethylamine.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and the use of biological indicator systems to assess and determine the effectiveness of sterilization processes comprising the steps of contacting an indicator comprising microbial spores with a sterilant; a medium selected to germinate the spores; and calculating a germination rate of the exposed spores to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization process. A method for rapidly determining the effectiveness of the gemination rate of microbial spores with spore viability is also described.

Abstract: Fumaric acid is produced by reacting a culture of a microorganism which produces maleate isomerase that exhibits a maximum activity at not less than 50.degree. C. or a treated product thereof with maleic acid in an aqueous solution, and isomerizing maleic acid to produce fumaric acid. L-aspartic acid is produced by reacting both of a culture of a microorganism which produces maleate isomerase or a treated product thereof and a culture of a microorganism which produces aspartase or a treated product thereof with maleic acid and ammonia in an aqueous solution, producing L-aspartic acid from maleic acid and ammonia by enzyme reactions, and recovering L-aspartic acid from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t., insecticidal compositions containing recombinant B.t. strains and their use in insect control methods.

Abstract: Heptaprenyl diphosphate (HDP)-synthetase derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus which enzymes have the amino acid sequences shown as SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3; 1 and 2; 2 and 3; or 1 and 3, DNA encoding them, and a method of producing the enzymes.According to the invention it is possible to industrially produce HDP-synthesizing enzyme and HPD.

Abstract: A bacteria impermeable container or ampule (10) contains a liquid growth medium and a substrate-indicator complex. The complex includes a substrate component, e.g., starch, and an indicator molecule, e.g., a dye, a fluorescent molecule, or the like, which are tightly bound and complexed, but which are cleavable by a preselected enzyme. A sterilant passes over a carrier (20) for microorganisms which, upon germination, are capable of rapidly generating large quantities of the preselected enzyme. Following the sterilization process, the carrier is immersed in the liquid growth medium. Any viable surviving microorganisms grow, generating the preselected enzyme. The enzymes cleave the bound indicator molecule from the substrate, resulting in a measurable property change in a couple of hours. Typical property changes include fluorescence, a color change, a change in pH which triggers a pH indicator color change, and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of .delta.-decalactone by the microbial reduction of massoia lactone, characterized in that a bacterium having the ability to reduce massoia lactone is used as the microorganism. The .delta.-decalactone produced according to this process has a highly tastable, mild creamlike scent and flavor, and is hence suitable for use in flavor compositions.

Abstract: Enzymatic microbial degradation of limonene with simultaneous extraction of the degradation products with a non-water miscible organic solvent is described. Microbial degradation at elevated temperatures employing both an aqueous phase containing limonene and a neat limonene phase produced .alpha.-terpineol with additional production of carvone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the application of robotics to screen and optimize microorganisms for their bioremediation capabilities. In particular, the present invention provides methods to screen for the ability of microorganisms to metabolize particular compounds of interest in bioremediation applications. The present invention also provides a method for discovery of microorganisms useful for bioremediation and biomining, as well as other applications where microbial metabolism is useful for catalyzing chemical biotransformations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis M200, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCIMB 40385, or a variant, derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to the use of the said strain for control of insect pests.

Abstract: A biodegradable resin molded article molded from a kneaded material obtained by kneading, melting or mixing a biodegradable resin raw material and at least one of a biodegradable additive and an additive made of a substance existing in the nature, an injection molded article of a biodegradable resin containing a biodegradable resin and an anti-biotic substance, a molded article of a resin composition including a polymer material having an ester bond in the polymer main chain thereof and an alkali or acid component in an amount effective for neutralizing an acidic or alkaline component contained in the polymer material, and a resin molded article having a layer of a biodegradable resin, and a layer of a photolytic resin covering the resin layer and containing an antibiotic.

Abstract: A biological indicator which utilizes immobilization to increase the thermostability of the biomaterial (e.g., microorganism or enzyme) contained within the indicator. Due to the increased thermostability of the biomaterial, the indicator can be utilized to monitor sterilization with or without conventional test pack materials or devices.

Abstract: The cytA gene encoding the 28 kDa polypeptide of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis crystals was disrupted in the 72 MDa resident plasmid by in vivo recombination. The absence of the 28 kDa protein in B. thuringiensis israelensis did not affect the crystallization of the other toxic components of the parasporal body. However, the absence of the 28 kDa protein did abolish the hemolytic activity of B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis crystals. The mosquitocidal activity of the 28 kDa protein-free crystals did not differ significantly from the wild-type crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly discovered Bacillus sp. strain which exhibits pesticidal activity. The supernatant of cultures of this novel isolate are also effective pesticidal agents. Also provided are methods of using the novel strain or supernatant for treatment or prevention of disease in plants or animals.

Abstract: The invention provides a reagent for enzymatic determination of serum bicarbonate levels in a patient wherein the degree of oxidation of a coenzyme is measured and said reagent is stabilized against oxidation by a coenzyme reduction system comprising an enzyme and substrate pair selected to enable continuous regeneration of said coenzyme throughout storage of said reagent. The invention also provides an improvement in an enzymatic method of determination of the concentration of serum bicarbonate in a sample body fluid wherein the degree of oxidation of a coenzyme is measured, the improvement comprising stabilizing a reagent which comprises the coenzyme against oxidation by a coenzyme reduction system comprising an enzyme and substrate pair selected so as to enable continuous regeneration of the coenzyme throughout storage of the reagent.

Abstract: The activity of pesticides is enhanced by application of a zwittermicin antibiotic in combination with insecticides. In particular, zwittermicin enhances the activity of Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos. 5131 and 5132, produce crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera. The crystal proteins contain 74 kDa and 129 kDa protoxins, respectively, which can yield 68 and 66 kDa toxins, respectively, as trypsin-digestion products. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that codes for its respective toxin, is resistant to Coleoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera.

Abstract: An (S)-1-phenyl-2-substituted propane derivative shown by the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a lower alkyl group, etc., or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may form together an alkylene group, etc.; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 represent a hydrogen atom, etc.; and X represents a hydroxyl group which may be protected with a protective group, or a halogen atom etc., can readily be produced (i) by permitting a microorganism belonging to the genus Torulaspora, the genus Candida, the genus Pichia or the like to act on a phenylacetone derivative and asymmetrically reducing the compound, or (ii) by sterically inverting an (R)-enantiomer. (R,R)-1-phenyl-2-?(2-phenyl-1-methylethyl)amino!ethanol derivative having a high optical purity can easily be obtained from the compound of the formula (I). The ethanol derivative is useful as an anti-obesity agent and the like.

Abstract: A microorganism or a preparation thereof is permitted to act on a mixture of enantiomers of an epoxide such as 3-chlorostyrene oxide and the product optically active epoxide is recovered. The microorganism able to produce an optically active (S)-epoxide from the mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide include, for example, a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Candida, the genus Rhodosporidium, the genus Rhodococcus and the genus Nosardioides. Examples of the microorganism capable of producing an optically active (R)-epoxide from said mixture include a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Trichosporon, the genus Geotrichum, the genus Corynebacterium, the genus Micrococcus and the genus Brevibacterium. The objective optically active epoxide can efficiently be obtained with ease and simplicity from the corresponding mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel nucleotide primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against nematodes and coleopterans. The primers are useful in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins. The primers are also useful as nucleotide probes to detect the toxin-encoding genes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monoterpene compounds (such as perillyl alcohol, aldehyde and .alpha.-terpineol) from limonene is described. The process uses Bacillus stearothermophilus which is effective at high temperatures (55.degree. to 70.degree. C.).

Abstract: An alkaline serine protease is disclosed which is obtainable from Bacillus sp. JA16-38A, NCIMB No. 40263 and which (a) has a pH optimum in the range of 9-11 determined at 25.degree. C.; (b) has a temperature optimum in the range of 40.degree.-50.degree. C. determined at pH 9.5; (c) is active in the presence of ethylene-diamine tetraacetate; and (d) has a mass of about 28 kD determined by SDS-PAGE. Detergent additives and detergent compositions comprising said protease and methods for producing said protease are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase that has been increased transglycosylation activity by substituting another amino acid residue for the tyrosine residue that is present in the active center of the hydrolase, which hydrolase is an amylase or an enzyme analogous to amylase; a gene or a DNA sequence of the carbohydrate hydrolase with mutation introduced into the base sequence that encodes the tyrosine residue; and a vector or a transformant which comprises the DNA sequence. There is also disclosed a method for producing a variety of oligosaccharides and the like by using the variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a soil-borne diseases controlling agent by the use of newly discovered microorganisms having strong antibacterial action. The soil-borne diseases controlling agent according to the present invention is characterized by that the agent comprises microorganisms selected from the group consisting of Bacillus sp. International Deposit Number FERM BP-4375 and Bacillus sp. International Deposit Number FERM BP-4376 as an active ingredient antagonistic against pathogenic Fusarium fungi (Fusarium species).

Abstract: A method for determining .alpha.-amylase activity which involves bringing a sample into contact with an .alpha.-glucosidase in the presence of an .alpha.-amylase substrate and optically determining a liberated label, the substrate being a maltooligosaccharide composed of at least 3 glucose units, whose reducing terminal glucose is bonded to an optically measurable label at the 1-position by .alpha.-glucoside linkage or .beta.-glucoside linkage, and whose non-reducing terminal glucose is modified by a substituent other than glucose, and the .alpha.-glucosidase being substantially capable of acting on glucose to which the label is bonded at the 1-position by .alpha.-glucoside linkage and on all maltooligosaccharides having 2 to 7 glucose units; and a reagent for determining .alpha.-amylase activity comprising the .alpha.-glucosidase and said .alpha.-amylase substrate. The present invention permits, in the determination of .alpha.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

Abstract: Novel B.t. genes encoding toxins active against nematode pests have been cloned. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Abstract: Novel strains of the insecticidal microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis are described. These contain novel genes, and in particular a gene coding for a novel insecticidal endotoxin, 81 kiloDaltons in length, toxic to both Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The novel strains and the genes they contain may be used to combat insect attack against plants.

Abstract: The invention concerns certain insecticidal compositions of ingestible insecticides selected from the group consisting of DNA viruses, RNA viruses and bacteria of the order Bacillus such as, for example, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis entrapped by a suitable charged polymer. The invention also concerns a process for the preparation of and the use of such insecticidal compositions.

Abstract: New protozoan derived microbial consortia and method for their isolation are provided. Consortia and bacteria isolated therefrom are useful for treating wastes such as trichloroethylene and trinitrotoluene. Consortia, bacteria isolated therefrom, and dispersants isolated therefrom are useful for dispersing hydrocarbons such as oil, creosote, wax, and grease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus thuringiensis strain(s) which solely produces a CryIA(a) crystal delta-endotoxin having a molecular weight of 130,000 daltons and is active against lepidopteran pests. The invention is also related to a spore(s), mutant(s), or crystal delta-endotoxin obtainable therefrom. Furthermore, the invention relates to insecticidal compositions comprising the B.t. strain, spore, mutant or crystal delta-endotoxin of the present invention. The invention further relates to methods of using the insecticidal compositions to control an insect pest(s) of the order Lepidoptera.

Abstract: Soil bacteria can be isolated which produce an enzyme capable of catalyzing the degradation of mannan-containing hemicellulose under conditions combining high pH and high temperature. Such bacteria can be cultured or used as sources of genetic information with which to engineer other microorganisms to produce the enzyme. Commercially useful quantities of native or recombinant hemicellulase can thus be produced by cultures consisting essentially of microorganisms capable of producing the enzyme.

Abstract: A composition for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in animals, containing sterilized cells of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, or Streptomyces, a cell homogenate of said sterilized cells, a cell wall component-containing fraction of said homogenate or mixtures thereof. These ingredients of the composition are admixed into an animal feed.

Abstract: A recombinantly derived biopesticide active against Diptera includes cyanobacteria transformed with a plasmid containing a B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis dipteracidal protein translationally fused to a strong, highly active native cyanobacterial regulatory gene sequence.

Abstract: Three strains of a species of Bacillus proteolyticus are provided. This bacterium produces an alkaline protease which is suitable for detergent formulations. The alkaline protease has the amino acid terminal sequence of Seq. ID NO.: 1 as follows: Ala-Gln-Ser-Val-Pro-Trp-Gly-Ile-Ser-Arg-Val-Gln-Ala-Pro-Ala-Ala-His-Asn-Ar g-Gly-. In addition, the alkaline protease has a molecular weight of 28 kdaltons, an isoelectric point from 10-11.5, an optimum pH for proteolytic activity at a pH in the range of 8.5 and 11.5, and retains at least 70% of its original activity after being held at a pH of 8.0 at a temperature of 43.degree. C. for a period of 11 days.

Abstract: A method for protection of a plant from damage caused by an insect pest of the order Lepidoptera and Diptera is disclosed. An insect controlling agent having an active component of an insecticidal crystal toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki No. 145 FERM BP-3905, No. 161 FERM BP-3906, and No. 116 FERM BP-3907 is used in the method for protection of a plant. The insecticidal crystal toxin has a set of molecular weights as determined by 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 125,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 145, 130,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 161, and 130,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 116.

Abstract: A process for organic C--S bond cleavage of a sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by contacting the carbonacous material with a sulfur specific reactant of membrane fragments, an enzyme, or a composition of enzymes having the ability to selectively react with sulfur by cleavage of organic C--S bonds. Preferred are sulfur specific reactants associated with cell membranes of Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain ATCC No. 53968 and Bacillus sphaericus strain ATCC No. 53969 and their derivatives which have the ability to selectively react with organic sulfur of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by cleavage of organic C--S bonds.

Abstract: Reference microorganisms are sealed into an interior cavity of a microporous membrane (14, 20). In one embodiment, the reference microbes are inoculated on a element (12) which is sealed in a microporous envelope (14) (FIG. 1). In another embodiment, the reference microbes (22) are loaded into an interior bore or cavity of a microporous plastic tube or envelope (20) (FIG. 3). The microporous membrane and the reference microbes, such as spores, are immersed concurrently with items to be microbially decontaminated separately into an anti-microbial fluid. The microporous membrane is constructed of a material which is sufficiently resistant to temperature, water, strong oxidants, and other anti-microbial agents or processes used for microbial decontamination or sterilization that it retains its integrity during the immersion in any common steam, gas, or liquid microbial decontamination or sterilization fluid or system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the biological control of Dipteran pests other than the mosquito, which comprises the use of Bacillus thuringiensis isolate HD 541 (NCIMB 40373) or HD 571 (NCIMB 40374), or a mutant, recombinant or derivative thereof, or insecticidal material derived therefrom.

Abstract: A new Bacillus species and the appropriate enzymes obtained therefrom can be used to break down phosphoglycolipid antibiotics. The breakdown products of moenomycins display antibiotic activity or can be used as building blocks for the synthetic preparation of transglycosylase inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis M200, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCIMB 40385, or a variant, derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to the use of the said strain for control of insect pests.

Abstract: Biological indicators are provided for use in validating and routinely monitoring oxidizing gas sterilizations. The biological indicators are based on Bacillus circulans spores that are enclosed in packages with sufficient permeability to admit a sterilizing amount of vapor while being substantially bacteria impermeable.

Abstract: The detection of residues of antibacterials such as antibiotics and sulpha compounds in liquids such as milk, water, meat juice, serum or urine is disclosed. A test unit comprises an agar medium inoculated with a suitable test organism and two or more redox indicators.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing iturin A, in which cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens are incubated and iturin A is collected from the culture. It also relates to an antifungal agent for profound mycosis, containing iturin A as the active ingredient. Heretofore, there have been known few medicines effective against profound mycosis, but iturin A may be an effective antifungal agent for profound mycosis.

Abstract: An isolated arabinofuranosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18659, Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18660 and Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18661 is disclosed. The arabinofuranosidase has a maximum activity at about pH 6.0 and at about 65.degree. C., maintains at least about 50% of its maximum activity at 70.degree. C. and pH 7.0 after 80 minutes, and has an isoelectric point of about 4.4. The arabinfuranosidase can be used in a method of hydrolyzing xylan present in wood pulp at temperatures of at least about 60.degree. C. and a pH of at least about 7.0. The arabinofuranosidase is used along with at least two xylanases and a xylosidase isolated from the above Bacillus stearothermophilus strains.

Abstract: An isolated xylosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18659, Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18660 and Bacillus stearothermophilus NRRL B-18661 is disclosed. The xylosidase has a maximum activity at about pH 6.0 and at about 75.degree. C., maintains at least about 60% of its maximum activity at about 65.degree. C. and pH 7 after 4 hours, is resistant to end-product inhibition maintaining over 75% of maximum activity in the presence of 1 molar xylose and has an isoelectric point of about 5.0. The xylosidase can be used in a method of hydrolyzing xylan present in wood pulp at temperatures of at least about 60.degree. C. and a pH of at least about 7.0. The xylosidase is used along with at least two xylanases and an arabinofuranosidase isolated from the above Bacillus stearothermophilus strains.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monoterpene compounds (such as perillyl alcohol, aldehyde and .alpha.-terpineol) from limonene is described. The process uses Bacillus stearothermophilus which is effective at high temperatures (55.degree. to 70.degree. C.). A preferred strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus is ATCC 55596.

Abstract: There is provided a method of quantitative assay for 1,5-anhydroglucitol in a specimen characterized by effectively removing maltose present in the specimen using .alpha.-glucosidase. Maltose present in a specimen is previously converted into glucose by the action of .alpha.-glucosidase derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus to remove the affect by maltose. Then 1,5-anhydroglucitol in the specimen is quantitatively determined.

Abstract: The invention is directed to biological processes and apparatus for determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle based upon the recovery of activity of interactive enzyme systems comprising enzymes, coenzymes, catalysts, cofactors, substrates or any other necessary reagents. The invention provides a vital process for expediting sterility verification before utilization of the articles thought to be sterilized. The invention involves the rapid detection of any surviving interactive enzymatic activity which directly relates to the probability of any biological spores surviving in a test sample. An absence of a change indicates that the sterilization process had inactivated the enzyme system thereby preventing the interactive reaction from taking place which is a rapid equivalent to directly detecting the survivability of bacterial spores in a similar test.

Abstract: Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert chenodeoxycholic acid to 3-alpha-hydroxy-7-keto-5-beta-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline pH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-4390, Bacillus FERM BP-4391, Bacillus FERM BP-3651, Bacillus FERM BP-3393, Bacillus FERM BP-3398, Bacillus FERM BP-3395 and Bacillus FERM BP-3396. Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert cholic acid to 3-alpha-hydroxy-7,12-diketo-5-beta-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline pH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-3393 and Bacillus FERM BP-3398. Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert cholic acid to 3-alpha, 12-alpha-dihydroxy-7-keto-5-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline PH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-3395 and Bacillus FERM BP-4390.