Abstract: A new plasmid vector is described which can replicate in B. subtilis and which can express and secrete, in the culture medium, human beta interleukin-1 (beta IL-1) without amino acid sequences extraneous to the natural molecule, a strain of B. subtilis transformed by the vector and a method for the expression and secretion of mature human beta interleukin-1. The human beta interleukin-1 thus obtained shows a specific acitvity of 1.times.10.sup.9 U/mg of protein and is particularly suitable as a stimulant for the immune system, as an adjuvant in vaccines for the activation of the repair mechanism in cases of tissue damage, and for the treatment of auto-immune diseases in man.

Abstract: A recombinant vector for the expression and secretion of antibodies in single molecule form (scFv) from B. subtilis, where said vector comprises the promoter of the gene for neutral protease, a new secretion sequence (I) and a DNA sequence coding a scFv antibody of interest, a strain of B. subtilis transformed with said recombinant vector, and a process for the exocellular production of scFv antibodies by culturing said strain of B. subtilis are described. The recombinant vector allows the expression of scFv in a completely soluble form and its secretion in high yields.

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: A bacterium belonging to Bacillus subtilis and having aflatoxin decomposing ability, as well as a fungal growth inhibitor, fermentation promoter and livestock fattening agent, all containing the bacterium as an active or effective ingredient. The Bacillus subtilis is strain FERM BP-3418. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or controlling a pathogenic fungus on a plant or animal.

Abstract: An agriculturally effective active ingredient is applied to plant foliage before, after, or simultaneously with a transport enhancer consisting essentially of B. cereus. ATCC 55675, originally identified as a B. subtilis strain.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the rapid detection of biotoxic contaants in a test material comprising combining a sample of the test material with activated spores essentially devoid of detectable enzymatic activity, which activity becomes manifest and increases measurably following germination of the spores and with at least one germinant capable of triggering germination of the spores and a substrate which is catalytically convertible to a product by the enzymatic activity, incubating the mixture for a period of less than one hour to accelarate germination of the spores, increase of the enzyme activity, and a catalytic conversion of the substrate, and detecting the formation of the product of the catalytic conversion of the substrate and the enzyme, the level of the product being maximal in the absence of any biotoxic contaminants, and decreasing in direct proportion to the toxicity of contaminants in the test sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel preparation of neotrehalose and its uses. The preparation comprises allowing .alpha.-amylase to act on an amylaceous substance to form neotrehalose, and recovering said neotrehalose. The neotrehalose has a satisfiable chemical stability, as well as other properties such as a sweeteness, energy-imparting ability, osmosis-regulating ability, filler-imparting ability, gloss-imparting ability, moisture-retaining ability, viscosity-imparting ability, crystallization-preventing ability, and non-fermentability. These properties render the neotrehalose advantageously useful in preparations of a variety of compositions.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to Bacillus subtilis and having aflatoxin decomposing ability, as well as a fungal growth inhibitor, fermentation promoter and livestock fattening agent, all containing the bacterium as an active or effective ingredient.

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: O-acylated cephalosporins are produced by reacting 3-hydroxymethylcephalosporins with an acyl donor containing at least three carbon atoms and an enzyme which is a Rodosporidium toruloides esterase, a wheat germ lipase, an Aspergillus niger lipase, an orange peel acetylesterase or a Bacillus subtilis esterase. A preferred enzyme is the esterase from Rodosporidium toruloides ATCC 10657. The enzyme can be used while in whole cells or in soluble or inmobilized form.

Abstract: A microbial catalase having a catalase activity at 0.degree. C. of 95% or more of its catalase activity at 30.degree. C., when measured at pH 7, and a process for producing the same. The microbial catalase preferably has (1) an operative temperature of 0.degree. to 60.degree. C. and an optimum temperature of 0.degree. to 30.degree. C., (2) an optimum pH of 7 to 10, (3) a resistance to 10 mM potassium fluoride, (4) a molecular weight is 65,000.+-.3,000, when measured by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and (5) an isoelectric point is about 4.8, when measured by isoelectric focusing. The catalase is obtainable from Bacillus subtilis IAM 1206 (FERM BP-4844) or a mutant strain thereof.

Abstract: Alkaline Bacillus proteases, their use and a method for producing these proteases are described. These are in particular Bacillus proteases from Bacillus pumilus DSM 5777. The alkaline proteases according to the invention are suitable for use in compositions for cleaning and washing purposes.

Abstract: A flavorant composition is prepared by inoculating and fermenting a protein-rich material, particularly pulse seeds and in particular, cooked pulse seeds, and then, the fermented material is mixed with a reducing sugar and water, the mixture is heated to obtain a reaction product, and the reaction product is dried.

Abstract: A test kit and method for the amplification and detection of specific antigen cells using a probe. The method includes reacting the probe-specific cells with enzyme-conjugated molecules to form separate molecules. The specific antigen cells are mixed with a selected antibiotic which antibiotic is adversely affected by the enzyme in the reporter molecules and incubating the mixture to promote a bacterial chain reaction forming satellite colonies of bacteria microcolonies about the specific cells which amplifies the cells. The method then includes detecting the amplified probe-specific cells by observing the satellite colonies.

Abstract: A strain of Bacillus subtilis which is a tryptophan auxotroph, resistant to sulfaguanidine and flourotryptophan and produces anthranilic acid in a nutrient solution containing L-tryptophan, and process for the preparation of anthranilic acid by fermentation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a method for manufacturing dipeptides by coupling N-blocked aspartic acid and a phenylalanine lower alkyl ester in a medium containing a water-miscible organic solvent mixture in the presence of an immobilized metallo-protease so that a continuous reaction is established with stable enzyme activity.

Abstract: Anti-fungal and anti-microbial bacterial strains of Serratia are used in the preparation and preservation of animal feedstuffs made from forage. Bacterial strains of Serratia rubidaea are particularly useful for such purposes, and permit hay to be baled at higher moisture content. Mixtures of this strain with another anti-fungal bacterial, such as Bacillus subtilis, and/or lactic acid-producing bacterial strains, such as strains of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Lactococcus and Pediococcus are used in the preparation and preservation of silage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the biological detection of radiation by microorganisms in form of a microorganism coating provided on a sheet substrate, which microorganism coating is exposed, optionally after calibration by exposure to a defined radiation dose, to the radiation to be detected. The principle of evaluating the biologically weighted quantification of the radiation dose consists of photometrically determining the decrease in response to the radiation dose of the amount of synthetically formed products upon selectively staining the biosynthesis products.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to an antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55422 having a nominal molecular weight of 580 and the empirical formula C.sub.35 H.sub.48 O.sub.7, or a salt thereof. The antibiotic is useful in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, including Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia, Bacillus and Staphylococcus.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to Bacillus subtilis. The bacterium being identified as Bacillus subtilis FERM BP-3418. In addition the bacterium possesses the capability of decomposing aflatoxin. It is useful as an active ingredient in products such as a fungal growth inhibitor, fermentation promoter, and livestock fattening agent.

Abstract: The invention provides Bacillus subtilis strains NCIB 12375, NCIB 12376 and NCIB 12616, which have improved antimicrobial activity. The invention also relates to the use of such strains in the control of microbial infections and microbial contamination.

Abstract: The description relates to a plasmid vector expression in Bacillus and used for cloning the structural gene which codes for the human growth hormone, a recombinant DNA molecule comprising plasmid vector and the structural gene of the human growth hormone and a method of preparing the hormone comprising inserting the recombinant DNA molecule into strains of Bacillus and cultivating the resulting transformed strains in a suitable culture environment and recovering the thus-synthesized hormone from the cells.

Abstract: A method of producing an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-containing composition, which is of value as an antihypertensive agent or diet, from natural resources. According to the method, proteins are hydrolyzed with a protease elaborated by a microorganism of the genus Bacillus, Aspergillus or Rhizopus or a protease of papaya origin.

Abstract: A Bacillus cell containing a mutation in the residual protease III (rp-III) gene resulting in the inhibition of the production by the cell of proteolytically active RP-III.

Abstract: A method of controlling the population of a first microorganism at a foliar locus by preferentially enhancing the population of a second microorganism at said locus, comprises applying to the locus an amount of a durable selective habitat enhancer which substantially preferentially potentiates growth of said second microorganism with respect to said first microorganism. The durable selective habitat enhancer preferably comprises a substantially water-insoluble, weather resistant polymeric substrate and a binder which increases the durability of the habitat enhancer. The second microorganism can be endogenous to the foliar locus or exogenously applied. Chitin and cellulose are preferred habitat enhancers.

Abstract: In a fermentive production of polyglutamic acid and a salt thereof, the accumulation of polyglutamic acid can be markedly increased in a very simple manner by adding an alkaline earth metal ion to the medium in a concentration of not less than 0.05 mole per liter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable mutant of Bacillus subtilis which can produce surfactin with high yields, a method of producing surfactin with the use of the strain and the use of the surfactin obtained for pharmaceutical, energy and environmental problems.

Abstract: Methods for the isolation and purification of the phytotoxin cercosporin are disclosed as well as methods for identifying microorganisms capable of degrading cercosporin. Cercosporin can be purified from members of the fungal genus Cercospora and incorporated into culture medium for selection of those organisms resistant to cercosporin. Once identified, these organisms can be used to isolate the protein and the gene responsible for conferring cercosporin-resistance. The gene can be cloned and inserted into a suitable expression vector so that the protein can be further characterized. Additionally, the DNA encoding for cercosporin-resistance can be inserted into a vector suitable for transforming an Agrobacterium and the Agrobacterium in turn used to transform plant cells normally susceptible to Cercospora infection. Plants can be regenerated from the transformed plant cells. In this way, a transgenic plant can be produced with the capability of degrading cercosporin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorgaisms which produce the aroma and flavor of traditional Korean soybean paste. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the soybean paste which comprises inoculating a pure boiled soybean medium with Bacillus subtilis PM3 or Bacillus subtilis SS9 and culturing it at 25.degree.-35.degree. C. for 40-60 days to produce the soybean paste. The present invention further relates to a method for producing the soybean paste, which comprises inoculating a pure boiled soybean medium with Bacillus subtilis PM3 or Bacillus subtilis SS9 together with a fusant yeast ST723-F31 or Bacillus licheniformis SSA3-2M1 and culturing them at 25.degree.-35.degree. C. for 40-60 days to produce the soybean paste.

Abstract: The concentration of at least one metal species in an aqueous system is at least reduced in an aqueous system that contains at least one kind of chelating agent, by adding to such system a species or plurality of species of bacteria that have a low toxicity for the metal species, and establishing and maintaining a biomass in the system for a sufficent time period to reduce the metal concentration.

Abstract: A process for the predominantly producing R(-)-mandelic acid or a derivative thereof which comprises subjecting (i) R,S-mandelonitrile or a derivative thereof, or (ii) a mixture of prussic acid and benzaldehyde or a derivative of benzaldehyde to the action of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of the genus Aureobacterium, Pseudomonas, Caseobacter, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, Brevibacterium, Nocardia, and Bacillus or treated cells thereof, which the microorganism is capable of stereospecifically hydrolyzing a nitrile group of the R,S-mandelonitrile or a derivative thereof, in a neutral or basic aqueous reaction system to produce the R(-)-mandelic acid.

Abstract: A method for the enantiomeric enrichment of 3-quinuclidinol is disclosed, comprising acid anhydride esterification of the alcohol, followed by preferential enzymatic hydrolysis with a subtilisin protease.

Abstract: This invention relates to operator DNA specific for the repressor of .phi.105 and to the use thereof. The sequence of the operator DNA is 5'-GACGGAAATACAAG-3', 5', GTCGGAAATACAAT-3', 5'-GACGAAATTCAAG-3' or 5'-GTCGTGAATACCAT-3.

Abstract: A method of making a biologically inactive polypeptide active is disclosed. Activity is imparted to the polypeptide through treatment with an exogenous peptide sequence. The nature of the exogenous peptide sequence is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing (+)-homopilopic acid and the salts thereof which comprises hydrolyzing a mixture of (+)-homopilopic acid ester of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbon, and (-)-homopilopic acid ester of the general formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 denotes straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbon, in the presence of a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter, Aspergillus, Escherichia, Cunninghamella, Xanthomonas, Candida, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Cellulomonas, Nocardia, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Flavobacterium, Mycobacterium, Rhizomucor, Rhodotorula or Rhodococcus, or a treated matter thereof.

Abstract: A novel heteropolysaccharide S-184 is disclosed. The compound is a gum produced under suitable conditions by the novel microorganism Alcaligenes sp. This new heteropolysaccharide is composed primarily of carbohydrate as uronic acid (7% to 16%) and mannose, glucose, and galactose in the molar ratio of 1:3:5. The non-carbohydrate portion contains 12-16% protein and 3-4.5% acyl groups. The compound is used to alter viscosity and rheology of aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A method of transforming eukaryotic or prokaryotic hosts sensitive to an antibiotic of the phleomycin family to confer resistance to the antibiotic is disclosed in which a phleomycin resistance gene is used as a selectable marker.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of E. coli and Shigella species and not to rRNA of non-E. coli/Shigella are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the specific detection of E. coli and/or Shigella in food and other samples.

Abstract: A process for preparing lactic-acid products which involves fermentation of milk or dairy products with live bacteria, viz. the strain Bacillus subtilis 534 deposited at the All-Union Collection of Microorganisms of the Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, the USSR Academy of Sciences and registered under No. B-1666D; the fermentation is conducted until the desired product is obtained.

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: The preparation of an L-amino acid, particularly valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine and phenylalanine, from the corresponding .alpha.-keto carboxylic acid by bacterial fermentation in the presence of ammonium ions is carried out with the aid of thermophilic Bacillus strains at temperatures above 45.degree. C., in particular above 60.degree. C. Bacillus strains DSM 406, 452, 461, 42, 463, 465 and 466 are particularly suitable for this purpose. The greater solubility of the amino acid at the elevated fermentation temperature permits the separation out of the amino acid from the reaction mixture simply by cooling, whereafter the depleted reaction mixture can be pumped back into the fermenter. Especially favorable yields are achieved by supplying oxygen to the fermenter to an amount of less than about 20% dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: Preharvest peaches, postharvest apples and postharvest grapes are coated with Bacillus subtilis B-3 to inhibit growth of brown rot, gray mold rot and bitter rot.

Abstract: Crystalline subtilisin is produced by adding a halide salt, such as sodium chloride or calcium chloride, to a concentrated subtilisin solution (at least about 40 g/1). This process does not produce amorphous subtilisin even at high salt concentrations in the solution. Optionally, subtilisin seed crystals also may be added to the concentrate to speed up the crystallization process.

Abstract: A B. subtilis strain possessing an enhanced surfactin production potential. The strain is a mutant of B. subtilis ATCC 21332 and has at least one mutation between Arg4 and HisA1 sites of the genetic map of B. subtilis ATCC 21332. Also included in the present invention is B. subtilis strain having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 53813.

Abstract: Gene expression systems comprising an expression vector and a "trans-acting DNA segment", where the expression vector comprises the gene or genes to be expressed and one or more cis-acting regulatory elements which are responsive to a trans-acting factor produced by said "trans-acting DNA segment". More specifically the invention relates to such gene expression systems where said "trans-acting DNA segment" and said cis-acting regulatory elements comprise one or more segments of the genome from a Bacillus species. Methods for stimulating the production of gene products, vectors for transforming microorganisms, and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A description is given of a cloning vector useful for the expression and secretion of heterologous proteins in Bacillus subtilis, molecules of recombinant DNA formed by the said cloning vector, expediently cut at a restriction site located within the neutral protease gene, and by the sequence of heterologous DNA which codes for the protein of interest, Bacillus subtilis cells transformed with the said molecules and capable of expressing the sequence of heterologous DNA and of producing and secreting the protein coded by the said sequence of heterologous DNA in high yields.The proteins obtained in this manner are useful in the fields of pharmaceuticals and foods, or as compounds for the production of substances which are normally obtained by chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A method of transforming eukaryotic or prokaryotic hosts sensitive to an antibiotic of the phleomycin family to confer resistance to the antibiotic is disclosed in which a phleomycin resistance gene is used as a selectable marker.

Abstract: Microorganisms are stored for long periods of time in storage mediums which preferably contain a sufficiently high concentration of nutrients and growth inhibiting substances to maintain microorganisms, such as bacteria, in the stationary or death phase of their growth cycle. Upon dilution of the growth medium, the concentration of the inhibiting substances is lowered below that inhibiting the growth of the microorganisms, while sufficient nutrients remain to allow for the number of microorganisms to rapidly increase. In a preferred embodiment, the growth medium contains between 10% and 30% solids which are the waste products of a food or fermentation process, and the microorganisms are lactobacillus plantarum or bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: A deodorant has the genus butyric acid bacteria and the genus Bacillus subtilis as effective components and is used for deodorizing the excrement of various animals and other sources of foul odors. The combined use of the genus butyric acid bacteria and the genus Bacillus subtilis makes it possible to deodorize the sources of foul odors by decomposing hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptan, etc., contained in the sources of the foul odors.

Abstract: By giving mammals, fowls, fish, etc. feeds containing Bacillus subtilis C-3102 FERM BP-1096), an excellent body weight gain and feed efficiency can be obtained.