Abstract: Protein engineered nucleic acid fragments encoding a CrtO ketolase and a CrtZ hydroxylase are provided with increased astaxanthin synthesis activity. Methods using the present nucleic acid fragments are also provided for increasing or altering astaxanthin production in suitable production hosts.

Abstract: A novel process for producing lactic acid using the rumen contents collected from slaughtered cattle or sheep is disclosed. The rumen contents are initially incubated for a period of time and under sufficiently low pH conditions effective to kill and/or inactivate non-lactic acid producing bacteria therein. Prior to or following this inactivation, the rumen contents are combined with a supplemental culture medium to form a fermentation broth and provide additional sources of carbohydrate and organic N for enhanced growth of lactic acid bacteria. In the second stage of the process, the fermentation broth is fermented under conditions promoting growth of the lactic acid bacteria to increase their cell mass to high densities. Optimal growth is attained by adjusting the pH of the fermentation broth to between about 6.6 to 7.2 and then incubating under anaerobic conditions for a sufficient time to lower its pH to between about 4.7 and 5.2.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for reactivating or regenerating the methane oxidizability of a methane-utilizing bacteria which have partly or wholly lost its methane oxidizability by culturing said methane-utilizing bacteria in a specified condition, and further relates to a method for continuous production of oxides by bringing a methane-utilizing bacteria in contact with alkanes, alkenes or cyclic compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel microorganisms separated from natural environments and purified and genetically modified, process for immobilizing these microorganisms by affixing then to substrates, the biocatalytic compositions formed by these microorganisms affixed to substrates, and the use of the biocatalytic compositions for the detoxification of toxin-polluted streams. The microorganisms are (1) Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC SD 904); (2) Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC SD 903); (3) Pseudomonas cepacia (ATCC SD 905); (4) Methylobacter rhodinum (ATCC 113-X); and (5) Methylobacter species (ATCC 16 138-X).

Abstract: A process in which a culture of a methane-oxidizing bacterium or an extract thereof containing a methane oxidizing system is used as oxidizing agent for the oxidation of a higher short-chain alkane, an alkene or a cyclic organic compound.

Abstract: Single cell protein (SCP) is produced at high yields from a novel methanol assimilating Methylomonas sp. grown at elevated temperatures in an aerobic bacterial fermentation process.

Abstract: Functional hydrolyzates are prepared from microbial protein isolates, witha protein content of more than 90% by weight,a nucleic acid content of less than 2% by weight,a lipid content of less than 1% by weight,a suspendability of 80-100%,a foaming capacity characterized by a foaming index of 4-7,a foam stability characterized by a half-life of 10-300 minutes,an emulsifying capacity characterized by a value of 300-500 ml of oil/g of protein, anda molecular weight of between 125,000 and 100 Daltons.The functional hydrolyzates are obtained from microbial proteins by enzymatic hydrolysis, after extraction of the nucleic acids and lipids. The hydrolyzates are suitable as food additives.

Abstract: A process in which a culture of a methane-oxidizing bacterium or an extract thereof containing a methane oxidizing system is used as oxidizing agent for the oxidation of a higher short-chain alkane, an alkene or a cyclic organic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are newly discovered and isolated methylotrophic microorganism strains and their natural and/or artificial mutants which grow well under aerobic conditions in a culture medium in the presence of methane as the major carbon and energy source. The methane-grown microbial cells possess a high content of protein and can be utilized as such as feedstuffs. The methane-grown microbial cells or enzyme preparations thereof are also useful in converting C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkanes to alcohols, particularly methane to methanol, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes to the corresponding C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 sec. alcohols and methyl ketones, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 sec. alcohols to the corresponding methyl ketones, cyclic hydrocarbons to cyclic hydrocarbyl alcohols (e.g., cyclohexane to cyclohexanol) C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenes selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butene-1 and butadiene to 1,2-epoxides, styrene to styrene oxide, and converting other oxidizable substrates to oxidized products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the epoxidation of lower .alpha.-olefins dienes or vinyl aromatic compounds by contacting said compounds, under aerobic conditions in the presence of microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms thereof or enzyme preparations derived from said microorganisms. The microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms, or enzyme preparations derived therefrom are preferably those microorganisms which are known as methylotrophs particularly those which have previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing methane.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the microbiological epoxidation of C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 n-alkenes, dienes and vinyl aromatic compounds by contacting, under aerobic conditions, in an aqueous medium containing microorganisms or enzyme preparations derived therefrom, wherein the microorganisms have been aerobically cultivated in a nutrient medium containing methane. The microorganisms used are newly isolated methane-utilizing obligate and facultative methylotrophs.

Abstract: A process for the partial degradation of complex cyclicorganic compounds such as 1-phenylheptane and m-chlorotoluene using methane-utilizing microorganisms or enzyme extracts thereof containing the enzymes methane mono-oxygenase and/or a de-halogenase. The preferred microorganism is Methylosinus trichosporium strain OB3b (NCIB 11131).

Abstract: Growth of bacteria belonging to new species of genera Pseudomonas, Microcyclus and Hyphomicrobium upon culture media comprising sources of assimilable carbon, for example oxygenated hydrocarbons, and inorganic nutrients to produce protein compositions and/or other fermentation products, for example amino acids. The protein compositions produced are suitable for use as protein supplements in human and animal foods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the microbiological oxidation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkanes and cycloalkanes by contacting said C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkanes or cycloalkanes, under aerobic conditions, in the presence of microorganisms or enzyme preparations derived therefrom, wherein said microorganisms have been aerobically grown in a nutrient containing methane. The microorganisms are newly isolated obligative and facultative methylotrophs.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the microbiological production of ketones from C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes by contacting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes under aerobic conditions with resting microbial cells derived from a methylotrophic microorganism or enzyme preparation derived from said cells, wherein the microorganism has been previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing methane or dimethyl ether.

Abstract: Disclosed are newly discovered and isolated methylotrophic microorganism strains and their natural and/or artificial mutants which grow well under aerobic conditions in a culture medium in the presence of methane as the major carbon and energy source. The methane-grown microbial cells possess a high content of protein and can be utilized as such as feedstuffs. The methane-grown microbial cells or enzyme preparations thereof are also useful in converting C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkanes to alcohols, particularly methane to methanol, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes to the corresponding C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 sec. alcohols and methyl ketones, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 sec. alcohols to the corresponding methyl ketones, cyclic hydrocarbons to cyclic hydrocarbyl alcohols (e.g., cyclohexane to cyclohexanol) C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenes selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butene-1 and butadiene to 1,2-epoxides, styrene to styrene oxide, and converting other oxidizable substrates to oxidized products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the microbiological production of ketones from C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols by contacting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols under aerobic conditions with resting microbial cells derived from a microorganism of enzyme preparation derived from said cells, wherein the microorganism has been previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing a methyl-radical donating compound. Typical methyl-radical donating compounds are: methane, methanol, dimethyl ether, methylamine, methyl formate, methyl carbonate, ethanol, propanol, butanol, etc. Isolation and purification of a novel C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a newly-discovered and isolated enzyme which is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+)-linked C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohol-specific dehydrogenase. This enzyme, in the presence of oxygen and NAD, is capable of converting C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 secondary alcohols to the corresponding methyl ketones. The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of 95,000 .+-. 3,000 dalton as determined by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and contains two zinc atoms per molecule of protein. Primary alcohols are not oxidized by this enzyme.