Abstract: A sample container (20) for receptacle devices for receiving biological objects that may be used for example as collecting devices (30) in laser microdissection systems is described, in which the sample container (20) has a coding (23) with the aid of which the sample holder in the laser microdissection system can be unambiguously identified in order subsequently to be able to allocate correctly biological objects (43) to be dissected to individual receptacle containers (31) of the identified receptacle device (30) or of the identified sample holder (20), so as to carry out a fully automated microdissection procedure.

Abstract: A method for producing bacterial cellulose, said method comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, separating bacterial cellulose produced in said liquid medium from said liquid medium, washing said separated bacterial cellulose and drying said bacterial cellulose. The cellulose-producing Proteus strain is preferably a Proteus myxofaciens strain, preferably strain IDAC 071005-01 or strain ATCC 19692. The liquid medium is provided with a carbohydrate substrate containing at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, xylose, and rhamnose. A bacterial cellulose product produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of bacteria based on recognition and infection of one or more selected strains of bacteria with bacteriophage genetically modified to cause production of an inducer molecule in the bacterium following phage infection. The inducer molecule is released from the infected bacterium and is detected by genetically modified bacterial bioreporter cells designed to emit bioluminescence upon stimulation by the inducer. Autoamplification of the bioluminescent signal permits detection of low levels of bacteria without sample enrichment. Also disclosed are methods of detection for select bacteria, and kits for detection of select bacteria based on the described technology.

Abstract: A method for producing halo-L-tryptophan from haloindole, comprising culturing a microorganism in a culture medium and then contacting the microorganism with (a) a mixture comprising haloindole, pyruvic acid and ammonia, or (b) a mixture comprising haloindole, a source of pyruvic acid and ammonia, until the halo-L-tryptophan is produced; and recovering the halo-L-tryptophan.

Abstract: Mutant Proteus vulgaris strains are provided that, when grown in the absence of an exogenous chondroitinase I and II inducer, produce P. vulgans chondroitinase I and chondroitinase II proteins. The mutants typically produce chondroitinase I and II proteins in the absence of exogenous inducers and in amounts in excess of those produced by wild-type P. vulgaris strains induced with such inducers. Two classes of such mutants, Classes 1 and 2, are disclosed. Class 1 and class 2 mutants differ in the relative amounts of chondroitinases I and II produced when cells are grown in casamino acids--supplemented minimal medium. Additional phenotypic variants that release chondroitinase I protein into the culture medium are provided as well. Also contemplated is a method for producing P. vulgaris chondroitinase I and II proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a D-amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-methionine, D-valine, D-leucine, D-isoleucine and D-histidine, which comprises the steps of:making a culture or treated culture of a microorganism having ability to asymmetrically degrade a L-amino acid selected from the group consisting of L-methionine, L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-histidine act on a corresponding racemic amino acid to the L-amino acid; andseparating and collecting the remaining D-amino acid.

Abstract: A compound of formula (II), either as a single enantiomer or in an enantiomerically enriched form ##STR1## wherein: ##STR2## and ##STR3## (wherein N in the benzimidazole moiety of Het.sub.2 means that one of the carbon atoms substituted by any one of R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 optionally may be exchanged for an unsubstituted nitrogen atom; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy optionally substituted by fluorine, alkylthio, alkoxyalkoxy, dialkylamino, piperidino, morpholino, halogen, phenylalkyl, phenylakoxy; R.sub.4 and R.sub.4, are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkyl, alkoxy; R.sub.6 -R.sub.9 are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, haloalkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, oxazolyl, trifluoroalkyl or adjacent groups R.sub.6 -R.sub.

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: Chondroitinase II, a protein having an isoelectric point of approximately 8.4-8.45 and an apparent molecular mass of 112 kDa when electrophoresed in a 4 to 20% gradient acrylamide gel in 25 mM Tris/192 mM glycine buffer at pH 8.5 in the presence of about 0.1% (w/v) SDS, has been isolated and purified. A process for the copurification by affinity chromatography of the chondroitinase I and chondroitinase II proteins produced by Proteus vulgaris is also provided. The proteins can be further purified by metal chelating chromatography. Therapeutic or surgical compositions of isolated chondroitinases I and II or the copurified mixture of chondroitinase I and II are also disclosed. These compositions are used in a method for selectively and completely disinserting the vitreous body from the neural retina of an eye.

Abstract: A chromatographic process for the copurification of chondroitinase proteins useful in ocular surgery for non-surgical disruption of chondroitin sulfate, the molecule which mediates the attachment between the retina and vitreous body in the human eye. The process involves the use of ion exchange resins in conjunction with an affinity elution with chondroitin sulfate to afford copurification of the proteins.

Abstract: A chondroitinase II is isolated from Proteus vulgaris. This enzyme together with chondroitinase I, is useful for selectively and completely disinserting the ocular vitreous body from the neural retina of the eye. The chondroitinase II has the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID No. 2, an isoelectric point of from about 8.4 to about 8.45, and a molecular weight of 111,772+27 daltons as determined by electrospray and 111,725+20 daltons as determined by laser desorption. Preferrably, the chondroitinase II and chondroitinase I are co-purified chondroitinases which can then be separately eluted from each other.

Abstract: A crystallizable, purified chondroitinase ABC having a molecular weight of about 100,000 dalton by the measurement of the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the measurement by the gel permeation chromatography method, having alanine as the N-terminal amino acid and proline as the C-terminal amino acid. A process for the purification of the crystallizable purified chondroitinase ABC comprising removing nucleic acid from an surfactant solution extract obtained from cells of chondroitinase ABC-producing microorganisms and chromatographically treating by concentration gradient elution using a weak cation exchange resin or a strong cation exchange resin. A composition comprising a chondroitinase and serum albumin, gelatin, or a nonionic surfactant. The chondroitinase ABC is isolated from Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6896.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (s) -2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing trans-L-hydroxyproline, which comprises culturing a microorganism which is capable of decomposing amino acids other than trans-L-hydroxyproline but which is substantially incapable of decomposing trans-L-hydroxyproline in a culture medium containing collagen hydrolyzate, and recovering trans-L-hydroxyproline from the resulting culture.The process enhances the content of trans-L-hydroxyproline based on the total weight of amino acids contained in collagen hydrolyzate, and enables efficient production of trans-L-hydroxyproline which is useful as a starting material for the synthesis of medicines.

Abstract: Higher amount of L-threonine can be accumulated by the cultivation of certain microorganism belonging to the genus Providencia, having a resistance to methionine antagonist and having capabilities of producing L-threonine.

Abstract: A process is described for stereospecifically hydrating crotonobetaine to L-(-)-carnitine via the action of an enzyme produced by four new strains of Proteus mirabilis (NRRL B-18480, NRRL B-18481, NRRL B-18482, and NRRL B-18483) in biotransformation media containing from 10 to 12% (w/v) crotonobetaine inner salt.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: Microorganisms belonging to the genus Providencia or the genus Escherichia and having a resistance to isoleucine antagonist, produce L-threonine by fermentation in higher yield and in more amount of L-threonine accumulated.

Abstract: 2-Oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid is treated with a microorganism, which has been optionally treated, capable of asymmetrically reducing 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid into either (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid, and the (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid thus produced is recovered to thereby give optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid.The optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid is an important intermediate in the synthesis of various drugs such as a remedy for hypertension.

Abstract: A (1R,2S)-2-hydroxycycloalkanecarboxylic acid ester is efficiently and selectively produced by microbial asymmetric reduction of a 2-oxocycloalkanecarboxylic acid ester with a bacterial strain or its processed material.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: Microorganisms belonging to the genus Providencia the species rettgeri at least leucine for the growth thereof, produce L-threonine by fermentation in higher yield and with increased amount of L-threonine accumulated.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing L-rhamnose by hydrolyzing a rhamnosidic bond of a glycoside having rhamnose in a terminal position, by enzymatically hydrolyzing the glucoside with an enzyme combination comprising biological structural material degrading enzyme and a naringinase preparation which has a higher rhamnosidase activity than beta-glucosidase activity. Preferably the enzyme combination having rhamnosidase activity together with additional enzyme activity is a selected partially purified enzyme preparation having high rhamnosidase activity and low glucosidase activity together with biological structural material degrading activity. More preferably the additional enzyme activity is derived from an enzyme of the group consisting of protease, lipase, pectinase, cellulase and hemicellulase.

Abstract: Rapid differentiation between viable gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria is accomplished with certain polypeptide antibiotics which are used in combination with a compound which is normally reducible by the bacteria. The antibiotics selectively inhibit the reduction of the reducible compound by gram-positive bacteria but do not substantially affect the reducing capacity of the gram-negative bacteria. The particular antibiotics useful are cyclic polypeptides which affect the function of the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria. A particular polypeptide antibiotic, polymixin B, will distinguish Proteus bacteria from other gram-negative genera.

Abstract: L-phenylalanine is produced by using a microorganism belonging to the species Citrobacter freundii, Erwinia herbicola, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Flavobacterium suaveolens, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas putida, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Paracoccus denitrificans, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus sphaericus, Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus, Kluyvera micum or Microbacterium ammoniaphilum and having the ability to convert phenylpyruvic acid into L-phenylalanine in the presence of an amino group donor; or fumaric acid and ammonium ion or urea.

Abstract: A novel enzyme for the reduction of 2-oxocarboxylic acids, and its preparation, are described.

Abstract: A vaccine for curative and prophylactic treatment of urinary tract infections in humans. The vaccine contains inactivated bacteria which originate from the cultures of 8 to 14 uropathogenic bacteria strains isolated from the urine of a person suffering from a urinary tract infection and aluminum phosphate in an amount of 1.5-10 mg of AlPO.sub.4 per ml of solution. Such bacteria are of the species E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii and Streptococcus faecolis.

Abstract: A protein effective in stimulating cell growth activity. The protein has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to about 160,000, is composed predominantly of neutral and acidic amino acids, contains a significant amount of glutamic acid and aspartic acid, and is substantially free of nucleoside phosphotransferase. The protein is useful as wound treatment agent and as promoting agent in the synthesis of DNA. A method of producing the protein and compositions containing the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: At least one acryl or allyl monomer is polymerized in an aqueous suspension containing a fumarase-producing microorganism. The resultant immobilized fumarase-producing microorganism is contacted with bile acids or salts thereof. Then, the immobilized fumarase-producing microorganism is subjected to enzymatic reaction with fumaric acid or a salt thereof. L-Malic acid is prepared without the production of the by-product succinic acid.

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

Abstract: A test for the detection of bacteria of the genuses Salmonella and Serratia and distinguishing them from the genuses Proteus and Providencia carried out in the presence of a diazonium salt and a synthetic enzymatic substrate in the form of an ester having an aliphatic chain of 7 to 10 carbon atoms. Two reactions may be effected in the same reactive medium. The test may be associated with other tests such as the .beta.-glucosidase, .beta.-galactosidase and .beta.-glucuronidase research tests making it possible to apply it simultaneously to the detection of bacteria belonging to other genuses: Kliebsiella, Enterobacter, Escherichia.

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 glucocorticoid sparing factor (GSF) which amplifies liver enzyme induction which is caused in glucocorticoid and a process for the production of GSF are disclosed. GSF can be isolated from the culture broth of a microorganism of the Family Enterobacteriaceae.

Abstract: A glucocorticoid sparing factor (GSF) which amplifies to liver enzyme induction which is caused in glucocorticoid and a process for the production of GSF are disclosed. GSF can be isolated from the culture broth of a microorganism of the Family Enterobacteriaceae.