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: A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas syringae having the identifying characteristics of the deposited strain designated as ATCC 55389 is disclosed. A composition for inhibiting microbial decay on fruit is disclosed, the composition including a strain of Pseudomonas syringae having the identifying characteristics of the deposited strain designated as ATCC 55389 and a carrier. The composition has a concentration of the strain in the carrier which is sufficient to significantly inhibit microbial decay on the fruit. Additionally, a method for inhibiting microbial decay on fruit is disclosed including the step of exposing the fruit to a composition which includes a sufficient concentration of a strain of Pseudomonas syringae having the characteristics of the deposited strain as ATCC 55389 to significantly inhibit microbial decay.

Abstract: Bacteria which will suppress fungus-induced potato disease under storage conditions have been screened and selected from soil samples. A method for isolating these antagonists, their use in controlling potato disease, and specific isolates which are inhibitory to potato dry rot disease under post-harvest conditions constitute the essence of the invention. The subject biocontrol agents are considered to be economically-feasible alternatives to chemical agents currently in use for this purpose.

Abstract: WB2663 substance-producing bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas are cultured to produce a physiologically active substance, from which are isolated neutral substances WB2663A, WB2663B and WB2663C having respective specific rotations[.alpha.].sub.D.sup.23 : -36.degree. (C=0.5, CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2),[.alpha.].sub.D.sup.23 : -12.degree. (C=0.5, CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2),[.alpha.].sub.D.sup.23 : -9.degree. (C=0.5, CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2),These substances have an excellent antitumor effect.

Abstract: The stable maintenance of a replicon in a population of growing cells is ensured by providing the replicon with a sequence which encodes a product capable of killing the cell harboring the replicon or the progeny of the cell (or encodes a precursor for the product) and a sequence encoding an antagonist for the killing product (or a precursor for the antagonist). The antagonist is one which suppresses the killing product (or a precursor for the killing product) in cells harboring the replicon, whereas the antagonist activity decays when the replicon is lost from the cell so that the antagonist (or its precursor) is no longer continuously expressed. This means that the killing product (or its precursor) present in the now replicon-free cell is no longer suppressed by the antagonist, resulting in cell death.Cells containing the thus stabilized replicon may be grown on a large scale without any significant loss of the replicon from the cell population even when no selection pressure is applied.

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing phenol compounds are biodegradable by a consortium of microorganisms. The consortium was isolated from waste sludge by successive subculturing into medium containing picric acid as the only carbon source. During the period of degradation, picric acid was seen to degrade to a colored intermediate which later disappeared. UV-Vis spectrometry, HPLC and GC-mass spectrophotometry showed that the entire ring structure was eventually destroyed. The consortium contains microorganisms from the genera Arthrobacter, Avrobacterium and Pseudomonas.

Abstract: A process for production of L-aspartic acid comprising the steps of (1) contacting (A) an enzyme-containing material having maleate isomerase activity and aspartase activity, or (B) an enzyme-containing product having maleate isomerase activity and an enzyme-containing material having aspartase activity, with a substrate solution containing maleic acid and ammonia, and/or ammonium maleate to form L-aspartic acid, and (2) recovering L-aspartic acid from the reaction solution, characterized by adding maleic anhydride and/or maleic acid to the reaction solution to crystallize L-aspartic acid, and (3) recycling the mother liquors as the substrate solution by addition of ammonia.

Abstract: The microbiological process for the production of hydroxy-heterocyclic carboxylic acid of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 means a hydrogen or a halogen atom and X means a nitrogen atom or a CR.sub.2 function, wherein R.sub.2 means a hydrogen or halogen atom, starting from the corresponding heterocyclic carboxylic acid. The process is performed so that an aerobic biomass which utilizes nicotinic acid, is cultivated in a molar ratio of nicotinic acid to mineral acid of 1 to 8. The ratio is assured over the entire cultivation phase. The the hydroxylation of the corresponding heterocyclic carboxylic acid of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and X have the above-mentioned meanings, is performed with the biomass. Under these conditions, strain Pseudomonas acidovorans DSM 7205, strain Pseudomonas acidovorans DSM 7203, strain Alcaligenes faecalis DSM 7204 and strain Arthrobacter crystallopoietes DSM 7202 are concentrated in the cultivation phase.

Abstract: Ferulic acid, vanillic acid, coniferyl alcohol and coniferyl aldehyde can be prepared from eugenol with the aid of a new Pseudomonas species.

Abstract: A process for the production of .alpha.-hydroxy acids or .alpha.-hydroxyamides in which an .alpha.-hydroxynitrile compound or a mixture consisting of an aldehyde and prussic acid, which corresponds to the nitrile compound, is allowed to undergo a microbial reaction to produce the corresponding .alpha.-hydroxy acid or .alpha.-hydroxyamide, wherein the improvement resides in that phosphite ions or hypophosphite ions are allowed to be present in the reaction system. According to the present invention, since hydrolysis or hydration of nitrile compounds can be carried out by constantly keeping a low concentration level of aldehydes which are considered to be a cause of the enzyme inhibition in the reaction system, the enzyme activity can be maintained stably for a prolonged period of time and the formed acids or amides can therefore be accumulated in a high concentration.

Abstract: Method of decontamination of a hydrocarbon-polluted environment by the use of bacterial compositions. The method is a process of biological decomposition of the hydrocarbons using, as decontaminating active ingredients, bacterial compositions composed of one or more strains from among the following microorganisms: Azotobacter vinelandii 21, Pseudomonas sp.9, Pseudomonas sp.19, Pseudomonas sp.31 and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 23. In the method, prior analysis of the chemical composition of the pollutants is essential in order to select, in accordance with this composition, the mixture of strains of the most active microorganisms from among the five mentioned above, taking into account the natural conditions of the polluted environment. The bacterial composition also contains inorganic salts supplying N and P, and additives needed for bacterial growth.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optically active cis type 1,2-diol derivative of the following formula (I) is produced by reacting a cis type 1,2-diol derivative of the formula (I) with a carboxylic acid derivative of the formula (II) in the presence of a lipase: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, X represents a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, or a phenyl group, and n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group or an aryl group, and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, or COR.sub.3.The cis type means that the bond between the cyclopentane ring and the hydroxy group and the bond between the cyclopentane ring and the benzyl group reside in the same direction as that portrayed on the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a new mutant of Pseudomonads having ice nucleating activity and an improved method for making snow and ice using it. More particularly, Pseudomonas syringae SO754 of the present invention, which is derived from the parent strain, Pseudomonas syringae SO7 can retain its ice nucleating activity at room temperature.Further, Pseudomonas syringae SO754 of the invention retains its high activity during the fermentation, recovery and drying steps and during the storage without freezing treatment.

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: Cis-dihydrodiol compounds of the formula ##STR1## where n is 0 or 1 (preferably 0) are produced by the microbial oxidation of a diphenylaceylene compound of the formula ##STR2## using a mutant of a Pseudomonas bacteria at 25.degree. to 35.degree. C. and pH 6-8. The cis-dihydrodiol compound is in turn treated with an aqueous solution of a base to produce a corresponding 3-hydroxydiphenylacetylene compound or with an aqueous solution of an acid to produce a corresponding 2-hydroxyacetylene compound. The mutant strain is preferably Pseudomonas ATCC 55272.

Abstract: A cocaine esterase has been isolated from a strain of the bacteria Pseudomonas maltophilta, The cocaine esterase catalyses the debenzoylation of cocaine, This reaction may be used in the detection of cocaine. The enzyme may be incorporated into sensors for this purpose. The cocaine esterase is preferably obtainable from Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 40427. It catalyzes the debenzoylation of cocaine, has a molecular weight in the unaggregated form of about 120,000 daltons as determined by gel filtration, has esterase activity specifically at the benzoate ester linkage of cocaine, separates at a major band of Rf about 0.2 on PAGE in its aggregated form, and it is completely inhibited by 1 mM phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride but ineffectively inhibited by 1 mM eserine, each determined at 30.degree. C. with respect to 2 mM cocaine as substrate.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas; an alkaline lipase produced by the microorganism or its mutants; a method of producing the alkaline lipase; and detergents containing the alkaline lipase as an aid, the alkaline lipase having (1) an operative pH of from 4 to 11.5, and an optimum pH of from 7.0 to 9.5, as measured using triolein emulsion as a substrate; (2) an operative temperature of from 10.degree. to 80.degree. C., and an optimum temperature of from 55.degree. to 65.degree. C., as measured using triolein emulsion as a substrate; (3) a molecular weight of 28,000 .+-.2,000 as measured by electrophoresis using SDS polyacrylamide; (4) isoelectric point of 4.5 .+-.1.5 as measured by isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; and (5) an inhibition of lipase activity by a detergent component of not higher than 50% as measured using sodium linear-alkylbenzenesulfonate as said detergent component.

Abstract: A method of separating a hydrophobic fermentation product selected from the group consisting of lipase, esterase, endoxylanase and an antibiotic from a mixture comprising said product and contaminants which method comprises adding to the mixture sequentially(1) 0.5 to 15% (w/v) of a nonionic surfactant,(2) 0.5 to 60 mg of a flocculating agent per gram of said mixture,(3) 1 to 20% (w/v) of an extra nonionic surfactant,(4) a suitable K, Na, NH.sub.4 or Mg salt selected from the group of chlorides, sulfates, acetates, carbonates or phosphates, whereby the concentration of the salt is chosen so as to have the surfactant layer on top and is between 2 and 30%;to obtain a three phase product mixture, separating the product mixture into liquid-liquid-solid fractions and recovering the hydrophobic fermentation product.

Abstract: Dicamba degrading bacterial microorganisms are represented by the Pseudomonas and Moraxella ATCC deposits Nos. 53539, 53540 and 53541 and are characterized by morphologically appearing as short rounded rods and being capable of growing as a pure culture in sterile aqueous media in the presence of dicamba as essentially the sole carbon source.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation of an enantiomerically enriched 1-tosyloxy-2-acyloxy-3-butene and an enantiomerically enriched 1-tosyloxy-2-hydroxy-3-butene from a first mixture containing both compounds. The process includes the steps of:(a) forming a solution of the mixture in an organic solvent;(b) bringing the solution formed in (a) to a temperature wherein most of the enantiomerically enriched 1-tosyloxy-2-hydroxy-3-butene precipates, leaving in solution most of the enantiomerically enriched 1-tosyloxy-2-acyloxy-3-butene; and(c) separating the precipitate formed in (b) from the solution.

Abstract: 6-Hydroxy nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents carboxy group, carbamoyl group, cyano group, formyl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 hydroxyalkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyvinyl group, carboxymethyl group or oxime group, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atom or carboxy group, and A represents carbon atom or nitrogen atom, can be prepared by reacting a nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and A are as defined in the general formula (II) above, with a microorganism or physico-chemically treated microorganism in an aqueous medium. Efficiency of the above reaction can be raised by conducting the reaction in the presence of phenazine methosulfate.

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: Described is a process for preparing phenylacetic acid using phenylalanine as a starting material by means of first culturing one or more organisms from the genus Pseudomonas or from the genus Comamanas or mutants thereof; then intimately contacting the organism culture with racemic phenylalanine or L-phenylalanine or a mixture thereof in the presence of a gaseous oxygen-containing composition such as air and in aqueous media; and finally recovering phenylacetic acid from the fermentation broth.

Abstract: An enantiomerically pure compound of the formula ##STR1## is prepared when the associated racemic mixture is reacted with an acrylating agent R.sup.3 --C(O)--O--R in the presence of a microorganism or enzyme derived therefrom capable of catalyzing transesterification of an alcohol. X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently halogen, R is alkyl, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl and R.sup.3 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl.

Abstract: A method for the fermentation of microorganisms having a high level of ice nucleating activity is disclosed. A high productivity in the fermentation is achieved by using a certain amount of nitrogen source during the growth phase and low temperature during the stationary phase of the fermentation.

Abstract: A process for biologically preventing dicotyledonous plant diseases which comprises: cutting a seedling of a dicotyledon which includes the seedling between a cotyledon and less than three leaves at a growth stage; immersing the upper portion of the cut seedling into a symbiotical bacteria suspension having antifungal and antibacterial activities and induced resistance to plant pathogens in order to inoculate the symbiotical bacteria into interior tissues in the vessel and intercellular space of the dicotyledonous plants; cutting the seedlings in a nursery bed or directly planting them in a field for further association of the symbiotical bacteria; and preventing dicotyledonous plant diseases of the dicotyledonous plants.

Abstract: A new poly-.beta.-hydroxy alkanoate (PHA) copolymer is produced in the cell of Pseudomonas cepacia KYG-505 (KCCM 10004) and a variety of polymer blends of PHB and PHA are developed, The PHA copolymer can improve the properties of known PHB through blending and, having double bonds on some of its side chains, exhibits capabilities for organic synthesis, whereby it useful in production of polymers with various properties and biodegradability.

Abstract: This invention provides optically active compounds which are starting materials of physiologically active substances, functional materials and the like, and the compounds are represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or alkanoyl of 2-20 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is alkyl of 1-40 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 1-40 carbon atoms, or alkynyl of 1-40 carbon atoms in which the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety is possible to have phenyl, cyclohexyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridadyl, pyrazyl, dioxyl, bicyclooctyl, or a substituent thereof, or halogen, cyanogen, oxygen, nitrogen, silicon or sulfur, and X is a protective group removable by a chemical method of organic synthesis and C* is an asymmetric carbon.

Abstract: The O-acylation of alcohols is carried out by reacting a vinyl ester or a carboxylic ester with Pseudomonas lipase immobilized on a hydrophobic carrier such as a polystyrene-based carrier. The polystyrene carrier preferably has a surface area of 100-1000 m.sup.2 /g, a pore volume of 25 to 75% and a pore diameter of 25-1200 .ANG.. Crosslinking may be carried out after the lipase is immobilized on the carrier.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for determining the relative amounts of all cholesterol-containing lipoproteins in body fluids comprising electrophoretically separating the lipoproteins of an aliquot of body fluid on a thin layer carrier matrix, incubating the carrier matrix, containing the separated lipoproteins with cholesterol esterase and cholesterol dehydrogenase, forming a provable complex, and determining the relative amounts of the different lipoprotein classes2. The new method makes it possible to simultaneously determine HDL-, LDL-, VLDL- and LP (X)-cholesterol in body fluids with a high accuracy even at small concentrations. The thin layer matrices obtained electrophoretically, are very easy to handle and to record.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. strain PED having the ATCC designation 49794. Processes for making R-configured alcohols and for transferring a hydride ion from an R-configured alcohol to the pro-R face of NAD using PED alcohol dehydrogenase isolated and purified from Pseudomonas sp. strain PED are also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active 3-phenylglycidic acid esters comprising reacting a racemic trans-3-phenylglycidic acid with an alkanol in the presence of a hydrolase to esterify preferentially either (2S, 3R) isomer or (2R, 3S) isomer of said racemic compound and isolating and collecting the resulting optically active 3-phenylglycidic acid ester from the reaction mixture, whereby the optically active ester can be produced in a single step and in a highly pure form. The optically active 3-phenylglycidic acid esters are useful for the preparation of 1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives having pharmacological activities such as platelet aggregation inhibitory activity.

Abstract: Ferulic acid, vanillic acid, coniferyl alcohol and coniferyl aldehyde can be prepared from eugenol with the aid of a new Pseudomonas species.

Abstract: Heteropolysaccharide 105-4, prepared by fermentation of a new unnamed Pseudomonas species ATCC 53923 is useful as an industrial thickening, suspending or stabilizing agent.

Abstract: Salicylate hydroxylase isolated from Pseudomonas bacteria can be used to determine the level of salicylate in a body fluid by reacting a sample of the fluid with the enzyme and monitoring the conversion of salicylate to catechol. A method of purifying the enzyme from crude bacterial extract using a salicylate affinity column is also disclosed.

Abstract: One chiral form of a 1-aryl-2-aminopropane is produced in preference to its enantiomer by allowing a 1-arylpropan-2-one to react with a 1-amino-1-phenylethane of predominantly one chiral form and reducing the resultant 1-(1-arylprop-2-ylideneimino)-1-phenylethane to yield phenylethane and a mixture of 1-aryl-2-aminopropanes in which one chiral form thereof is present in preference to its enantiomer. The mixture of 1-aryl-2-aminopropanes then is subjected to the action of an omega-amino acid transaminase which converts one of the two chiral forms of 1-aryl-2-aminopropane into the corresponding arylpropanone which can be separated from the remaining chiral form of the 1-aryl-2-aminopropane.

Abstract: A microbiological process for the production of S-(+)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide, starting from R,S-(.+-.)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide. For this process, new microorganisms are selected and isolated, which are capable of biotransforming R-(-)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide in racemic 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide to R-(-)-2,2- dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid. The process can then be performed either with the microorganisms or with the cell-free enzymes from the microorganisms.

Abstract: Alternaria disease on plant leaves and stems is controlled by inoculating the plants with an effective amount of a biologically pure culture of a Pseudomonas cepacia strain. Ps. cepacia strain AMMD is a particularly effective biocontrol agent which inhibits leaf and stem blight caused by Alternaria panax in ginseng plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making and selecting esterase enzymes having an improved perhydrolysis to hydrolysis ratio, and varying K.sub.cat, K.sub.m, and K.sub.cat /K.sub.m and substrate specificity. Such enzymes are useful in peracid bleaching systems and other applications.

Abstract: A method of producing enantiomerically pure, open-chain N-alkyl-L or D amino acids which can be carried out with good yields and without excessive or expensive purification and suitable for industrial production. A racemic mixture of an open-chain N-acyl-N-alkyl amino acid is split by means of a stereospecific amino acylase coordinated with an enantiomerically pure N-acyl-N-alkyl-L or D amino acid to yield one of the antipodes to the corresponding, enantiomerically pure, open-chain N-alkyl-L or D amino acid. Then, either the remaining initial compound or the cleavage product is separated. The enantiomerically pure, open-chain N-alkyl amino acids are useful, for e.g. cyclosporins.

Abstract: Pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) is microbiologically produced by culturing a bacterium in a medium containing methanol, methylamine or a mixture thereof as a carbon source and recovering PQQ from the culture medium. The bacteria are strains of Methylobacterium, Ancylobacter, Hyphomicrobium, Xanthobacter, Thiobacillus, Microcyclus and Achromobacter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbiological process for the production of polyesters and utilizes bacteria of the Pseudomanas fluorescens rRNA branch according to the phylogenetic classification of De Vos and De Ley. These bacteria are cultured under aerobic fermentation conditions in a nutrient medium comprising an excess of at least one assimilarable acylic aliphatic hydrocarbon compound having 6-18 carbon atoms and a limiting quantity of at least one of other nutrients essential for growth to form poly-3-hydroxyalkanaoates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating a polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria from a mixed culture of non-polysaccharide and polysaccharide producing bacteria, The method uses a streaking technique on a nutrient medium containing unsubstituted gellan as a gellant. The polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria are isolated by the act of non-polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria sinking into the nutrient medium. However, the polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria do not sink into the nutrient medium. The isolated cells are capable of producing an exopolysaccharide such as P4. Further the isolated cells are capable of producing gellan. The specific polysaccharide producing bacteria are of the genera Auromonas, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing trehalulose and isomaltulose wherein at least the trehalulose-forming enzyme system of a trehalulose-forming microorganism is contacted with a sucrose solution to convert it into trehalulose and isomaltulose in the weight ratio of at least 4:1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing polyester biopolymers by culturing Pseudomonas oleovorans bacteria on substrates comprising certain nutrients. The nature of the polyesters can be varied by varying the nature of the carbon source used. In this way polyesters with unsaturated double bonds can be produced, too. From the polyesters, optically active carboxylic acids or esters are produced. The polymers can be used for making articles of manufacture, such as sutures, films, skin and bone grafts.

Abstract: 7-amino-cephalosporanic acids having the formula ##STR1## are obtained by submitting compounds having the following formula to enzymatic conversion: ##STR2## wherein R represents H, OH, O--CO--R", R" being an alkyl radical with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 represents a carboxylic group. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a microorganism selected from the Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Achromobacter genera, or in the presence of an enzyme, either free or immobilized, derived therefrom.

Abstract: A process for biologically producing an .alpha.-hydroxyamide or an .alpha.-hydroxy acid represented by formula (III) ##STR1## wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group or a substituted or unsubstituted and saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic group; and X represents an amido group or a carboxyl group, comprising reacting an .alpha.-hydroxynitrile represented by formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above, or a mixture of an aldehyde represented by formula (II):R--CHO (II)wherein R is as defined above, and hydrogen cyanide with a microorganism capable of producing such an amide or acid from the corresponding .alpha.-hydroxynitrile is disclosed, in which the reaction system contains a sulfite ion, a disulfite ion or a dithionite ion.

Abstract: A method for the cultivation of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas capable of producing nitrile hydratase is disclosed. The method involves adding a water soluble copper compound in an amount of about 0.5 to 5.0 mg/l as calculated in terms of copper to a culture medium in the preparation of cells of the bacteria under shear force supplied by stirring blades, wherein the circumferential speed of the edges of the stirring blades exceeds about 2.5 m/sec. The water soluble copper compound is preferrably copper chloride, copper sulfate, copper nitrate, copper acetate, copper tartrate, copper (II) acetylacetonate or copper (II) ETDA.

Abstract: A method of biosynthetically acetylating seaweed alginates by modification with certain Pseudomonas syringae, such as P. syringae subsp. phaseolicola ATCC 19304, is disclosed. Acetylation occurs almost entirely in the 0-2 and 0.3 positions of the mannuronic acid residues. The acetylated alginates have several desirable properties. For example, acetylation increases the polymers' viscosity; it increases the flexibility of their gels; and it can produce a strong, thermoreversible-gel network. Acetylation increases the viscosity of the polymer, decreases ion-binding capacity, and decreases the ability to gel with calcium. The degree of acetylation can be controlled by controlling the exposure time, which allows the properties of the resulting polymer to be custom-made.

Abstract: A process has been developed for the enzymatic esterification of 1,2-diol monosulfonates comprising contacting an ester; a 1,2-diol monosulfonate; an enzyme derived from a microorganism or animal organ which has stereoselective activity to asymmetrically esterify said 1,2-diol monosulfonate; in the presence of a nonhydroxylic organic solvent and an amine additive of the general formula R.sup.3.sub.2 R.sup.4 N, whereinR.sup.3 may be the same or different and is selected from hydrogen or a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl; andR.sup.4 is a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl; or an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 aryl or heteroaryl group (with saisd substituent selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, halogen, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, and said hetero atom selected from nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen);to produce a mixture of enantiomerically enriched unreacted 1,2-diol monosulfonate and the corresponding antipodal enantiomerically enriched ester.