Abstract: A method is provided to protect plants from oomycete pathogens by treating plants with a composition comprising serratamolide. The composition may also contain oocydin A obtained from Serratia marcescens MSU-97.

Abstract: The present invention provides an industrially efficient method for producing an L-amino acid useful as medicament, chemical agent, food material and feed additive, and the method comprising culturing in a medium a microorganism having an ability to produce the L-amino acid and having resistance to a DNA gyrase inhibitor or a microorganism having an ability to produce the L-amino acid and having both resistance to a DNA gyrase inhibitor and resistance to an aminoquinoline derivative, producing and accumulating the L-amino acid therein and recovering the L-amino acid therefrom.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel process for directly producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from chitin. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel process for producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine utilizing an ensemble of the chitinase family of enzymes to hydrolyze chitin of crustacea shells. The invention includes a process for producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine by enzymatically hydrolyzing chitin with an ensemble of chitinolytic enzymes, including chitinase and chitobiase. In particular, using a two-stage chitin-hydrolysis reactor.

Abstract: A test kit and method for the highly sensitive detection of specific analytes in a sample is provided. The presence of the analyte in the sample results in a decrease in the concentration of a growth inhibiting substance leading to proliferation of cells in the region of the analyte. The presence or absence of the analyte is determined by detecting the presence of increased numbers of cells. Assay sensitivity is accounted for by the exponential amplification of cell number that occurs during cell proliferation in the presence of analyte.

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: Described herein is a process for resolving a racemic (C>3) alkyl (R, S) chroman-2-carboxylate compound useful as intermediates in the synthesis of optically pure pharmaceutical compounds is disclosed. The process utilizes a microbial enzyme derived from Serratia marcescens to catalyze the enantioselective hydrolysis of the (C>3) alkyl (S)-chroman-2-carboxylate enantiomer of the racemic mixture to its corresponding carboxylic acid at a faster rate than the R-enantiomer. An enantiomerically pure S-configured carboxylic acid is thereby formed which can undergo acidic esterification to provide an optically pure (C>3) alkyl (S)-chroman-2-carboxylate intermediate for subsequent pharmaceutical synthesis. The nonhydrolyzed (C>3) alkyl (R)-chroman-2-carboxylate enantiomer can also be isolated to provide an optically pure pharmaceutical precursor.

Abstract: A process for resolving racemic alkyl 1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxylates useful as intermediates in the synthesis of optically pure pharmaceutical compounds such as (S)-doxazosin is disclosed. The process utilizes a microbial enzyme derived from Serratia marcescens to catalyze the enantioselective hydrolysis of the alkyl (S)-1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxylate enantiomer of the racemic mixture to its corresponding carboxylic acid at a faster rate than the R-enantiomer. An enantiomerically pure S-configured carboxylic acid is thereby formed for subsequent pharmaceutical synthesis. The nonhydrolyzed alkyl (R)-1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxylate enantiomer can also be isolated and racemized, and the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction repeated.

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: 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: A novel esterase which is derived from Serratia marcescens is disclosed. Said esterase has the following physico-chemical properties and enzymatic characteristics:(1) Activity; it (i.e., said esterase) hydrolyzes an ester bond of organic carboxylates, (2) Substrate specificity; it acts on alkyl esters of organic carboxylic acids, triglycerides or thiol esters, (3) Optimum pH; its optimum pH is 7.5-9.0 when the hydrolysis is carried out by using olive oil as the substrate, (4) pH stability; it is stable at pH 5.0-9.0 when it is stored at 30.degree. C. for one hour, (5) Optimum temperature; its optimum temperature is 40.degree.-50.degree. C. when the hydrolysis is carried out by using olive oil as the substrate, (6) Heat stability; it is stable at a temperature of not higher than 50.degree. C. when it is stored at pH 8.0 for 30 minutes, (7) Molecular weight; 62,000.+-.2,000 (SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), (8) Isoelectric point; 4.6.+-.0.

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1-O-.alpha.-glucopyranoside-D-fructose by enzymatically converting sucrose is described, wherein a sucrose solution is brought into contact with free or immobilized, living or dead whole cells or with microorganisms forming the free or immobilized enzyme extract of isomaltulose from saccharose, the solution so treated being next subjected to chromatographic separation at ion exchangers or other suitable separation materials to obtain the 1-O-.alpha.-D-glucopyranosido-D-fructose as an aqueous solution which is then converted by methods known per se into the dry form.

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 method and composition for detecting analyte moieties by means of a signalling moiety capable of aggrandizement are disclosed. The signalling moiety can be attached to or not attached to the analyte moiety/analyte-specific moiety complex. The signalling moiety can be viable or non-viable. The methods disclosed herein provide a sensitive assay for the detection of a wide range of different analyte moieties.

Abstract: A novel superoxide dismutase is produced by cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Serratia. The superoxide dismutase is useful as an antiinflammatory agent.An immobilized superoxide dismutase has properties of decreased antigenicity and increased antiinflammatory activity.

Abstract: An improved method for the fermentative production of L-threonine in a high yield, which comprises cultivating a methionine metabolism-antagonist resistant mutant of Serratia marcescens having L-threonine productivity in a broth to form and accumulate L-threonine therein and recovering accumulated L-threonine from the broth.

Abstract: A method for the fermentative production of L-proline which comprises cultivating a L-proline-producing mutant of a microorganism belonging to the genus Serratia in a broth to produce and accumulate L-proline therein and collecting accumulated L-proline. The mutant is preferably that of Serratia marcescens which is deficient in L-proline oxidase and is resistant to proline analong under a high osmotic pressure.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing adipic acid from a renewable resource, i.e., biomass. The process comprises: hydrolyzing the renewable resource to provide 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, hydrogenating the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the presence of a catalyst to provide 2, 5-tetrahydrofurandiomethanol, treating the 2, 5-tetrahydrofurandiomethanol with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to provide 1, 6 hexanediol, and oxidizing the 1, 6 hexanediol in the presence of a microorganism to provide adipic acid. The formation of the adipic acid is provided with the microorganism of Gluconobacter oxydans subsp. oxydans. The renewable resources are wastes selected from the group consisting of paper, wood, corn stalks, and logging residues.

Abstract: PhoA mutant E. coli SB44, prepared by mutation of E. coli HB101 with an N-nitroso compound, can be used to identify and isolate recombinant plasmids into which a phoA gene has been incorporated. These plasmids can be used to transform bacteria which can be cloned and incubated to provide alkaline phosphatase in high yield. Moreover, these plasmid vectors can be modified in various ways so that the N-terminal amino acid sequence of phoA is followed in reading phase by the DNA coding for some other protein. In turn, these new plasmids can be used to transform bacteria which can be cloned and incubated to produce fusion proteins comprising the desired other protein in high yield and outside of the cell membrane in the periplasmatic space.

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: 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 process for preparing L-tryptophan by fermentation which comprises cultivating on a medium containing ethanol as the main carbon source a microorganism of the genus Serratia that utilizes ethanol and has the ability to produce L-tryptophan, and recovering the accumulated L-tryptophan from the culture.

Abstract: Prodigiosin, an antibiotic, is effectively produced by culturing a novel Serratia marcescens R-2 strain. A synthetic culture medium is also provided, which contains a higher fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, a salt thereof or an ester thereof as the sole or main source of carbon and in which a strain of Serratia marcescens having the abilities to assimilate the source of carbon and to produce prodigiosin can be cultivated to obtain prodigiosin.

Abstract: A metabolic conversion of L-galactonic acid into 2-Keto-L-galactonic acid by cultivating a microorganism in the presence of an L-galactonate. This reaction is an important step in synthesis of Vitamin C from substances that can be obtained from pectin.