Abstract: Effective processes are provided for the production of xylitol and ethanol and other products from solutions derived from lignocellulose-containing material in biomass. The solutions can be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed before being fermented with microbes. The fermented solution can be distilled and can be subsequently separated, such as, by chromatographic separation, membrane separation, etc. The recovered xylitol solution can be crystallized to provide pure xylitol crystals.

Abstract: Effective processes are provided for the production of xylitol and ethanol and other products from solutions derived from lignocellulose-containing material in biomass. The solutions can be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed before being fermented with microbes. The fermented solution can be distilled and can be subsequently separated, such as, by chromatographic separation, membrane separation, etc. The recovered xylitol solution can be crystallized to provide pure xylitol crystals.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel device and method for preparing cytology slides. The device comprises a book-like form including an absorbent material and filter attached to the inside surface of a front cover and a cytology slide removeably attached to an inside surface of a back cover. A sample is removed from the body of a patient, placed in a liquid-based solution, and then on the filter. When the book-like form is closed, the sample is effectively transferred to the slide. The device can be modified so that a plurality of slides are prepared at the same time.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel device and method for preparing cytology slides. The device comprises a book-like form including an absorbent material and filter attached to the inside surface of a front cover and a cytology slide removeably attached to an inside surface of a back cover. A sample is removed from the body of a patient, placed in a liquid-based solution, and then on the filter. When the book-like form is closed, the sample is effectively transferred to the slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the simultaneous production of xylitol and ethanol from a hydrolyzed lignocellulose-containing material starting. The starting material is fermented with a yeast strain, the ethanol produced is recovered, a chromatographic separation is carried out on the remaining xylitol solution, and pure xylitol is crystallized.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel device and method for preparing cytology slides. The device comprises a book-like form including an absorbent material and filter attached to the inside surface of a front cover and a cytology slide removeably attached to an inside surface of a back cover. A sample is removed from the body of a patient, placed in a liquid-based solution, and then on the filter. When the book-like form is closed, the sample is effectively transferred to the slide.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A slide having a portion thereof provided with transparent adhesive which adheres to a test sample. The slide and adhesive may be transparent. Specific types of infection and particularly fungal infections can be detected in the test sample using immunotest-methods. In a special embodiment the adhesive slide is fashioned with a peripheral lip or well to contain a test sample and a reagent.

Abstract: A slide having a portion thereof provided with transparent adhesive which adheres to a test sample. The slide and adhesive may be transparent. Specific types of infection and particularly fungal infections can be detected in the test sample using immunotest-methods. In a special embodiment the adhesive slide is fashioned with a peripheral lip or well to contain a test sample and a reagent.

Abstract: Aliphatic polycarboxylic acids are made by a process comprising the steps of: (1) fermenting a beta-oxidation blocked C. tropicalis cell wherein both copies of the chromosomal POX5 gene and the chromosomal POX4A and POX4B genes are disrupted in a culture medium comprised of a nitrogen source, an organic substrate and a cosubstrate wherein the substrate is an unsaturated aliphatic compound having at least one internal carbon--carbon double bond and at least one terminal methyl group, a terminal carboxyl group and/or a terminal functional group which is oxidizable to a carboxyl group by biooxidation; (2) reacting the product of step (1) with an oxidizing agent to produce one or more polycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is prepared that is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. The enzyme is preferably obtained from Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 or Candida shehatae. The enzyme may also be obtained by recombinant DNA technology. Monoclonal antibodies are produced against the enzyme and can be used to identify the enzyme. The enzyme is used for detecting the presence of Candida in a host such as detecting Candida infection in a patient by determining the presence of D-arabinitol in a sample. The oxidation of D-arabinitol by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+) is catalyzed by the enzyme and the amount of NADH produced in a given time is determined. Also prepared is a composition containing the enzyme and NAD.sup.+ and a kit containing a packaged combination of the enzyme and NAD.sup.+.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific binding solid phase assay methods and kits for the detection of the presence or absence of a microorganism by directly staining the microorganism and specifically capturing the stained microorganism on a solid support. The methods find particular utility in the detection of Candida. The methods may simultaneously detect the presence or absence of multiple microorganisms.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes and primers are described for detecting fungi that cause disease in humans and animals, as well as spoilage of food and beverages. These probes can detect rRNA, rDNA or polymerase chain reaction products from a majority of fungi in clinical, environmental or food samples. Nucleic acid hybridization assay probes specific for Acremonium sp., Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus unguis, Aspergillus ustus, Beauveria sp., Bipolaris sp., Blastoschizomyces sp., Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida kefyr, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Chrysosporium sp., Cladosporium sp., Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii serotype B, Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A, Cryptococcus laurentii, Cryptococcus terreus, Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cDNA probe for use in detecting in a sample, under conditions of predetermined stringency, a target organism belonging to a strain of fungal microorganisms, and not detecting in the sample under such conditions a reference microorganism or any prokaryotic microorganism, includes the steps of determining a nucleotide base sequence in a variable region of small subunit ribosomal RNA from the target organism, the variable region being a region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA that is poorly conserved among eukaryotes and having no corresponding region in prokaryotes; comparing the nucleotide base sequence in the corresponding region of small subunit ribosomal RNA from the reference microorganism, and selecting as a useful probe site a subsequence within the determined sequence; and synthesizing a cDNA complementary to the useful probe site, the cDNA being the probe. Nucleic acid probes are constructed according to the disclosed method.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed. The D-arabinitol dehydrogenase in purified form has all of the characteristics of a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase which is obtainable from Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 or Candida shehatae.

Abstract: A method of producing a growth promoting factor for Bifidobacterium species from lactose which comprises contacting lactose with resting cells of a lactose-utilizing yeast strain having activity to rearrange lactose to galacto-oligosaccharides.

Abstract: A polypeptide sequence from Candida albicans is described which has significant sequence homology with known stress proteins from other organisms, particularly the heat shock protein hsp 90 of Sacchromyces cerevisiae. Corresponding DNA sequences are also described, together with antibodies raised against fragments of the sequence. The polypeptide and DNA sequences and antibodies provide separate means for the diagnosis and/or treatment of fungal, particularly Candida, infections.

Abstract: A method is proposed for manufacturing (-)-2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanol by bringing a 2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanone into contact with a microorganism belonging to 9 genuses including Ashbya genus and Brettanomycess genus to thereby reduce it asymmetrically into (-)-2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanol, and for manufacturing (-)-substituted styrene oxide by cyclizing the obtained alcohol under alkaline conditions. The (-)-substituted styrene oxide can be manufactured efficiently.

Abstract: The POX genes of C. tropicalis are disrupted resulting in the complete blockage of the beta-oxidation pathway in the strain. Fermentation of C. tropicalis cells having disrupted genes on alkane, fatty acid and fatty acid ester substrates produces substantially pure dicarboxylic acids in substantially quantitative yield.

Abstract: A transformation system is provided for C. tropicalis, comprising constructs and microorganisms, as well as methods for preparing constructs and microorganisms, and transforming microorganisms. Particularly, a yeast transformation system comprising auxotrophic hosts which are auxotrophic in either an amino acid, purine or pyrimidine pathways and employ DNA constructs comprising genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes which functionally complement the auxotrophies to prototrophies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the rapid identification of fungal pathogens. In a preferred method, a sample of human body fluid is obtained and subjected to analysis comprising inoculating a nutritive medium, incubating said inoculum for such time and temperature as is necessary for visible fungal colony formation, thereafter plating a sample of said visible fungi on miniature culture plates for example having the dimensions of about 33.times.75.times.5 millimeters, said plates containing differential fungal media, and thereafter identifying funal pathogens in a manner consistent with said medium selected.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of xylitol from a xylose and/or xylan containing material. A solution containing xylitol and other hexoses is fermented with a yeast strain capable of converting free xylose to xylitol and other free hexoses present to ethanol, with the xylitol subsequently separated by chromatographic separation means.

Abstract: A process of producing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by fermentative conversion of L-sorbose utilizing a fermentation system composed of component produced from a microorganism having the identifying characteristics of strain DSM No. 4025 and a yeast component.

Abstract: 3-hydroxydicarboxylic acids of 12-18 carbon atoms are produced microbiologically from n-alkanes employing the yeast mutant Candida tropicalis DSM 3152.

Abstract: Rapid identification of different species of microorganism selected from fungi and yeast like algae is accomplished by culturing the microorganism for several hours under normal conditions on a non-inhibitory mycological medium which stimulates the microorganism to make characteristic enzymes by which the microorganism can be identified, distributing the culture (in suspension) onto several supports containing different substrates which are capable of reacting with the enzymes so produced by the different species of microorganisms; and rapidly incubating the admixture to produce a distinctly colored or colorable reaction product.

Abstract: 3-hydroxydicarboxylic acids of 12-18 carbon atoms are produced microbiologically from n-alkanes employing the yeast mutant Candida tropicalis DSM 3152.

Abstract: The specification discloses making a mixed fungal (yeast and yeast-like) system culture adapted to biodegradation of spent sulfite liquor (SSL) comprising the steps of exposing a mixed culture system (being a sludge from a sewage treatment plant) to increasing concentration of SSL until the fungus becomes acclimatized to SSL of the desired concentration. The resulting biotic population comprises a fungal mixture, of yeast and yeast-like cultures. It was based on an autolytic culture system: Phialophora jeanselmei, Phialophora richardsiae, Hyalodendron lignicola, Trichosporon infestans and Candida tropicalis. A method and apparatus are disclosed for biodegrading both the soluble substrates in a spent sulfite liquor and the biological solids produced therefrom by a potentially autolytic culture system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid which comprises cultivating under aerobic conditions a yeast belonging to Candida tropicalis which is capable of producing an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid from an unsaturated fatty acid or its ester, such as Candida tropicalis 104-04 strain, in a medium containing an unsaturated fatty acid having 14 to 22 carbon atoms or its ester, to produce an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid having 14 to 22 carbon atoms; or effecting oxidation of said fatty acid or its ester in the presence of microorganisms of said yeast produced in advance by cultivation in an assimilable carbon source to produce an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid having 14 to 22 carbon atoms; and then recovering the thus-produced unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method of high cellular density yeast fermentation at high mineral salts feed to and maintained in the ferment.Single cell protein (SCP) is produced in an aerobic fermentation process at high yields under high cell density conditions employing media of high mineral salts concentration. Novel Pichia pastoris and Hansenula polymorpha yeasts are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suppressing method of iso-citric acid formation in producing citric acid from hydrocarbons by fermentation.This process is carried out by culturing the microorganisms selected from the group belonging to Candida tropicalis, Candida lipolytica, Candida intermedia and Candida brumptii and their mutants and variants in the culture medium containing paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons and their mixture as carbon source under aerobic conditions, wherein specific non-ionic surface active agent is added to said culture medium.The specific non-ionic surface active agent added to said culture medium is selected from the group of sorbitan fatty acid esters and polyoxy-ethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters. The amount of specific surface active agent added to said culture medium is enough from 0.005 to 0.5 percent by weight, preferably from 0.02 to 0.2 percent on the weight basis of said culture medium.

Abstract: Citric acids are produced by culturing a citric acids-accumulating and hydrocarbon-assimilating strain of a yeast of the genus Candida in an aqueous medium containing, as main carbon source, at least one normal paraffin with from 9 to 20 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the molecule, at a specific pH, and recovering accumulated citric acids from the culture broth.

Abstract: Citric acids are produced by culturing a citric acids-accumulating and hydrocarbon-assimilating strain of a yeast of the Genus Candida in an aqueous medium containing, as main carbon source, at least one normal paraffin with from 9 to 20 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the molecule, at a specific pH, and recovering accumulated citric acids from the culture broth.

Abstract: Disclosed in this invention is a process for producing a long-chain dicarboxylic acid by culturing a fungus belonging to Candida tropicalis which has the ability to produce a long-chain dicarboxylic acid in a liquid medium containing a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon as substrate, the production of said dicarboxylic acid being phenomenally increased by properly adjusting the pH of the medium in the course of culture. There is also disclosed a method for advantageously separating and collecting said dicarboxylic acid from a fermentation broth containing said dicarboxylic acid produced by said culture.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the quantitative analysis of a free fatty acid which comprises (1) the first step of treating a sample containing the free fatty acid with acyl-coenzyme A synthetase in the presence of adenosine triphosphate and coenzyme A to form acyl-coenzyme A, (2) the second step of oxidizing said acyl-coenzyme A, in the presence of oxygen, with acyl-coenzyme A oxidase produced by a microorganism of the genus Candida to form enoyl-coenzyme A and hydrogen peroxide, and (3) the third step of (a) measuring the amount of the formed enoyl-coenzyme A or hydrogen peroxide or (b) measuring the amount of oxygen consumed in said oxidation reaction, to thereby determine the amount of free fatty acid in said sample.

Abstract: A single cell protein plant is operated to produce high density cell growth and a substantially pure stream of generally high pressure carbon dioxide for further use, for example, in enhanced oil recovery operations. The plant employs an air separator producing substantially pure streams of oxygen and nitrogen. The oxygen stream is used to enrich a carrier fluid and used for aeration of the fermenter. The off-gases from the fermenter are separated into a generally high pressure, substantially pure carbon dioxide stream which can be used for enhanced oil recovery and a residual recycle stream to which oxygen is again added and which is returned to the fermenter. The single cell protein is dried and further processed as required for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microbiological process for the production of citric acid by assimilation of olefins. Normal olefins of C.sub.8-40 produced from thermal cracking of petroleum wax or from polymerization of ethylene are suitable as carbon source for this fermentation process. Said process is carried out by culturing the microorganism selected from the group of Candida tropicalis, Candida intermedia and Candida brumptii, their mutants and their variants in the culture medium containing acid olefins. Citric acid is accumulated in said medium in the process of the culture.The most suitable strain utilized in the present invention is Candida tropicalis, their mutants and their variants.

Abstract: The cell walls are removed from two distinct auxotropic mutant strains of yeast. The protoplasts thus obtained are fused and the cell walls regenerated. The strains obtained are cultured on a medium where the original auxotrophs cannot develop and the hybrid or recombinant strains are recovered. The strains obtained by the process are useful for preparing yeast proteins.