Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lactonohydrolase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. The present invention further relates to methods for preventing microbial biofilm development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound of the general formula (I): (wherein R1 represents hydrogen, a lower alkanoyl group or a lower alkyl group; R2 and R3 each represents hydrogen or a lower alkanoyl group) characterized in that a compound of the general formula (II): (wherein R1, R2 and R3 are respectively as defined above) is reacted with a culture of a strain of microorganism belonging to the genus Fusarium or its cells harvested by filtering the broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lactonohydrolase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. The present invention further relates to methods for preventing microbial biofilm development.

Abstract: An iron cyanide complex is biodegraded by growing a fungus selected from Fusarium solani, Trichoderma polysporum, Penicillium miczynski, Fusarium oxysporum, and Scytalidium thermophilum in a medium containing the iron cyanide complex.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound of the general formula (I): (wherein R1 represents hydrogen, a lower alkanoyl group or a lower alkyl group; R2 and R3each represents hydrogen or a lower alkanoyl group) characterized in that a compound of the general formula (II): (wherein R1, R2 and R3 are respectively as defined above) is reacted with a culture of a strain of microorganism belonging to the genus Fusarium or its cells harvested by filtering the broth.

Abstract: A sample containing a glycated protein is treated with Protease XIV or a protease from Aspergillus genus, thereafter (or while treating the sample with the above protease) FAOD (fructosyl amino acid oxidase) is caused to react with the sample so as to measure the amount of oxygen consumed by the FAOD reaction or the amount of the resultant reaction product, thereby to measure the glycated protein.According to the above method, the glycated protein can be fragmented while the decomposition of the FAOD itself is prevented, thereby to facilitate the binding of the protein with the FAOD and to improve the sensitivity of the detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial microorganism having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. The present invention also provides a method for the isolation and utilization of a zearalenone-degradation gene encoding a gene product having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for the generation of transformants into which the zearalenone-degradation gene has been introduced, thereby providing the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone to said transformants. The present invention further provides a method for detoxification of plants pre- or post-harvest using microbes having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. The invention also provides a method for detoxification of plants pre- or post-harvest using the zearalenone-degradation gene.

Abstract: A method is described for the identification and cloning of promoters that express under a defined environmental condition, such as growth in glucose medium. Using this method, five Trichodermal promoters capable of the high expression of operably linked coding sequences are identified, one of which is the promoter for T. reesei tef1. Also provided are altered cbh1 promoters, altered so that glucose no longer represses expression from such promoter. The invention further provides vectors and hosts that utilize such promoters, and unique fungal enzyme compositions from such hosts.

Abstract: The invention disclosure relates to a biologically pure isolate of Fusarium avenaceum ATCC 200684 to a herbicidal composition containing the isolate as active ingredient, and to a method of combating weeds, particularly the Rubus species, comprising applying an effective amount of the composition, thereto.

Abstract: A novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase derived from genus Fusarium or Gibberella, a process for producing the enzyme, an assay of an amadori compound using the enzyme, a reagent or a kit containing the enzyme, a process for producing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine as a substrate of a fructosyl amino acid oxidase, which is useful for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, and a medium containing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing a fructosyl amino acid oxidase is provided.

Abstract: The invention is related to a non-toxic, non-toxigenic, non-pathogenic recombinant Fusarium, e.g., Fusarium graminearum host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous protein operably linked to a promoter. The invention further relates to a method for the production of recombinant proteins using such Fusarium host cells. The invention also relates to a promoter and terminator sequence which may be used in such cells.

Abstract: A cellulase preparation useful for reducing the harshness of cotton-containing fabrics and for reducing the rate at which such fabrics become harsh comprises about 40% or more (based on the total protein content) of an endoglucanase component with a pH optimum of about 7.5-10.0 with a high CMC-endoase activity and affinity towards cellulose and essentially no cellobiohydrolase activity. The cellulase composition is endogenous to a strain of Humicola, Myceliophthora, or Fusarium. A method for the recombinant production of said cellulase preparation is provided.

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: Oomycete-caused plant disease, e.g., downy mildew, is controlled using Fusarium proliferatum, and biologically pure cultures of Fusarium proliferatum strains G6, M3, C51 and C173 respectively having accession numbers ATCC 74149, ATCC 74273, ATCC 74274 and ATCC 74275 are provided.

Abstract: A process for the cultivation in continuous culture of a filamentous microorganism in a culture medium to which are supplied sources of carbon and other appropriate nutrients. The carbon or another nutrient source is supplied in an amount limiting to the growth of the culture and constitutes a limiting nutrient thereto. The development of an unwanted variant of the filamentous microorganism is restricted or delayed by supplying a first nutrient source to the culture as a limiting nutrient, and thus changing the nutrient supply to the culture in a manner such that a second nutrient source replaces the first nutrient source as the limiting nutrient.

Abstract: The mycoherbicide of the present invention is effective in the control of Calamagrostis canadensis and/or related grasses, particularly in areas undergoing reforestation. The mycoherbicide includes one or both of Fusarium nivalis (ATCC #26050) and a fungus, Colletotrichum calamagrostidis (PFC-215, ATCC #74287), isolated from a diseased plant of C. canadensis var. canadensis. The mycoherbicidal formulation preferably includes an allelopathic agent, such as straw, straw-based material, straw extract, grass extract or an endophyte. An especially effective treatment was demonstrated with C. calamagrostidis (PFC-215) and an inoculum of endophytic Fusarium nivalis. An embodiment of a method of treatment according to the present invention includes the application of endophytes of reduced virulence to grass bordering a target area or in grazing lands, to prevent either natural or inoculative infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of degrading nitrate esters by exposing a spension of a nitrate ester to a combined culture of Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 24459 and Fusarium Solani IFO 31093. This allows an alleviation of environmental difficulties associated with the demilitarization of nitrocellulose base gun propellants and for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with such nitrocellulose based materials.

Abstract: An endoprotease preparation, comprising an isolated endoprotease is disclosed. The endoprotease is a serine protease, shows immunochemical idenity to a protease derived from Fusarium oxysporum DSM 2672, hydrolyzes the oxidized beta-chain of bovine insulin at the peptide bonds Arg (22)-Gly (23) and Lys (29)-Ala(30), has optimum activity towards casein in the pH range of 8.5-11.0 with nearly constant activity in the pH range, has optimum activity at a temperature of about 45.degree. C., and has an isolectric point of about 9.0-10.0. The preferred microorganism that the enzyme is isolated from is Fusarium oxysporum DSM 2672.

Abstract: A method for the screening of potential antifungal agents comprises testing the inhibitory effect of the potential antifungal agent in two tests, a first test for inhibition of pathogen development in sterilised soil infested with mycelium of Pythium spp and a second test against for inhibition of disease development in a growing plant of a species susceptible to disease from damping-off disease complex in the presence of the said complex, identifying agents giving potential inhibitory effect in both tests compared with control and submitting same for further examination. Using this method four particularly useful microorganisms which display antifungal activity in a wide spectrum, shown in further testing and in field trials, of disease fungi have been provided. Methods of using such microorganisms and compositions and compositions containing same are also described.

Abstract: An enzyme preparation is obtained containing a nuclease that is produced by a fungus such as Trichoderma, Aspergillus and Fusarium and which remains active even after heating at 100.degree. C. for 30 minutes. This enzyme preparation may be effectively used when it is necessary to decompose nucleic acids at elevated temperature over a prolonged period.

Abstract: Addition of L-leucine ot the fermentation medium of Fusarium mutant NRRL 18365 increases the production of the trichothecenes neosolaniol, 8-propionyl-neosolaniol, and 8-isobutyryl-neosolaniol. These materials are useful as toxins for the production of or investigation of immunotoxins for cancer therapy.

Abstract: A new antifungal agent which exhibits a moderately broad spectrum of activity towards filamentous fungi and also against Cryptococcus species of the yeast fungi, and which has been isolated from a solid stationary fermentation of an unidentified species of Fusarium is described.

Abstract: Mutants blocked or altered in the production of the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 have been selected following UV mutagenesis of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299. One mutant, NRRL 18339, accumulates the rare trichothecenes dideacetylcalonectrin and deacetylcalonectrin. The second mutant, NRRL 18340, accumulates trichodiene, the first intermediate on the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway. These compounds are useful toxins or toxic precursors for the production of or investigation of immunotoxins for cancer therapy.

Abstract: A mycoherbicidal inoculum is disclosed for controlling the growth of dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on field crops. The inoculum is obtained from spores of Fusarium tricinctum, a species of Alternaria, and their mutations.

Abstract: A process for the production of bishomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid characterized by adding an additive to a culture medium, which additive is preferably selected from sesame oil, peanut oil, an extract from sesame oil or sesame seeds, and a lignan compound present in the extract from sesame oil or sesame seeds. The process uses, as a producer microorganism, a microorganism capable of producing arachidonic acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of the enzyme cyanide hydratase which comprises aerobically cultivating cells of the fungal strain Fusarium lateritium Nees CMI 300533 and variants and mutants derives therefrom in an aqueous culture containing appropriate nutrients. A method of treating a cyanide-containing material to degrade the cyanide therein using cyanide hydratase produced by the process of the invention and a process for the production of a nitrilase enzyme are also claimed. Fusarium lateritium Nees CMI 300533 is deposited at The Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England under the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

Abstract: Mutants blocked or altered in the production of the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 have been selected following UV mutagenesis of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299. One mutant, NRRL 18339, accumulates the rare trichothecenes and dideacetylaclonectrin and deacetylcalonectrin. The second mutant, NRRL 18340, accumulates trichodiene, the first intermediate on the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway. These compounds are useful toxins or toxic precursors for the production of or investigation of immunotoxins for cancer therapy.

Abstract: A new Pseudomonas gladioli having the identifying characteristics of Bikohken-kin No. 8805 has been discovered. The microorganism is a new bacteria separated from a bulb and roots of Miltonia. For separation, the bulb and roots of Miltonia are ground in a 1% solution of peptone followed by a streak culture on a bouillon agar at 25.degree. C. for 48-96 hours, and the colonies thus grown are isolated. This microorganism is inoculated into a bulb and roots of a plant selected from the group consisting of Welsh onion, sorgo, oats and maize. The plants inoculated with the grown microorganisms are grown together within the radius of rhizosphere of a plant to be protected (or companion or mixed crop) for further multiplication of Pseudomonas gladioli M-2196 in order to control soil borne plant diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Very strong antibacterial activity on Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillum dahliae, Corynebacterium michiganese pv. michiganese, Sclerotium cepivorum etc. is observed.

Abstract: Three naphthoquinones isolated from cultures of Fusarium solani were found to be effective antibiotics against gram-positive bacteria. Controlling the dissolved oxygen concentration in the fermentation medium between 0.7 and 2.0 ppm resulted in maximum yields of the naphthoquinones. 2,3-Dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-hydroxymethyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1, 4- naphtholenedione was the most effective antibiotic.

Abstract: The process for the manufacture of the compound of the general structural formula ##STR1## which is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase inhibitor and useful as an antihypercholesterolemic agent for the treatment of disease in which the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis would be useful, and which is an antifungal agent is disclosed.

Abstract: The compound ancymidol, a known potent plant growth retardant and weak fungicide, has now been found to inhibit biosynthesis of trichothecene toxins on substrates susceptible to growth of trichothecene-producing fungi. These fungi are known to contaminate cereal grains, forage crops, and potatoes. The effective level of ancymidol addition for toxin inbibition is substantially less than that required for control of fungal growth.

Abstract: New tetra-alkyl-2,2,5,5-cyclohexanone-4-ol-1-compounds and their sulphonyl derivatives with the general formula: ##STR1## in which: each of R and R', identical or different, represents an alkyl radical (1-5 carbons) and R" represents a hydrogen atom or a radical SO.sub.2 R"' in which R"' represents an alkyl radical (1-5 carbons) or an aryl radical (6-14 carbons), the process and the intermediates for their preparation, as well as their use in the synthesis of cyclopropane lactones of cis structure.

Abstract: L-malic acid is produced in a concentration of 170 to 400 g per liter and high yield by biotechnical conversion of fumaric acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide in nutrient-free solution or suspension. Pure L-malic acid can be obtained economically therefrom with high efficiency in a quality suitable for food and pharmaceutical use. The fermentation can be carried out in simple vessels under non-sterile conditions. The conversion rate of the fumarate and the attainable concentration of L-malate are promoted by the ammonium ions.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining the extent of mold contamination of grain and other mold-susceptible bulk food. The mold spores are selectively extracted from a small representative sample of the grain or other food by admixing with a solvent. After washing with a detergent, the extracted spores are suspended in a sterile solution and, in the case of heavy contamination, a series of graduated dilutions of known concentration are prepared. A measured sample of suspended spores is transferred to a nutrient growth medium and maintained under growth conditions until all possible spore colonies have developed. The spore colonies are counted. Since the dilution factor is known, the number of fungal spores in the original sample of stored product can readily be calculated.

Abstract: S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine is produced by contacting adenosine with D-homocysteine in an aqueous medium in the presence of cells or treated cells of a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas having the ability to racemize D-homocysteine to DL-homocysteine and in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, to synthesize S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, and thereafter collecting it.

Abstract: A one-step method of producing ursodeoxycholic acid by means of microbial transformation which comprises subjecting lithocholic acid to the action of a ursodeoxycholic acid producing microorganism.

Abstract: The production of an edible protein-containing substance by continuous fermentation using Fusarium graminearum in a culture medium containing all necessary growth promoting nutrient substances. Oxygen constitutes the limiting nutrient and is present to support cell concentration in the culture without the occurrence of anaerobic growth.

Abstract: A new strain of the fungus Trichoderma viride designated as T-1-R9 is described. The new strain is an effective biocontrol agent for fusarium wilt of chrysanthemum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new strain of Fusarium which is characterized by particular morphological, genetic and biochemical data. It is used for the production of antibiotics, especially of fusafungine.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which an optically active monoalkyl ester of .beta.-(S)-aminoglutaric acid is prepared by subjecting a dialkyl ester of .beta.-protected aminoglutaric acid to the action of a culture broth, cells, or treated cells of a microorganism capable of stereoselectively hydrolyzing only one of the ester groups in the above-mentioned dialkyl ester to produce an optically active monoalkyl ester of .beta.-protected (S)-aminoglutaric acid, and then removing the amino-protecting group from the product. An optically active monoalkyl ester of .beta.-(S)-aminoglutaric acid is useful as a starting material for synthesizing .beta.-lactam antibiotics of carbapenem type such as thienamycin.

Abstract: The invention relates to Fusarium graminearum Schwabe deposited with the Commonwealth Mycological Institute and assigned the number IMI 145425 and variants and mutants thereof, as well as a culture medium containing the same.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a textured protein-containing material in which an amylolytic fungus is grown on a moist starch based substrate which includes a nitrogen source assimilable by the fungus the substrate being provided in the form of small, partially gelatinized particles. During growth, the fungus degrades and utilizes a large proportion of the starch, resulting in a dense matrix of closely interwoven mycelia, randomly dispersed with substances containing the residual starch or starch degradation products. On the denaturation of the fungal mycelium, the product assumes a tough but resilient texture and when diced or minced has a similar appearance to meat.

Abstract: A novel pectin esterase which randomly hydrolyzes the methyl ester bond of pectin can be obtained by cultivating, on a medium, a mold strain belonging to Genus Aspergillus, Genus Penicillium, Genus Fusarium or Genus Sclerotinia and having an ability to produce said novel pectin esterase. A demethoxylated pectin having a uniform methoxyl group content can be obtained by adding said novel pectin esterase to pectin. The demethoxylated pectin thus obtained can be utilized as gelling agent, emulsifier or thickener for food processing.

Abstract: Fungal mycelia are grown in a medium wherein the phosphate level is only slightly above the level which will limit growth, which results in a slightly lower content of ribonucleic acid in the mycelia but which results in the cells being much more amenable to removal of ribonucleic acid by simple means such as thermal shock.