Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for the production of ?-carotene from submerged cultures of mucoral fungi such as Blakeslea, Choanephora or Phycomyces by adding lectin to the culture medium and performing pH control once fermentation has started. The method involves ?-carotene recovery stage that makes it possible to simplify the process, optimize yields and increase purification of the product.

Abstract: A drift layer has a thickness direction throughout which a current flows and has an impurity concentration N1d for a first conductivity type. A body region is provided on a portion of the drift layer, has a channel to be switched by a gate electrode, has an impurity concentration N1b for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2b for the second conductivity type greater than the impurity concentration N1b. A JFET region is disposed adjacent to the body region on the drift layer, has an impurity concentration N1j for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2j for the second conductivity type smaller than the impurity concentration N1j. N1j?N2j>N1d and N2j<N2b are satisfied.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a nano-size semiconductor component within a wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate. A first thermal energy beam is directed onto a first portion of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate to change the structure of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate into a first element of the semiconductor component. A second thermal energy beam is directed onto a second portion of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first portion to form a second element of the semiconductor component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial microorganism having the ability to degrade or detoxify beauvericin or derivatives or analogs of beauvericin. The present invention further provides a method for detoxification of plants pre- or post-harvest using microbes having the ability to degrade or detoxify beauvericin or derivatives or analogs of beauvericin.

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: A process for the microbiological or enzymatic hydrolytic resolution of racemic trans-2-(alkoxycarbonylethyl) lactams of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or methoxyethoxyethyl and R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a protecting group is disclosed, whereby an optically enriched compound of the formula Ib or IIa: ##STR2## is obtained.

Abstract: A microbiological process for the production of .gamma.-decalactone. According to this process, a culture of the fungus of a particular species of the genus Mucor is incubated with the particular substrate, which is an organic carboxylic acid ester, to produce fermentatively the .gamma.-decalactone. Exact conditions have now been discovered under which .gamma.-decalactone can be prepared in high yields. These conditions are based upon the fermentative incubation of a fungus of the genus Mucor in conjunction with the appropriate substrate in order to obtain the high yield of the desired lactone.

Abstract: A process for efficiently producing (S,S)-2-alkoxycyclohexanols in a single step by using (.+-.)-trans-2-alkoxycyclohexanols which are inexpensive and can be easily obtained. The process comprises treating a (.+-.)-trans-2-alkoxycyclohexanol with a hydrolase originating in a microorganism and being capable of esterifying stereospecifically the R-isomer in the presence of an acyl donor under such conditions that no hydrolysis occurs substantially to thereby give (S,S)-2-alkoxycyclohexanols and (R,R)-2-alkoxycyclohexanol carboxylate and then taking up the (S,S)-2-alkoxycyclohexanols.

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: An improved fat splitting process which eliminates the induction period encountered during pressure splitting. A partial hydrolysis is conducted prior to pressure splitting by combining a lipase in the presence of water with the fat or oil to be hydrolyzed with added agitation. Pressure splitting of this partially split triglyceride eliminates or reduces the induction period.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester comprising as repeating units(i) residues of at least one aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, aminocarboxylic acid, or derivative thereof; or(ii) residues of (a) at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, (b) at least one aliphatic hydroxyamine, diol, polyol, diamine or polyamine, and optionally (c) at least one aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, aminocarboxylic acid or derivative thereof;comprises reacting the components defined in (i) or components defined in (ii) in the absence of a solvent and in the presence of a lipase.

Abstract: Process for the enzymatic production of isomerically pure compounds having the general formulae I and II ##STR1## in which the substituents R have the meanings stated in the claims, as well as their use for the production of isomerically pure isosorbide-2-nitrate having the formula V and isosorbide-5-nitrate having the formula VI, ##STR2## which are both important as therapeutic agents for coronary diseases.

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: A process for reducing a phenylalkyl ketone to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy derivative is disclosed. The process comprises contacting the phenylalkyl ketone with Mucor hiemalis IFO 5834 and recovering the (S)-hydroxy derivative.

Abstract: There is provided a regio-selective method for the resolution of carbohydrate monoester mixtures, by treating such mixtures with one or more selective enzymes. The resolution of such mixtures results in monoesters comprising significantly purer isolates of one desired isomer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the stereoselective enzymatic reduction of keto group-containing compounds such as N-(4-(2-chloroacetyl)phenyl)methanesulfonamido to form the corresponding hydroxyl-group containing compound. The process is selective for the D(+) enantiomer and is catalyzed by enzymes such as oxido-reductase or dehydrogense, or by microorganisms such as Hansenula, Rhodococcus, or Norcardia species.

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: A mutant fungus strain which produces a protease with low thermostability and low productivity was made from protease producing fungi and the gene coding for mutant enzyme is isolated from the mutant strain. A promoter which can function in yeast is ligated to the gene and inserted into a plasmid replicable in yeast, and the resulting plasmid is introduced into yeast. The yeast is cultured, thereby producing the mutant enzyme. Furthermore, a gene expressing an enzyme with a far lower thermostability is prepared by site-directed mutagenesis, which is introduced in yeast, thereby producing an enzyme with more distinctively reduced thermostability.

Abstract: An .alpha.-D-hlycosyl kasugamycin having the formula (III): ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of not less than 1. According to the present invention, the novel substance which is highly safe and easily hydrolyzed with .alpha.-glucosidase to exhibit physiological activities inherent to kasugamycin is obtained.

Abstract: Chitin deacetylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetamide groups of N-acetylglucosamine in chitin, was purified to homogeneity from mycelial extracts of the fungus Mucor rouxii. In addition, immunoglobulin specifically reactive with chitin deacetylase has been produced and purified.

Abstract: Fatty acid esters of methyl glycosides are prepared by reacting a fatty acid or ester with a methyl glycoside in the presence of an enzyme catalyst, in particular a lipase. The resulting fatty acid esters are preferably monoesters.The methyl glycoside fatty acid esters may be used as surface-active agents in cleaning compositions or personal care products.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (R-COO).sub.n X-OR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is optionally substituted alkyl, phenyl, or alkyl phenyl, n is 1, 2 or 3, X is a carbohydrate moiety, and R is optionally substituted alkyl, have superior effects as additives in detergents. These compounds can be prepared by esterification of glycosides using specific enzymes.

Abstract: Lipase is immobilized by adsorption on a polymethacrylic acid ester resin such as polymethylmethacrylate cross-linked with divinyl benzene. The resin is preferably a particulate, macroporous resin having an average pore radius of 100-200 .ANG., a total surface area of 25-150 m.sup.2 /g and a particle size of 100-1,000 .mu.m. The lipase may be obtained from Mucor miehei, Candida antarctica, Pseudomonas cepacia or Humicola lanuginosa. The immobilized lipase may be dried and is used for interesterifying an ester, hydrolyzing an ester or synthesizing an ester. Interesterification can be carried out continuously in a fixed-bed column.

Abstract: A process for the transesterification of substrates comprising (a) fat and oil and (b) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of fatty acid, fatty acid ester and other fat and oil with the use of a lipase, wherein said transesterification is effected in the presence of a monohydric lower alcohol.

Abstract: An optically active monoester of the formula of ##STR1## where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.15 alkyl is disclosed. The monoester is produced by transesterification of cis-endo-bicyclo [2,2,2] oct-5-ene-2,3-dimethanol with a fatty acid alkyl or vinyl ester, or triglyceride by using an esterase.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of gamma and delta lactones from organic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof is disclosed. The process comprises cultivating, under aerobic conditions, a fungus of the genus Mucor in a suitable medium containing the carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A process for the regiospecific and stereospecific hydroxylation of quinine, quinidine and their derivatives, in position 3S, is characterized by the use of certain microorganisms being reacted on the compound to be hydroxylated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a glyceryl mononitrate or of a mixture of glyceryl mononitrates, characterized in that it comprises a bioconversion step of nitroglycerine to glyceryl mononitrate(s) by a microorganism chosen from the group consisting of the yeasts, the fungi and protozoa, preferably a bioconversion step by fungi.

Abstract: Mucor circinelloides f. griseo-cyanus IFO 4563 is cultivated in a medium containing 6-O-methylerythromycin A as a substrate to obtain 14-hydroxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin A. This compound and its salt have anti-bacterial activity.

Abstract: 6-C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 acyl-1-C.sub.3 to C.sub.12 alkylglucosides are a new group of surface active compounds useful in particular as emulsifiers in cosmetics, pharmaceutical compositions and foodstuffs. They are prepared by reacting a 1-C.sub.3 to C.sub.12 alkyl glucoside with a C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 fatty acid in the presence of a lipolytic enzyme and in a reaction medium containing at most 30% and preferably 0.01 to 5% water.

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: Process for generating an about 98% ester yield from fatty acids and fatty alcohols comprising esterifying the acid and alcohol in liquid phase under a vacuum of at least 0.5 bar in the presence of an immobilized lipase.

Abstract: Immobilized lipase is produced by mixing an aqueous lipase solution with a particulate, macroporous, weak anion exchange resin, and recovering and drying the resin having lipase immobilized thereon. The resin has a particle size such that more than 90% resin particles have a size between 100-1000 .mu.m. The immobilized lipase is used in a packed bed for continuous transesterification or solvent free fats. Preferably, the lipase is Mucor miehei lipase.

Abstract: Immobilized lipase is produced by mixing an aqueous lipase solution with a particulate, macroporous, phenolformaldehyde adsorbent resin, and recovering and drying the resin having lipase immobilized thereon. The resin has a particle size such that more than 90% resin particles have a size between 100-1000 .mu.m. The immobilized lipase is used in a packed bed for continuous transesterfication of solvent free fats. Preferably, the lipase is Mucor miehei lipase. The immobilized lipase has on a dry basis at least 10 batch interesterification units (BIU) and at least 500 lipase units (LU).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the milk clotting ability and reducing the thermal stability of microbial rennet from Rhizomucor pusillus. The method involves treating the rennet with a methionine oxidizing composition and the anhydride of a dicarboxylic organic acid.

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: .beta.-glucanase is produced under submerged, aerobic and thermophilic conditions, by cultivating the microorganism Rhizomucor pusillus (Lindt) Schipper, preferably the strain CBS 551.82. Fermentation is carried out using a fed batch method, where a carbon source such as barley meal is first introduced, and when this is consumed, a sugar compound, preferably lactose, is added, whereupon the fermentation continues until the carbon source is completely or partially consumed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the milk clotting ability and reducing the thermal stability of microbial rennet from Rhizomucor pusillus. The method involves treating the rennet with a methionine oxidizing composition and the anhydride of a dicarboxylic organic acid.

Abstract: Glutathione peroxidase is produced by fermentation of a microorganism of the genus Mucor. This peroxidase may be used for the determination of lipid peroxide.

Abstract: Sugar or sugar-alcohol fatty acid esters such as sucrose fatty acid esters are synthesized by incubating an aqueous mixture of a sugar or sugar-alcohol, a fatty acid and a catalytically active amount of a lipolytic enzyme, and recovering the resulting ester from the mixture.

Abstract: Process for preparation of .beta.-glucanase by cultivation of species of the fungus Rhizomucor pusillus (Lindt) Schipper under aerobic and thermophilic conditions. The enzyme .beta.-glucanase is an important component for degradation of polysaccharides into shorter molecular units.

Abstract: A method for increasing the milk coagulating activity of microbial rennet obtained from Mucor pusillus microorganisms, which comprises acylating the microbial rennet in an aqueous medium by contacting the microbial rennet with succinic anhydride at a temperature of about 0.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. and a pH of about 4 to about 10 for a time sufficient to obtain the desired increase in milk coagulating activity; and improved microbial rennet having a low PA/MCA index and a high MCA index and obtained by the aforesaid method.

Abstract: In the enzyme-mediated synthesis of an ester or lactone from at least one carboxylic acid of the formulaR--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOHwhereinR is a hydrogen atom, or a hydrocarbon radical which has 1 to 21 carbon atoms and which can be optionally substituted by hydroxyl groups or alkoxy groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms,with at least one primary or secondary alcohol having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, the improvement which comprises employing as the enzyme the esterase from Mucor miehei and effecting the synthesis in the absence of water. Advantageously, the synthesis is effected at about room temperature, the mol ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol is from about 1:1 to 1:1.1, and the enzyme is used in a quantity of about 3 to 20% by weight of the carboxylic acid. The absence of water facilitates recovery, as by distillation.

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: Microbial rennet such as from Mucor miehei is thermally destabilized by treatment of the rennet in an aqueous medium with oxidizing agents containing active chlorine such as hypochlorites. The thermally destabilized rennet is advantageous for cheese making where absence of rennet activity in pasteurized whey is desired.

Abstract: A process is provided for decreasing the thermal stability of Mucor microbial rennet without substantially reducing its milk-clotting activity by contacting an aqueous solution thereof with a methionine-oxidizing means under conditions effective substantially to decrease the thermal stability of the microbial rennet. The resultant treated microbial rennet is dramatically less heat stable than untreated microbial rennet and can serve as replacement for calf rennet in traditional cheese-making processes. The preferred methionine-oxidizing means is hydrogen peroxide or dye-sensitized photooxidation.

Abstract: Biologically active hollow fungal mycelial pellets are prepared by media manipulation. Initially fungal spores are innoculated under conditions limiting growth to formation of tiny cell aggregates of less than about 2 mm. Thereafter, the aggregates are subjected to conditions supportive of vigorous vegetative growth and agitation to produce hollow pellets having a porous spherical webbed mycelial layer and hollow core.

Abstract: A fermentation process for the preparation of 7.alpha.-hydroxylated steroids utilizing strains of the genus Mucor is disclosed. The 7.alpha.-hydroxylated steroids are useful intermediates for the synthesis of chenodeoxycholic acid as well as steroidal hormones.

Abstract: The production of a rennin of high milk coagulating activity and low proteolytic activity from a selected strain of Mucor miehei which is useful in cheese making.