Abstract: One method for purifying a chitosan starting material includes contacting it with at least one treatment agent selected from a protein-complexing agent, a metal-chelating agent, and a metal-complexing agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material selected from a water soluble protein complex, a water soluble metal chelate, and a water soluble metal complex. Another variant involves solubilizing the chitosan starting material in an aqueous solution to produce an intermediate chitosan material. The intermediate chitosan material is contacted with a deproteinization agent and/or a demetallization agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material that includes the pre-existing impurity. In both methods, the water insoluble chitosan precipitate and the water soluble material are separated resulting in a purified chitosan material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the isolation of polysaccharides, in particular for the separation of endotoxins from capsule polysaccharides of gram-negative bacteria. The polysaccharides isolated by this method are preferably used for the production of polysaccharide vaccines. The invention furthermore relates to vaccines containing polysaccharides isolated by the method described in this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for stabilizing aqueous deacylation, via use of buffers in the production of sucralose. The present invention provides a process for producing sucralose from an acyl-sucralose compound whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated in the presence of a buffering agent, which stabilizes the pH of the feed mixture and decreases the accumulation of undesired anhydro compounds. Further, the present invention provides a process whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated directly either prior to or after removal of the tertiary amide reaction vehicle from the neutralized chlorination feed mixture. An aqueous solution of sucralose including salts and other compounds is produced, from which sucralose is recovered by extraction and purified by crystallization.

Abstract: The process entails increasing the concentration of cyclodextrin to 15% (w/w) and above to form complexes through a precipitation process in order to increase the yield of complexes, increase the amount of guest complexed, and decrease the particle size of the complex.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the purification and recovery of polysaccharide gums from an aqueous solution, particularly xanthan gum from a fermentation broth. An aqueous solution of at least one polysaccharide gum is mixed with a non-solvent stream comprising water and a subprecipitant level of a non-solvent of the polysaccharide gum. The mixture is concentrated to increase the polysaccharide gum concentration, and optionally undergoes a heat treatment. Additional non-solvent is added to the concentrated mixture to precipitate the polysaccharide gum. The precipitated gum is dried after being separated from the liquid component of the mixture. The removed liquid component can be recycled to the earlier step in the process in which the polysaccharide gum solution is mixed with the non-solvent stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of S-adenosyl-L-methionine by means of a chemical process wherein enrichment of the bioactive (S,S)-isomer is achieved. The process is simple, efficient, economical and reproducible on large scale.

Abstract: A crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having an oil absorptivity of 0.1 to 6.9 wt % and a bulk density of 0.60 to 0.75 g/cc when it is ground and classified to ensure that at least 70 wt % of the obtained particles should have a particle size of 16 to 50 mesh and a process for producing a crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol, comprising introducing air bubbles into a maltitol aqueous solution. According to this process, a crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having high solubility and almost no moisture absorption is produced at a high work efficiency and a low cost in a short period of time.

Abstract: The geometric isomers of olefins and olefinic compounds are separated by means of liquid chromatography using a stationary phase comprising an organosilane with a pendant aliphatic functional group such as C18 and a mobile phase which includes an additive comprising alkanes and alkenes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial chaperon useful for refolding the proteins having low voluntary folding ability and being difficult or unable to be a native form without a second (or assistant) of a molecular chaperon in a short time, and folding said proteins as an active form. The present invention relates to an artificial chaperon kit characterized in that the kit comprises cyclic saccharide cycloamylose and polyoxyethylenic detergent or cyclic saccharide cycloamylose and ionic detergent. The present invention also relates to a method for diluting the denaturant making the protein a denatured state by adding a specific detergent to a denatured protein, and preventing protein molecules from aggregation, thereafter adding cyclic saccharide cycloamylose, utilizing the inclusion ability thereof to strip detergent, accelerating the proper folding of protein into a correct higher-order structure with activity.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the optimization of a four zone simulated moving bed system configured to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component wherein the first component exhibits non-linear adsorption and non-negligible mass transfer resistances. In one example, the four zone simulated moving bed is optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A. The present invention further comprises a four zone or a five zone apparatus having a first portion and a second portion and the optimization of the four zone or five zone apparatus to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component and the method of using the same. In one example, the four zone and five zone simulated moving beds are optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for obtaining a C-polysaccharide cell wall antigen containing not more than about 10% protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The antigen thus obtained is conjugated to a spacer molecule, and the free end of the latter is then conjugated to a chromatographic affinity column. The column is then utilized to purify raw antibodies to S. pneumonia bacteria, thereby producing antigen-specific antibodies. A portion of such antibodies is conjugated to a labeling agent which displays a visible color change upon reaction of the antibodies with their antigenic binding partner and embedded in a first zone of an immunochromatographic assay device. Another portion of such antibodies is bound to the reaction zone of the device which has a view window.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) (LL and/or L toxins) and HA-negative progenitor toxin (M toxin) from a Clostridium botulinum strain is provided. The method comprises applying a liquid containing both the HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) and the HA-negative progenitor toxin to a lactose column. Also provided is a method for separating and purifying neurotoxin (7S toxin) from HA-positive progenitor toxins, which comprises treating HA-positive progenitor toxins with an alkaline buffer and then applying the resulting liquid containing dissociated neurotoxin and non-toxic components to a lactose column. Activated pure HA-positive toxins (L and LL toxins) and neurotoxin are obtained by simple procedures.

Abstract: Reaction products of taurultam and glucose are useful as antineoplastic agents. They are produced by reacting an aqueous solution of taurultam and glucose at about 100 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes, yielding a reaction product which has a melting point of 168 to 170 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: Antimitotic terpenoid compounds including sarcodictyin A and as eleutherobin may be obtained from organisms of the order Gorgonacea. Methods of preparing such compounds provided, as are novel antimitotic diterpene compounds having formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for isolating anticoagulant heparin or heparan sulfate by binding the anticoagulant heparin or anticoagulant heparan sulfate onto an affinity matrix and separating the non-bound material from the bound material. The affinity matrix is made of a fibroblast growth factor immobilized on a support. The invention also relates to a method and composition for neutralizing anticoagulation catalyzed by heparin, a heparin mimic, or a heparin derivative, by contacting heparin, a heparin mimic, or a heparin derivative with a fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of organic chemistry in general and specifically to the preparation of hydrophobic derivatives of cyclic ADP ribose. One form of the present invention is the composition of one or more hydrophobic derivatives of cyclic ADP ribose. In another form of the present invention, a method for preparing a hydrophobic composition is described. Compositions of the present invention are useful for the study of in vivo calcium metabolism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chromatographic separation process of recovering mannose with high purity. The invention is based on the use of a chromatographic separation resin including a resin which is at least partly in a Ba2+ form resin and a resin which is in other than Ba2+ form.

Abstract: Process for preparing a solubilization adjuvant, which comprises placing fusel oils in contact with one or more reducing sugars in the presence of an acid catalyst, at a temperature of between 50° C. and 130° C. and while removing the water from the reaction medium until a solution of alkyl glycosides is obtained, and separating the glycosides from this solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising a multistep process for recovering betaine, erythritol, inositol, sucrose, mannitol, glycerol and amino acids from corresponding starting materials. The invention comprises the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin in chromatographic column in the multistep process. The starting materials are especially beet molasses, betaine molasses, syrups, thick juices, raw juices, corn steep cane based solutions and glycerol.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide an industrially useful process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids having degrees of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination. Alginate salts of organic bases are quite soluble in aqueous solution, and remain soluble in aqueous solution throughout a hydrolysis reaction in the range of pH values at which the acidic hydrolysis is effected at a reasonably fast rate. Based on this finding, a solution containing 5 wt. % or more of alginic acid prepared by dissolving alginic acid in water by neutralization with an organic base is provided and then hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, followed by selective precipitation of polyguluronic acids under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A method for the separation of polysaccharides. The method comprises conjugating a ligand to a thermo-sensitive polymer to form a conjugate, wherein the ligand specifically recognizes a polysaccharide, and the thermo-sensitive polymer features a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), contacting a mixture containing a desired polysaccharide with the conjugate at an environmental temperature lower than the LCST to form a polysaccharide-conjugate complex, collecting the polysaccharide-conjugate complex at an environmental temperature higher than the LCST, and releasing the polysaccharide from the polysaccharide-conjugate complex to obtain the desired polysaccharide.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to prepare purified erythromycin by removing erythromycin F from erythromycin. The present invention provides a method for preparing purified erythromycin from which erythromycin F is removed, which comprises the step of extracting erythromycin F from erythromycin using (i) an organic solvent and (ii) water or an aqueous solution of an inorganic and/or organic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of crystallizing maltitol from a maltitol solution by supersaturating the solution in repsect of maltitol and crystallizing the maltitol from the solution. In the process of the invention, the maltitol-containing solution is brought to a supersaturated state, and the solution is subjected to evaporation, until a crystallization mass is obtained which has a crystal yield of 1 to 80% on maltitol, and a dry solids content of over 50%. After bringing the solution to a supersaturated state, the solution is preferably seeded by adding maltitol seed crystals. In one embodiment of the invention, additional feed liquid is added during the crystallization by evaporation.

Abstract: A crystalline mixture solid composition comprising &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol (GPM), &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol (GPS-6) and a small amount of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol (GPS-1) and a production process therefor. The above crystalline mixture solid composition is produced by mixing a hydrophilic solvent with a solid composition or aqueous solution comprising 50 to 80 wt % of GPM, 1 to 50 wt % of GPS-6 and 0.01 to 20 wt % of GPS-1, separating solid matter from a liquid, and removing water and the solvent from the solid matter and can be obtained as a thin scale crystal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to fluorinated particles having adsorbent properties for superior performance as the stationary phase for use in chromatographic separations. In particular, the fluorinated surface of such particles of the invention presents unusual and unexpected polarity that is beneficial in performing chromatographic separations such as that used for DNA.

Abstract: A crystalline mixture solid composition which has almost no hygroscopicity, is easy to handle and dissolve and hardly worn by abrasion, and comprises &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol and &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and may further comprise &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol in a certain case is obtained in an extremely short period of time by a power-saving and labor-saving process with a small-scale apparatus. A composition which comprises 20 to 75 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol, 23 to 70 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and 2 to 25 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol and is in a crystalline mixture solid state or has a specific surface area of 0.07 to 0.1 m2/g, and a composition which comprises 30 to 75 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-l,1-mannitol, 25 to 70 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and has a specific surface area of 0.07 to 0.1 m2/g.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of crude aqueous solutions of acarbose by passing such solutions through a strong acid cation-exchange resin, saturating such resin and recovering as an eluate a substantially pure acarbose solution. Purities of more than 98%, and preferably about 99% or higher, are thus obtained.

Abstract: Chlorella extracts containing high molecular weight Chlorella polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes show immune modulatory, specifically immune stimulatory, activity. The polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes contain glucose and any combination of: galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, as well as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine. The extracts may be treated with pronase, DNAse, RNAse and proteases to remove unassociated nucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and proteins. The extracts may also undergo treatment to effect cleavage of specific glycosidic linkages, the linkages being defined by their susceptibility to cleavage by amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase or neuraminidase. Chlorella extracts may be administered to a mammal to increase proliferation of splenocytes and increase production of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, INF-&ggr; and TNF-&agr;. They may be used as a supplement to a vaccination regimen.

Abstract: An adsorbent medium is prepared comprising particles of a sponge material made of cellulose or agarose carrying functional groups such as diethylaminoethane groups. The particles may be obtained by chopping a larger block of the sponge material. The medium preferably has a water retention value of greater than 6 ml/g and a particle size of 0.5 to 10 mm, and the sponge material may be cross-linked. The adsorbent medium is especially useful for purifying DNA in an aqueous sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reversible carbohydrate (glycan) trap, methods and system for preparing the trap and use of the trap in preparing and trapping glycans for the study of carbohydrate structure. The device and methods assist in the structural characterization of glycans. The method traps and purifies carbohydrate structures at improved sensitivities, thereby enhancing the accuracy of a tissue or cell's complete carbohydrate composition, the glycome, (vis-à-vis proteome). Most basically, the trap device covalently binds activated glycosyl residues on a polymer specifically prepared to contain aldehydic functional groups. The trap material is formed from a carbohydrate polymer, preferably dextran, which is oxidized with periodate to introduce aldehydic groups. The oxidized dextran polymer is packable into separation colulmns or micro-tips for use as the glycan trap.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing sialyloligosaccharides in situ in dairy sources and cheese processing waste streams, prior to, during, or after processing of the dairy source during the cheese manufacturing process. The methods of the present invention use the catalytic activity of &agr;(2-3) trans-sialidases to exploit the high concentrations of lactose and &agr;(2-3) sialosides which naturally occur in dairy sources and cheese processing waste streams to drive the enzymatic synthesis of &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose. &agr;(2-3) sialyloligosaccharides produced according to these methods are additionally encompassed by the present invention. The invention also provides for recovery of the sialyloligosaccharides produced by these methods. The invention further provides a method for producing &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose. The invention additionally provides a method of enriching for &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose in milk using transgenic mammals that express an &agr;(2-3) trans-sialidase transgene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production method of &agr;-amylase resistant polysaccharides with high RS content, comprising the following steps: a) producing a paste of water-insoluble poly-(1,4-&agr;-D-glucan) and water; b) heating the paste; c) cooling off and retrogradation of the past at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the heated paste and d) optionally drying the resulting product.

Abstract: A nucleic acid purification method and purification apparatus characterized by high washing efficiency where contamination does not occur and liquid does not remain in the nozzle tip are disclosed. The present invention provides a tip containing the solid phase capturing a nucleic acid characterized in that washing solution is fed into the tip unidirectionally from head to end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cellulose solution in an aqueous amine oxide, preferably N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide, for processing to form cellulosed moulded bodies according to the Lyocell method, whereby said solution has an increased thermal stability. Cellulose is suspended in an aqueous amine oxide and the suspension is converted into the cellulose solution. The inventive method is characterised in that the base use of the cellulose used for producing the solution and of the optionally used additives is detected in a dispersion in aqueous amine oxide solution and in that the cellulose solution is formed by adding a base quantity which matches the detected own consumption of the cellulose and optionally the additives. Cellulose solutions having a stability which is essentially independent from the provenance of the used cellulose can he formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing highly pure acarbose of formula (I) useful as medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The disclosed process comprises prepurifying an acarbose-containing solution using a synthetic adsorbent to produce a prepurified acarbose having an acarbose content of a predetermined level or more; and contacting the prepurified acarbose with a monodispersed, strongly acid cation exchanger, in one step, to absorb acarbose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a water soluble inclusion complex of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) containing azadirachtin-A in cyclodextrin and its use in an insecticidal formulation. The process of the present invention comprises the following steps adding neem seed kernel extract containing azadirachtin-A to cyclodextrin, the molar ratio of azadirachtin-A to the cyclodextrin ranging from 1:0.5 to 1:20, stirring the above mixture, filtering the above mixture to obtain a water soluble inclusion complex of neem seed kernel extract, if desired, freeze/spray drying the said water soluble complex of neem seed kernel extract to get a free flowing pale cream powder.

Abstract: An aqueous two-phase system for extracting glycosides from a herb includes the extractive solution, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of salt, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of polyol and selectively about 0 wt %-30 wt % of alcohols. The salt can be dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate and phosphate or a mixture thereof, and it also can be sulfates, chlorides, oxalates, or acetates. In addition, a process for extracting glycosides using an aqueous two-phase system is disclosed. The procedures includes preparation of extractive solution, concentration, phase separation, drying, washing with solvent, cooling, filtration and drying of the final products.

Abstract: A starch obtained from a plant modified by manipulating the activity of a combination of plant enzymes having starch synthase activity, in particular starch synthase II (SSII) and starch synthase III (SSIII). Modified plants, their use as food products and starch, in particular obtained from a modified potato plant, having unexpected properties and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chitin is extracted from the shells of exoskeletal animals such as crab, shrimp, crayfish, and lobster, by a primarily physical process comprising the step of cutting the shells in a wet state to approximately uniform particles. The resultant mass is then diluted and mixed to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is separated to remove most unwanted materials, after which the particle size of the concentrated chitinous residue is further reduced. The once-washed, finely-cut chitinous slurry is again separated, resulting in a chitin end product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dextran whose boron content is reduced to a value less than 0.30 &mgr;g/g (dry basis) calculated on the basis of boron atom, a process for producing the same, and dextran with which a container is filled in a solution state. Dextran of the present invention is obtained by treating a boron-containing dextran with a lower alcohol, and said dextran has such a characteristic that deposition is inhibited or the deposition rate is drastically reduced when using it in the form of a solution. Therefore, an isotonic sodium chloride solution of said dextran is suitably used as substitute plasma or external perfusate in an operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel 6-O-methylerythromycin A crystal form, a process for preparing the crystal form, and methods for using the crystal form to prepare a 6-O-methylerythromycin A crystal form II.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample of cells, said method comprising: (a) binding cells in said sample to a solid support to isolate cells from the sample; (b) lysing the isolated cells; and (c) binding nucleic acid released from said lysed cells to said same solid support and a kit for carrying out such a method. The method may advantageously be used to prepare nucleic acid for use in a nucleic acid-based target cell detection method.

Abstract: A novel glucopyranoside, 2,6-dihydroxy-2-(P-hydroxybenzyl)-3(2H) benzofuran-7-C-&bgr;-D-glucopyranoside of the formula 1 isolated from Pterocarpus marsupium and to a process for the isolation thereof is disclosed. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing 2,6-dihydroxy-2-(P-hydroxybenzyl)-3(2H)benzofuran-7-C-&bgr;-D-glucopyranoside and to method for the treatment of diabetes using said compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemically unmodified hyaluronan product which has a high molecular weight of 9-25 million Daltons and a zero shear viscosity from 0.1 to 30 billion mPa s. This unique product is durable and at the same time viscoelastic, and perfectly compatible within the biocompatible materials, for instance, as a cartilage substitute and as an intervertebral disc. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing of said product.

Abstract: A method for producing, from an oats flour fraction, a water soluble &bgr;-glucan composition having a high &bgr;-glucan/glucose weight ratio, preferably a ratio of 15:1 or more, involves the use of &bgr;-amylase in an amount sufficient to transform more than 50% by weight, preferably more than 65% by weight, of the starch contained in the oats flour fraction to maltose. The enzymes pullulanase and/or protease may be used in combination with &bgr;-amylase. Also disclosed are corresponding compositions which may be further processed, as well as food products provided with them.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing azithromycin dihydrate from crude azithromycin by the gradual crystallization of azithromycin from acetone by the addition of a minimal amount of water to effect crystal formation is disclosed. This invention also relates to a method of making azithromycin from desmethyl-azithromycin by dissolving desmethyl-azithromycin in acetone, adding activated carbon, adding formaldehyde, adding formic acid; refluxing the desmethyl-azithromycin acetone solution, adding sodium hydroxide to induce precipitation of azithromycin, and isolating azithromycin.

Abstract: A method of treating alginic acid to produce polyguluronic acids.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for clarifying an aqueous xanthan gum solution comprising treatment of the xanthan solution with at least one chelating agent, surfactant, organic acid, or a mixture thereof, and with a protease enzyme or a lysozyme and a protease enzyme. Also disclosed is a highly purified solid xanthan gum and compositions containing the same, wherein the gum is obtained from the clarified xanthan gum solution.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing biosorbents by phosphorylation of cellulose-containing materials with phosphoric acid or ammonium phosphate in the presence of urea. Also disclosed are biosorbents with particular good use properties. Biosorbents of this type are used, in particular, for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Proceeding from the disadvantages of the known prior art, purification costs of resultant raw products should be lowered and the formation of unwanted soluble organic polymer phosphates as by-products should be prevented. The biosorbents should have an improved mechanical strength and very good use properties. The disclosed biosorbents contain 5-10 % phosphorus and 1-4 % nitrogen in the form of carbamide groups. The synthesis mixture is mixed with elementary sulphur before starting the reaction in order to produce biosorbents with an increased mechanical strength. The proposed procedure allows reducing the otherwise customary reaction temperatures by about 40° C.