Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-aid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: The invention provides a multivitamin and mineral nutritional supplement composition comprising at least one polyvalent metal and at least one oxidizable vitamin with substantially improved resistance to reactions that lead to darkening and/or spotting and reactions that may reduce the potency of oxidizable vitamins. The composition is a multivitamin and mineral composition comprising at least one polyvalent metal and at least one oxidizable vitamin wherein the composition is substantially free of mobile bound water. The invention also includes methods for making such a composition and methods of preventing or reducing oxidation, improving the stability of oxidizable vitamins, and stabilizing the disintegration time of a multi-vitamin and mineral nutritional supplement composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for identifying one or more cofactors such as vitamins for individuals based on the genetic makeup of the individual by detecting the presence or absence of at least one genetic variant, determining a predisposition to cofactor remediable condition, generating a personalized nutritional advice plan based on the genetic variant. Also provided herein are formulations of cofactors determined by the genetic make-up of the individual and methods of determining and producing these formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dietary supplement for the treatment of weakness in metabolic activity containing Pantothenic acid (CoA), its precursors and/or its salts, a process for its production as well as its use. Application areas of the invention are food industry and medicine. The invention is based of the surprising finding that the intake of pantothenic acid, pantothenic acid-CoA and/or its derivatives in a large amount has a beneficial effect on symptoms caused by weakness in metabolic activity. The core point of the invention is that the uptake of a pantothenic acid-CoA equivalent from food is not 10 mg per day, but more than 103 times of this amount to provide the human organism optimally. It was also a surprising finding that the cholinergic Panthenol-CoA uptake reaction from food was taking place within a few minutes. The dietary supplement according to the present invention is a compound for comprising 85-99% Pantothenic acid and/or its salts and other supplements if applicable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing D-pantothenic acid and/or salts thereof and to the use thereof as an additive for animal feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing D-pantothenic acid and/or the salts thereof and the use of said substance as an additive for animal food.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to nettle extracts that are useful for treating or preventing seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method for preparing crystalline calcium pantothenate, which comprises the step of allowing a homogenous mixture containing crystalline calcium pantothenate and amorphous calcium pantothenate to absorb moisture. The aforementioned method comprises, for example, the following steps of (1) mixing crystalline calcium pantothenate and amorphous calcium pantothenate to prepare a homogenous mixture; and (2) allowing the homogenous mixture obtained in the above step (1) to absorb moisture, and enables efficient preparation of crystalline calcium pantothenate with extremely low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel substituted &agr;-hydroxy acid thereof, represented by the general Formula I: where R1-R5, X and Z are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are potent inhibitors of caspases and apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the inhibitors of this invention can retard or block cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which the loss of cells, tissues or entire organs occurs.

Abstract: A composition including at least one of D-pantothenic acid and a salt of D-panthothenic acid, greater than 50 percent of non-biomass constituents of a D-pantothenic fermentation liquor, and 0 to 100% of the biomass from D-pantothenic fermentation liquor wherein composition is a solid, pourable composition in the form of particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of dehydroalanine derivatives of formula (I) ##STR1## with R.sub.1 : H or linear- or branched-chain C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl, ##STR2## or linear- or branched-chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl where X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4 and X.sub.5 =H, halogen, hydroxyl, linear-or branched-chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy, ##STR3## and n=2, 3 or 4, for protecting the skin, the mucous membranes and/or the hair against oxidative stress and to the cosmetic and dermatological compositions containing such compounds and to new dehydroalanine derivatives.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a hydroxylated secondary or tertiary amine compound having a hydroxyl function .beta. to the amine function, according to which a primary or secondary amine compound is reacted with a compound containing an epoxy function in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of spherules and emulsions containing such spherules. A primary oil-in-water emulsion is formed containing particles comprising one or more active principles in oily form suspended in water, the water optionally containing at least one protein. Controlled division of the primary emulsion is achieved by combining the primary emulsion with a water-immiscible solvent to create a second emulsion containing spherules of the primary emulsion. Preferably, the particles of the primary emulsion have mean diameters of about 1 .mu.m, and preferably, the spherules contained in the second emulsion have a diameter ranging from 100 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m. If protein is contained in the primary emulsion, the protein can be cross-linked. Further, the spherules can be separated from the water-immiscible solvent.

Abstract: The compound (2',4'-difluoro-4-biphenyl)oxypropionic acid and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts with a metal or an organic base are described. They exhibit high antiinflammatory and analgesic activity and do not cause gastric lesions.

Abstract: The compound (2',4'-difluoro-4-biphenyl)oxyacetic acid and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts with a metal or an organic base are described. They exhibit high antiinflammatory and analgesic activity and do not cause gastric lesions.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium pantothenate from .beta.-aminopropionitrile is disclosed.