Abstract:
This invention provides endo-.alpha.-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (endo-.alpha.-GalNAcase) from a microorganism belonging to the genus Alcarigenes. This endo-.alpha.-GalNAcase is very useful in the analysis of the structure and function of mucin-type sugar chains of glycoproteins, as it is an enzyme that cleaves O-glycosidic linkages of sugar chains of glycoproteins, releasing the sugar chain from said protein.
Abstract:
Process for the production of optically active (+)-bicyclo[3.3.0]octanol derivatives of formula (+)-I, in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent jointly an oxygen atom or the double-bond residue --O--X--O-- with X as a straight or branched-chain alkylene with 1-7 C-atoms, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent separately the residue OR.sub.5 with R.sub.5 as a straight or branched-chain alkyl with 1-7 C-atoms, and R.sub.3 the residue COOZ with Z as a hydrogen atom, straight or branched chain alkyl with 1-7 C atoms, cycloalkyl with 3-6 C atoms, phenyl or aralkyl with 7-10 atoms or R.sub.3 is the residue --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--COR.sub.4 with n having the meaning 1-4 and R.sub.4 as a straight or branched-chain alkyl with 1-7 C atoms, cycloalkyl with 3-6 C atoms, phenyl or aralkyl with 7-10 C atoms. The process is characterized in that racemic 3.alpha.-cyloxy-cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]-octane derivatives of formula (+)-II, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 have the above meanings, are subjected enzymatically or microbiologically to a stereospecific acylate hydrolsis and the (+)-bicyclo[3.3.0]-octanol derivative produced is separated from the unsaponified bicyclo[3.3.0]-octanol acylate of formula (-)-II or the unsaponified enantiomers (+)-II are separated from the saponified bicyclo[3.3.0]octanol derivative (-)-I and then subjected to chemical acylate hydrolysis.
Abstract:
A method of producing cellulose of amorphous character by subjecting cellulose-producing organisms to a magnetic field substantially greater than 0.5 gauss and preferably at least about 500 gauss. The cellulose produced in the presence of a magnetic field is of an amorphous nature with increased water absorptivity and decreased crystallinity.
Abstract:
A new class of soluble phosphorylated glucans is described as well as the process for making the same. According to a preferred embodiment, the soluble phosphorylated glucan is derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The soluble phosphorylated glucans are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic applications against neoplastic, bacteria, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases. Additionally, they may be administered as a non-toxic adjuvant, in combination with chemotherapy. The soluble phosphorylated glucans are also useful for stimulating macrophage cells, either in vivo or in vitro, to produce a cytotoxic/cyctostatic factor effective against cancer cells.
Abstract:
A process for extracting poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates from an aqueous suspension of microorganisms, in which an azeotropic distillation, and an extraction of the polymer by means of the solvent used, are carried out simultaneously.The poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates obtained can be used in medicine.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for manufacturing liposomes is characterized by optically monitoring the light transmission of a liposome precursor solution and controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of the precursor solution and/or a dialysis buffer solution in accordance therewith.
Abstract:
A process is disclosed for preparing phenylalanine which comprises contacting phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate with immobilized whole cells having transaminase activity in the presence of an amine donor. The cells are preferably immobilized with a polyazetidine polymer. Ruptured or permeabilized cells, with the enzyme in the free or immobilized state, may also be used. The preparation of phenylalanine from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Antibiotic U-66,026 is produced in a fermentation under controlled conditions using the microorganism Alcaligenes sp., NRRL B-15269. Enhanced fermentation of titers U-66,026 are obtained when Alcaligenes sp., NRRL B-15269, is cultivated in mixture with Streptomyces plicatus strain 395, NRRL 15273.Antibiotic U-66,026 is a useful antibiotic which has antifungal activity.
Abstract:
A monomethylamine-oxidizing enzyme can be obtained by cultivating in a medium a strain which belongs to Genus Bacillus and has an ability to produce a monomethylamine-oxidizing enzyme. This enzyme exhibits several beneficial properties including the ability to oxidatively deaminate the amino group of monomethylamine to produce formaldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme exhibits a high substrate specificity for monomethylamine, ethylamine, and n-proplyamine while showing no substrate specificity for benzylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylenediamine and tryamine. In addition, the enzyme is stable through an elevated temperature range permitting faster reaction rates and therefore a shorter overall quantitative evaluation. Another property includes a low Km value which allows smaller quantities of the enzyme to be employed per sample.
Abstract:
Biochemical optical resolution of DL-tryptophanes in which DL-tryptophane amides are interacted with the culture products, or their treated products, of a microorganism capable of producing amidase is described. L-tryptophane amides in racemic DL-tryptophane amides are asymmetrically hydrolyzed to form optically active L-tryptophanes at a high yield and almost all D-tryptophane amides remain without being subjected to hydrolysis. The resultant D-tryptophane amides are readily hydrolyzed, after separating L-tryptophanes, to form optically active D-tryptophanes at a high yield.