Abstract:
A highly deacetylated chitosan obtained from microbial biomass, a method of obtaining chitosan from microbial biomass, and biomass for making chitosan are disclosed. The method includes providing chitin-containing biomass; reacting the chitin-containing biomass in a caustic solution of greater than 25 percent alkali at a reaction temperature greater than 95° C. for a reaction period of at least 10 hours to convert the chitin in the biomass to chitosan; and separating the chitosan from the caustic solution.
Abstract:
This invention provides a novel device and method for preparing cytology slides. The device comprises a book-like form including an absorbent material and filter attached to the inside surface of a front cover and a cytology slide removeably attached to an inside surface of a back cover. A sample is removed from the body of a patient, placed in a liquid-based solution, and then on the filter. When the book-like form is closed, the sample is effectively transferred to the slide. The device can be modified so that a plurality of slides are prepared at the same time.
Abstract:
A highly deacetylated chitosan obtained from microbial biomass, a method of obtaining chitosan from microbial biomass, and biomass for making chitosan are disclosed. The method includes providing chitin-containing biomass; reacting the chitin-containing biomass in a caustic solution of greater than 25 percent alkali at a reaction temperature greater than 95° C. for a reaction period of at least 10 hours to convert the chitin in the biomass to chitosan; and separating the chitosan from the caustic solution.
Abstract:
A method for converting organic solid waste into humic products and the corresponding apparatus, in which a preliminary aerobic fermentation of the organic solid waste is performed, followed by a second aerobic fermentation of the organic waste in the presence of specific microorganisms in order to provide a basic precursor on which the selective metabolization occurs of specific bacterial strains to provide the humic product.
Abstract:
This invention provides a novel device and method for preparing cytology slides. The device comprises a book-like form including an absorbent material and filter attached to the inside surface of a front cover and a cytology slide removeably attached to an inside surface of a back cover. A sample is removed from the body of a patient, placed in a liquid-based solution, and then on the filter. When the book-like form is closed, the sample is effectively transferred to the slide. The device can be modified so that a plurality of slides are prepared at the same time.
Abstract:
An (S)-1-phenyl-2-substituted propane derivative shown by the following formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 represent a lower alkyl group, etc., or R1 and R2 may form together an alkylene group, etc.; R3, R4 and R5 represent a hydrogen atom, etc.; and X represents a hydroxyl group which may be protected with a protective group, or a halogen atom etc., can readily be produced (i) by permitting a microorganism belonging to the genus Torulaspora, the genus Candida, the genus Pichia or the like to act on a phenylacetone derivative and asymmetrically reducing the compound, or (ii) by sterically inverting an (R)-enantiomer. (R,R)-1-phenyl-2-[(2-phenyl-1-methylethyl)amino]ethanol derivative having a high optical purity can easily be obtained from the compound of the formula (I). The ethanol derivative is useful as an anti-obesity agent and the like.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward efficient, high-yield processes for making ascorbic acid, 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, and esters of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. The processes comprise reacting the appropriate starting materials with a hydrolase enzyme catalyst such as a protease, an esterase, a lipase or an amidase.
Abstract:
An (S)-1-phenyl-2-substituted propane derivative shown by the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a lower alkyl group, etc., or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may form together an alkylene group, etc.; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 represent a hydrogen atom, etc.; and X represents a hydroxyl group which may be protected with a protective group, or a halogen atom etc., can readily be produced (i) by permitting a microorganism belonging to the genus Torulaspora, the genus Candida, the genus Pichia or the like to act on a phenylacetone derivative and asymmetrically reducing the compound, or (ii) by sterically inverting an (R)-enantiomer. (R,R)-1-phenyl-2-�(2-phenyl-1-methylethyl)amino!ethanol derivative having a high optical purity can easily be obtained from the compound of the formula (I). The ethanol derivative is useful as an anti-obesity agent and the like.
Abstract:
Process for the resolution of rac-2-oxotricyclo�2.2.1.0.sup.3,5 !heptane-7-carboxylic acid esters using lipase from candida.Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 has the meanings mentioned, may be obtained in isomerically pure form from enantiomer mixtures or racemic mixtures by reacting the compound of the formula I in the presence of a lipase or esterase from porcine liver, porcine pancreas, bovine pancreas or from microorganisms such as Candida, Pseudomonas, Mucor, Rhizopus and Aspergillus, or proteases from Bacillus in the presence of water and, if desired, a cosolvent and separating from one another the esters and acids present in the solution obtained.
Abstract:
A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is prepared that is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. The enzyme is preferably obtained from Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 or Candida shehatae. The enzyme may also be obtained by recombinant DNA technology. Monoclonal antibodies are produced against the enzyme and can be used to identify the enzyme. The enzyme is used for detecting the presence of Candida in a host such as detecting Candida infection in a patient by determining the presence of D-arabinitol in a sample. The oxidation of D-arabinitol by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+) is catalyzed by the enzyme and the amount of NADH produced in a given time is determined. Also prepared is a composition containing the enzyme and NAD.sup.+ and a kit containing a packaged combination of the enzyme and NAD.sup.+.