Purification and characterization of a novel 5-oxoprolinase (without ATP-hydrolyzing activity) from Alcaligenes faecalis N-38A.

A novel type of 5-oxoprolinase was found in a cell extract of strain N-38A, which was later identified as Alcaligenes faecalis. The enzyme in the cell extract was purified to a homogeneous state with a yield of 16.6%.

Improved Purification and Spectroscopic Properties of Squash Glutamate Decarboxylase.

Squash glutamate decarboxylase was purified by DEAE-Cellulose batchwise followed by Blue-Sepharose, Cellulofine GCL-2000, and Toyopearl HW-55F column chromatography. The purified glutamate decarboxylase had a high specific activity (95.0 u/mg).

Purification and Characterization of Arctium lappa L. (Edible Burdock) Polyphenol Oxidase.

Polyphenol oxidase of Arctium lappa L. (edible burdock) has been purified by chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75, and phenyl-Cellulofine to a homogeneous state as judged by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 31,000 by SDS-PAGE and 25,000 by gel filtration on TSKgel G2000SW.

Isolation and Purification of Ascorbate Oxidase from Acremonium sp. HI-25.

A screening test was undertaken to isolate microorganisms that produced ascorbate oxidase. The enzyme activity was found in a culture filtrate of a fungal strain (HI-25), newly isolated from a soil sample. Based on the morphological characteristics, this isolate was identified as Acremonium sp.

Preparation of a Cell-Free, Isobutene-Forming System from Rhodotorula minuta.

The cell-free isobutene-forming system of Rhodotorula minuta IFO 1102 was prepared. This system consisted of isovaleric acid, NADPH, and a cell extract. The maximal activity obtained by using the described cell-free system was 17 nl/mg of protein per h.

Acetic Acid Production by an Electrodialysis Fermentation Method with a Computerized Control System.

In acetic acid fermentation by Acetobacter aceti, the acetic acid produced inhibits the production of acetic acid by this microorganism. To alleviate this inhibitory effect, we developed an electrodialysis fermentation method such that acetic acid is continuously removed from the broth. The fermentation unit has a computerized system for the control of the pH and the concentration of ethanol in the fermentation broth.

Novel method of lactic Acid production by electrodialysis fermentation.

In lactic acid fermentation by Lactobacillus delbrueckii, the produced lactic acid affected the lactic acid productivity. Therefore, for the purpose of alleviating this inhibitory effect, an electrodialysis fermentation method which can continuously remove produced lactic acid from the fermentation broth was applied to this fermentation process. As a result, the continuation of fermentation activity was obtained, and the productivity was three times higher than in non-pH-controlled fermentation.