Enzymes

Gamma-Polyglutamate Hydrolase Hiruta et al. Meiji Seiko Kaisha Ltd. US 5356805; October 18, 1994 An enzyme produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Myrothecium that hydrolyzes gamma-polyglutamic acid with an endo action to produce oligoglutamic acid consisting of 2 to 4 glutamic acid residues.

Method, Test Media and Chromogenic Compounds for Identifying and Diierentiating General CoIiiorms and Escherichia coZi Bacteria Ferguson Research Organics US 5358854; October 25, 1994 A chromogenic beta-galactosidase substrate producing an insolu- ble precipitate of a first color when reacted upon by beta- galactosidase and a chromogenic beta-glucuronidase substrate pro- ducing an insoluble precipitate of a second, contrasting color when reacted upon by beta-glucuronidase, for quantitatively identifying and differentiating general colifotms and E. coli.

Stabilized Liquid Enzymatic Compositions Jaquess Buckman Laboratories International Inc. US 5356800; October 18, 1994 A stabilizing formulation capable of enhancing the storage and shelf-life of liquid enzymatic compositions as well as acting as a dispersant aid for industrial process waters. It contains at least one water-soluble coupling agent selected from a short chain alcohol and a short chain glycol, a polyethoxylated alkyl diamine or an amine oxide, and water.

Method for Detection of Gram-Negative Bacterial Liposaccharides in Biological F’Iuids Hansen et al. University of Texas US 5356778; October 18, 1994 A method of detecting gram-negative bacterial endotoxin using antibody capture combined with amoebocyte lysate chromogenic detection. The method is highly sensitive and rapid and may be used for detection of specific endotoxin.

hrifed Enzymatic Preparation Derived from Chromobacterium viokaceum, Method for Preparing It and Its Use in the Production of Alpha, Beta-dehydrotryptophanyl Peptides Fromageot et al. Commissariat a I’Energie Atomique US 5356794; October 18, 1994 Purified enzymatic preparation derived from Chromobacterium violaceum, having a dehydrogenase activity, method for preparing it and its use in the production of alpha, beta-dehydrotryptophanyl peptides.

Budus fhuringiensis CRYETl Toxin Gene and Protein Toxic to Lepidopteran Insects von Tersch et al. Ecogen, Inc. US 5356623; October 18, 1994 A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5092, which exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects.

PIaIdS

Determination of Substrate of Coenzyme Requiriig Enzyme Hurrell Applied Research Systems US 5356780; October 18, 1994 A competitive binding assay technique for substances, such as small molecules having no antigenic determinant, which can serve as substrates for coenzyme-requiring enzymes.

Bacteria

Method and Device for Extracting Effective Ingredients from Dried Plant Materials Izumitani et al. &Coffee Co. Ltd. US 5358725; October 25, 1994 A method for extracting the effective ingredients from dried plant materials such as coffee, black tea, green tea, herbs, and the like as a concentrated liquid, and a device for implementing that method, whereby an effective ingredient is extracted as an ex- tracted liquid with high clarity and high concentration from dried plant material in a short time without loss of aroma and flavor, without extracting the unpleasant bitter or astringent taste resulting from the extraction of tannin, while also sterilizing the extracted liquid.

Antisense Gene Systems of Pollination Control for Hybrid Seed Production Amison

Microbii Cleavage of Organic C-S Bonds Kilbane Institute of Gas Technology US 5358869; October 25, 1994 A microbial process for selective cleavage of organic C-S bonds Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. which may be used for reducing the sulfur content of sulfur- US 5356799; October 18, 1994 containing organic carbonaceous materials, using microorganisms A process for producing hybrid seed using malesterile plants cre- of Rhoa’ococcus rhodochrous and Bacillus sphaericus. ated by employing molecular techniques to manipulate antisense

Richard S. Parr is Editor of the biotechnology patent newsletter BZOTECH Patent News, P.O. Box 4482, Metuchen, NJ 08840.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology 17:574-576, 1995 0 1995 by Elsevier Science Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010

0141-0229/95/$10.00 SSDI 0141-0229(95)00064-l