A novel process for the preparation of L-threo-dihydroxyphenylserine (Droxidopa) is described. It comprises of enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic (DL)-threo-N-acetyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine using commercially available L-amino acylase from Aspergillus sp. (EC 3.5.1.14) in the presence of cobalt ions, to obtain (L)-threo-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine followed by dealkylation to obtain Droxidopa. Protecting the amino group of (L)-threo-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine using either benzyloxycarbonyl or phthaloyl group before dealkylation followed by deprotection of the amino group results in obtaining Droxidopa in high yields and purity.

This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine or 1,7-heptanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the CoA-dependent elongation enzymes or analog enzymes associated with the carbon storage pathways from polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulating bacteria.

The present invention is to provide a preparation of variant recombinant whole cell biocatalysts, referred herein as “designer cells” having significantly enhanced carbonyl reductase activity for use in the efficient production of variant industrially important enantiomerically enriched alcohols. More specifically, the alcohol is optically pure ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate, which is useful as chiral building block and an intermediate for the production of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors.

Enzyme compositions with enhanced enzyme activity and/or thermophilic and psychrophilic stability are described. Additionally, methods and kits for making and using the enzyme compositions are provided.

Provided are a Corynebacterium glutamicum mutant that is resistant to high concentrations of L-glutamine, and a method of producing L-glutamine by using the mutant.

The present invention relates to a mutant microorganism having the ability to produce 5-aminolevulinic acid, and more particularly, to a mutant microorganism having the ability to produce 5-aminolevulinic acid wherein a glutamyl-tRNA reductase-encoding gene is introduced in a glutamic acid-producing microorganism, and to a method for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid using the same. According to the present invention, 5-aminolevulinic acid that is useful in the medical or agricultural field can be produced in a significantly higher yield than that of conventional production methods.

The invention relates to methods for enriching monomer content in a cycloalkane oxidation process mixed organic waste stream. In particular, the methods involve combining a biocatalyst with a mixed organic waste stream from a cycloalkane oxidation process, and enzymatically converting dimeric and/or oligomeric components of said waste stream into monomeric components. The methods may enrich the content of diacids, adipic acid, and/or other α,ω-difunctional C6 alkanes in the mixed organic waste stream. Additionally, the treated mixed organic waste streams may have improved burning efficiency.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a double-sided film containing the step of 5 forming a film in the interface between air and the mixture of a polymer comprising amine group (—NH) and a compound containing phenol or catechol by exposing the mixture on the air. Particularly, the double-sided film of the present invention is a separation membrane 10 that can separate the interface of liquid phase and gas phase and at the same time can be used as a biomaterial such as a haemostatic and also an waterproof agent. When the film is prepared in a moderate condition by using an enzyme, the film can include proteins and 15 cells, resulting in the multi-functional versatility film that can be useful as a biocatalyst. The versatility film of the present invention, thus, is not expensive and the production method thereof is simple and eco-friendly.

Methods for hydrolyzing solid ungranulated lysophosphatidylcholine with phospholipase A.sub.2 are provided. Also disclosed are methods for making a lipid matrix of lysophosphatidylcholine, monoglyceride and fatty acid, and lipid matrices of particular structure.

Combined therapy of cancer using an immune check point modulators (e.g., an immune checkpoint inhibitor) and a fermented product, which may be prepared using symbiotic microbiota.