Methods using plasma-driven generation of H.sub.2O.sub.2 in an aqueous liquid may provide a substrate to enzymes, which are then capable to oxidize or hydroxylate organic compounds. A plasma device may produce an aqueous liquid comprising H.sub.2O.sub.2 for use in an enzymatic reaction.

A method and a mineral wool product include a multiple of lamellae, such as a sandwich panel core. The product includes a plurality of lamellae cut from a mineral wool web, and bonded together by applying an adhesive on the surfaces of two adjacent lamellae to form a web-like product, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

The present invention relates to a fusion protein consisting of a scFv linked to a horseradish peroxidase enzyme or to an alkaline phosphatase enzyme by a peptide linker. The fusion protein also includes a histidine tag and optionally an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the fusion protein, expression vectors containing the nucleic acids, plant cells transformed with the expression vectors and methods of producing the fusion proteins of the invention.

The present invention provides the polynucleotide encoding enzyme involved in lactone synthesis and a process for synthesis of lactones using said polynucleotides. The invention also provides recombinant plasmid expression vector comprising said polynucleotide sequence. The recombinant protein encoded by said polynucleotides leads to synthesis of lactones having flavour peculiar to Alphonso mangoes.

The present invention provides novel peptides and homologues thereof. The peptides of the invention comprise (i) a T-cell epitope of an antigen (self or non-self) with a potential to trigger an immune reaction presented by a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinant and recognised by CD4+ T cell more specifically of an allergen or auto-antigen, coupled, optionally through the use of a linker to (ii) an amino acid sequence having a reducing activity, such as a thioreductase sequence. The peptides of the invention have been shown to be useful a medicine, more in particular for the prevention or treatment of immune disorders, more specifically of allergic disorders or autoimmune diseases. The present invention thus provides for the use of said peptides for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of an immune disorder and further provides for methods of treatment or preventing immune disorders by using said peptides. The present invention also provides for compositions comprising said peptides.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

The present invention relates to a method of providing thermal and/or acoustic insulation to a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate which comprises fibres; applying the substrate to the structure; blending the substrate with a binder composition before, during or after application of the substrate to the structure; allowing curing of the binder composition after the substrate and the binder composition have been applied to the structure; wherein the binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid. The present invention also relates to an insulated structure obtainable by said method.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one hydrocolloid.

Novel polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and methods and uses related thereto. A method for the production of melanin or a melanin-like pigment, comprising the use of a polypeptide having pigment producing activity, wherein said polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 50% pairwise sequence identity when aligned to at least 200 consecutive amino acid residues of Seq. no. 16 and comprising at least two of the following motifs: i) RXFWXRWXXGHQ; ii) LXXLXXCXD; iii) PRXXYH; iv) RXR[ML]ALQH; v) CXXL; vi) HXXIAXH; vii) DLXHXG; and viii) VDGXHHPV; (b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 30% pairwise sequence identity when aligned to at least 150 amino acid residues of Seq. no. 12, and comprising the motif HXXXC; and c) a fragment of the polypeptide of (a) or (b) that has peroxygenase activity.

Compositions comprising (i) lactate oxidase (LOX) and Catalase (CAT), preferably in a 1:1 molar ratio; or (ii) a fusion polypeptide comprising both LOX and CAT, e.g., LOXCAT, and methods of use thereof for reducing blood lactate levels, increasing blood pyruvate levels, and/or decreasing blood lactate/pyruvate ratio in a subject.