Eni-ente Nazionale Idrocarburi

Snamprogetti S.p.a.

Vincenza Vitobello

Nadia Cimini

Paolo Branduzzi

Ludwig Degen

Pasquale Zaffaroni

Anna M Gamalerio

Pasquale Sacceddu

Paolo Braduzzi

The invention relates to a process for the production of the alpha-galactosidase enzyme by culturing yeasts of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genus in a temperature range from 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The invention also relates to a process for enzymic hydrolysis of raffinose by alpha-galactosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such hydrolysis may take place with the yeast cells being present or also in the presence of enzymic extracts, both as such and enriched. An important advantage of the invention is the high alpha-galactosidasic activity of the selected microorganisms, together with the absence of any invertasic activity.

Biologically pure culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The enzyme cholesterol esterase is produced by cultivating a strain of the Achromobacter delicatulus type, isolated from vegetable debris and identified by the symbol NRRL B-12115. Under the described culture conditions, the enzyme is exocellular and therefore does not require extraction from the cells. In addition, the micro-organism has a duplication time less than that of moulds and Actinomycetes. Cholesterol esters of fatty acids can be hydrolysed by adding them to the culture medium before inoculating the strain.

Process for producing the enzyme cholesterol esterase and for

The invention relates to a process for the production of the alpha-galactoxidase enzyme by culturing yeasts of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genus in a temperature range from 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The invention also relates to a process for enzymic hydrolysis of raffinose by alpha-galactoxidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such hydrolysis may take place with the yeast cells being present or also in the presence of enzymic extracts, both as such and enriched. An important advantage of the invention is the high alpha-galactoxidasic activity of the selected microorganisms, together with the absence of any invertasic activity.

Hydrolysis of raffinose by alpha-galactoxidase

A method is disclosed for the microbiological transformation of steroids, especially cholesterol, by employing culture media which contain hydrocarbons rather than carbohydrates. Paraffinic hydrocarbons, particularly normal paraffins from 15 to 20 carbon atoms, are used as the only carbon and energy sources. SP2T (NRRL B-11, 112), SP3T bis (NRRL B-11, 113), SP5T (NRRL B-11, 114), SP7T/1 (NRRL B-11, 115), SP742XXA (NRRL B-11, 116), SP731RD (NRRL B-11, 117), and SP734D (NRRL B-11, 118) are bacterial strains which can be used to this purpose.

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Rome, Italy

Vincenza Vitobello