Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria or a mutant or derivative thereof, characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to a bacterium belonging to the group of mutans Streptococci, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva, for the preparation of an anticariogenic composition for the treatment or prevention of caries caused by mutans Streptococci other than Streptococcus mutans. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with a bacterium belonging to the group of mutans Streptococci which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and a bacterium of the group of mutans Streptococci; and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of prophylaxis or treatment of caries caused by mutans Streptococci other than Streptococcus mutans, comprising administering a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that said microorganism is capable of specifically binding to a bacterium belonging to the group of mutans Streptococci or a mutant, derivative, analog or fragment of said microorganism.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for preparing 7-dehydrocholesterol and/or the biosynthetic intermediates and/or secondary products thereof by culturing organisms, in particular yeasts. Furthermore, the invention relates to the preparation of the nucleic acid constructs required for preparing the genetically modified organisms and to said genetically modified organisms, in particular yeasts, themselves.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for the production of ergosta-5,7-dienol and/or its biosynthetic intermediates and/or metabolites by culturing genetically modified organisms, and to the genetically modified organisms, in particular yeasts, themselves.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet. Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for preparing zymosterol and/or the biosynthetic intermediates and/or secondary products thereof by culturing organisms, in particular yeasts, which, compared to the wild type, have an increased lanosterol-C14-demethylase activity and increased HMG-CoA-reductase activity, to the nucleic acid constructs required for preparing the genetically modified organisms and to the genetically modified organisms themselves, in particular yeasts.
Abstract:
The invention provides an isolated genetically modified non-mammalian organism, wherein the activity of acyl-CoA:sterol acyltransferase/sterol O-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.26) and/or diacylglycerol acyltransferase/diacylglycerol O-acyltranferase (EC 2.3.1.20) and/or lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase/phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.158) and/or acyl CoA-wax alcohol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.75) is reduced or abolished in comparison with a corresponding wildtype organism, methods of use of such an organism, shuttle vehicles for making such an organism and methods for producing such an organism.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for preparing 7-dehydrocholesterol and/or the biosynthetic intermediates and/or secondary products thereof by culturing organisms, in particular yeasts. Furthermore, the invention relates to the preparation of the nucleic acid constructs required for preparing the genetically modified organisms and to said genetically modified organisms, in particular yeasts, themselves.
Abstract:
Described is a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which is able to drastically reduce the peptide concentration in saliva thereby depleting the substrate used by anaerobic microorganisms of the oral micro-flora which are the causative agent for oral malodour. Moreover, described is a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which is able to stimulate the growth of Streptococcus salivarius but does not stimulate the growth of Streptococcus mutans and/or Porphyromonas gingivalis. Also described are compositions containing the above-mentioned microorganisms, their use for preventing and/or treating oral malodour and/or halitosis and to methods for preventing and/or treating oral malodour and/or halitosis.
Abstract:
The invention concerns new isolated Lactobacillus cells, which are capable to aggregate Helicobacter pylori under culture conditions of the human digestive tract, in particular of the stomach, and to the uses of such cells.