A melanin that is soluble in an aqueous solution at a pH between 5 and 9 at a temperature of 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. Advantageously, the melanin is capable of being filtered through at least a 0.45 micron size filter, and has a molecular weight of greater than 10,000 kilodaltons. The melanin is useful for providing a naturally-appearing tan to mammalian skin and hair. Such melanin can be produced by combining dopachrome and an appropriate enzyme, or by incubating 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carbox...

This invention relates to synthetic polynucleotides which encode lysyl oxidase, lysyl oxidase like molecules or variants of these species. The synthetic polynucleotides of the invention permit the expression of functional lysyl oxidase, lysyl oxidase like molecules or variants of these species, typically in good yield. The invention also relates to recombinant DNA molecules containing these, synthetic polynucleotides, to cells containing them and to uses of the expression products.

A synthetic wood material and method are disclosed, including providing a plurality of continuous glass fibers oriented substantially in the longitudinal axis and coated with a resorcinol modified phenolic resin binder substantially free from catalyst. In one aspect, the synthetic wood material is oxidatively treated to restore color. In one aspect, the fibers and binder are precoated with a furfuryl alcohol resin prior to the pultrusion step to form the synthetic wood.

A process for the preparation of the compound AQ4 of formula 3: ##STR1## or a salt or N-oxide thereof, includes the step: ##STR2##

A novel synthetic fiber is disclosed including a first component of an aliphatic polyester polymer, a second component of a multicarboxylic acid, an admixture of the first component aliphatic polyester polymer and the second component multicarboxylic acid to form an unreacted specified thermoplastic composition, and melt blending the unreacted specified thermoplastic composition in an extruder or a mixer. The second component multicarboxylic acid lubricates the extruder and provides a nucleating...

Compositions of the current invention are directed toward inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, particularly fungi. The compositions consist of chemically-synthesized antibiotics comprising certain amino acids. Methods of identifying particular antibiotic compositions from libraries of such compositions are disclosed. In addition, methods for preventing microbial growth in plants and animals are disclosed.

Compositions of the current invention are directed toward inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, particularly fungi. The compositions consist of chemically-synthesized antibiotics comprising certain amino acids. Methods of identifying particular antibiotic compositions from libraries of such compositions are disclosed. In addition, methods for preventing microbial growth in plants and animals are disclosed. Methods and compositions are also disclosed which relate to synergistic combinations of...

The present invention relates to synthetic wood chips and methods for making the same. The synthetic wood chips are made from rubber particles, such as ground up tires, and a colorant which colors the rubber particles to look like natural mulch. The synthetic mulch is available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, however, it is preferred for the synthetic mulch to look like wood chips, tree bark, or pea gravel.

By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layer, a unique, multi-component, multi-layer synthetic closure is provided which may be employed as a bottle closure or stopper for any desired product, whether the product is a liquid, a viscous material, or a solid distributed in a bottle or container and dispensed through the open portal of the container neck. The present inve...

A process for the preparation of light color, odor free novolaks which have high melting points, high condensation levels, good solubility and uniform compositions which comprises reacting in at least one stage a) at least one alkyl-free phenol, b) at least one condensation product of formaldehyde and at least one alkyl phenol, the said condensation product containing at least one member selected from the group consisting methylol groups and methylene ether linkages, and c) less than one mole of...