Lipase [triacylglycerol lipase, EC 3.1.1.3] has been purified to homogeneity from Rhizopus japonicus NR 400 by chromatography on hydroxylapatite, octyl-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-200. It showed a molecular weight of about 30,000 by SDS-PAGE and a specific activity of 68,900 units/mg protein. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of tricapryn and tricaprylin rapidly in comparison with other triglycerides. This lipase had an optimum pH of around 5, and albumin enhanced its activity between pH 3 and 8. The composition of fatty acids liberated from linseed oil by the lipase was similar to that in the case of pancreatic lipase. The lipase activity was not affected by the addition of 1 mM metal ions or bile salts. Stimulation of the lipase activity was observed upon addition of albumin to the reaction mixture. Immunotitration experiments were also performed with antibodies raised against the purified lipase.

The relation of the temperature and time of incubation of "koji" to the powers of its enzymes as studied with flasks in a laboratory.

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Over-the-counter inquiries made by outpatients about drugs, collected in the period of September 1981 to July 1982, were analyzed. A total of 318 outpatients, consisting of 192 females (60.4%) and 126 males (39.6%), presented 322 inquiries. The time for answering the inquiries was measured in 203 patients. In 116 patients (57.1%) pharmacists' answers were finished within a minute, while in 3 patients (1.5%) it took more than 10 minutes. Contents of inquiries were classified into 8 categories. The most frequent inquiries were about dosage and directions for use of drugs, followed by those about quantities of drugs handed, and those about effect of drugs. The inquiries made by 35 patients (11.0%) were due to pharmacists' errors in dispensing and directions, and those by 19 patients (5.7%) due to the contents of prescriptions. This survey is closely related to the practice of patient-oriented pharmacies, and the data thus collected are useful for instructions given to patients and pharmacists alike.