Abstract: A skin care composition includes a carrier substance and a proportion of lactic acid bacteria and/or their metabolic products, wherein the metabolic products are included in the skin care composition in a form of a ferment obtained during a cultivation of the lactic acid bacteria. The skin care composition additionally contains chitosan or a suitable chitosan derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selectively obtaining phosphorus from solids containing heavy metals and phosphate. In this method, the solid is treated under acidic aerobic conditions using microorganisms comprising leaching microorganisms and polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms, so that the heavy metals and the phosphates are released from the solid and the released phosphates may be taken up by the polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms. The phosphorus-enriched biomass that is obtained in this manner is separated and may be utilized, e.g., as organic fertilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for determining a vegetation index value (REIP) of plants. The measuring device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, each of which emits substantially monochromatic light at a predetermined wavelength, a light receiving element which receives light from the light emitting elements reflected by the plants and generates a signal indicating the respective intensity of the received light, and a control means which successively activates the light emitting elements in a cyclical sequence, determines the respective intensity of the reflected light based on the output signal of the light receiving element, and calculates the vegetation index value based on the determined intensities of the overall measurement cycle. According to the invention, a light frequency converter is provided as the light receiving element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dispensing an amount to be applied in which a characteristic, for example a linear characteristic, is predetermined from which an amount to be applied can be read in accordance with a development status. Said characteristic can be manually corrected by the user. According to the invention, the amount which is to be applied can be determined in accordance with the yield, potential.

Abstract: A method for the biological decomposition of organic compounds of the group of hydrocarbons, fats, oils, waxes, and derivatives thereof as well as mixtures thereof in media polluted therewith, in the presence of at least one dispersant, wherein the medium polluted with the pollutants is treated with at least one dispersant and with microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for the treatment of industrial or domestic effluent, comprising a container and a packing, wherein a potential difference forms between the packing and the container, which is provided with a device which prevents corrosion of the container as a result of the potential reversal due to the growth of a biofilm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of decomposing fermentation-inhibiting substances in a fluid including saccharide-containing substances, wherein a microbiotic mixture, especially a mixture of photosynthetically working micro-organisms and light-emitting micro-organisms is introduced into the fluid, the mixture being intended to decompose the fermentation-inhibiting substances.

Abstract: A microbiological energy source for driving an electrical or mechanical consumer is disclosed, wherein at least one filling body having a piezoelectric or similar effect is received in a bioreactor. This bioreactor encloses waste water flowing through it, and contains a mixture of micro-organisms that form a positive pole and a negative pole of the energy source as a result of the microbiological decomposition of organic matter contained in the waste water.

Abstract: A process for the purification of water is described, wherein a solution containing a proportion of a mixed microbiotic culture is added to the water in an environment having catalytic activity. This process may effectively be used for the purification of effluents and of waters in public and private installations.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a bioreactor comprising a strainer basket, inside which a filler body consisting of a porous carrier having a high specific surface area is received. Into this strainer basket a mixture of microorganisms is introduced which preferably includes a proportion of photosynthetically active microorganisms and a proportion of light-emitting microorganisms, so that a photodynamic decomposition of organic substances takes place. In accordance with the invention, the mixture of microorganisms contains a proportion of photocatalytically active nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for the purification of water is described, wherein a solution containing a proportion of a mixed microbiotic culture is added to the water in an environment having catalytic activity. This process may effectively be used for the purification of effluents and of waters in public and private installations.