Abstract: Polyhalogenated biphenyl compounds can be degraded by white-rot fungus grown on a sugar beet pulp substrate. The method is useful for bioremediation of materials contaminated with polyhalogenated biphenyl compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for the refining of oil and fat by which phospholipids in the oil and fat to be treated can be decomposed and removed efficiently. Particularly, it provides a process for the refining of oil and fat which comprises reacting, in an emulsion, the oil and fat with an enzyme having an activity to decompose glycerol-fatty acid ester bonds in glycerophospholipids (e.g., pancreas-derived phospholipase A.sub.2); and another process in which the enzyme-treated oil and fat is washed with water or an acidic aqueous solution. Preferably, the acidic aqueous solution to be used in the washing step is a solution of at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and salts thereof. Also, it is preferred that the emulsified condition is formed using 30 weight parts or more of water per 100 weight parts of the oil and fat.

Abstract: Fungi which grow white/colorless and reduce pitch are used to protect structural wood before or after cutting from logs against color staining by staining fungi.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of wool and animal hairs with a low-in felt or felt-free finish, with a soft woolly handle and special shrink-resistance and strength. In this process, the wool is treated with a protease and is then treated at a temperature of between room temperature and 140.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of recovering a biopolymer from solution involves the use of magnetically attractable beads which do not specifically bind the polymer. The beads are suspended in the solution. Then the polymer is precipitated out of solution and becomes non-specifically associated with the beads. When the beads are magnetically drawn down, the polymer is drawn down with them. The polymer can subsequently be resolubilized and separated from the beads.

Abstract: A method of altering trinitrotoluene includes the steps of: providing an amoeba/bacteria consortium, particularly ATCC 40908 or a mutant thereof possessing all the identifying characteristics thereof; and contacting the consortium with trinitrotoluene to alter the trinitrotoluene.

Abstract: A process for converting cellulosic materials, such as waste paper, into fuels and chemicals, such as sugars and ethanol, utilizing enzymatic hydrolysis of the major carbohydrate of paper: cellulose. A waste paper slurry is contacted by cellulase in an agitated hydrolyzer. An attritor and a cellobiase reactor are coupled to the agitated hydrolyzer to improve reaction efficiency. Additionally, microfiltration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis steps are included to further increase reaction efficiency. The resulting sugars are converted to a dilute product in a fluidized-bed bioreactor utilizing a biocatalyst, such as microorganisms. The dilute product is then concentrated and purified.

Abstract: A biofilter composition of leonardite, clay, lime, and an inorganic salt mixture and a process for controlling air quality by contacting an air stream with the biofilter composition are provided wherein the composition supports microbial growth. The inorganic salt mixture comprises a nitrogen source and a phosphorus source. The air stream generally contains at least one volatile organic compound.

Abstract: A membrane module is provided which serves to remove gaseous substances from a gas stream and which consists of a plurality of plane membrane pockets consisting of a gas-permeable, liquidproof material. The pockets are arranged in parallel to each other and in parallel to the flow direction of the gas stream. The membrane pockets contain a liquid reaction mixture or a suspension of microorganisms which react with certain constituents of the gas stream which passes the pockets. An essential part of the pockets is a circumferential frame which is connected with both sides of the membrane material. The frame is provided with supply bore holes and drainage bore holes which are connected with the interior of the pocket. When the frames are stacked on each other, these bore holes are positioned on top of each other thus forming supply and drainage channels through which the reaction mixture or suspension in the rockets can be renewed and discharged.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermostable enzyme systems from the bacterial strain, Thermomonospora fusca, and their use to modify wood. More particularly, this invention relates to a new bacterial strain of Thermomonospora fusca, designated KW3, and its use to reduce the lignin content of wood.

Abstract: The invention relates to Arthrobacter bacterial isolates capable of degrading picric acid and related compounds to the point where no aromatic ring-containing degradation products can be detected, as determined by HPLC profiles, UV-V spectrometry, analysis of total organic carbon and mineralization of .sup.14 C-picric acid. The isolates were derived from enrichments of bacterial cultures from waste sludge by successive subculturing into medium containing picric acid as the only carbon source.

Abstract: The fungi Schizophyllum commune, Trichaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea are useful in reducing the pitch content of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.

Abstract: A continuous cyclic process for desulfurizing a petroleum liquid which contains organic sulfur molecules, a significant portion of which are comprised of sulfur-bearing heterocycles. This process involves oxygenating the petroleum liquid and treating it with a biocatalyst capable of catalyzing the sulfur-specific oxidative cleavage of organic carbon-sulfur bonds in sulfur-bearing aromatic heterocyclic molecules such as dibenzothiophene. a particularly preferred biocatalyst is a culture of mutant Rhodococcous rhodocrous bacteria, ATCC No. 53968. In the present process, the activity of this biocatalyst is regenerated; it can be used for many cycles of treatment. A system for conducting the continuous cyclic process of biocatalytic desulfurization of petroleum liquids is also disclosed.

Abstract: Toxic chlorinated compounds and nitro-aromatic compounds are rendered more environmentally friendly via a bioremediation process which employs carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, a microorganism containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, or a Co/Fe--S component of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. The bioremediation process is performed under anaerobic conditions and may be used in-situ for groundwater clean-up or the like. Carbon monoxide has been found to be a particularly good reducing agent for use in the process.

Abstract: Novel assays and reagents for determining coagulative properties of blood or plasma are disclosed, as are agents and methods for stemming bleeding. Novel ellagic acid-based activators consist essentially of aqueous solutions of ellagic acid, phenol and suitable metal ions and give defined values for a novel platelet assay also disclosed. Inventive coagulation reagents including propyl gallate or tannin are also disclosed, as are aPTT reagents having sensitivity to heparin and Factor deficiencies far superior to prior aPTT reagents. Disclosed heparin-sensitive reagents include dextran sulfate. Also disclosed is applicant's discovery that reagents including hydroxy-substituted compounds and metal ions, heretofore known to activate Hagemann Factor, also cause platelets to release Platelet Factor 3, and a series of platelet-sensitive tests found to be enabled by this discovery.

Abstract: Methods of degrading napalm and/or trinitrotoluene involve contacting the waste with specific intra-amoebic isolates of ATCC 40908 and/or dispersants derived therefrom. Useful isolates include is deposited as ATCC 77529, NAP-1 deposited as ATCC 77526 and 13 deposited as ATCC 77527.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method and device for removing oxygen from oils. The oils may be in liquid form, such as vegetables oils, etc., in solid form, such as fats, etc. or in some type of intermediate semi-solid form. By removing oxygen from various products containing oils and fats, the present invention is an effective antioxidant for food products, as well as for various industrial and commercial products, such as paints, varnishes, etc. The method comprises the steps of providing an oil containing oxygen and adding to the oil a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution containing oxygen scavenging membrane fragments and a hydrogen donor substance to reduce the oxygen present in the oil to water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biological process for recovering plutonium from soils using an iron-reducing bacterium, Bacillus circulans NRRL B-21037. A process for obtaining such bacteria is disclosed. The invention process gives upwards of about 88% yield of plutonium from soils. Further, pertinent gene(s) encoding enzymes obtainable from iron-reducing microbes can be used by placing such gene(s) on a suitable vector and transforming a competent host. The transformed host then can be used in the same manner as the native bacterium.

Abstract: A cylindrical vessel having a horizontal, longitudinal axis of rotation is filled with biofilter material and receives gases through a perforated dispersion pipe located along the axis. Humidified gases pass through the biologically active filter material where the gases are converted into elemental gases, carbon dioxide, biomass, or water. The vessel is lined with geotextile material which acts as a collection plenum for the gases which flow radially outward to the lining. Collection pipes located at regular intervals between the lining and the vessel conduct the gases to a manifold, also located on the axis. The vessel is rotated periodically, e.g. weekly, for several rotations in order to mix the filter material, break up any compacted material, and collapse any fissures.

Abstract: A method of deeply desulfurizing a fossil fuel which contains a variety of organic sulfur compounds, some of which are labile to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and some of which are refractory to HDS, comprising the steps of (a) subjecting the fossil fuel to HDS or a similar method of desulfurizing labile organic sulfur compounds, and b) subjecting the fossil fuel to biocatalytic desulfurization (BDS) using a biocatalyst which is capable of selectively liberating sulfur from HDS-refractory organic sulfur compounds. In this manner, a fossil fuel is produced which does not generate sufficient levels of hazardous, sulfur-containing combustion products that it requires post-combustion desulfurization when it is burned. Moreover, the deeply desulfurized fossil fuel can be produced using only a mild HDS treatment, rather than requiring conditions which may be severe enough to be detrimental to the fuel value of the desired product.