Abstract: A process for inhibiting sulfide production by sulfate-reducing bacteria by contacting certain anthraquinones with the medium containing the sulfate-reducing bacteria is disclosed, as well as an automated screening test for such inhibition.

Abstract: A method for the delignification of wood pulps by use of protease enzymes. Useful proteases include bromelain, pepsin and papain. The proteases are used to delignify the wood by degrading the wood protein, extensin.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing metal salts such as metal sulfides in a geothermal sludge using mutant Thiobacilli selected for their ability to metabolize metal salts at high temperature is disclosed, The method includes the introduction of mutated Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans to a geothermal sludge or brine. The microorganisms catalyze the solubilization of metal salts, For instance, in the case of metal sulfides, the microorganisms catalyze the solubilization to form soluble metal sulfates.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated method for the desulfurization and desalting of a fossil fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a fossil fuel with; (i) a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution capable of depleting the fossil fuel of forms of water soluble salt contaminants; and (ii) an effective amount of a biocatalyst capable of depleting the fossil fuel of forms of sulfur-bearing organic molecules; (b) incubating the above mixture whereby; (i) the fossil fuel is significantly depleted of forms of water soluble salt contaminants; and (ii) the biocatalytic agent selectively catalyzes carbon-sulfur bonds in sulfur-bearing organic molecules generating a significant amount of water-soluble inorganic sulfur molecules; both reactions occurring without depleting the fossil fuel of combustible organic molecules; and (c) separating the aqueous component from the fossil fuel component, the fossil fuel now being significantly reduced in sulfur and salt contamination and the aqueous component now being

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen cyanide by reacting methane or a gas containing methane as a main component, ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst, wherein the reaction gases are quenched by using an indirect heat-exchanger, preferably made of a nickel alloy having an iron content of not more than 4.0% by weight, without quenching them directly with water.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatic purification of extra-chromosomal DNA from a cell suspension in a container. The apparatus comprises a device for introducing the cell suspension from a container into a chamber; a device for agitating the contents of the chamber; a device for introducing a lysing solution to the chamber to lyse the cells therein; a device for introducing a precipitating solution into the chamber to precipitate chromosomal DNA and, optionally, proteins and cellular debris therein; a device for feeding the liquid contents of the chamber through a filter to a collecting system; a device for purifying extra-chromosomal DNA from the contents of the collecting device; a device for introducing a dissolving solution into the chamber to dissolve the precipitate remaining therein, and a device for feeding the dissolved precipitate to waste.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and composition for removing exogenous mucin and protein-mucin deposits from hydrophilic contact lenses.

Abstract: It has been found that Ambrosia sp. and Apocynum sp. accumulate lead in the leaves, stems, and roots when it grows in soil containing organic or inorganic species of lead. Lead is accumulated in the leaves and stems to a greater extent than in most other plants. Lead can be economically recovered from contaminated soil and sludge by harvesting Ambrosia sp. or Apocynum sp. grown in media containing high concentrations of lead.

Abstract: New protozoan derived microbial consortia and method for their isolation are provided. Consortia and bacteria isolated therefrom are useful for treating wastes such as trichloroethylene and trinitrotoluene. Consortia, bacteria isolated therefrom, and dispersants isolated therefrom are useful for dispersing hydrocarbons such as oil, creosote, wax, and grease.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a contact lens, which comprises diluting an enzyme-containing aqueous solution containing an effective amount of serine protease and from 30 to 95% by weight of glycerol with a diluting solution containing from 0.05 to 5% by weight of an anionic surfactant having no polyoxyethylene glycol unit and from 0.005 to 0.1% by weight of ethylenediamine tetraacetate to a glycerol concentration of not higher than 5% by weight, to obtain a treating solution, and immersing a contact lens in the treating solution.

Abstract: A novel microorganism has been isolated and identified as Agrobacterium sp., a gram-negative aerobe. The Agrobacterium sp. microorganisms has been found to efficiently degrade ferric chelates of aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and related compounds, found in aqueous waste solutions. A biologically pure culture of Agrobacterium sp. and a process for using the culture are disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement for the emptying and cleaning, and when required, for the disinfecting of hygienic vessels which are employed in the health care or nursing sector, without contamination of the external portions of the arrangement. The arrangement for the emptying and cleaning of hygienic vessels, consists of a rinsing chamber with a conical lower portion, with an odor trap, as well as with cleaning nozzles in the rinsing chamber and with a horizontal or vertical trap door.

Abstract: A method of abandoning an underground storage tank including the steps of: removing residuals, if any, from the tank; washing the tank with a detergent solution; removing the washing solution; and filling the tank with a mixture which includes water, sand, a binding agent and a material for enhancing the flowability of the mixture.

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.

Abstract: An assay method for a component in a specimen containing any one of ATP, deamide-NAD and an amide donor which comprises performing a main reaction which comprises incubating the specimen with NAD synthetase in the presence of ATP, deamide-NAD, an amide donor and Mg.sup.++ to generate NAD; performing a coenzyme cycling reaction by combining the oxidation-reduction reaction system with coenzyme NAD and the oxidation-reduction reaction system with coenzyme reduced NAD, and measuring a consumed or generated component in the cycling reaction. The NAD synthetase can be produced by culturing the microorganism Bacillus licheniformis B-0844 FERM P-6809, in a culture medium, and isolating the thus-produced NAD synthetase therefrom.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the treatment of particles or biological cells are disclosed, wherein the particles or cells are precipitated or ascended depending on the specific gravity of a liquid used, and the particles or cells are handled with the aid of a holding plate. A method and an apparatus for the fusion of particles or cells are also disclosed, wherein an electric voltage is loaded on a position between electrodes in a microchamber to fuse the particles or cells held in the microchamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dehydrogenation of liquid hydrides consisting of a chemical reactor (18) to dehydrogenate the heated vaporous hydrides, a pre-heating stage (12a, 12b) to pre-heat the hydride, a vaporization stage (14a, 14b), to vaporize the hydride, a superheating stage (16a, 16b) to superheat the vaporous hydrides and a condensation stage (10a, 10b) to cool the dehydrogenation products. All stages, including the reactor, are designed as plate-shaped hybrid heat exchangers stacked side by side. Two cylindrical storage containers (6a, 6b) for the dehydrogenation products are located at both front ends of the heat exchanger stack. Side plates (30, 32) linked to the storage containers (6a, 6b) function as tie rods, providing the apparatus, in conjunction with the storage containers with the required stability. The spaces (36, 38) between the side plates and the heat exchanger stack hold guide channels for the flow media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for collecting blood. The present invention also relates to a method of collecting blood whereby tissue plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor and other serine proteases, serine protease inhibitors and components that are produced or destroyed through the action of serine proteases in collected blood are stabilized. In addition, the present invention provides a method for collecting blood that reduces the hemolysis (lysis of red blood cells). Using the blood collecting method of the present invention, reliable control plasmas can be manufactured.

Abstract: A method of preserving live viruses comprises subjecting an aqueous system containing the virus to drying either in the frozen state or at ambient temperature, in the presence of trehalose.

Abstract: The combination of a culturing process, bioluminescence mediated by luciferin/luciferase, and a light measuring device allows microbial monitoring in liquids with microbial concentrations as low as 1 CFU/100 ml. All characteristics of this monitor are zero gravity compatible which makes it particularly suitable for applications such as monitoring microbial counts in water in a zero gravity, closed environment.