Abstract: A novel Lactobacillus clearans, Lactobacillus sulfurica and Lactobacillus nitrosus:which can decrease both Na.sub.2 S.9H.sub.2 O and/or NH.sub.3 when inoculated and cultured on:a medium comprising 5 g of meat extract, 5 g of peptone, 0.5 g of Na.sub.2 S.9H.sub.2 O, 5 g of glucose, 1 g of CaCO.sub.3, 0.5 ml of NH.sub.3 (as 100% ammonia) and 1 liter of water (pH, neutral);which shows no growth acceleration action even when said bacteria is cultured on a medium comprising a Stephenson-Wetham medium (hereafter merely referred to as (S-W); KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 1 g, MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O 0.7 g, NaCl 1 g, (NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4 4 g; FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O 0.03 g, glucose 5 g)+vitamins (A: 900 IU, B.sub.1 : 1 mg, B.sub.2 : 1 mg, B.sub.6 : 1 mg, B.sub.12 : 5 gamma nicotinamide: 1.6 mg, calcium pantothenate: 8 mg, C: 64 mg, D.sub.2 : 120 IU)+casamino acid 1 g and 0.5 g of Na.sub.2 S.9H.sub.2 O and/or 0.5 ml (100% conversion) of NH.sub.

Abstract: Novel strains of Rhizobium phaseoli which do not produce acidic extracellular polysaccharides or their constituents, which produces cyclic .beta.-1,2-glucan effectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the determination of transglucosidase activity in glucoamylase preparations suspected of having TG activity. The method involves inhibiting the glucoamylase in the preparation with acarbose and then measuring the uninhibited TG activity by conventional means.

Abstract: Methane is produced by dissolving mineral carbonate in water to produce dissolved carbon dioxide which is converted to methane by anaerobic methanogenic bacteria in the presence of hydrogen gas supplied to the water. Preferably, the mineral carbonate is in the form of a bed of particulate mineral carbonate with the bacteria attached thereto. The bed is submersed in the water in a closed vessel and a flow of hydrogen gas is passed through the vessel.

Abstract: A strain of Erwinia herbicola identified as EHO-10 has been found to have a broad spectrum of inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria inhibited by EHO-10 includes those from the following genera: Agrobacterium, Corynebacterium, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas. EHO-10 has inhibitory activity against Erwinia amylovora, a bacteria pathogen causing fire blight disease of pear and other trees.

Abstract: The presence of beta lactam ring-containing cephalosporins and penicillin is determined in biological liquids such as milk by contacting the test liquid with a beta lactam ring-containing chromogenic compound (such as nitrocefin) and penicillinase and measuring the color developed in the test liquid in comparison with a color standard.

Abstract: Organisms of Bordetella bronchiseptica which can exist in both piliated and nonpiliated phases can be encouraged to convert into phase stable piliated colonies by reduction of the normal growth temperature and aging of the colonies.

Abstract: A novel mutant microorganism Pseudomonas sp. CB1 having a registry number ATCC 39381 has been produced by chemical mutagenesis and is effective in removing organic sulfur compounds from carbonaceous materials such as fossil fuels e.g., coal, petroleum and petroleum products.

Abstract: A defined serum-free medium that is capable of growing a wide range of suspension and monolayer cells includes a serum substitute composed of fetuin, transferrin, phosphatidylcholine, e.g., 1-oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine, linoleic acid and cholesterol. The medium also includes various inorganic salts, carbohydrates, amino acids, buffering agents, vitamins, and compounds to simulate the natural cell environment.

Abstract: The fermentation of a substrate selected among erythronolide B, erythronolide A and erythronolide A oxime with a novel mutant, Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 31771, obtained from an industrial stock for the production of oleandomycin, said novel mutant being incapable of producing the same oleandomycin, permits novel macrolide antibiotics to be produced, having not only an activity range like that of erythromycin, but characterized by a greater stability in acidic environment, whereby for the administration of the antibiotic it is no longer necessary to have recourse to esters and/or salts highly toxic for the organism.

Abstract: Mutant microorganism, Pseudomonas putida CB-173 degrading phenolics, and at a temperature as low as, e.g., about 1.degree. to 4.degree. C., at a faster rate than known Pseudomonas putida type strains, and process for treating wastewater containing phenolics using the mutant microorganism strain Pseudomonas putida CB-173.

Abstract: A composition, an analytical element and a method for the detection of bacteria in specimen samples, e.g. biological fluids, are disclosed. The composition optionally, but preferably, comprises a metabolizable substrate (e.g. glucose) and a benzindole dye which undergoes a detectable color change when incubated in admixture with a bacterial microorganism. Useful dyes include particular benz[cd]indole, benz[e]indole and benz[g]indole compounds. The described analytical element contains this composition, preferably, in a spreading zone. Detection of bacteria can be accomplished by bringing the composition or element into contact with a specimen sample. This invention is particularly useful in detection of significant bacteriuria.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving the efficiency of in vitro propagation and tissue cultivating by tissue culture of cultivated of plants which comprises treating the plants during micropropagation and/or subsequent planting with an aqueous solution of one or a mixture of substituted amides or one or a mixture of substituted diamides.

Abstract: An antibiotic compound which can be in the iron-free or iron-containing form and has the structural formula (B) as described herein. The compound possesses antimicrobial activity. Also fermentation processes for preparation of the above-mentioned antibiotic compound. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibiotic compound and the use of said antibiotic compound and compositions for combating bacterial infection.

Abstract: Growing of microorganisms takes place in a fermenter in which simultaneously products of metabolism are separated and withdrawn by microfiltration with the aid of a diaphragm filter, and a suspension of microorganisms is stirred in the fermenter in the region immediately surrounding the diaphragm filter.

Abstract: Hydrogen is biologically, effectively produced by an alga in an alternating light/dark cycle which comprises alternating a step for cultivating the alga in water under aerobic conditions in the presence of light to accumulate photosynthetic products in the alga and a step for cultivating the alga in water under microaerobic conditions in the dark to decompose accumulated material by photosynthesis to evolve hydrogen.

Abstract: Immunoassay detection of bacterial diseases, bacteria, and microorganisms using a deionized water collection medium. The preferred enzyme immunoassay is of particular use in clinical or home testing application for detection of bacteria such as gonococcus, antigens derived from such bacteria, and antibodies against the bacteria. A colorimetric detection technique may be employed using chromogenic solutions containing tetramethylbenzidine or water soluble derivatives of tetramethylbenzidine.

Abstract: A process for rapidly differentiating between gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms by mixing an anionic surfactant to inhibit the reduction capability of the gram-positive microorganisms, an electron transfer agent and a compound capable of being reduced to a detectable species by both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms in the absence of an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A liquid adherent disinfectant composition for topical application comprises an aqueous acidic suspension of previously coagulated casein containing an aliphatic sulfate detergent as the effective agent for solubilizing the casein and converting it to a mucilaginous condition. The preparation also preferably contains glycerin and Lactobacillus-elaborated antibiotic-like factors. The composition can be prepared by fermenting a nonfat dry milk culture medium with harmless lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, until the casein coagulates, thereafter mechanically dispersing the coagulated casein and solubilizing it with the aliphatic sulfate detergent. The resulting disinfectant composition can be used as a teat dip for preventing mastitis in cattle, or for other topical disinfecting purposes with domestic animals. The compositions adhere to the areas to which they are applied while being readily removable by water washing.

Abstract: Improved catalyzed substrates for use in developing characteristic colors or fluorescence in the presence of peroxidase enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase) are disclosed which include as a rate accelerator a substituted phenol such as a p-halogenated phenol. The complete system typically includes a peroxide type oxidizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), a chromogenic or flurogenic compound (e.g., ABTS), a buffer and the accelerator compound. Advantageously, the accelerator should provide at least about 50 percent rate enhancement for the substrate, as compared with an otherwise identical, accelerator-free substrate reacted under the same conditions; however, the most preferred accelerator, p-iodophenol, gives enhancements on the order to 1,000 percent. The invention is particularly useful in so-called ELISA determinations which involve an enzyme-linked moiety, and permit detection at very low concentration levels unobtainable with conventional colorimetric substrates.