Abstract: A method for decomposing an organic compound by using functional water followed by neutralization of the wastewater not to affect the environment.

Abstract: PHA containing a novel 3-hydroxy-thioalkanoic acid unit having a highly reactive thienyl group in a side chain thereof, and a method of producing the same are provided. Specifically, 5-(2-thienylsulfanyl) valeric acid represented by Chemical Formula [4] below and 6-(2-thienylsulfanyl) hexanoic acid represented by Chemical Formula [5] below are provided. Further, a method of producing PHA, comprising the step of collecting PHA from cells of a microorganism cultured in a medium containing the valeric acid or hexanoic acid, and a novel PHA represented by Chemical Formula [1] below are provided.

Abstract: To provide a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate and a mnaufacturing method by a microorganism capable of substantially reducing unintended inonomer units and obtaining the polyhydroxaykanoate in a high yield. A microorganism capable of synthesizing a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having 3-hydroxy-substituted benzoylalkanoic acid as a monomer unit using a substituted benzoylalkanoic acid as a material is cultured in tha medium containing a substituted benzoylalkanoic acid, then the polyhydroxyalkanoate produced in the cultured bacteria is extracted and recovered.

Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds or aromatic compounds characterized by contacting the compound to be decomposed with functional water under light irradiation, wherein the functional water is characterized by a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 1-4, an oxidation-reduction potential of 800-1500 mV (working electrode: platinum, reference electrode: silver-silver chloride) and a chlorine concentration of 5-150 mg/l, and the irradiation is carried out with light of a wavelength of 300 nm or more, with an intensity of 10 mW/cm2 or less. This method is carried out at room temperature under the atmospheric pressure. An apparatus for the method is also provided.

Abstract: Microorganisms are recovered from soil by suspending a soil sample containing the microorganisms in a buffer solution comprising an organic acid of 3 or more carbon atoms, and then separating the microorganisms into supernatant of the suspension. Furthermore, the citrate buffer is a citric acid and a salt of citric acid. Also microorganisms are separated from the soil particles and recovered from the suspension by centrifugation or electrophoresis.

Abstract: A method is provided which biosynthesizes a PHA having an epoxy group in a side chain terminal with improved physicochemical properties. Specifically, a method of producing a polyester containing an epoxy group in a side chain thereof using 1-alkene as a raw material is provided which comprises the steps of bringing 1-alkene into contact with a microorganism having an ability to uptake 1-alkene and convert it to a polyester and allowing the microorganism to convert the 1-alkene into a polyester containing an epoxy group in a side chain thereof. Further, a method of producing a crosslinked polymer is provided which comprises reacting the polyester obtained by the above mentioned method with a diamine compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for remedying soil containing a region polluted with a pollutant which comprises a step of injecting into the soil a liquid containing a microorganism having an activity to decompose the pollutant or a liquid containing the microorganism and an activation agent for the microorganism decomposing the pollutant, wherein the step comprises isolating the region from surrounding soil with a barrier made of a material that does not allow the pollutant, the microorganism, the activation agent or water to pass through, and replacing void water in the isolated region with the liquid.

Abstract: A process for treating colored liquid comprises a step of contacting a colored liquid and functional water generated by electrolysis of a water solution of an electrolyte under light irradiation, to decolorize efficiently and stably to a low chromaticity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for remedying soil containing a region polluted with a pollutant which comprises a step of injecting into the soil a liquid containing a microorganism having an activity to decompose the pollutant or a liquid containing the microorganism and an activation agent for the microorganism decomposing the pollutant, wherein the step comprises isolating the region from surrounding soil with a barrier made of a material that does not allow the pollutant, the microorganism, the activation agent or water to pass through, and replacing void water in the isolated region with said liquid.

Abstract: A process to remedy a polluted medium includes contacting a first medium containing a pollutant with a second medium containing a microorganism which is capable of decomposing the pollutant. A membrane permeable to the pollutant and impermeable to the microorganism is spaced between the first and second media. The first medium and the second medium may flow in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: A soil remedying process for the soil contaminated with a volatile pollutant, which comprises the steps of forming in a probe a remediation site containing a microorganism which can degrade the volatile pollutant, introducing the volatile pollutant into the remediation site in the probe, and degrading the volatile pollutant by the microorganism.

Abstract: A method for biologically remedying polluted soil characterized in that pollutant-degrading microorganisms and an agent which accelerates the formation of aggregated structure of soil are fed to the polluted soil.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which comprises a substrate and a colored film formed by electrolytic polymerization on the substrate. The film may be formed on an electroconductive substrate, or it may be transferred onto a non-electroconductive substrates. A method for recording employing the electrolytically polymerized film is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a monomolecular film or a monomolecular layer built-up film on a substrate by spreading a group of monomolecular film-forming molecules on a liquid surface and contacting the substrate with the group of the monomolecular film-forming molecules. The apparatus comprises a frame for confining the spread liquid surface and structure for isolating and moving at least two different monomolecular layers on the spread liquid surface within the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a monomolecular film or a monomolecular built-up film on a substrate, which comprises a tank, a frame for dividing a liquid surface in the tank and a support for moving the substrate horizontally in the liquid without disordering the liquid surface within the frame which contains the film.