Abstract: A liquid micronutirent elicitor involving a cell to cell signal transduction system within a plant which is applied to propagules (seed and/or plant) causes natural defensive responses to be produced by the seed and/or plant. This substance may exist as a seed coating, irrigation water, and/or foliar spray for a period of time so that the propagules may have enhanced disease control until the propagule develops sufficiently to fend for itself against parasitic nematodes. The benefits of incorporating the solution include increased vigor, blooms, and harvests. Crops include legumes including soybeans, as well as wheat, canola, corn, peanuts, sunflowers, peppers, tomatoes, grapes, and potatoes.

Abstract: Rural biomass and other cellulosic materials are converted to a protein-enriched animal feed supplement or to single-cell protein by a series of bio-reactions. A first stage bio-reaction is a solid substrate bio-reaction. Enzymes, such as cellulase, produced by the first-stage bio-reaction are added to a second-stage bio-reaction. Raw second-stage bio-reaction feedstock is pretreated to hydrolyze hemicellulose and/or to partially digest starch in the feedstock. In the second-stage bio-reaction, the feedstock is substantially digested and single-cell protein is harvested in an aerobic bio-reaction, while ethanol is produced in an anaerobic reaction. Alternatively, raw biomass or other cellulosic materials can be treated with organic acid (e.g. maleic acid) combined with dry steam to produce a nutritional product that can be directly used as an animal feed supplement.

Abstract: Rural biomass and other cellulosic materials are converted to a protein-enriched animal feed supplement or to single-cell protein by a series of bio-reactions. A first stage bio-reaction is a solid substrate bio-reaction. Enzymes, such as cellulase, produced by the first-stage bio-reaction are added to a second-stage bio-reaction. Raw second-stage bio-reaction feedstock is pretreated to hydrolyze hemicellulose and/or to partially digest starch in the feedstock. In the second-stage bio-reaction, the feedstock is substantially digested and single-cell protein is harvested in an aerobic bio-reaction, while ethanol is produced in an anaerobic reaction. Products of the invention can serve as feed supplements to enhance protein content of animal feed.

Abstract: A planting system involving a non-damaging stimulus (3) which is placed in the vicinity of a propagule (2) causes a naturally defensive substance (5) to be produced by the propagule. This substance may exist within an encapsulant (1) for a period of time so that the propagule may have enhanced disease control until it develops sufficiently to fend for itself. In one embodiment a large encapsulant surrounds a potato tuber. This encapsulant may include chitin to cause the release of chitinase through intermediate stimulants such as mRNA and activated carbon to absorb or release particular substances. The encapsulant is bound through the use of pentosan which acts with flaked chitin to achieve an outer casing and further protect the propagule both mechanically and chemically.

Abstract: The activity of mycelial bound .alpha.-galactosidase is stabilized by treating .alpha.-galactosidase containing mycelia with about 5 to about 25 percent by weight glutaraldehyde based upon the dry weight of the mycelia. The glutaraldehyde treated mycelia may be used in the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides containing .alpha.-galactoside linkage without incurring substantial .alpha.-galactosidase activity loss during hydrolysis.

Abstract: Glucose yields in the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose are significantly enhanced by treating cellulosic material with ethylene either prior to and/or during the hydrolytic reaction.