Abstract: A method of producing fungal spores utilizing solid-state fermentation (SSF), the method including steps of combining, in a solid-state fermentation vessel, fungal spores and a solid substrate to produce a fungal culture; subjecting the fungal culture in the solid-state fermentation vessel to solid-state fermentation conditions; where the solid-state fermentation conditions include conditions for targeted production of further fungal spores by fungal cells relative to growth of the fungal cells; and collecting the further fungal spores.

Abstract: A method of collecting fungal spores includes steps of producing fungal spores by fungal cells within a fungal culture; combining a hydrophobic liquid with the fungal culture; mixing the fungal culture after the step of combining the hydrophobic liquid with the fungal culture, to thereby free at least a portion of the fungal spores as freed fungal spores which are freed from the fungal cells, where the freed fungal spores are partitioned within at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid; and collecting the at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid including the freed fungal spores.

Abstract: A self-repairing material for repairing a crack within a cementitious material, which self-repairing material includes a porous substrate having pores, the porous substrate including a cementitious component, where the cementitious component is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate, disposed within at least a portion of the pores of the substrate, or both; and fungal spores within at least a portion of the pores, where the fungal spores are at least partially coated by a protective coating.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention is directed to a scalable method of producing rhamnolipids by bacterial fermentation with higher product concentrations, yields and productivities and preventing excessive foaming during the cell growth phase when the cell respiration rate is higher. It has been found that by slowing the growth rate of the bacteria by altering the ratio of the nitrogen source to the non-nitrogen source in the initial fermentation medium and supplementing the nitrogen source, excessive foaming in the growth phase can be prevented. Further, by using the non-nitrogen source as the limiting nutrient that initiates the stationary phase and then supplementing fermentation broth with the nitrogen and carbon sources, the length of the standing phase, and with it the time during which rhamnolipid production occurs can be greatly extended.

Abstract: A multi-step method for producing an algae product comprising, a microorganism consumption step, another step, and an algae product collection step. The microorganism consumption step comprises, combining a liquid growth medium comprising microorganisms with a phagotrophic algae capable of producing a desired algae product, consuming said microorganisms by said phagotrophic algae, and growing said phagotrophic algae. Another step comprises either a microorganism growth step or a photosynthetic algal growth step. A microorganism growth step comprises providing a liquid growth medium comprising nutrients and microorganisms capable of said consuming said nutrients, consuming said nutrients by said microorganisms, and growing said microorganisms. A photosynthetic algal growth step comprises providing a substantially organic nutrient depleted liquid medium, providing a microorganism population comprising said phagotrophic algae, photosynthetic growth of said phagotrophic algae.

Abstract: A method of enzyme-based processing of plant-based materials includes steps of providing a bulk amount of a plant-based material having a substantial amount of the cell walls in a physically-intact condition; providing an enzyme broth having an enzyme capable of breaking down the cell walls in the physically-intact condition; combining the bulk amount of the plant-based material with the enzyme broth; allowing the enzyme capable of breaking down the cell walls in the physically-intact condition to break down at least a portion of the cell walls in the physically-intact condition to thereby produce intact oil bodies, hydrolyzed carbohydrates, and intact protein bodies; collecting a first product including the intact oil bodies; collecting a second product including the hydrolyzed carbohydrates; and collecting a third product including the intact protein bodies.

Abstract: A method for treating an oil-containing medium including oil or grease or both oil and grease includes the steps of combining algae with an oil-containing medium and allowing the algae to engulf or uptake at least a portion of the oil or grease in the oil-containing medium. A mixture for treating oil or grease or both oil and grease includes an oil-containing medium including oil or grease or both oil and grease and phagotrophic algae that engulf or uptake at least a portion of the oil or grease in the oil-containing medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzyme based methods for removing water insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and/or water soluble or insoluble oligosaccharides from soy products without significantly damaging the proteins contained therein This removal is facilitated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of poly- and oligomeric carbohydrates into monosaccharides and other water soluble sugars. The present invention provides for the production of three streams of useful materials. The first is an enriched protein material comparable to the known SPCs but without significant quantities of undigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The second is an SPI made from the soluble protein in the hydrolysate which is valuable for high-quality feed, food and industrial uses. The third is the soluble saccharides and hydrolyzed carbohydrates (releasing sugars) that can be converted by fermentation to various valuable bioproducts.

Abstract: Improved enzyme based methods of separating protein from protein-rich material are provided. A method can include utilizing a modeling equation to more effectively hydrolyze the various types of carbohydrates present in a protein-rich material. A method can include a fed-batch method of incrementally adding a protein-rich material, an enzyme broth, or both a protein-rich material and an enzyme broth. A method can also include partially or completely recycling the hydrolysate.

Abstract: A method of enzyme-based processing of plant-based materials includes steps of providing a bulk amount of a plant-based material having a substantial amount of the cell walls in a physically-intact condition; providing an enzyme broth having an enzyme capable of breaking down the cell walls in the physically-intact condition; combining the bulk amount of the plant-based material with the enzyme broth; allowing the enzyme capable of breaking down the cell walls in the physically-intact condition to break down at least a portion of the cell walls in the physically-intact condition to thereby produce intact oil bodies, hydrolyzed carbohydrates, and intact protein bodies; collecting a first product including the intact oil bodies; collecting a second product including the hydrolyzed carbohydrates; and collecting a third product including the intact protein bodies.

Abstract: A method for increasing the lipid content of algae includes combining algae and a lipid-precipitating addition in a growth-inhibitive medium, the growth-inhibitive medium being deficient in at least one nutrient that is necessary for reproductive growth of algae, thus frustrating algae reproduction, the lipid-precipitating addition selected from hydroxyl-containing compounds and amine-containing compounds. An organic acid addition may also be combined with the lipid-precipitating addition and algae in the growth-inhibitive medium, the organic acid addition including compounds containing carboxylic acid functionality. Direct production of biodiesel is also achieved by the use of particular lipid-precipitating additions and organic acid additions.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention is directed to a scalable method of producing rhamnolipids by bacterial fermentation with higher product concentrations, yields and productivities and preventing excessive foaming during the cell growth phase when the cell respiration rate is higher. It has been found that by slowing the growth rate of the bacteria by altering the ratio of the nitrogen source to the non-nitrogen source in the initial fermentation medium and supplementing the nitrogen source, excessive foaming in the growth phase can be prevented. Further, by using the non-nitrogen source as the limiting nutrient that initiates the stationary phase and then supplementing fermentation broth with the nitrogen and carbon sources, the length of the standing phase, and with it the time during which rhamnolipid production occurs can be greatly extended.

Abstract: A method for producing arabitol may include providing a fermentation culture having a microorganism and a carbon source; allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; monitoring a process condition of said step of allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; and collecting a product from the fermentation culture after said step of monitoring a process condition indicates that a predetermined change in the process condition has occurred. Other methods may include steps of providing soybean-based lignocellulosic hydrolysate as a carbon source for a fermentation culture, and modifying the pH of one or more of the growth phase and the stationary phase of a fermentation process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a product derived from a rhamnolipid includes the steps of: providing a rhamnolipid, combining the rhamnolipid with a reagent, allowing the rhamnolipid and reagent to react to form a product derived from the rhamnolipid, and collecting the product derived from the rhamnolipid. An exemplary product is dimeric ?-hydroxy fatty acid.

Abstract: A method for treating solid organic materials includes providing phagotrophic algae, providing solid organic material, combining the algae and the solid organic material, allowing the algae to grow by engulfing or uptaking the solid organic material, forming an algal product, and collecting the algal product. The method can also include a pretreatment step. The solid organic material can be waste activated sludge. A system for treating and disposing solid organic material is also provided.

Abstract: A biopesticide composition includes a solvent and a plurality of rhamnolipid complexes, each rhamnolipid complex including a rhamnolipid complexed with a cation. The biopesticide composition may include a slower-releasing rhamnolipid-based material and a faster-releasing rhamnolipid-based material. The biopesticide composition may be in the form of a coating or a pellet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzyme based methods for removing water insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and/or water soluble or insoluble oligosaccharides from soy products without significantly damaging the proteins contained therein This removal is facilitated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of poly- and oligomeric carbohydrates into monosaccharides and other water soluble sugars. The present invention provides for the production of three streams of useful materials. The first is an enriched protein material comparable to the known SPCs but without significant quantities of undigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The second is an SPI made from the soluble protein in the hydrolysate which is valuable for high-quality feed, food and industrial uses. The third is the soluble saccharides and hydrolyzed carbohydrates (releasing sugars) that can be converted by fermentation to various valuable bioproducts.

Abstract: A method for producing arabitol may include providing a fermentation culture having a microorganism and a carbon source; allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; monitoring a process condition of said step of allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; and collecting a product from the fermentation culture after said step of monitoring a process condition indicates that a predetermined change in the process condition has occurred. Other methods may include steps of providing soybean-based lignocellulosic hydrolysate as a carbon source for a fermentation culture, and modifying the pH of one or more of the growth phase and the stationary phase of a fermentation process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzyme based methods for separating protein from protein-rich materials derived from plant seeds, fruit, or other biomass and products made therefrom. The protein content in the resulting products is improved by separating and removing the carbohydrates from around the proteins in, for example, soybean meal. This removal is facilitated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of poly- and oligomeric carbohydrates into monosaccharides and other water soluble sugars. The present invention provides for the production of three streams of useful materials. The first is an enriched protein material comparable to the known SPCs but without significant quantities of undigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The second is an SPI made from the soluble protein in the hydrolysate which is valuable for high-quality feed, food and industrial uses.

Abstract: Phagotrophic algae are used in connection with aerobic or anaerobic digestion of solids, especially waste activated sludge (WAS), to more efficiently digest solids and to meet, over a shorter period of time, volatile solids standards and specific oxygen uptake rate requirements as well as pathogen reduction requirements.