Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth of food-borne pathogens, nosocomial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of: contacting at least one lactic acid bacterium strain selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius (L14, L28 and FS56), a mixture thereof; or a whey obtained from fermentation of the lactic acid bacterium strain with the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth of pathogens in an animal feed comprising the steps of: contacting an animal feed with at least one lactic acid bacterium strain selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius (L14, L28 and FS56), a mixture thereof; or a whey obtained from fermentation of the lactic acid bacterium strain, wherein the at least one lactic acid bacterium strain inhibits the growth of the pathogens, the nosocomial pathogens or the spoilage microorganisms in the pet food.

Abstract: Viable biological material is cryogenically preserved (cryopreservation) by chemically preparing the material for freezing, immersing the material in a tank of cooling fluid, and circulating the cooling fluid past the material at a substantially constant predetermined velocity and temperature to freeze the material. A method according to the present invention freezes the biologic material quickly enough to avoid the formation of ice crystals within cell structures (vitrification). The temperature of the cooling fluid is preferably between −20° C. and −30° C., which is warm enough to minimize the formation of stress fractures in cell membranes due to thermal changes. Cells frozen using a method according to the present invention have been shown to have approximately an 80 percent survival rate, which is significantly higher than other cryopreservation methods.

Abstract: Viable biological material is cryogenically preserved (cryopreservation) by preparing the material for freezing, immersing the material in a tank of cooling fluid, and circulating the cooling fluid past the material at a substantially constant predetermined velocity and temperature to freeze the material. A method according to the present invention freezes the biologic material quickly enough to avoid the formation of ice crystals within cell structures (vitrification). The temperature of the cooling fluid is preferably between −20° C. and −30° C., which is warm enough to minimize the formation of stress fractures in cell membranes due to thermal changes. Cells frozen using a method according to the present invention have been shown to have approximately an 80 percent survival rate, which is significantly higher than other cryopreservation methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing animal carcasses are described. The method for processing the animal carcass includes electrically stimulating a target region of the animal carcass. By focusing or concentrating electrical stimulation on the middle muscle portion of an animal carcass, the middle muscle portion of the animal carcass can be tenderized without substantially interfering with the cooling rate of the muscles provided in the anterior and posterior portions. The apparatus includes an electrical stimulation frame that includes a plurality of electrical stimulation probes, an upper ground, and a lower ground, which are constructed and arranged for focusing or concentrating electrical stimulation on the middle muscles of an animal carcass.