Abstract: In a method of the separation of yeasts from a fermentation liquor contained in a fermentation tank the fermentation liquor is forced by a pump through a conduit system into a filter container in which the fermentation liquor is forced through a number of vertically suspended candle-like filters so that yeast filter cakes are formed on the filter cloth with water of the filters. The cakes are then washed with water, blown off with pressurized air for dewatering, loosened with a counterflow of a pressurized gas and discharged from the filter container. The filter container is immediately connected to the fermentation tank.

Abstract: A water monitoring system, and more particularly a method and kit for detecting the presence of live undesirable or indicator microorganisms in water after treatment of the water with chlorine or bromine.

Abstract: Microbial activity in an aqueous medium is measured in a bioelectrochemical cell in which the working electrode comprises an electrically conductive carbon-bearing porous material; suitably a graphitized carbon felt or cloth. This enhances the BEC response by increasing the surface area and by absorbing microbes onto the surface; and the electrode material can also be used to preconcentrate the microbes prior to use as an electrode in the cell.

Abstract: Cellulolytic, N.sub.2 -fixing bacteria have been isolated from terrestrial ecosystems. Many of these bacteria can be taxonomically classified as Bacilli, while others may not be characteristic of any previously defined taxon. These organisms are useful for converting lignocellulosic and other cellulosic materials into foods and fertilizers having increased carbohydrate digestibility and enhanced assimilable nitrogen content.

Abstract: In processes for recovery of biologically active polypeptides from fermentation cultures of recombinant host organisms, cell death is frequently a prerequisite for isolation processing of the recombinant product outside the fermentation vessel. Disclosed are improved methods for effecting efficient host cell death inside the fermentation vessel through uniformly contacting host cells in culture with microbicidal concentrations of benzyl alcohol. Illustratively, E. coli, B. subtilis, and P. aeruginosa cultures are advantageously treated with from 0.5 to 10.0% (v/v) of benzyl alcohol in the absence of pH or temperature changes within the fermentor.

Abstract: Determination of microorganisms in body fluids for diagnosis is carried out by passing a body fluid through a column packed with a sorbent which traps microorganisms contained by the body fluid. A culture medium is added to the column, and after culturing the presence of microorganisms is determined. The column is a substantially cylindrical body and is connected via a porous partition to a conical terminal at each end. One conical terminal is an inlet and the other is an outlet. A sorbent porous material is positioned between the partitions and the partitions have different porosities. Total inner volume of the column is about 30 to 300 ml, and volume ratio of the cylindrical body to the conic terminals is about 1:0.3 to 1:5. Preferably, the volume of the cylindrical body is about 10 to 100 ml and the total volume of the both conic terminals is about 20 to 200 ml.

Abstract: Anaplasma marginale antigen, antigen compositions, vaccine and process for the production of said antigen, antigen composition and vaccine are disclosed. The Anaplasma marginale is free of the erythrocyte antigens that cause neonatal isoerythrolysis, and effective as a vaccinate which will not only protect the vaccinate against bovine anaplasmosis, but does not induce neonatal isoerythrolysis in offspring of vaccinates.

Abstract: FR-900493 is a compound of molecular formula C.sub.20 H.sub.33 N.sub.5 O.sub.11 which may be recovered from Bacillus cultures, possesses antimicrobial activity, and may be used for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in humans and animals.

Abstract: Fragments of a biopsy sample on the order of about 50 to 5000 cells are preferred for establishing viable tumor cell cultures for purposes such as establishing cell lines, chemotherapeutic assays and the like. Such fragments retain the three-dimensional cellular structure or organization of the original tumor and, therefore, can be cultured more readily. To obtain such fragments suitable for culturing, the biopsy sample can be enzymatically digested in a proteolytic or nucleolytic enzyme, such as collagenase, or by mechanical dissociation, or both where necessary. The fragments can then be suspended in an aqueous medium so that non-aggregated cells (e.g., red blood cells, lymphocytes, macrophages) and cellular debris will form a supernatant while the remaining fragments containing aggregated tumor cells are deposited in a sediment layer.

Abstract: A process of an interesterification reaction of fats, wherein a fatty acid moiety of a glyceride is substituted by other fatty acid moiety, and the reaction is accelerated by a catalyst and is continued constantly at a high rate for a long time. The process uses a dry cell for a catalyst. The dry cell is prepared from a lipase-containing microorganism by cultivating it to increase a lipase content and drying it to control water content.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a substance from a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the substance with magnetic particles under conditions for non-specific chemical binding of the magnetic particles. Thereafter, the medium is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the particles from the medium. The preferred non-specific binding is achieved as the result of charge interactions between the particles usually by means of a polyionic reagent. The method of the invention has particular application to the separation of cells and microorganisms from aqueous suspensions and also to the determination of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The analyte is a member of a specific binding pair (sbp). The sample is combined in an assay medium with magnetic particles and a sbp member complementary to the analyte.

Abstract: Biocatalyst particles of a predetermined size are retained in a liquid mixture by oscillating in a vertical direction a screen having openings with a passage width greater than the size of the biocatalyst particles. Preferably the screen is substantially cylindrical having an interior that encloses a liquid column in a container which may be substantially cylindrical. Gas may be introduced into the liquid column and mixing means can be used to create flow currents on either or both sides of the screen. The mixing means may be a plurality of perforated discs connecting the screen to a centric gas delivery pipe in the column. Oscillating of the screen may be at a frequency between 10 and 100 Hertz and an amplitude between 0.5 to 50 times the biocatalyst particle size. Changing the frequency and amplitude varies retaining action of the screen.

Abstract: Cell separation compositions and associated methods effective for separating cells from various biological specimens such as blood are disclosed. The biological specimens are contacted with the cell separation compositions and centrifuged. The cells are separated based upon their buoyant density in the cell separation composition. The cell separation composition contains colloidal silica particles covalently linked to an organosilane having a non-ionic, hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Cell separation compositions and associated methods effective for separating cells from various biological specimens such as blood are disclosed. The biological specimens are contacted with the cell separation compositions and centrifuged. The cells are separated based upon their buoyant density in the cell separation composition. The cell separation composition contains colloidal silica particles covalently linked to an organosilane having a non-ionic, hydrophilic group.

Abstract: A method for the determination of cells in a sample is disclosed. The sample is typically urine and the method is useful in removing interfering reductants from the sample. The method comprises the steps of:(1) separating the cells from the sample,(2) washing the separated cells with:(a) an iron(III) chelate solution and(b) a non-ionic surfactant solution and(3) contacting the washed cells with a redox reagent so as to produce a detectable change due to the presence of the cells.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for separating magnetized particles from biological fluids. Cells such as cancer cells coated with magnetized particles can be separated from uncoated healthy cells. A fluid mixture of cancer cells, healthy cells and magnetizable particles is introduced into a container such as a disposable blood bag which is attached in a cassette on an underlying plane magnetic plane that provides a magnetic field. Incubation is carried out during which the cancer cells become coated with the magnetizable particles. The magnetic field pulls the coated cells down towards the bottom of the bag and anchors them, and uncoated healthy cells are removed from the bag. The separated uncoated healthy cells may be advanced through a final separation unit where any loose magnetizable particles are removed. There is provided means for adjusting vertical distance between the cassette and the magnetic plane and for agitating fluid within the container attached to the cassette.

Abstract: A process for producing, recovering and purifying lactate from a fermentation broth so that it can be efficiently and economically converted to lactic acid is disclosed. The process comprises growing a high lactate producing, microorganism on an inexpensive substrate until a whole broth containing about 75 to about 90 grams of lactate salt is obtained. The whole broth including the viable cells is then electrodialyzed in a unit having anionic-permeable and cationic-permeable membranes to cause the lactate salt to concentrate in an aqueous liquid which can be treated to convert the lactate salt to lactic acid.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of microorganisms in a tests sample. Exogenous DNA containing a luminescent system or other genetic marker system derived from a suitable donor source is introduced by genetic means into a host microorganism which lacks or poorly expresses the donor DNA and whose presence it is desired to detect. Expression of the donor gene system allows the detection of the host microorganism. Compositions of bacteriophages and plasmids as well as a method for detection of antibiotics in a test sample are described.

Abstract: A yeast trap device for use in making fermented beverages includes a trap container having a tapered neck portion through which a fluid conduit is inserted. A closure seal on the container neck provides an airtight seal around the fluid conduit. In use, a lower end of the fluid conduit is inserted into a container filled with a fermentable beverage mixture. The upper end of the conduit has a circumferential array of drain apertures spaced slightly below the upper open end of the conduit. The trap container has an open top portion which may be covered with cheesecloth or with a rigid airtight cover provided with a labyrinth airlock. During fermentation, yeast and contaminants are transmitted in a fluid suspension through the conduit and into the trap container. The carbon dioxide produced during fermentation exits through the open upper end of the conduit. Yeast and contaminant material are retained within the trap container and prevented from returning to the beverage mixture.

Abstract: The process for preparing concentrated amounts of lyophilized micro-organisms employs an ultrafiltration with a supply of nutritive substrates and the supply of a neutralizing agent in the fermenter, and further comprises the following steps:(a) ceasing to supply substrates while cooling;(b) continuing the ultrafiltration until the obtainment of a primary concentrate (40-80 kg dry weight of bacteria/cu. m) and cooling to 15.degree.-20.degree. C.;(c) washing the primary concentrate with mineral salts and amino acids, oligo-elements and vitamins;(d) concentrating by ultrafiltration to 90-220 kg dry weight of bacteria/cu. m;(e) cooling to 5.degree. C. and adding a protector;(f) deep freezing and lyophilizing.The process particularly applies to the preparation of lactic bacteria.

Abstract: Microorganisms such as in activated sludge are immobilized by forming a mixture containing the microorganisms, a monomer or prepolymer and alginic acid or water soluble alignate, and dropping the mixture into a water solution of polyvalent metal ion and a polymerization initiator to form particles containing the microorganisms. Preferably, the monomer is an acrylamide monomer, the prepolymer is an ester of an acrylic acid group and polyethylene glycol and the polymerization initiator is a persultate. By this method, the microorganisms are protected from toxic substances such as the polymerization initiator during immobilization.

Abstract: A method comprising passing a culture solution including Bacillus subtilis or gene-recombinated Bacillus thereof through a pipe-like ceramic filter at a flow rate of 2 m/sec or less, the ceramic filter having a filter layer at an inner cylindrical surface thereof, the filter layer being made of spherical particles, and a surface roughness (Rmax) of the inner surface of the ceramic filter being 10 microns or less.

Abstract: A continuous fermentation device for receiving a suspension culture of cells includes a fermentation vessel having inlet means to deliver suspension culture medium; baffle means defining, in combination with interior walls of said vessel, a downcomer and a riser; pump means for forcing a suspension culture to circulate in the riser and downcomer; a portion of said baffle means further defining a static settling zone disposed within said vessel, wherein said zone is surrounded by at least one of said riser and said downcomer, said zone having a bottom opening communicating with at least one of said riser and downcomer, and a top opening connected to outlet means to draw off culture supernatant, and wherein said zone provides for cells to settle out in its bottom so as to result in a cell concentration lower in the supernatant than in the suspension. The device may be employed in a method for the suspension culture of cells by culturing cells therein.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing nylon 6,6 salt which involves bioconversion of toluene to muconic acid in the presence of hexamethylenediamine to yield hexamethylenediamine muconate salt. Hydrogenation of this salt provides an aqueous solution of the desired hexamethylenediamine adipate salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling stem break in cereal plants, wherein the fungus Pseudocercosporella anguioides or Pseudocercosporella aestiva is applied to the cereal plants their seed or their area of cultivation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selective removal of specific biological cells or specific antigens or antibodies, from fluid containing their mixture with other biological cells and particulates are described. Filtration by this biochemical filter system is effected in a continuous closed-loop fluid flow path. The apparatus described herein comprises a source of fluid containing specific biological cells, antigens or antibodies to be removed; a source of complementary cells or complementary antibodies for the antigens and complementary antigens for the antibodies which can form large agglutinates following a biochemical reaction a reaction chamber providing conditions favorable for fast clump formation following the reaction; a filter for trapping large agglutinates; one or more pumps to regulate various flow rates; and necessary connecting links to form a closed-loop fluid flow path that includes the sources of biological cells, antigens or antibodies and complementary cells, reaction chamber, and filter chamber.

Abstract: The separation of different types of particulate matter in a carrier liquid is obtained by using an ultrasonic standing wave and relying on the different acoustic responses of the different particle types. By varying the acoustic energy propagation cyclically a more effective separation rate can be obtained, with a more readily attracted particle type being subjected to a further discrimination step in each cycle. The cyclical energy variation may be in the intensity of the standing wave, e.g. using suppression means, and/or the velocity of the standing wave relative to the liquid medium, e.g. using phase control means.

Abstract: Methods are provided for stabilization and purification of proteins produced in host cell systems. The methods provide for significant stabilization of any unfused non-bacterial protein that is produced in the same host cell that is producing an aggregate-forming fusion protein or any aggregate-forming protein.

Abstract: A method to produce actively growing mycoplasma organisms in microcolonies and which have a high content of species specific membrane antigen, is disclosed. The specific membrane antigen can be used to detect specific antibodies against mycoplasma in a patient's serum samples. It can also be used to elicit antibody production in animals so that the specific membrane antigen of mycoplasma can be detected using animal antibody tracers, in the sputum of patients having a mycoplasma infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating a medium and more particularly to treating a medium to reduce or inhibit biofouling.The invention provides a method for the reduction or inhibition of biofouling of a part of a system which is subject to contact with a medium capable of causing biofouling by providing biological material. The method comprises contacting the medium with a support material (which is preferably a high surface area material) so as to cause biological material to form on the support material in preference to the part of the system.The invention may be applied, for example, to inhibit or reduce biofouling of heat transfer surfaces in cooling water systems.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for the release and separation of substances such as parasites or parasite eggs from meat. In the method, meat is agitated with pepsin and filtered through a series of at least two filters, the last of which retains the parasites or parasite eggs. The device includes a reactor which tapers downwardly, and which has in its lower part an outlet valve connected via a conically widening part with a separator device. The separator device includes a cylindrical connecting piece which accepts holder rings for holding one or more filters or sieves in releasable connection.

Abstract: Structures to serve as selective magnetic sorbents are formed by dissolving a cellulose derivative such as cellulose triacetate in a solvent containing magnetic particles. The resulting solution is sprayed as a fine mist into a chamber containing a liquid coagulant such as n-hexane in which the cellulose derivative is insoluble but in which the coagulant is soluble or miscible. On contact with the coagulant, the mist forms free-flowing porous magnetic microspheric structures. These structures act as containers for the ion-selective or organic-selective sorption agent of choice. Some sorbtion agents can be incorporated during the manufacture of the structure.

Abstract: Biologically pure mutants of Bacillus cereus subspecies israelensis (also called Bacillus thuringiensis sub. sp. israelensis) which are substantially non-spore-forming but which are capable of forming inclusion bodies toxic to Diptera larvae are described. A spore-free insecticide based on these inclusion bodies as well as the method of producing same are disclosed.

Abstract: A vaccine for curative and prophylactic treatment of urinary tract infections in humans. The vaccine contains inactivated bacteria which originate from the cultures of 8 to 14 uropathogenic bacteria strains isolated from the urine of a person suffering from a urinary tract infection and aluminum phosphate in an amount of 1.5-10 mg of AlPO.sub.4 per ml of solution. Such bacteria are of the species E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii and Streptococcus faecolis.

Abstract: A method of externalizing proteins from the periplasmic space of gram-negative bacteria and in particular, E. coli and its relatives, comprising utilizing bacteria which have a phage gene, coding for a protein (such as gene III protein) or a mutant bacterial gene (such as a gene coding for a membrane function) which causes perturbation of the outer bacterial membrane resulting in leakage of proteins in the periplasmic space from the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing fungus diseases in plants grown in, for example, a bed containing peat, by adding to the vegetation or the soil streptomyces griseaviridis stains ATCC 39271, 39272 and 39273. The aqueous suspension preferably contains at least 10.sup.5 spores/ml, and at least 10 ml of the aqueous suspension is spread per one m.sup.2, or the seeds are immersed in the aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A process for separating animal cells and/or animal cell debris from a liquid culture of animal cells involves flocculating the culture with a polygalacturonic acid and separating the flocculated animal cells and/or animal cell debris from the liquid culture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new method for magnetic separation from a carrier fluid of biological cells or other organic or inorganic particles having a negative surface charge. A paramagnetic salt is mixed with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent, for example EDTA. The cells or particles to be separated are mixed with this paramagnetic carrier solution, and the resulting mixture is exposed to a high gradient magnetic field. The cells or particles attract the chelated paramagnetic cations preferentially to the carrier solution such that the particles develop a magnetic susceptibility greater than that of the carrier liquid. The method achieves highly repeatable separations at lower magnetization fields than existing high gradient magnetic separation methods. Feasibility has been shown for erbium chloride and dysprosium chloride, with whole blood as the sample.

Abstract: A process for the production of fats and oils, and particularly fats and oils rich in triglycerides, comprising cultivating microorganisms capable of synthesizing the fats and oils in a medium containing an emulsion of at least one fatty acid having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, followed by separation of the fats and oils from the cultivated microorganisms.

Abstract: Bacterial compositions and a method for separating protein overproducing bacteria from bacteria which do not overproduce protein. The separation makes use of an increase in density of the protein overproducing bacteria relative to that of normal bacteria.

Abstract: There is disclosed disposal of effluent from a low cell density fermentation process by using such effluent as at least a portion of the feed material to a high cell density fermentation process. A stream containing microbial cells from the high cell density fermentation process is subjected to direct drying.

Abstract: A micro-organism of the Beggiatoa type is cultured with agitation under aerobic conditions in an aqueous nutrient medium and the biomass and/or the culture medium is collected. The micro-organism used may be obtained from baregine. The bacteriostatic substance produced may be used for skin massages or as an ingredient for a cosmetic product, for example for the skin.

Abstract: Viscous water for use in oil extraction is produced continuously by bacterial action. A carbohydrate substrate, nitrogen-containing mineral salts and growth factors are introduced into a first fermenter chamber containing bacteria of the genus Rhizobium capable of excreting polysaccharides having viscosity increasing properties and aqueous product, from which the bacteria are separated, is collected from the outlet of this chamber and recycled to the inlet of chamber. Into a second viscosifier chamber there is introduced carbohydrate substrate for synthesis of polysaccharide and bacteria recovered from the first chamber in an amount approximately equal to that which is removed with the viscous product from the second chamber and there is collected from the outlet of the second chamber the viscous product at a rate approximately equal to that of the carbohydrate substrate at the inlet in order to maintain equilibrium in the system.

Abstract: The separation of a first cellular product comprising relatively small cells from a first liquid by centrifugal separation is facilitated by addition to the first liquid of a second cellular material comprising relatively larger cells.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing, from a flowing liquid stream containing a suspension of living cells, a subpopulation of unwanted cells having one or more characteristics distinguishing them from the rest of the living cells. The method includes detecting the presence of the unwanted cells, generating signals in response to the presence of the unwanted cells, and providing pulses of laser light, in response to the generated signals, to impinge on and kill the unwanted cells.

Abstract: A process for the production of a storage-stable preparation of micro-organisms, starting from a mixed culture of micro-organisms, which is capable to degrade products of industrial organic syntheses, which comprises that the culture conditions of an active mixed culture enriched in the customary manner are optimized, with the addition of the product to be degraded, in the customary manner according to the rate of degradation of the product and this mixed culture is converted in at least two passes into a stabilized activated mixed culture under the optimum conditions thus determined, and the culture thereby obtained is rendered storage-stable, its activity being maintained.

Abstract: Novel Streptomyces plasmids have the characteristic that their presence in non-integrated form in a micro-organism of the species Streptomyces lividans confers on that micro-organism the properties (a) of forming "pocks" when grown on a "lawn" of that strain of micro-organism deposited with the National Collection of Industrial Bacteria (NCIB) under the reference number 11416, and (b) of not forming "pocks" when grown on a "lawn" of that strain of micro-organism deposited with the NCIB under the reference number 11417, or which is derivable from a plasmid having such a characteristic by the removal or addition of DNA therefrom.The plasmids are prepared from micro-organisms containing them or by the manipulation of other plasmids of the group and are of value as vectors for the introduction of nucleic acid into micro-organisms.

Abstract: An organism rich fluid is withdrawn from a foam fermenting apparatus by collecting and withdrawing the fluid from the foam breaker. In another embodiment the fluid from the foam breaker inside of the fermentor is subjected to a liquid/solid centrifugal action and an organism rich fluid stream as well as an organism depleted fluid stream is recovered.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting material from micro-culture plates comprises either a harvester plate or, in combination a harvester plate and a micro-culture plate, the harvester plate having a plurality of wells recessed into one surface thereof, these wells conforming in size, number and arrangement to the wells of the micro-culture plate, and the wells of the harvester plate being adapted to hold filter elements for absorbing liquid from corresponding wells of the culture plate when the wells of the culture plate, with the culture plate in an upside-down orientation, are contacted with corresponding wells of the harvester plate, and in which the harvester plate wells have fluid outlets at their bases. Also a new micro-culture plate comprises a plurality of wells recessed into a surface thereof each well comprising a fluid inlet passageway through the base thereof.

Abstract: The separation of different types of particulate matter in a carrier liquid is obtained by using an ultrasonic standing wave and relying on the different acoustic responses of the different particle types. By varying the acoustic energy propagation cyclically a more effective separation rate can be obtained, with a more readily attracted particle type being subjected to a further discrimination step in each cycle. The cyclical energy variation may be in the intensity of the standing wave, e.g. using suppression means, and/or the velocity of the standing wave relative to the liquid medium, e.g. using phase control means.