Abstract: A process is provided for improving the recovery of microbial cell biomass, which includes the steps of subjecting a culture broth containing chain-forming microorganisms to shearing conditions sufficient to shorten the chain-length of microbial cells whereby the packed cell volume of the cell biomass is substantially reduced and then recovering the thus treated biomass from the broth by centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for harvesting cells from a plurality of wells of a standard cell culture plate. Two complementary blocks, a lower and an upper one, are adapted to be attached with each other by suitable mechanical means to form a tight fit, the lower block being provided with a channel-formed conduit attached with an external source of a washing fluid, the flow of which is controlled by valve means. The conduit is connected with a plurality of downwardly pointing tubelets which are spaced in such manner that each one of them fits into a well of the culture plate, thus providing for the possibility of introducing at will washing fluid into the wells in the culture plate. Further tubes are provided which point in the same direction, each of which is connected with an outlet at the upper face of the lower block; an O-ring is provided substantially flush with the upper face of the block at each of the outlets.

Abstract: Water and air are tested for biological agents by concentrating the biological substances at an air/water interface which permits natural cell multiplication during the concentrating process.

Abstract: Storage stable, lyophilized, acid producing bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria, are prepared by lyophilizing the bacteria in the presence of at least 5% by weight of the bacteria of a basic organic or inorganic buffering agent, preferably an alkali metal salt of glycerophosphate, to provide lyophilized bacteria containing less than 5% by weight water, and sealing the lyophilized bacteria in a container while in a vacuum or surrounded by a gaseous atmosphere substantially free of oxygen, preferably argon which is essentially free of oxygen.

Abstract: Growth of pseudomycelial yeasts and removal of bacterial contamination in conventional fermentation processes are accomplished by withdrawing product as a foam from the fermentor.