Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of ethanol comprising both gasification and fermentation of feedstocks, and, in particular to a process for the production of ethanol comprising: a) passing a biomass feedstock to a first fermentation step wherein it is subjected to anaerobic fermentation at a pH below 6.0 and at a temperature in the range 20 to 700C to convert the biomass to a solution comprising acetic acid as the predominant product, b) passing a gasifiable feedstock to a gasification step wherein it is subjected to gasification to produce a gaseous mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and c) passing the solution comprising acetic acid from step (a) and the gaseous mixture from step (b) to one or more further fermentation steps wherein they are subject to fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method to produce high density microalgae having high lipid concentration in mass culture including the steps of inoculating a vessel with microalgae at mid-log phase to a depth greater than 25 cm. Then culturing the microalgae to a preselected target density threshold, bringing the microalgae to stationary phase, manipulating growth parameters to maximize lipid concentration and harvesting the vessel.

Abstract: A system (1) for producing a dough starter culture is provided which comprises a plurality of reservoirs (15) pre-loaded with a small amount (“mother level”) of a previously obtained starter culture. Into the reservoirs (15) are inoculated the other ingredients required for the preparation of starter culture and the contents are left to ferment for a specified period of time to produce the required starter culture, which is then discharged as required from each reservoir (15). A “mother level” portion is retained in the reservoirs and is used to produce a next batch of starter culture.

Abstract: The method aims at obtaining from waste and more particularly from municipal solid waste (MSW) the energy contained therein at the highest level for industrial use by means of natural technologies and with low environmental impact. The method, denoted by the acronym NEW (Natural Energy from Waste) operates through the following process phases: a) aerobic digestion of the putrescible biological part to produce stabilized waste which is easy to handle, b) separation of a fraction rich in materials with a high heat value, c) storage of the residue, rich in biodegradable and inert substances, compacted into appropriate geometrical shapes in bioreactors which can be activated and sealed, d) activation of the bioreactors with water and their service in time during anaerobic digestion to supply biogas to be used for the production of energy, e) bio-stabilization and dehydration of the residual material of the anaerobic treatment with air, f) possible recovery of the materials produced in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor device. In order to keep the equipment costs low and to make it possible to handle a plurality of cultivations during a short time period, the device includes a channel and mechanism for delivering fluid to a monitor; reactor vessels for containing fluid, connected to the channel via valves; a source for a cleaning fluid, connected to the channel via a valve; and a controller for controlling the mechanism for delivering fluid, the monitor and the valves for taking samples from selected reactor vessels one by one, for delivering the samples to the monitoring mechanism, and for cleaning the channel by delivering cleaning fluid through the channel.

Abstract: The gas dual-dynamic solid state fermentation technique consists of placing the solid materials to be fermented in an air environment with pulsating pressure and cyclic flow to carry out fermentation, the fermentation apparatus comprises a horizontal cylindrical tank with a quick door mechanism, in the tank are axially disposed rectangular spacer barrels of square cross-section constructed by four baffles, in the space between baffles and the tank wall are provided cooler tubes in parallel with the baffles, in the middle of the spacer barrels are provided vertically many sets of cooler tubes, on the lower baffles in the tank is provided axially an fixed track, on which are movable tray racks that can roll on the track, the tray racks having thereon a plurality of layers of trays, at the rear of the tank is provided a centrifugal blowers for forcing gas cycling in the tank.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for inoculating a biological reactor having a chamber. The chamber is configured to contain influent and biomass to degrade contaminants in the influent. A vessel is configured to receive influent and biomass from the chamber and to substantially isolate the received influent and biomass from that contained in the chamber. The vessel is also configured to deliver the isolated influent and biomass to the chamber, thereby facilitating inoculation of the biological reactor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid state fermenter in particular for large volumes as well as a procedure for solid state fermentation. The task of the present invention was the development of a solid state fermenter for large volumes and of a procedure for solid state fermentation, that allows an economic application of the solid state fermentation for little competitive micro-organisms in large fermenters. The solid state fermenter according to the invention is characterized by representing a module fermenter, where at least two module bases, that are permeable for air and water, are arranged on top of each other, which are connected with the wall of the vessel in such a manner, that neither air nor water can pass laterally, the existence of a cultivation substrate for the micro-organisms, which have to be cultivated, on the module bases, a cooling device below every module base and the fermenter being closed with a lid.

Abstract: A method for preparing saccharide compositions is disclosed. The method is reiterative and comprises the following three steps. (i) A glycosyltransferase capable of transferring a preselected saccharide unit to an acceptor moiety is isolated by contacting the acceptor moiety with a mixture suspected of containing the glycosyltransferase under conditions effective to bind the acceptor moiety and the glycosyltransferase and thereby isolate the glycosyltransferase. The acceptor moiety is a protein, a glycoprotein, a lipid, a glycolipid, or a carbohydrate. (ii) The isolated glycosyltransferase is then used to catalyze the bond between the acceptor moiety and the preselected saccharide unit. (iii) Steps (i) and (ii) are repeated a plurality of times with the intermediate product obtained in the first iteration of the method being used as the acceptor moiety of the second iteration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing barnyard manure using sewage and night-soil sludge for use in farmlands and flower gardens so as to prevent secondary contamination of the environment quickly, at a low cost, and with high efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for preparing organic acids and their salts from biomass. Biomass flows from a region of fresh biomass and high acid and acid salt concentration to a region of digested biomass and low acid and acid salt concentration in a fermentation apparatus under anaerobic conditions. Organic acids and acid salts produced by the process of the present invention are volatile fatty acids such as acetic, butyric and propionic acids and their salts such as calcium acetate, calcium propionate, and calcium butyrate. The apparatus of the present invention contains at least two fermentation reactors in series to increase the biomass residence time in the reactors. The fermentation reactors of the present invention are imbedded in the ground with earthen berms as support for sides having three layers. The core of the reactors are covered with a flexible covering to maintain an anaerobic environment.

Abstract: A process of treating whey produced as a by-product of cheese manufacture is disclosed. The process eliminates the contaminating effects of proteins including albumin and globulins within the whey. The fermentation of the treated whey produces enantromerically enriched lactic acid.

Abstract: Method and device for digestion of sludge, sludge being transferred stepwise to closed containers (10A, 10B) and gas generated during the digestion process being transferred from said containers (10A, 10B). The sludge is transferred to a first closed space (11A) in a first container (10A) for a first digestion period, and is then after a predetermined period transferred to a second closed space (11B ) in a second container (10B) for a second digestion period. During said first digestion period as well as during said second digestion period the sludge is repeatedly put into movement by tipping said containers (10A, 10B), the flow direction of said sludge being changed to redirect surface material of the sludge to bottom material by the movement of the sludge. Each of said containers (10A, 10B) is provided with an inlet (12) for sludge and a first outlet (13) for gas generated during the digestion period.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for preparing organic acids and their salts from biomass. Biomass flows from a region of fresh biomass and high acid and acid salt concentration to a region of digested biomass and low acid and acid salt concentration in a fermentation apparatus under anaerobic conditions. Organic acids and acid salts produced by the process of the present invention are volatile fatty acids such as acetic, butyric and propionic acids and their salts such as calcium acetate, calcium propionate, and calcium butyrate. The apparatus of the present invention contains at least two fermentation reactors in series to increase the biomass residence time in the reactors. The fermentation reactors of the present invention are imbedded in the ground with earthen berms as support for sides having three layers. The core of the reactors are covered with a flexible covering to maintain an anaerobic environment.

Abstract: A biomass which can be used directly as panification ferment without previous separation of the culture medium and the biomass and without addition of industrial yeast is prepared by cultivating at least one strain of yeast in a culture medium specified in the description. Preferably, the said ferment comprises as yeast the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae steineri DSM 9211.

Abstract: A biomass constituted of yeast and of lactic acid bacteria, which can be used directly as panification ferment without previous separation of the culture medium and the biomass, is prepared by cocultivating at least one strain of yeast and at least one strain of lactic acid bacteria in a mixed and/or sequential culture, in a culture medium specified in the description. Preferably, the said ferment comprises as yeast the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae steineri DSM 9211 and as lactic acid bacteria one or several strains of Lactobacillus brevis DSM 9209, Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9208, Leuconostoc mesenteroides DSM 9207 and/or Pediococcus pentosaceus DSM 9210.

Abstract: An accelerated micro-organism culture method is for decomposing harmful substances. For this purpose, the cultivation, mutagenic treatment and stabilization of the micro-organisms are carried out simultaneously in a mutation fermenter containing a nutrient-rich basic medium (basic medium 1); selection is carried out in a selection fermenter containing a basic medium which is low in nutrients and is enriched with the harmful substance (basic medium 2); small amounts of biomass released from the nutrient-rich basic medium (basic medium 1) of the mutation fermenter are continuously removed from the mutation fermenter and transferred to the selection fermenter. Small amounts of biomass released from the basic medium which is low in nutrients (basic medium 2) of the selection fermenter are removed from the selection fermenter and transferred to the mutation fermenter. The entire process is carried out continuously in alternating selection and mutation phases, in the manner of a repeated cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor for detecting the presence of an analyte in solution. The biosensor is composed of:a) an ion channel receptor immobilized in a suspended lipid film which is in contact with an ion-containing solution on each side thereof;b) a ligand, conjugated to the receptor, which has particular affinity for the analyte in solution, and, which, upon binding to the analyte in solution, causes an inhibition in ion flow through the channel; andc) means to detect the inhibition of ion flow through the channel in response to the binding of conjugated ligand and analyte.

Abstract: The abstract is used to process cereals to obtain ethanol. In the apparatus, a limpid phase of a slurry with water and hydrolyzed starch is supplied to a saccharification stage and an output of the saccharification stage is supplied to a fermentation stage to obtain a fermentation product and a wine from the fermentation product is supplied to a distillation stage to obtain ethanol. A stationary screen with a mesh of between 150 and 300 microns is positioned in the apparatus for receiving at an input of the screen, the slurry with water and hydrolyzed starch. The stationary screen has a turbid overscreen outlet and a limpid outlet containing a limpid solution having particles up to 150-300 microns. The limpid outlet is coupled to the saccharification stage so as to supply the limpid solution to the saccharification stage. A vacuum band filter has an inlet coupled to the turbid overscreen outlet from the stationary screen.

Abstract: Method and device for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversion on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material. A bag-type container (11) is filled with those organic wastes (19), the container (11) having at least flexible walls permeable to air, the container (11) cooperating in its interior with a tube (13) which is at least partially perforated and is closed at its lower end, the tube (13) being associated outside the container (11) with a fan (18), the fan (18) being activated to create a forced circulation of air within the container (11) in order to achieve conversion of the organic wastes (19) into compost and possible drying thereof.

Abstract: A composter including a fermentation compartment located on top of a compost drying compartment. A shutter is located between the compartments to control the transfer of composted material into the drying compartment. In an alternative composter the drying compartment tank is horizontally adjacent the fermentation compartment. A stirring screw is located in the fermenting compartment. During the fermenting process, the stirring screw is rotated back and forth so as to continually mix the material being composted. Once the composting process is completed, the stirring screw is rotated in one direction to transfer the composted material through openings in a separation wall and into the drying compartment.

Abstract: A fully automatic composting plant in a closed hall closed in by walls and a roof with a plurality of composting lines disposed side by side. Disposed underneath the composting lines are ventilation channels with worm gears which are associated with the lines. Independently driven transport devices, consisting of a fixed discharging worm gear, a fixed charging worm gear above the composting lines, an inclined connecting worm gear and a distributing worm gear moveable above the composting lines, serve to add, transfer and mix the compost material and to carry out the ready-to-use humus. The connecting openings between the ventilation channels and the composting lines consist of elongated slits with cleaning cams gliding therein.

Abstract: An exclusive kimchi fermentor includes at least two chambers for selectively fermenting and storing kimchi. The apparatus preferably includes a fan and a heater for curing kimchi in a least one chamber during a fermentation mode. The apparatus also preferably includes an evaporator for supplying cool air into at least one of the chambers during a storage mode. A microprocessor controls the heater and the evaporator in order to selectively place the chambers in the fermenting mode or the storage mode.

Abstract: A microculture tray comprising a plurality of pairs of wells, each pair of wells connected by a trough which extends downwardly approximately 2/3 of the depth of the well so that the wells in the pair are connected so as to allow free passage of supernatant but not of cells between the wells.The tray can be used for rapid testing of animal cells or non-motile microorganisms for the release of soluble mediators.

Abstract: Amino acid fermentation is conducted by fermenting bacterial cells in a culture medium in a fermentor and separating fermentation solution withdrawn from the fermentor into a solution containing said bacterial cells and a solution not containing bacterial cells by a cell separator. The solution containing said bacterial cells being circulated from said cell separator to said fermenter by circulating means to perform amino acid fermentation continuously, and bubbles being removed from said fermentation solution by a bubble separator before said fermentation solution is fed to said circulating means and said cell separator.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for biological conversion (composting) of organic waste material, e.g. from kitchens or restaurants, involving use of a heat-insulated housing (1) having at least two separate chambers (7, 8). In the first chamber (7), organic material is introduced and treated in the presence of microorganisms until an intermediate stage of conversion into biomass only. A portion of the partially converted material, responsive to a certain temperature measured in the first chamber (7), is transferred for a final composting into the second chamber (8). Waste organic material is newly introduced into the first chamber (7) and treated therein together with a remaining portion of the partially converted material; thereby, because of the presence of a sufficient amount of active microorganisms in the first chamber (7), the process of conversion of the newly introduced waste material is started immediately.

Abstract: An apparatus for a glycosyltransferase-catalyzed synthesis of a tetrasaccharide composition of the formula gal-glcNAc-gal-B-1,4-glc from saccharide units and an acceptor moiety. The apparatus has a reactor, an inlet, an outlet, and contains two glycosyltransferases; an N-acetyl glucosaminyltransferase and a galactosyltransferase.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique is provided which is directed for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized first through a heat exchanger to cool same, and then through a nozzle to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the unpon surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the buttom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle is so oriented that the spray suspension therefrom is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically formed thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for treating lignocellulosic materials, comprising an enzymatic conversion zone adapted to enzymatically convert alcohol to aldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, a delignification zone, a device for transferring an effluent comprising aqueous hydrogen peroxide from the conversion zone to the delignification zone, a chopper for adding chopped lignocellulosic material to the delignification zone, a separator for separating solid delignified material in the delignification zone from a liquid, and a fermenter adapted to grow alcohol oxidase-producing yeast, and means for transferring alcohol oxidase from the fermenter into the conversion zone.

Abstract: A silo or cylindrical composting apparatus containing more than one chamber, each of which is fitted with two or more sets of agitator arm assemblies, a system of sweep paddles, and a shielded exit port with a slidable panel cover. The agitator arm assemblies are supported at the common central shaft and at the circumference of the chamber. The central shaft revolves and likewise causes the agitator arm assemblies and sweep paddles to revolve with it. A unique ring gear track about the circumference of the chamber articulates with a gear of each agitator arm assembly and causes the arm assemblies to rotate as they revolve. Air is supplied to the composting mass through the central shaft and into the air delivery pipes which are a part of each agitator arm assembly. A heat collecting system removes excess heat from the upper chambers and makes it available for use in the lowermost chamber if needed. The central shaft is made to revolve by means of a drive wheel powered by a motor located outside the silo.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preparing saccharide compositions is disclosed. The mGOVERNMENT SUPPORTPortions of this invention were supported by National Science Foundation Grant DCB8817883.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficient use of fluid and for improving the odor control in in-vessel composting. The method includes the re-use of exhaust fluid from a first composting reactor in a second composting reactor in a single multiple chain system. Improved odor control is achieved by the provision of an odor control device interposed in the fluid stream from the first composting reactor to the second composting reactor and passing exhaust fluid from the first reactor through the odor control device to remove pollutants therefrom before re-use in the second composting reactor. The exhaust fluid from the second composting reactor may also be passed through the odor control device before it is exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A particulate proteinaceous product and methods for producing the same from waste raw animal parts are disclosed. The product is dry to the touch, is compressible into pellets or cakes, and comprises about 45 to 65 w/w percent partially hydrolyzed, non-denatured animal protein, about 20-35 w/w percent oil derived from the animal parts, about 10-15 w/w percent moisture, and about 0-7 w/w percent ash. The product also has less objectionable odor, less propensity to oxidize, and higher nutritional value than existing products. The method involves mulling raw animal parts, hydrolyzing proteins in the animal parts with enzymes, heating to inactivate enzymes, screening, concentrating and adding oil, pasteurizing, removing water, separating oil and routing a portion of the separated oil to the beginning of concentrating as oil added. The method is distinctive in that it produces a dry, flaky product without the use of a conventional dryer.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique is provided for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized through a nozzle to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the upper surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the bottom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle is so oriented that the spray suspension it produces is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically foamed thereon. Additionally, a portion of the bulk liquid phase is recycled to the upper part of the vessel through a second nozzle to form a second spray suspension which is coalesced into the bulk liquid phase.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor-separator for the fermentative production of volatile inhibitory products from non-volatile substrate includes a stirred tank reactor and a packed or tray-type gas-liquid contacting column separator. Each reactor and separator form a stage and a plurality of stages may be stacked into a tower, or otherwise placed to operate consecutively, forming a reactor-separator in which stages having gas flowing cocurrent to the liquid flow in the separator portion form an enriching section, and stages having gas flowing countercurrent to the liquid flow in the separator portion form a stripping section. In a method of using the reactor-separator, a volatile fermentation product is produced and simultaneously separated into a gas phase.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus, a device, and a method using the inventive device and apparatus for the sequential enrichment of a particular microorganism to a threshold level to allow for its detection. The use of the apparatus for sequential microbial enrichment shortens the time period normally spent to enrich samples to permit the growth of enough microorganisms to detect the particular microorganism(s) of interest. The invention eliminates the need for multiple manual transfers of potentially biohazardous materials.

Abstract: A dielectric material of a capacitive affinity sensor has a three-dimensional molecular binding site array. A glass base is layered with a binding agent like silane from which a polymeric backbone like polylysine extends. The polymeric backbone is prepared to accept receptor molecules like cortisol hemisuccinate to bind a specific antibody. Such an array changes dielectric properties between the two electrodes of the capacitive affinity sensor to greatly enhance sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: Cell cultivation is carried out by proliferating cells in a small preliminary culture tank containing immobilizing carriers, stripping proliferated cells from the carriers, forming a cell suspension of the stripped cells in culture medium in an intermediate reservoir, intermittently transferring the suspension into a main culture tank containing ceramic immobilizing carriers and further culturing the cells. The main culture tank has an inversed funnel-shaped inlet above the carriers with a perforated plate attached to the bottom of the inlet for uniform distribution of cell suspension from above the carriers, and a plate in the form of a net under the carriers on a perforated plate for uniform distribution of cell suspension from beneath the carriers.

Abstract: To improve the yield and/or reduce the energy cost in carrying out a microbiological or enzymatic process in a reactor and to make the reaction conditions essentially independent of the size of the reactor, it is proposed on make use, as a reactor, of an endless circulation tube in which the reaction components are circulated essentially according to a plug flow and in this process are fed through one or more in-line mixers fitted inside the tube. This method and reactor are suitable in particular for the preparation by fermentation of polysaccharides, especially xanthan, in which water, a production medium containing one or more sugars and nutrient salts and an inoculating material of a suitable aerobic bacterium are introduced into the the reactor tube and exposed to fermentation with air being supplied.

Abstract: A particulate proteinaceous product is prepared from waste raw protein-containing animal parts with a method and an apparatus having a mulling stage wherein the raw animal parts are reduced to a ground condition; a hydrolyzing stage wherein proteins in the ground animal parts are hydrolyzed to a predetermined extent to form an aqueous suspension, using either endogenous or supplementary proteolytic enzymes, and subsequently heated to inactivate the enzymes and convert fats in the suspension to oils; a screening stage wherein non-digestible solids are removed from the suspension; a concentration stage wherein extraneous oil is added to the suspension, the suspension is pasteurized, and a large portion of the water is removed therefrom; and an oil-separation stage wherein sufficient oil is removed to form the product.

Abstract: A compartmentalized horizontally mounted rotatable cylindrical digester drum is provided with inter-compartment transfer buckets each having an inlet opening substantially congruent to a segment of the circular partition separating one compartment from the next. In addition one or more annular flanges are located in each treatment compartment extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the drum. The transfer buckets may be rectangular prismatic in contour with a bottom wall within the confines of the drum coincident with the chordal boundary of the segment and an upper wall spaced radially outwardly of the cylindrical wall of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for submerged culture of tissue cells in which gas is supplied to the culture medium in an upright sterilizable container through a rotating hollow shaft having a plurality of sets of radially extending blades from which the gas is discharged only along upper surfaces of the blades within a cage formed by vertically spaced hollow baffle plates connected by hollow posts through which gas is supplied to the baffle plates and is charged into the nutrient medium through porous parts of the plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane method for the enzymatic synthesis of peptides accomplished by shifting the chemical equilibrium that exists in a reaction mixture between charged or ionized reacting amino acids and uncharged or non-ionized peptide product in the presence of a proteolytic enzyme such as thermolysin. The equilibrium is shifted by diffusion of the unchanged peptide product across an ion-rejection membrane which removes the uncharged peptide from the reaction mixture and preferably the diffused uncharged peptide is quickly converted to a charged species that cannot back-diffuse into the reaction mixture so that the uncharged peptide is effectively "pulled" across the membrane. An enzymatic conversion of the uncharged species utilizing an esterase having proteolytic activity such as aminoacylase I is disclosed. Copermeating reactants can be separated from the product mixture and returned to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor and reaction process, particularly well-suited for culturing cells, for example, for tissue culture and fermentation processes, are described which involve the treatment of at least a portion of the fluid exiting the fluidized bed reactor in a side loop in a manner to alter its temperature or composition, e.g., oxygenation, with recirculation of this treated fluid to the reactor as a portion of the fluid causing bed fluidization.

Abstract: A continuous fermentation process is performed in an apparatus system having at least two circulation fermenters arranged in a cascade. Fresh must is introduced into a first fermenter for fermentation with a flocculating yeast, growth of the yeast in the first fermenter being promoted by introduction of oxygen. The fermenting must and yeast are transferred from the first fermenter to a second fermenter and then to any subsequent fermenters of the cascade serially. In the second and any subsequent fermenters, the growth of yeast is inhibited. After passing through the last fermenter of the cascade, be it the second or a subsequent fermenter, yeast is separated from fermented must, and the separated yeast is removed from the system and is not recycled.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique and apparatus are provided which is directed for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized first through a heat exchanger to cool same, and then through a nozzle means to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the unpon surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the bottom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle means is so oriented that the spray suspension therefrom is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically formed thereon.

Abstract: A process to produce products, in particular polysaccharides, from filamentous fungi, in an immobilized cell bioreactor wherein the fungus is fixed and adheres to the surface of a porous, non-particulate support and aqueous liquid medium is passed through the immobilized system and product containing medium is recycled or withdrawn from the system.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique and apparatus are provided for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized through a nozzle means to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the upper surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the bottom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle means is so oriented that the spray suspension it produces is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically foamed thereon.

Abstract: A process for producing L-sorbose which comprises culturing a L-sorbose-producing bacterium to obtain a seed culture and subjecting the seed culture to a main fermentation with a batchwise fermentation procedure, wherein a part of said seed culture being subjected to subculture to prepare a seed culture for a next batch, while carrying out the main fermentation with the remainder of said seed culture, and this procedure being repeated, successively. An apparatus for this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: To improve the yield and/or reduce the energy cost in carrying out a microbiological or enzymatic process in a reactor and to make the reaction conditions essentially independent of the size of the reactor, it is proposed to make use, as a reactor, of an endless circulation tube in which the reaction components are circulated essentially according to a plug flow and in this process are fed through one or more in-line mixers fitted inside the tube. This method and reactor are suitable in particular for the preparation by fermentation of polysaccharides, especially xanthan, in which water, a production medium containing one or more sugars and nutrient salts and an inoculating material of a suitable aerobic bacterium are introduced into the said reactor tube and exposed to fermentation with air being supplied.