Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed. Also, a biologically pure Clostridium beijerinkii strain NRRL No. B-50244 is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing an amide from the corresponding nitrile comprising the following steps, i) providing a microorganism capable of producing a nitrile hydratase biocatalyst, ii) culturing the microorganism in a growth medium, iii) storing the microorganism, iv) contacting the nitrile by the microorganism in an aqueous medium and thereby converting the nitrile to the amide, wherein the microorganism is stored as none actively growing free cells in a storage medium that comprises water. The stored microorganism may be as whole microbial cells, this may be in the form of a cell paste recovered from a fermentation medium; an aqueous suspension of the microbial cells, prepared using a suitable suspending medium such as water, physiological saline solution, or a suitable buffer solution, such as phosphate or comprises the fermentation broth that contains components of the fermentation culture medium and products of microbial culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thrombolytic enzyme referred to as Thrombinase having a molecular weight of 31,000 to 32,000. Such a thrombolytic enzyme can be used for dissolving blood clots. The process comprises culturing a filtrate of Bacillus sphaericus sero type H5a 5b, removing the cell, subjecting the cell supernatant to filtration, salting out the retentate, subjecting the precipitate to dialysis, reprecipitating the precipitate and then reconstituting in buffer and finally decolourizing, purifying and dialyzing.

Abstract: A probiotic composition including the bacilli (1) Bacillus subtilis, (2) Bacillus coagulans, and (3) Enterococcus faecium. The composition may further include a carrier medium, such as fructo-oligo-saccharides (FOS), as incorporated in a dose form such as a pill, capsule, powder or sachet. The compositions of the invention may be usefully employed as health or nutritional supplements, food additives, or therapeutic agents for combating a wide variety of physiological disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, autism, and fibromyalgia.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of sulfur from an acid gas stream is disclosed. The process includes a Claus sulfur recovery step in combination with a direct reduction step and a biological sulfur recovery step to provide a sweet gas stream having a very low concentration of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The process includes reacting an acid gas steam with oxygen under such oxidation conditions to yield a combustion gas comprising hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The combustion gas is reacted under Claus reaction conditions to yield a reaction gas comprising sulfur. Sulfur is recovered from the reaction gas to yield a Claus tail gas comprising hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The Claus tail gas is reacted under direct reduction reaction conditions to yield a direct reduction gas comprising sulfur. Sulfur is recovered from the direct reduction reaction gas to yield a tail gas comprising a concentration of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: Process for surface activation and/or devulcanization of sulfur-vulcanized rubber particles. In order to break the sulfur bridges and to reduce the sulfur, the rubber particles are treated in a biotechnological manner in a medium with mesophilic anaerobic and/or optionally anaerobic and/or microaerophilic bacteria and/or with one or more enzyme systems of such bacteria. The thus-treated activated rubber particles show improved vulcanization properties in comparison with non-treated rubber particles, and permit the production of better quality articles.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of non-pathogenic hydrogenotrophic acetogenic bacterial strains for preparing a composition for treating or preventing gastrointestinal disorders associated with productions of digestive gases and/or for modulating the microbial balance of the digestive ecosystem in a mammal. The invention also concerns said pharmaceutical or food compositions, and the methods for monitoring and preparing said strains.

Abstract: A novel glucose dehydrogenase, which is an enzyme that has high substrate specificity, can be produced at a low cost, is not affected by oxygen dissolved in a measurement sample and, in particular, has superior thermal stability is obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Burkhorderia and having glucose dehydrogenase producing ability in a medium and collecting glucose dehydrogenase from the medium and/or cells of the microorganism.

Abstract: Acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains as forage additives are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable complex microbial system, which simultaneously decomposes a plurality of organic contaminants even under a polluted environment with these contaminants and permits more effective decomposition of persistent organic contaminants such as PCNB and simazine. A support for holding a complexed enrichment of degrading bacteria, which contains a porous material provided as a support on which degrading bacteria A capable of degrading at least one organic contaminant and degrading bacteria B capable of degrading another organic contaminant are enriched, is produced. The degrading bacteria A may be a PCNB-degrading bacteria, particularly degrading bacteria containing degrading bacteria having part or all of the bacteriological characteristics of Nocardioides sp. PD653 and the degrading bacteria B may be degrading bacteria containing degrading bacteria having part or all of the bacteriological characteristics of ?-Proteobacteria CDB21.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism, obtained by treating Corynebacterium ammoniagenes KCCM 10488 producing 5?-Xanthylic acid as parent strain with UV radiation and mutation Derivatives such as N-methyl-N?nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG), Having a resistance to 5-fluorotryptophan which enhances Biosynthesis of N5-N10-tetrahydrofolate used for transferring Two formyl group during the process of puring biosynthesis, making It possible to accumulate 5?xanthylic acid in culture medium at a high Yield and high concentration rate same period of fermentation.

Abstract: A process of producing an amide from a nitrile by the action of a nitrile hydratase enzyme or ammonium salt of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid from an amide by the action of amidase respectively in which enzymes are obtainable from a microorganism of the Dietzia genus.

Abstract: A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture medium comprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrite hydratase obtainable from the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing an amide from the corresponding nitrite wherein the nitrite is subjected to a hydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NUMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrite hydratase obtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NUMB 41164.

Abstract: A composition and method for the inhibition of microorganisms.

Abstract: A microbial consortium for the biodegradation of sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters having greater than 60 mol percent aromatic acid content based on the total acid content of the co-polyester, created by applying selective pressure. Methods to biodegrade sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters using microbial consortium SPDC-1 are provided.

Abstract: A novel biotechnological process for the preparation of nitriles, starting from amides, is described. Micro-organisms of the genus Amycolatopsis, Actinomadura or Rhodococcus are employed for this process.

Abstract: This invention involves the introduction of “benign” strains of X. fastidiosa into desirable plants that are normally susceptible to Pierce's disease (PD). In certain embodiments, plants are injected with the benign biocontrol strain prior to transplanting into the vineyard, or immediately after transplanting. Such inoculated plants are, typically, resistant to PD for at least about 3-4 years. Various embodiments of the subject invention also provide for “booster injections” every 3-4 years. The subject invention also provides “benign” bacterial strains suitable for control of PD and compositions comprising the aforementioned “benign” bacterial strains.

Abstract: A lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to the oral microflora is selected for its ability to adhere the pellicle of the teeth and to produce a growth inhibition factor. This strain is used for the preparation of a composition intended for reducing dental plaque and for treating or preventing root caries and other diseases related to Actinomyces naeslundii in mammals.

Abstract: Non-leguminous crops, e.g. wheat, maize and rice, do not form nodules and are dependant for their nutrition on fixed nitrogen from the soil, or from chemical/nitrogenous fertilizers. The present invention provides non-leguminous plants and leguminous plants, including legumes that fail to nodulate with Rhizobia, with bacteria that enable them to fix nitrogen endophytically. Therefore, the plants contain nitrogen fixing bacteria the bacteria being located intacellularly in living plant cells.

Abstract: Probiotic bacterial strains are provided which inhibit or prevent growth or pathogenic bacteria in marine organisms. Also provided are methods of culturing marine organisms using the probiotic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel hyperthermophile, in particular, to a hyperthermophile belonging to a novel genus isolated from compost by fermenting organic wastes at a temperature of 85° C. or more which is capable of growing at 80° C. or more (Caldothrix satsumae). The hyperthermophile of the present invention does not multiply at 50° C. or below, but grows and multiplies vigorously at 70 to 85° C. It is non-spore forming, gram-negative, and an absolutely aerobic rod. The hyperthermophile is useful as a fermenting microbe when organic wastes are fermented at high temperatures to produce compost. Further the hyperthermopile can be utilized for the production of heat resistant enzymes.

Abstract: Strains of probiotic bacteria, their isolation, characteristics and methods of use to prevent or treat carriage by a food production animal of Salmonella that causes human salmonellosis are provided. Methods for isolating and characterizing the probiotic bacteria are also provided. The present invention further provides methods for using the probiotic bacteria to prevent or treat Salmonella strains that cause human salmonellosis found in food production animals.

Abstract: Plants and crops subject to attack by fungal related diseases are protected or treated by the application of Pseudomycin compositions which were originally isolated from Pseudomonas syringae.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect for a method for controlling odor associated with spills of organic material which can cause odors on carpets. The method comprises applying to the carpet a preparation of dormant bacteria, which when activated are effective to control odors. The dormant bacterial preparation is allowed to become associated with the carpet, such that when the carpet is exposed to organic material which can cause odors, the bacteria are capable of becoming active and digesting the organic material. The formulation may contain other agents such as odor neutralizing or masking agents, enzymes, foaming or anti-foaming agents.

Abstract: The drug of the present invention, and a method of manufacturing the drug are so arranged that a photosynthetic bacterium is incubated together with a lactic acid bacterium so as to cause the photosynthetic bacterium to produce a viscous material in a liquid medium, the photosynthetic bacterium being Rhodopseudomonas capsulatas FERMBP-7434 strain, and the lactic acid bacterium being Lactobacillus spp., and then a metabolic product, which is to be contained in the drug, is separated from the liquid medium. Health can be recovered by using the drug in such a small quality that is not hard on a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Pediococcus genus microorganism and more particularly, Pediococcus pentosaceus EROM101 (KCCM-10517) originated from human intestines having immune enhancement, anticancer and antiviral activities and a use thereof. Due to its excellent immune enhancement, anticancer and antimicrobial activities by activating macrophages/spleen cells and inducing gut immunity, the Pediococcus pentosaceus EROM101 of the present invention can be effectively used for the production of various products such as immune enhancement agent, anticancer agent, antimicrobial agent, food additive, intestinal function-controlling agent, live bacterial agent, feed additive and other fermented products.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microorganisms that directly biodegrade polylactide resins and plastics containing the same as well as a method therefor. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for degrading polylactide resins, wherein the polylactide resins are degraded by an actinomycete belonging to the genus Saccharothrix, Streptoalloteichus, Kibdelosporangium, Lentzea, Actinokineospora, Saccharomonospora, Saccharopolyspora, or Actinopolyspora.

Abstract: A strain of Bifidobacterium isolated from resected and washed human gastrointestinal tract is significantly immunomodulatory following oral consumption in humans. The strain is useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatroy activity, especially gastrointestinal inflammatory activity such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The inflammatory activity may also be due to cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process of neutralizing textile industrial wastewater by a bacterial strain isolated in India. The isolated bacterial strain is capable to bring down the pH of wastewater from 12.00 to 7.00 units within two hours. The neutralization of alkaline textile industrial wastewater by such biotechnological process is highly effective and economical as compared to conventional neutralization by chemical means. This biotechnological process may find wide commercial application in textile industries emanating alkaline wastewater.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a bacterial composition having immunomodulation properties comprising at least one strain selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus PTA-4797, Lactobacillus plantarum PTA-4799, Lactobacillus salivarius PTA-4800, Lactobacillus paracasei PTA-4798, Bifidobacterium bifidum PTA-4801 and Bifidobacterium lactis PTA-4802. An other subject of the invention is an immunomodulation method comprising the step of using the at least one strain selected from the preceding group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a strain of Burkholderia andropogonis for controlling the growth of a weed belonging to the order Caryophyllales. The present invention also provides a method for suppressing weed growth, comprising applying a strain of Burkholderia andropogonis to a weed belonging to the order Caryophyllales. Also provided is a biocontrol composition for controlling the growth of a weed belonging to the order Caryophyllales, the composition comprising a strain of Burkholderia andropogonis, and a suitable medium.

Abstract: A novel biotechnological process for the preparation of nitriles, starting from amides, is described. Micro-organisms of the genus Amycolatopsis, Actinomadura or Rhodococcus are employed for this process.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions and methods for inhibiting microbial infections associated with the use of sanitary products, such as diapers, bandages, sanitary napkins, tampons and the like. The invention comprises providing for use a sanitary product containing an effective amount of a viable non-pathogenic lactic-acid bacteria, such as Bacillus coagulans, or an extracellular product thereof, useful for inhibiting growth of parasites and pathogens on the epithelial tissue in contact with the sanitary product during use of the product. The invention also provides for enhancing biodegradation of sanitary products after use and disposal. Also described are methods using the product and systems containing the compositions.

Abstract: A method for removing a gas from a site comprising placing cells having gas vesicles under conditions that induce the cells to float to a surface of an aqueous medium, harvesting the cells from the surface of the medium, lysing the cells, separating the gas vesicles from the lysed cells, crosslinking the gas vesicles with a crosslinking agent, loading a gas with a lowered partial pressure for the compound to be removed into the gas vesicles, and placing the gas vesicles such that the gas compound is removed from the site. Harvesting gas-vesicle-containing cells is achieved by placing the cells under conditions that induce the cells to rise to the surface of an aqueous medium—such as darkness, exponential growth stage, flocculation, or dissolved gas flotation—then collecting the cells from the surface of the medium. Gas vesicles are isolated by lysing the cells and separating the gas vesicles from the lysate. Once the gas vesicles are isolated, they can be modified, such as by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of microorganisms belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium for preparing a carrier for the treatment or prophylaxis of diarrhea. The invention also relates to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing such microorganisms.

Abstract: A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related to Bacillus spp. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases, for controlling mammalian fungal diseases, or for bioremediation.

Abstract: A cement paste containing microbial cells which has a sustained effect and an excellent function of purifying water. This cement paste contains a mixture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus cells at a mixing ratio by mass of 0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50.

Abstract: The disclosure refers to biologically pure cultures of two strains of Bifidobacterium Longum named W11 and W11a and deposited at the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM) that has registered them under the accession numbers LMG P-21586 and LMG P-21587. They are used as probiotics within preparations of pharmaceutical or alimentary products to help the gastrointestinal health and to prevent and treat the intestinal pathologies.

Abstract: A process for the microbial activation of layer silicates.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a target microorganism characterized in that an extrinsic environmental factor is added to a culture system where said target microorganism and other microbes coexist, said extrinsic environmental factor providing a desirable growth condition for the other microorganisms but an undesirable growth condition for the target microorganism, and said extrinsic environmental factor is typically an organic substance that is assimilable by the above other microorganisms but not by the target microorganism, and includes a sugar, an amino acid, an alkanol amine, an organic acid, and the like. In particular, the target microorganism is N16-1 strain of Burkholderia (FERM BP-5504) and the substance is D-serine.

Abstract: A microbial culture and method for producing wax esters using highly branched alkanes. In accordance with one embodiment, the highly branched alkane is squalane.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel strains of Xenorhabdus bovienii deposited with NCIMB under accession numbers NCIMB 40985 and NCIMB 40986 which are a source of orally acting pesticides. Also disclosed are pesticidal agents which are (i) obtainable from a X. bovienii strains; (ii) have oral insecticidal activity against one or more species of insect of the order Lepidoptera, Coleoptera or Homoptera; (iii) are substantially heat stable to 50° C.; and (iv) act synergistically with B. thuringiensis cells as an oral insecticide. The invention further makes available nucleic acids encoding these and variant toxins, plus vectors, host cells and plants transformed with the same. Also disclosed are insecticidal polypeptides (and antibodies raised to them) and compositions, plus methods of using all of these materials for the control of pests, particularly insects.

Abstract: A method of enzymatic degradation of hydrolyzed nerve agents GB, GD, GF, VX and O-isobutyl S-(diethyl-aminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate into biodegradable methylphosphonate products using enzymes from bacteria that can use for growth as the sole phosphorus source, low concentrations of ethyl-isopropyl-, and pinacolyl methylphosphonates (EMPn, IMPn, and PMPn-alkali treatment products of VX, GB, and GD, respectively).

Abstract: A process for producing an optical active &bgr;-amino alcohol, the method comprising the step of allowing at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Morganella and others, to act on an enantiomeric mixture of an &agr;-aminoketone or a salt thereof having the general formula (I): to produce an optical active &bgr;-amino alcohol with the desired optical activity having the general formula (II) described below in a high yield as well as in a highly selective manner:

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having &bgr;1,4-galactosyltransferase activity, DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for producing &bgr;1,4-galactosyltransferase by using the transformant, and a process for producing a galactose-containing carbohydrate by using the transformant.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for anaerobic remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater comprising (a) preparing an aqueous mixture of a sparingly soluble digestible fat or oil, (b) heating and homogenizing such mixture until a stable emulsion having a particle size below 1 micron is obtained, and (c) injecting such under anaerobic conditions into the contaminated soil. The heating is preferably conducted at pasteurization temperatures and the homogenization is preferably conducted in a food homogenizer. This invention also relates to the fine emulsions formed in the homogenization and pasteurization process and to the soil that has been treated by the inventive remediation method. The emulsion is preferably combined with a water soluble, rapidly biodegradable microbial food compound and can also be combined with microbes useful in the remediation process.

Abstract: Health foods are produced containing a biomass obtained by culturing cells of a purple photosynthetic bacterium (for example, Rhodopseudomonas capsulate FERMBP-7434 strain) and optionally in a mixture with a lactic acid bacterium (for example, lactobacillus). These health foods contribute to the maintenance of human health in good conditions or regain thereof even at a small dose causing little burden.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.

Abstract: A single, reproducible scheme to simultaneously purify all three of the heparin lyases from F. heparinum to apparent homogeneity is disclosed herein. The kinetic properties of the heparin lyases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability. Mono-clonal antibodies to the three heparinases are also described and are useful for detection, isolation and characterization of the heparinases.