Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the controlled production of microorganisms by photosynthesis in a closed photobioreactor. The closed photobioreactor contain a photosynthetic culture in a substantially sealed environment and provides a system for recirculating the reactant gas through the culture. This closed loop system can be operated with expensive carbon isotopes (i.e., .sup.13 CO.sub.2 or .sup.14 CO.sub.2). Also, a system is provided for removing the molecular oxygen produced in the photosynthesis reaction from the closed photobioreactor. Furthermore, a pH-regulated control valve is utilized for controlling the addition of reactant gas to the culture in response to the alkalization of the culture.

Abstract: This invention is a system for raising land and aquatic, plant and animal crops in a symbiotic-type polyculture using organic/sustainable methods of agronomy, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and hydroponics whereby yields are optimized while reducing production costs, conserving resources, and protecting the environment. Year-round production is also achieved by providing a canopy means along with additional environmental control and supplemental systems that increase yields in temperature zones normally having ambient temperature fluctuations too great to sustain production for more than a few months per year. Any number of cropping combinations are possible, but as an example, this system would establish a beneficial symbiotic-type production link between poultry, microalgae, fish and aquatic animals that consume algae, and vegetables or other land crops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photobioreactor for the cultivation of photosynthetic micoorganisms having at least one light bank substantially totally immersible in the liquid microbial culture contained in the photobioreactor so that substantially all of the emitted light is absorbed in the culture. The light bank comprises a plurality of light tubes in substantially close proximity to each other, electrical leads extending from the light tubes to a source of electric power and an enclosure means enclosing at least the portions of the electrical leads into the lead tubes to render such points impervious to the liquid microbial culture. The light bank serves as a light source as well as may be arranged to form channels for the circulation of the liquid culture within the photobioreactor.

Abstract: Apparatus for the growing of sprouts includes a variable volume expandable chamber for containing a mass of the growing sprouts. Means for restraining expansion of the chamber as the sprouts grow and expand are provided to thereby cause compressive forces to develop in the mass of growing sprouts to promote generally thick, short sprout growth. The apparatus also includes means for fully immersing the compressed sprouts periodically for selected intervals of time in water to supply moisture to the sprouts and prevent overheating of same.

Abstract: Substantially pure, pyrogen-free beta-1,3-glucan is produced by cultivating Euglena cells in a defined growth medium and under specified conditions that provide a cell mass comprising 70% to 90% beta-1,3-glucan on a dry weight basis, separating the cell mass from the super-natant, extracting the cell mass with methanol and chloroform, acid-washing the extracted cell mass, and washing the acid-treated material with water.

Abstract: A living thing nurturing device for nurturing plants which absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and funguses or fish produce oxygen and produce carbon dioxide comprises a first air-tight receptacle for the nurturing plants and a second air-tight receptacle for nurturing the funguses or fish. Air in the first air-tight receptacle containing a sufficient amount of oxygen is supplied into the second air-tight receptacle and air in the second air-tight receptacle containing a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide is supplied into the first air-tight receptacle. A water tank is installed in the first air-tight receptacle and the temperature of water contained in the water tank is controlled at a value a little lower than the temperature suitable for nurturing the plants, and air containing a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide emitted from the second air-tight receptacle is supplied through the water tank into the first air-tight receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for cultivating aquatic living things in sea water includes a column vertically installed in water, a solar ray collecting device mounted on the column, a light radiator movably attached to the column and a light guide for transmitting therethrough solar rays from the solar ray collecting device into the light radiator. The radiator is capable of changing its position for radiating aquatic living things such as marine growth or the like according to its increased size due to growth and according to its movement in the sea.

Abstract: A method and system for removing pollutants dissolved in the aqueous discharge of a plant, such as a power plant, from a body of water having known hydraulogy and physicochemical characteristics, the method comprising (a) modifying the hydraulic system of the body of water including use of physical barriers to define a zone in a portion of the body of water which zone includes the discharge point and where the water has a range of physicochemical characteristics; (b) selecting a large and preferably filamentous, planktonically growing strain of algae adapted to absorb the particular pollutants and genetically dominating algae at the physicochemical characteristics of the zone; (c) establishing a colony of the selected algal strain in the zone; (d) harvesting a portion of the colony; and (e) reinnoculating the zone near the discharge point with a fraction of the harvested portion. The fraction used for reinnoculation can be adjusted to balance the rate of pollutant removal to the rate of pollutant discharge.

Abstract: A life support system for human habitation (cabin) having a bio-regenerative capability through the use of a plant habitat (greenhouse) whereby oxygen-rich air from the greenhouse is processed and used in the cabin and carbon dioxide-rich air from the cabin is used in the greenhouse. Moisture from the air of both cabin and greenhouse is processed and reused in both. Wash water from the cabin is processed and reused in the cabin as hygiene water, and urine from the cabin is processed and used in the greenhouse. Spent water from the greenhouse is processed and reused in the greenhouse. Portions of the processing cycles are separated between cabin and greenhouse in order to reduce to a minimum cross contamination of the two habitat systems. Other portions of the processing cycles are common to both cabin and greenhouse. The use of bio-regenerative techniques permits a substantial reduction of the total consumables used by the life support system.

Abstract: A somaclonal variant of Gracilaria verrucosa, labeled G-16S, capable of asexual reproduction, has been created which, compared to its parental strain G-16, is less epiphytized, is appreciably less pigmented, and produces agar with substantially enhanced gel strength. This superior algal strain may be used to reduce the relative cost of seaweed cultivation and to produce improved quality agar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the selective extraction of the metals gold, silver, platinum or mercury ions or colloidal gold, from an aqueous solution containing at least one of these metal ions which comprises contacting the solution, at a pH of 2 or less, with cells or cell extracts of a microorganism capable of binding these metals for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to allow binding of the metals to the cells or cell extracts.

Abstract: A photobioreactor for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms comprises a tank, one or more light compartments extending into the tank and one or more high intensity lamps whose light is directed into the light compartments. Each light compartment has at least one transparent wall and a means for distributing light from the lamp substantially uniformly across the transparent wall.

Abstract: Apparatus is presented for cultivating aquaculture and mariculture crops predominantly in the warm storage zone (SZ) of a durable, salt gradient, solar pond. This SZ would be maintained near the optimum salinity and temperature for the particular crop and especially guarded against overheating. The nonconvective zone (NCZ) of this pond would insulate the SZ and buffer diurnal temperature oscillations in this SZ. Variations of the basic invention include using a partition to separate the SZ and NCZ, not using a pond liner, and adding heat from an external source to the SZ, such as geothermal or power plant waste heat. Because temperature elevations will usually be only 10.degree. to 25.degree. C., it will commonly be possible to insure stable stratification with modest salinity changes and to supply sufficient heat from directly absorbed solar energy alone. These solar ponds could economically provide optimum growing conditions fall through spring in temperate latitudes.

Abstract: An apparatus for photosynthesis has a reaction bath in which a plurality of narrow tubular photoradiators are arranged to radiate light therefrom and spaced from each other by a distance which is not more than about 2 mm. Each photoradiator has a cross-section which is cylindrical, equilateral triangular, tetragonal or hexagonal. A baffle plate is disposed below the photoradiators and is formed with a number of apertures therethrough in a predetermined area thereof which may be a radially central area or a generally annular peripheral area. CO.sub.2 -containing air is fed into the reaction bath through the apertures in the baffle plate to circulate along a predetermined path inside the reaction bath due to the remaining non-apertured part of the baffle plate. The function of the baffle plate may be performed by plugging which blocks the passage of the air through the spacings between the lower ends of the adjacent photoradiators in the predetermined area.

Abstract: J-1 which is a strain of cyanobacteria is used to form and excrete a material useful as a floculating agent and as an additive useful in soil conditioning. Method of separating and culturing the cyanobacteria under conditions necessary to achieve maximum formation and excretion of the material into solution. Method of purifying and separating excreted as well as intracellular material from cyanobacterial. Method of clarifying a particulate-laden liquid with a material excreted by cyanobacteria, and particularly species J-1. Extracellular polymeric material which is water-soluble, non-dialyzable, having a molecular weight greater than 100,000, based on Sephadex column elution G 150, containing sugar, peptide, and fatty acid moieties, giving a positive Anthrone test, having an absorption peak of 205 nm. using a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer Model 402.

Abstract: A non-chemical method and system for depleting plant nutrient compounds in open bodies of water by cultivating aquatic plants in a container placed in the body of water. The container comprises an aquatic plant support, a phyto-compatible envelope surrounding the support surface and flotation means appended to the system for providing sufficient buoyancy to maintain the container within the photic zone. The system is not limited to any specific aquatic plant with the use of Ceratophyllum demersum being preferred for fresh water. The method and system are advantageous because they permit environmentally safe control of undesirable eutrophication of the water and prevent contamination of the system with the plant being used for depletion.

Abstract: Production of macroalgae, e.g., Gracilaria, in a marine culture system is enhanced by improving the manner in which the aqueous culture medium is created, namely, first adjusting the alkalinity of a quantity of freshwater by the addition of an alkaline reagent thereto, diluting seawater with such alkalinity adjusted freshwater to create a saline solution having a salinity of between about 15 to 25 parts per thousand and an alkalinity of between about 3 to 10 meq/l., dissolving carbon dioxide in the resulting solution to bring its pH to between about 7.5 and 8.5, and using such carbon dioxide enriched solution as the culture medium.

Abstract: A method for selecting live seeds of sugar beet (those which are able to germinate) from dead seeds (those which are unable to germinate) based on the case of seed-cap releasing. When immersed in water, live seeds absorb much water and expand appreciably, while dead seeds expand only slightly because less water is absorbed. This expansion of live seeds upon absorption of water makes the seed caps, closely fitted onto the outer shells of fruit, ready to be released. When mechanical vibrations are given to a mixture of water-soaked fruit, only the seed caps of expanded fruit are easily released. Thus live seeds of sugar beet can be effectively obtained by selecting out the fruit from which seed caps have been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial device for germinating cereals, and/or leguminous plants, comprising an elongate cylindrical drum (10) mounted to be able to rotate about its axis, means (12,13,14) for driving this drum in rotation, means (31,32) for introducing the seeds to be treated into the drum and distributing them therein, means (33) for sprinkling seeds to be treated with an appropriate fluid over the entire length of the drum, and means (16,17) for blowing hot air into the drum.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of plant growth. Plants are treated with one or more acids, which are condensation products of glycolic and/or L-lactic acid. These acids also increase the concentration of chlorophyll, increase the rate of new plant formation when plants are propagated by tissue culture, decrease the amount of added nutrients required for plant growth, and protect plants against the toxic effects of salts. Certain of the acids are useful for increasing the rate of root formation in the plant.

Abstract: An automatic sprouts culture bag having a plurality of longitudinal culture unit bags for storing sprout seeds, connected in series and may be hung on a lateral rod or wall for nursing sprouts in the air in conjunction with a water-dropping device arranged above said longitudinal culture unit bags for feeding water in drops from either a water bucket of a water faucet to said longitudinal culture unit bags, a plurality of siphons arranged in offset between two adjoining longitudinal culture unit bags for siphoning water from the upper longitudinal culture unit bag into the lower one for submerging the sprout seeds stored in an inner perforated bag received in said longitudinal culture unit bag, and an outer dark bag enclosing said longitudinal culture unit bags to prevent the sprouts from being exposed to the sunlight in order to form a dark environment for better growth of the sprouts.

Abstract: A photosynthetic reaction bath has thereinside a number of photoradiators in the form of narrow upright tubes. A baffle plate is disposed below the photoradiators and is formed with a number of apertures therethrough in a predetermined area thereof which may be a radially central area or a generally annular peripheral area. Co.sub.2 -containing air is fed into the reaction bath through the apertures in the baffle plate to circulate along a predetermined path inside the reaction bath due to the remaining non-apertured part of the baffle plate. The function of the baffle plate may be performed by plugging which blocks the passage of the air through the spacings between the lower ends of the adjacent photoradiators in the predetermined area. The circulation of the air may be caused more positively along a variable path by a rotor which is positioned below the photoradiators and rotatable by ejecting the air while supplying it to the interior of the reaction bath.

Abstract: A fish feeding device utilizing a solar ray collecting device and a algae cultivating device. The fish feeding device comprises cylinders vertically installed in water so as to waft or float therein, solar ray collecting devices and/or artificial light sources equipped on the cylinders, cultivation devices suspended from the cylinders for cultivating algae or the like, and optical conductors for supplying solar rays and/or artificial light rays to the cultivation devices.

Abstract: A fish feeding plant utilizing a solar ray collecting device and a algae cultivating device installed in the sea, the lake, or the pond, etc. The plant comprises a structure made of cylinders and constructed by vertically setting up cylinders in water and connecting the respective cylinders with each other by use of horizontal cylinders, a solar ray collecting device installed on the water surface above the structure, and a culture device for cultivating algae or the like installed in water. Solar rays collected by the solar ray collecting device being transmitted to the culture device for cultivating the algae or the like through an optical conductor cable and employed as a photo-synthesis light source for the algae or the like. The culture device cultivating the algae or the like by utilizing carbon dioxide CO.sub.2, phosphorus, nitrogen, nutritious salt, etc. contained in water, and algae or the like created by cultivation and carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 being discharged into water.

Abstract: A concentrated fish feeding device utilizing a solar ray collecting device and a algae cultivating device installed in the sea, lakes, or ponds, etc. The device comprises a culture device for cultivating algae or the like installed in water, a photo-synthesis light source for supplying light rays to the algae culture device, and an illumination light source for entirely illuminating the algae culture device.

Abstract: A method of improving the phosphorus elimination capacity of a lake (11). Flexible wall (16) is extended from the bottom (21) of the lake a substantial distance toward the surface (23) of the lake at the beginning of the vegetation period of the lake to separate the lower parts of a minor portion of the lake from the lower parts of the rest of the lake. Sheets (18) are positioned between an inlet channel (12) and the flexible wall (16) as growth areas for algae. The flexible wall (16) is lowered around the end of the vegetation period to allow the flushing away of sedimented algae from the bottom of the minor portion of the lake.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent polyurethane foam wall optionally containing microorganisms, and a process for the preparation thereof, and the use of this wall in a biophotoreactor. This wall has pores, in which are distributed microorganisms and the pores are closed on one of the faces of the wall, in such a way that said face is impermeable to liquids and gases, while the other face of the wall has an open porosity. Thus, by circulating a liquid nutrient medium and a gas along the second face of the wall and exposing the first face thereof to light, it is possible to culture microorganisms and collect the metabolites formed by them in the liquid medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for photosynthesis includes a unique arrangement for supplying light and CO.sub.2 -containing air to a reaction chamber in a sure and stable manner. The reaction chamber is irradiated for photosynthesis from the inside and/or outside thereof in an intermittent mode. CO.sub.2 -containing air is routed from a CO.sub.2 source to a rotatable disc which is positioned in a bottom portion of the apparatus. Part of the CO.sub.2 -containing air is ejected sideways from the disc to cause it into rotation, while the rest of the air is ejected upwardly into the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is partitioned into a plurality of compartments which are sequentially supplied with the CO.sub.2 -containing air in accordance with the rotation of the disc.

Abstract: J-1 which is a strain of cyanobacteria is used to form and excrete a material useful as a floculating agent and as an additive useful in soil conditioning.Method of separating and culturing the cyanobacteria under conditions necessary to achieve maximum formation and excretion of the material into solution.Method of purifying and separating excreted as well as intracellular material from cyanobacteria.Method of clarifying a particulate-laden liquid with a material excreted by cyanobacteria, and particularly species J-1.Extracellular polymeric material which is water-soluble, non-dialyzable, having a molecular weight greater than 100,000 based on Sephadex column elution G 150, containing sugar, peptide, and fatty acid moieties, giving a positive Anthrone test, having an absorption peak of 205 nm. using a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer Model 402.

Abstract: A sprouting vegetable cultivation apparatus which includes a rotary drum for growing a sprouting vegetable, a pipe-shape guide positioned at the center of rotation of the rotary drum and having an opening formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a water spray pipe arranged inside the pipe-shape guide for spraying water into the rotary drum through the opening. The rotary drum includes a plurality of partition plates extending on its interior in the longitudinal direction. In addition, at least one perforated board can be provided on an inner surface of the rotary drum at an interval spaced therefrom.

Abstract: A light conduction apparatus for photosynthetic reaction includes a rotatable light distributor which may be a transparent rod or disc. Converged light is guided by a solid or tubular light conducting member into the light distributor and routed along at least one optical path through the light distributor as far as a radiation surface of the latter. The light output from the radiation surface is supplied a moment to each of a number of light conducting rods, which lead to a confinement for photosynthesis, once for each full rotation of the light distributor. Thus, the confinement shares a single light source which can be small size for given dimensions of the confinement.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of undesirable levels of algal growth in salt water bodies in which an effective amount of treatment water is added at the surface of the salt water body. The treatment water has a salinity and density either greater or less than that of the water at the surface of the salt water body. As a result, algae which have become accustomed to the existing conditions of salinity and density undergo rupture of cells and settle to the bottom of the salt water body, if the water density has been decreased, or suffer lower reproduction rates, and eventually flocculate and settle to the bottom of the salt water body, if the water density has been increased.

Abstract: A modular cultivation apparatus for the cultivation of plants and the simultaneous production of earthworms and fertilizer/top soil. The apparatus comprises an enclosure (12) including a modular foundation (14) comprising a plurality of plant growth modules (34) for the cultivation of plants and a plurality of harvest modules (36) for the growth and harvest of earthworms. The enclosure (12) further comprises side walls (16) mounted atop and supported by the modular foundation (14), such side walls (16) in turn supporting a roof member (26). In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an interior grow light (52), and a self-contained irrigation system (76) for dispersing liquid nutrient or other liquids to the harvest modules (36) and plant growth modules (34).

Abstract: A chlorella nurturing device comprises a chlorella nurturing tank constructed with a transparent material on the upper surface thereof and a reflection mirror assembly for reflecting downward vertically solar rays. The solar rays are reflected on the reflection mirror and guided into the chlorella nurturing tank through the transparent material at the upper surface thereof. The reflection mirror is constructed with a large number of dual-surface reflection mirror plates unitarily arranged in parallel in a south-north direction.

Abstract: A method for harvesting algae of the genus Dunaliella from suspensions thereof in brines containing sodium chloride at a concentration of about 3M or above, wherein the algal suspension is contacted with an adsorbent having a hydrophobic surface so as to adsorb the algae thereon, and the adsorbent with the algae adsorbed thereon is separated from the brine..beta.-carotene and other useful cell components may be extracted from the adsorbed algae by treatment with a suitable solvent.

Abstract: A sprout growing system utilizing open, wide-mouth, screened jars which receive sprout seeds and water. A support is provided having spaces to receive the jars. The jars are maintained with their mouth ends at a lower elevation than their closed ends to facilitate drainage and thereby inhibit spoilage. The jars are advanced from one space to another after a predetermined period, such as daily. When the first jar is ready for harvesting, it is removed from the support, and the remaining jars advanced through the support spaces until the sprouts thereof are also ready for harvesting on a daily basis.

Abstract: An undifferentiated symbiotic combination of alga and fungus cells, obtained directly from a lichen explant, are cultured in a media under appropriate conditions to produce aromatic lichenous substances and these substances are recovered.

Abstract: Hydrogen is biologically, effectively produced by an alga in an alternating light/dark cycle which comprises alternating a step for cultivating the alga in water under aerobic conditions in the presence of light to accumulate photosynthetic products in the alga and a step for cultivating the alga in water under microaerobic conditions in the dark to decompose accumulated material by photosynthesis to evolve hydrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the generation of sprouts from material capable of sprouting, in particular for seeds, grains, leguminous fruits, as well as for the hydroponic planting of grasses for human consumption with at least one container receiving the material for sprouting and at least one dish filled with liquid, into which the sprouting container can dip via a lift drive mechanism. The sprouting container is formed as a sieve and is constructed for easy exchangeability by being disposed in a recess or opening of a support plate. The support plate rests on a side frame. The lift drive mechanism is disposed at the side frame and is effective between the support plate and the dish to provide for dipping the sprouting container into the dish and for separating the sprouting container from the dish.

Abstract: A method of cultivating plants without soil, wherein a nutrient solution is supplied to the root system of the plants.Before the nutrient solution is supplied to the root system it is oxidized with substantially pure oxygen to maintain a content of dissolved oxygen at the root system which is at least 4 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculture medium comprising enclosing the aquaculture medium containing seed amounts of a biomass in an enclosure in which the medium containing the biomass fills one-half of the enclosure and a CO.sub.2 and air gaseous layer is above the medium and fills the other one half, growing the biomass in the medium within the enclosure in a predetermined growing cycle enhancing growth of the biomass in the medium by exposing it to continuous agitation by agitation means heat, by heating means, and illumination by a light source capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass, and whereby CO.sub.2 consumed from the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis in the biomass is continuously replenished by a CO.sub.2 enrichment means and oxygen produced to the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis is extracted by extraction means.

Abstract: A germinator is formed by locating a plastic sheet cover around a textile material, preferably plant-"Fibertex".RTM., being in contact with a seed, a sprout or a cutting.As a consequence of its distinct capillary effect the textile material ensures the sufficient amount of moisture during the beginning germination of a seed, and after bedding out of the germinated plant the surrounding plastic sheet cover protects the root or the roots against drying up for the first few days after the bedding out.

Abstract: A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of mixing the slimes with a microorganism species or a mixture thereof or ruptured or dried cells thereof, or a fermentation beer on which the organism was grown wherein the organism is selected from the group of cyanobacteria and allowing the mixture to separate into a clear upper layer and a consolidated slimes lower layer.

Abstract: Efficiency of process for producing H.sub.2 by subjecting algae in an aqueous phase to light irradiation is increased by culturing algae which has been bleached during a first period of irradiation in a culture medium in an aerobic atmosphere until it has regained color and then subjecting this algae to a second period of irradiation wherein hydrogen is produced at an enhanced rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to algal cell growth, modification and harvesting, and more particularly to systems apparatus and methods for growing, enhancing the growth of and harvesting of motile swimming microorganisms, especially unicellular algae, such as Dunaliella, which multiply by cell division.

Abstract: In a plant tissue and cell cultivation, a method for facilitating both cell multiplication and differentiation is attained by conducting the cultivation in a culture medium containing an extract of micro algae such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Spirulina.

Abstract: Porphyridium cruentum is cultured in an enriched seawater medium using a high initial cell concentration until the productivity of polysaccharide production by the alga is maximized. The whole culture is then extracted by making the culture strongly alkaline, and heat treating it. The culture is cooled, acidified and the polysaccharide precipitated by addition of a water-miscible organic solvent such as ethanol. Very high yields of polysaccharide are obtained, in excess of 4.5 grams per liter of culture.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection and recording of the presence of a filament or other small object at a station (13) is described. The apparatus includes light beam detection means (70, 71) and means (14) for rotating the object at the station so that the object interrupts the light beam as it is rotated and is detected and recorded by a counting means (102, 108, 110). The apparatus is particularly useful for the detection of filaments and other small objects which cannot be positioned precisely at the station. The apparatus is specifically useful for detecting roots or shoots (201) resulting from seed (200) germination in a tube (11).

Abstract: This invention relates to a rotatable seed sprouter adapted to container water and seed which can be manipulated by mere rotation of the sprouter.

Abstract: Preparing a foodstuff for human or animal consumption by sowing seeds of at least one quick-germinating plant of a type such as to produce strong root systems in peat which is allowed to lie in a layer having a thickness in the range of from 40 to 200 mm for a vegetation period of from 10 to 21 days, there being at least 900 Kg of seeds per hectare of the layer and recovering the germinated seeds and the peat as the foodstuff.