Abstract: 17It is intended to provide Bifidobacterium longum having the following bacteriological properties and microbial powders, foods and beverages containing this Bifidobacterium longum: (1) having such fermentation ability as to make a milk base medium to pH 4.6 or below; (2) showing a survival rate of 50% or more in the case of, after attaining pH 4.4 to 4.6 in a milk base medium, quenching and storing at 10° C. for two weeks; and (3) having such gastric juice tolerance as to yield a survival rate of 10% or more in the case of storing in artificial gastric juice (pH 3.0) at 37° C. for two hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Ulocladium oudemansii as a biological control agent. Processes and compositions for the biological control of Botrytis species using Ulocladium oudemansii are also provided.

Abstract: A Gram-negative bacterial strain, Pseudomonas putida TX2 (PTA-6169 and BCRC 910232), was isolated from farmland, which had received frequent applications of a various pesticides and surfactants. This strain was demonstrated to have the capacity to grow on alkylphenol polyethoxylates (0.05% to 20%) or alkylphenol (0.001% to 0.01%) as sole source of carbon and energy. The metabolic activity of this strain can be applied in the degradation of organic polymers containing ethoxylate units, alkylphenol and alkylphenol derivatives.

Abstract: A method for selectively enhancing the growth of the population of a dinoflagellate comprises incubating a medium containing at least one dinoflagellate cell in the presence of mimosine or a toxic degradative product thereof is provided as well as isolates and cultures of dionoflagellates obtainable by said method. A method for isolating chemical compounds produced by dinoflagellates and chemical compounds obtainable by said method are also provided, as well as a method of identifying the causative agent of red tides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of neutralizing beverage industrial wastewater by a bacterial strain Exiguobacterium sp. isolated in India, which strain is capable of bring down the pH of wastewater from 12.00 to 7.00 units within 1 to 1.5 hours.

Abstract: A biological inoculant for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. The inoculant includes the bacterial strains Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Pantoea agglomerans P101, Pantoea agglomerans P102, Klebsiella pneumoniae 342, Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy, Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15, with or without a carrier. The inoculant also includes strains of the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans and K. pneumoniae which are able to enhance the growth of cereal grasses. Also disclosed are the novel bacterial strains Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Pantoea agglomerans P101 and P102, and Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 and zmvsy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel isolated and purified fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis. The present invention also provides a pesticidal composition of an effective amount of an isolated and purified fungal strain of Hirsutella rhossiliensis or Hirsutella minnesotensis that is capable of controlling nematode infestation and a carrier. Further, the present invention provides methods of controlling nematode infestation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel strains of probiotics for use in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet. The probiotics of the present invention are capable of fermenting starch to produce lactic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide anti-pathogenic metabolites. The present invention also provides a novel method for identifying the effectiveness of a pet probiotic in vitro. The method simulates the introduction of a probiotic candidate in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet and measures the anti-pathogenic effectiveness of the probiotic.

Abstract: A dressing for debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound, wherein the dressing comprises an effective amount of one or more proteolytic enzymes incorporated in a degradable polymeric material. The dressing of the invention provides effective debridement of necrotic wounds over a prolonged period of time, as the enzymes may be released over time. As the enzymes are incorporated in the polymeric material, a high stability is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biointerface membranes including a macro-architecture and a micro-architecture co-continuous with and bonded to and/or located within at least a portion of the macro-architecture. The macro- and micro-architectures work together to manage and manipulate the high-level tissue organization and the low-level cellular organization of the foreign body response in vivo, thereby increasing neovascularization close to a device-tissue interface, interfering with barrier cell layer formation, and providing good tissue anchoring, while reducing the effects of motion artifact, and disrupting the organization and/or contracture of the FBC. The biointerface membranes of the preferred embodiments can be utilized with implantable devices such as devices for the detection of analyte concentrations in a biological sample (for example, from a body), cell transplantation devices, drug delivery devices, electrical signal delivering or measuring devices, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The ability of two Aspergillus flavus Link isolates (CT3 and K49) to reduce aflatoxin contamination of corn was assessed in a four-year field study (2001 to 2004). Soil was treated with six wheat inoculant treatments: toxigenic isolate F3W4; the non-toxigenic isolate K49; the non-aflatoxigenic isolate CT3, two mixtures of CT3 or K49 with F3W4; and an autoclaved wheat control, applied at 20 kg/ha. In 2001, inoculation with the toxigenic isolate increased corn grain aflatoxin levels by 167% compared to the non-inoculated control, while CT3 and K49 inoculation reduced aflatoxin levels in corn grain by 86% & 60%, respectively. In 2002, inoculation of CT3 and K49 reduced aflatoxin levels by 61% and 76% compared to non-inoculated controls, respectively. In 2001 mixtures of toxigenic and non-toxigenic isolates had little effect on aflatoxin levels, but in 2002 inoculation with mixtures of K49 and CT3 reduced aflatoxin levels 68 and 37% compared to non-inoculated controls, respectively.

Abstract: Lactobacillus strains that have a genetic Profile I based on Apa I, Not I, and Xba I digests are provided. Preferably, the strains decrease level of at least one of coliforms and E. coli within the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. A direct-fed microbial that includes the strain is additionally provided. A method of feeding an animal the strain and a method of forming a direct fed microbial that includes the strain is also provided.

Abstract: Microorganism of the genus Eubacterium, and its obtainment and use, which is suitable in pure culture, DSM 11798, and/or mixed culture with the strain Enterococcus casseliflavus, DSM 11799, or in mixed culture with other anaerobic microorganisms for the detoxification of trichothecenes. A feedstuff additive for the inactivation of trichothecenes in feedstuffs or in the digestive tract of animals contains a pure and/or mixed culture of the microorganism (DSM 11798 or DSM 11799) or a mixed culture with other anaerobic microorganisms in an amount from 0.2 to 3 kg, in particular 0.5 to 2.5 kg, per 1000 kg of feedstuff. The feedstuff additive containing DSM 11798 achieves probiotic effect on an animal and maintains or improves fertility performance of an animal subject to fusariotoxin-contaminated feed.

Abstract: The soporific activity of cis-9,10-octadecenoamide and other soporific fatty acid primary amides is neutralized by hydrolysis in the presence of fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Hydrolysis of cis-9,10-octadecenoamide by FAAH leads to the formation of oleic acid, a compound without soporific activity. FAAH has be isolated and the gene encoding FAAH has been cloned, sequenced, and used to express recombinant FAAH. Inhibitors of FAAH are disclosed to block the hydrolase activity.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising a daidzein-containing substrate and a strain of micro-organism capable of metabolizing daidzein to equol as essential ingredients. This composition is effective in the prevention and alleviation of unidentified clinical syndrome inclusive of menopausal syndrome in middle-aged to elderly women for which no effective means of prevention or alleviation has heretofore been available.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of microorganisms for the generation of ethanol from lignocellulosic waste materials. Yeast strains of the genus Kluyveromyces which have the capability to ferment cellulose, hexose sugars to ethanol are provided. Also provided are methods for converting cellulose, hexoses, or mixed hydrolysates of hexoses to ethanol by fermentation with Kluyveromyces strains. The invention also provides methods to isolate yeast strains which metabolize cellulose, pentoses, or hemicelluloses from waste materials.

Abstract: The invention provides novel biologically pure cultures of microorganisms high in protease activity and capable of decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis as contained in garbage, waste water, organic waste liquids, industrial wastes and the like, a protease produced by such microorganisms and capable of decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis, and a method of utilizing the same. The novel culture is of a soil-derived microorganism belonging to Streptomyces sp., or a strain derived therefrom, which produces a protease capable of efficiently decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis as contained in waste water, organic waste liquids, industrial wastes and so forth.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which are useful for the treatment and prevention of secretory diarrhea are provided. The invention specifically relates to pharmaceutical formulations of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which has been isolated from a Croton spp. or a Calophyllum spp. In particular, the invention relates to a formulation of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which protects the composition from the effects of stomach acid after oral administration, particularly to those formulations which are enteric coated. The invention also relates to methods of producing a directly compressible proanthocyanidin polymer composition, as well as compositions containing the directly compressible proanthocyanidin polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention involves the discovery of a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor albus, which produces volatile antibiotics that are effective in the treatment of human and animal waste products. Through experimentation, this invention confirms that Muscodor albus can be used in disposable bags in connection with portable toilets to solve the problem of degradation of waste products in situations where humans are removed from sanitary facilities. This invention includes the discovery of non-volatile inhibitors that are also produced by Muscador albus and that are similarly effective in treating human and animal wastes. This invention covers a unique and novel method for preparing Muscador albus for commercial use in the treatment of human and animal wastes. This method entails infesting a seed grain with Muscador albus and then storing it under conditions that will allow the fungus to remain viable.

Abstract: A method for suppressing undesired viral growth in a host which comprises administering to the host an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of HO—, CH3O— and CH3(C?O) O—. The method is exemplified by inhibiting Tat transactivation of a lentivirus and in suppressing Herpes simplex virus.