Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilizing the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a Lactobacillus strain, composition and use thereof for treating autoimmune disease and related complications. The composition comprises at least one isolate of Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-32, L. reuteri strain GMNL-89 or L. reuteri strain GMNL-263, and a pharmaceutical carrier, for treating syndromes and related complications of the autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which includes naturally occurring, non-transgenic isolated bacteria from the group of Lactococcus and Acinetobacter or fragments thereof or mixtures thereof, to such a bacterium as a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic or chronic inflammatory disorders and to a process for producing this composition.

Abstract: A fermentation process for the production of ethanol from natural sources, such as corn, comprising introducing a fermentable sugar, an inoculant, and a stabilized chlorine dioxide into a fermentation system is disclosed. The stabilized chlorine dioxide is added preventatively to the fermentation system, at concentrations in the fermentation system of acetic acid no greater than 0.30% (weight/volume) and lactic acid no greater than 0.60% (weight/volume). The stabilized chlorine dioxide is added in an amount effective to substantially prevent growth of bacteria.

Abstract: A use of a Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 in decreasing blood lipid levels is disclosed. Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (accession No.: CCTCC M 209263) specifically inhibits gene expression related to pro-inflammatory factor and lipid synthesis and promotes gene expression related to cholesterol metabolism. Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 is utilized to produce a composition for decreasing blood lipid levels, thereby achieving the aim of hyperlipidemia treatment.

Abstract: A composition for a medical device is described. The composition comprises a specific mucoadherent gelling complex composed of EPS, exopolysaccharides of bacterial origin produced in situ in the gastrointestinal tract by specific selected bacterial strains, in association with vegetable gums and/or animal and/or vegetable gelatines. The complex is capable of establishing a complete barrier effect of a mechanical type extending throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract and can be used as a medication for the prevention and treatment of all pathologies connected to a deficiency in the barrier effect in the gastrointestinal area due to a low production of mucus, such as, by way of non-exhaustive example, intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation.

Abstract: Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated Pediococcus acidilactici 05B0111 capable of producing an exopolysaccharide. The Pediococcus acidilactici 05B0111 is deposited in Biosource Collection and Research Center (BCRC) of Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) under an accession number BCRC 910420 and deposited in Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) under an accession number DSM 22345. A method of producing an exopolysaccharide is also disclosed. The method involves cultivating an isolated Pediococcus acidilactici in a suitable medium under condition such that the exopolysaccharide is formed. A pharmaceutical composition including the aforementioned Pediococcus acidilactici 05B0111 and a food product including the aforementioned Pediococcus acidilactici 05B0111 are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Microbial starter cultures. More specifically, a method for preparing a microbial starter culture wherein the microorganism is inoculated in a culture medium comprising at least one 5 yield enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of a purine base, a pyrimidine base, a nucleoside and a nucleotide. Such microbial starter cultures are useful in the manufacturing of food, feed and pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A Bacillus strain characterized by (i): sensitivity for ampicillin, vancomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol; (ii) antimicrobial activity against E. coli and Clostridium perfringens; and (iii) a sporulation percentage of at least 80 when measured after 2 days of incubation. The invention further relates to a method for selecting such strains. Many of the identified strains according to the invention are of the species Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Some of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were further identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. amyloliquefaciens whereas others were identified as amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum. A Bacillus strain of the invention may be used as a feed additive to animal feed where it has a probiotic effect.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzyme based methods for separating protein from protein-rich materials derived from plant seeds, fruit, or other biomass and products made therefrom. The protein content in the resulting products is improved by separating and removing the carbohydrates from around the proteins in, for example, soybean meal. This removal is facilitated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of poly- and oligomeric carbohydrates into monosaccharides and other water soluble sugars. The present invention provides for the production of three streams of useful materials. The first is an enriched protein material comparable to the known SPCs but without significant quantities of undigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The second is an SPI made from the soluble protein in the hydrolysate which is valuable for high-quality feed, food and industrial uses.

Abstract: Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. The improved, modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. Modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the associated diseases thereby promoting plant growth. The present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Disclosed compositions include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents.

Abstract: Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. The improved, modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. Modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the associated diseases thereby promoting plant growth. The present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Disclosed compositions include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents.

Abstract: Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. The improved, modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. Modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the associated diseases thereby promoting plant growth. The present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Disclosed compositions include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents.

Abstract: Lactococcus lactis strains with improved preservation characteristics, and improved acid and bile salt tolerance are disclosed. More specifically, a L. lactis strain having a heterologous trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene and/or a trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase gene, results in an accumulation of trehalose in the cytoplasm and/or in the cytoplasmic membrane. A L. lactis strain, having an internal trehalose concentration of at least 10 mg per gram cells (w/w) is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treatment of wounds using a complex antimicrobial sorption composition possessing the necrolytic effect for treating the purulent wounds, the trophic ulcers, the wounds, and the infiltrates with the significant necrotic and exudative components represents the silica sorbent with the immobilized drug. Pyrogenic silica is used as a siliceous sorbent, and serrathiopeptidase as a drug.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a useful composition that contains a highly safe lactic acid bacterium or a component derived from this lactic acid bacterium. The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one lactic acid bacterium selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis strain KR-037 (NITE BP-395), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis strain KLAB-4 (NITE BP-394), and variants thereof, or comprising a component derived from the lactic acid bacterium. The composition of the present invention is useful as a preparation that has an excellent antiallergic function and also has at least one other function selected from an anti-autoimmune disease function, a diabetes-improving function, a neutral fat-lowering function, and so forth.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is novel yeast strains capable of metabolizing xylose and resistant to at least one fermentation inhibitor, and also to the method of obtaining same. The subject of the present invention is also the yeasts obtained by culturing said yeast strains and the use thereof for producing at least one fermentation product, preferably ethanol, in particular in a culture medium comprising xylose and at least one fermentation inhibitor.

Abstract: A species of Burkholderia sp with no known pathogenicity to vertebrates but with pesticidal activity (e.g., plants, insects, fungi, weeds and nematodes) is provided. Also provided are natural products derived from a culture of said species and methods of controlling pests using said natural products.

Abstract: A method of culturing a microorganism capable of producing at least any one of a highly unsaturated fatty acid or a compound containing a highly unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent fatty acid in a culture medium containing at least a carbon source and a nitrogen source, using an aeration-agitation culture device capable of adjusting and controlling an agitation power and an aeration amount. The method comprises the steps of performing mechanical agitation for a predetermined time after start of culture, where the agitation power per unit liquid amount is 269 (W/m3) or less, and after the predetermined time has passed, adjusting and controlling at least any one of the maximum aeration amount and a maximum power required for agitation to a range which satisfies that KLA (=(P/V)0.95Vs0.67) is 59 or more, an air flow rate parameter Vs0.67 is 0.075 or more, and a required agitation power parameter (P/V)0.