Abstract: Bacteria which produce large amounts of cellulase--containing cell-free fermentate have been identified. The original bacterium (ATCC 55703) was genetically altered using nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment to produce the enhanced cellulase producing bacterium (ATCC 55702), which was identified through replicate plating. ATCC 55702 has improved characteristics and qualifies for the degradation of cellulosic waste materials for fuel production, food processing, textile processing, and other industrial applications. ATCC 55702 is an improved bacterial host for genetic manipulations using recombinant DNA techniques, and is less likely to destroy genetic manipulations using standard mutagenesis techniques.

Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, 1-(butoxy)-2-hydroxypropylhydroxyethylcellulose, ethylhydroxyethylcellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, guar gum, carboxymethylhydroxypropylguar, hydroxypropylguar and carboxymethylguar in dibasic potassium phosphate are stabilized with xanthan gum to provide improved thickeners for joint compounds and latex paint.