Abstract: A device for replicating moist bacterial or other cell colonies including a rigid layer, a resilient backing layer secured to one side of the rigid layer and a cell colony transfer surface made from an open-cell, flexible foam which includes a hydrophilic material therein and which surface is absorbent, porous, compliant and exhibits less resilience than said backing layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing L-carnitine which comprises exposing .gamma.-substituted acetoacetic acid esters or amides to the fermentative enzymatic action of a microorganism which elaborates L-.beta.-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.1.35] , recovering the resulting, optically active corresponding .gamma.-substituted-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid derivative and converting said derivative to L-carnitine. An improvement in the process is also disclosed which comprises reacting a 4-chloro-3(R)-hydroxybutyrate with sodium iodide or bromide to produce the corresponding 4-iodo- or 4-bromo-3(R)-hydroxybutyrate, converting the 4-iodo- or 4-bromo-3(R)-hydroxybutyrate to the trimethylamino-3(R)-hydroxybutyrate salt, then converting the trimethylamino-3(R)-hydroxybutyrate salt into L-carnitine. Novel chemical intermediates prepared in the processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A batch system apparatus for collecting lysozyme from egg white by adsorption on an ion-exchange resin, which includes a lysozyme adsorption tank, equipped therein with a stirring mechanism for stirring an egg white solution and an ion-exchange resin, having a strainer provided in a lower portion thereof, having liquid discharge pipes connected thereto at a position below the strainer, preferably at the bottom of the tank, and at the side wall above the strainer at a height such that the resin when left at rest will not overflow, respectively, and further having a resin discharge pipe connected thereto at the lower portion of the side wall, above and in the vicinity of the strainer; a positive displacement pump connected to the liquid discharge pipes for transferring the egg white solution after removal of lysozyme to a reservoir tank; and a centrifugal pump connected to the resin discharge pipe for transferring the mixture of the resin and water to a separate tank, whereby collection by adsorption can be mad

Abstract: A horizontal cylindrical tank contains a conveyor screw rotatable on a horizontal axis below the symmetry axis of the tank, the latter having at its lower part an inlet at one end for organic material and an outlet at the other end for fermented material. A heating medium is circulated through one of the bearings, a frame supporting the screw, and the latter's peripheral portion. The screw moves sludge along the tank bottom toward the outlet and recirculates fermented material back to the inlet region via a space at one side of the screw, while evolved gas discharges through an outlet in the top of the tank.

Abstract: A germination floor system for a malt plant having a plurality of pivotally mounted tray assemblies movable between a horizontal position for supporting grain during germination and an approximate upright orientation to provide access beneath the floor for cleaning. The tray assemblies are capable of being manually movable to the cleaning position or, alternatively, may be fitted with a pneumatic cylinder and/or spring devices to facilitate movement. In the vertical cleaning position, the individual tray assemblies are fixed in position to prevent injury to personnel beneath the structure.

Abstract: A highly sensitive quantitative assay method for any one component which is L-glycero-3-phosphate (G3P), dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate (DHAP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or reduced NAD, in a specimen to be assayed, comprising causing this component in the specimen to take part in the cycling reaction ##STR1## wherein GPO is glycerophosphate oxidase and GPDH is glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, and measuring a detectable change in the reaction system. There is thus provided a novel G3P-GHAP cycling reaction using GPO, which consumes O.sub.2 and generates H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and DHAP, with a substrate of G3P, and furthermore GPDH which consumes reduced NAD and generates NAD and G3P, with a substrate of DHAP. Examples of specimens are specimens which contain any one of G3P, DHAP, NAD or reduced NAD, or which liberate or generate such a component.

Abstract: A device of the present invention for sterile sampling of culture liquor from a fermenter comprises a sampler (1) positioned on the fermenter (3) in the zone of stirring the culture liquor and a sterile sample collector (11). The sampler (1) is fashioned as a normally closed valve whose body (4) has a circular projection (8) on the side of contact with the sample collector (11). The sample collector (11) is made evacuated and has a normally closed valve (12) mounted on its neck, the body (13) of which on the side of contact with the sampler (1) is provided a circular groove (17) conjugated with the circular projection (8) of the sampler (1). Upon superposition and interaction of the latter is formed a sealed conduit (19) for the passage of culture liquor from the fermenter (3) to the sample collector (11).

Abstract: A process for producing mitomycin A by fermentation, which involves culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces, which is capable of producing mitomycin A and having at least one property of (1) deficiency in an ability to produce mitomycin C and (2) a resistance to tryptophan analog, in a culture medium forming and accummulating mitomycin A in the culture medium; and recovering mitomycin A therefrom. The microorganism preferably involves Streptomyces caespitosus T-17-135 (NRRL 12508) or Streptomyces caespitosus (NRRL 12513).

Abstract: Particular heterocyclic compounds are useful as color-forming couplers in analytical compositions, elements and methods. These compounds are represented by the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is a solubilizing group, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, a heterocyclic group, halo, amino or R, and Z represents the carbon atoms necessary to complete the nucleus of a 5- or 6-membered fused ring. The color-forming coupler is combined with an oxidizable color developing compound, e.g. 4-aminoantipyrine to provide a chromogenic composition. This composition can be used in solution or dry assays of biological fluids to produce a color dye in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or other analytes, e.g. glucose or uric acid, which react to produce hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A novel immobilized cell reactor design is described capable of separating an inhibitory metabolite from a fermentation broth as it is formed. This reactor has the dual advantages of (1) speeding product inhibited reactions and (2) giving a concentrated product free of substrate and cells. The immobilized cell reactor separator (ICRS) can consist of two columns; in the first or `enriching` column stripping gas and broth move co-currently after which the liquid phase moves to the top of the second `stripping` column and moves counter currently to the stripping gas while the remaining substrate is converted to product. The use of this reactor in an ethanol from whey lactose fermentation system is also described.

Abstract: A multiwell tissue culture assembly comprises a plate and a lid. The plate includes a plurality of wells for receiving liquids therein. Upstanding side walls form the outside border of the plate. A ledge is spaced inwardly of the side walls and extends around the plate between the side walls and the wells. The lid is removably positioned on the plate and includes a substantially planar cover extending over the wells. A labyrinth passage is associated with the cover, the side walls, the ledge and the wells to permit air exchange between the wells and the external environment to maintain equalibration therebetween, but to partially prevent air entrance to the wells to minimize evaporation of liquids in the wells.

Abstract: A portable apparatus to enable rapid determination of an individual's ABO blood group and Rh blood type and a method of using such apparatus. The apparatus has a plurality of microtubes joined together which contain blood taken from an individual. The assembly of microtubes is connected during use to an assembly of reaction chambers containing blood typing reagents. The apparatus enables rapid visualization of the test reactions within the reaction chambers, and may be used in locations removed from a laboratory to determine the ABO blood group and Rh blood type of an individual.

Abstract: A process for preparing L-carnitine which comprises exposing .gamma.-substituted acetoacetic acid esters or amides to the fermentative enzymatic action of a microorganism which elaborates oxido-reductase enzymes, recovering the resulting, optically active, corresponding .gamma.-substituted-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid derivative and converting said derivative to L-carnitine.

Abstract: A one piece, biphasic media culture container, as disclosed herein, includes a first compartment for a solid nutrient culture medium, a second compartment for a liquid nutrient culture medium and a common headspace enclosure above and extending between said first and second compartments to provide selective fluid communication therebetween. The first and second compartments are discrete from one another except for the common headspace enclosure and are spatially separated by an air space between their respective inner walls.

Abstract: A bioreactor arrangement comprises a housing defining a closed space having a longitudinal axis with at least two spaced apart microporous membranes fixed therein dividing the space into a first chamber on one side of one of the membrane, a second chamber on one side of the other membrane, and a third chamber between opposite sides of the one and other membrane. The housing includes at least one port communicating with each chamber and fixed static mixers in the form of curved and/or perforated members in the third chamber. The first and second chambers are used alternately to receive and discharge material in the bioreactor. The third chamber contains an active substance which produces a useful product from raw materials in the supplied fluid. A flow valve and pump are provided for selectively supplying fluid carrying raw material to one or the other of the first and second chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which delivers a dosage of a chemical substance preferably to a biological tissue in such a controlled manner that the concentration affecting the biological tissue is known at each and every point in time. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels with each vessel containing a different concentration of the chemical substance. A valve has a plurality of inlets and a single outlet wherein each inlet is connected to a corresponding vessel. The biological tissue is preferably held within a chamber for treatment with the chemical substance. A pump positioned preferably between the valve and the biological tissue provides a transport force for delivering the chemical substance to the tissue.

Abstract: A system for transferring liquid to a multi-well culture plate which includes a machine having a frame upon which is mounted a platform for supporting the culture plate, a transfer plate above the platform and a piston plate above the transfer plate. The transfer plate includes a plurality of chambers closed at the top by a diaphragm. The open bottoms of the chambers may be immersed in a source of the liquid to be transferred on the platform such as a culture plate or reservoir, and the piston plate may be selectively inserted into the chambers of the transfer plate against the diaphragm so that the liquid may be drawn into the chambers from the source. The liquid thereafter may be discharged from the chambers into a multi-well culture plate placed on the platform.

Abstract: A device and process for inducing membrane fusion under an electric field. The process comprises the steps of (a) suspending said membranes in an aqueous buffered medium in a manner so that the membranes are without contact with each other; (b) altering said membranes to a fusogenic state by applying 2-30 pulses of direct current at a rate of 2 to 5 pulses per second in an electrical field strength of about 500-1000 volts/mm in the medium, said pulses having a rapid rise time not exceeding about 10 micro seconds and an exponential decay half time of about 0.2 milliseconds to about 1.2 milliseconds; and (c) thereafter bringing said fusogenic membranes in contact with each other. A long-lived metastable fusogenic state of membranes can be obtained by the device and process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for taking samples from a ermenter having such a construction as to enable sterilization of the equipment for taking the sample simultaneously with the procedure of sample taking. The possibility of inadvertently contaminating a fluid being sampled is prevented. The apparatus comprises a sampler (1) provided at the inlet with a valve (3), a by-pass valve (27) mountable at the outlet of a fermenter (39), and a separating chamber (19) between the valves (3) and (27). The chamber (19) has a nipple (40) with a valve (28) for feeding a sterilizing agent to the sampler (1). An additional valve (7) is secured at the inlet of the sampler (1), a housing of the valve (3) functioning as a shut-off member of this valve (7). The chamber (19) is capable of reciprocating motion in the direction of travel of the shut-off members (4) and (6) and engagement therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus delivers a dosage of a chemical stimuli or drug in such a controlled manner that the concentration at the point of delivery is known at each and every point in time. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels with each vessel containing a different concentration of the drug or chemical stimuli. A valve has a plurality of inlets and a single outlet wherein each inlet is connected to a corresponding vessel. An improved culture chamber is fluidly connected to the outlet of the valve and is used to develop the desired concentration. A first pump is positioned preferably between the valve and the chamber to provide a transport force for delivering the chemical stimuli or drug to the chamber. A suction tube is positioned proximate the top of the chamber and has a bottom open end which defines the level of liquid within the chamber. The suction tube thereby keeps the volume within the chamber constant. A second pump provides a transport force for removing excess liquid from the chamber.