Abstract: A solid-phase bioremediation method utilizing naturally occurring lignin-degrading fungi. The method includes inoculating a field-contaminated, nonsterile soil or wood having a halogenated hydrocarbon contaminant with an inoculum containing one or more lignin-degrading fungi and a lignocellulosic substrate, and degrading the contaminant to less toxic degradation products.

Abstract: Ethers including dioxanes are degraded by bringing an ether-containing influent into intimate contact, under growth or resting conditions and in the presence of oxygen, with a culture comprising a bacterium having the characterizing microbiological properties of Amycolata ATCC 55486 or a mutant thereof which retains the characterizing microbiological property of being capable of utilizing dioxane as a sole carbon growth source.

Abstract: Enzymatic dehalogenation of undesirable nitrogen-free organohalogen compounds is carried out by adding bacteria to an aqueous composition comprising a nitrogen-free organohalogen compound and a nitrogen-containing cationic polymer. The enzymatic dehalogenation of the nitrogen-free organohalogen compound is achieved without any substantial effect upon the nitrogen-free organohalogen compound. The dehalogenation method may be carried out via continuous, batch, or semi-continuous processes NCIMB 40271, 40272, 40273 and 40274 were deposited on Apr. 2, 1990. NCIMB 40313 was deposited on Aug. 31, 1990 and NCIMB 40383 was deposited on Mar. 11, 1991.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a three step process that selectively removes embedded cellulose lint precursors from a cotton fabric with a cellulase solution during a continuous fabric manufacturing process. The cellulase solution, applied continually, travels in a finite, limited path and digests fibrils, forming embedded lint precursors, from the fabric. Undigestable fibrils, located outside the path travelled by the cellulase, remain undamaged by the cellulase. After the fabric's first wash, no appreciable linting is observed on the surface thereof and the fabric retains at least about 90% of its strength. Further, the process produces fabrics which do not exhibit commercially unacceptable yellowing from the action of the cellulase upon the cellulose.

Abstract: A strain of the bacterium Actinomyces viscosus ATCC-55473 has been discovered, which is able to reductively dechlorinate pentachlorophenol to lesser chlorinated products under anaerobic conditions without the formation of toxic intermediates. Compositions of the bacterium provide a methodology for bioremediation of chemically contaminated sites as an alternative to existing methods which are expensive and environmentally disruptive.

Abstract: A single bath process for imparting both a stonewashed and overdyed appearance to denim textiles and articles is disclosed. The single bath comprises a dye, a cellulase enzyme and optionally but preferably a salt.

Abstract: A method of separating oleophilic-hydrophobic material from wash water is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing with the wash water, about 30-2100 ppm of a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20; and about 1-200 ppm of an enzyme chosen from among proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, pectinases and mixtures thereof. The mixture of wash water surfactant and/or enzyme is then permitted to stand for a time sufficient for the oleophilic-hydrophobic material to separate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the preparation of large DNA molecules from cells which have been cast in agarose. Specifically, the invention provides for a processing chamber that allows agarose plugs to be molded and processed within the same apparatus. This greatly reduces the amount of manipulation required of such DNA samples and reduces the loss of material due to agarose plug breakage. The mold has a filling port for agarose and a slot for at least one retainer for preventing the molten agarose from exiting through openings in the mold through which DNA processing solutions later access the molded agarose plugs.

Abstract: A method and process for the degradation of tributyl phosphate in an organic waste mixture and a biologically pure, novel bacteria culture for accomplishing the same. A newly-discovered bacteria (a strain of Acinetobacter sp. ATCC 55587) is provided which is combined in a reactor vessel with a liquid waste mixture containing tributyl phosphate and one or more organic waste compounds capable of functioning as growth substrates for the bacteria. The bacteria is thereafter allowed to incubate within the waste mixture. As a result, the tributyl phosphate and organic compounds within the waste mixture are metabolized (degraded) by the bacteria, thereby eliminating such materials which are environmentally hazardous. In addition, the bacteria is capable of degrading waste mixtures containing high quantities of tributyl phosphate (e.g. up to about 1.0% by weight tributyl phosphate).

Abstract: A liquid drain opener formulation which comprises a stable suspension of viable microorganisms, a surfactant, and a preservative all contained in an aqueous medium and having a pH in the range of about 3 to 10.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for degradation of a halogenated hydrocarbon compound such as trichloroethylene (TCE) which utilizes a soluble methane monooxygenase or a bacterium comprising the monooxygenase. Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is a soluble methane monooxygenase-producing bacterium which when cultivated by continuous culturing comprising exposing the bacterium to a continuous-flow gas mixture of air and methane in a ratio of about 25:1-1:20, respectively. Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is capable of degrading TCE at rates from about 500-10,000 micromoles per hour per gram cells. The present method is useful to degrade halogenated hydrocarbon compounds such as TCE at initial concentrations up to 10,000 micromoles/l.

Abstract: An apparatus for wet process exhaust gas desulfurization including a spraying portion for spreading absorbent slurry including calcium compound, an absorbing tower for bringing the absorbent slurry sprayed from the spraying portion into contact with exhaust gas including sulfur oxides from opposite directions so as to absorb the sulfur oxides in the exhaust gas into the absorbent slurry, a slurry tank disposed below the absorbing tower for receiving the absorbent slurry from the absorbing tower, a plurality of stirrers for stirring each stirrer being an axial flow type agitator having a propeller, and circular system for circulating the absorbent slurry from the slurry tank to the spraying portion. The apparatus further includes a plurality of nozzles for feeding oxidizer gas including oxygen into the absorbent slurry from a backside of each propeller towards a periphery thereof uniformly with respect to a circumferential direction, thereby bubbling the oxidizer gas finely around each propeller.

Abstract: New protozoan derived microbial consortia and method for their isolation are provided. Consortia and bacteria isolated therefrom are useful for treating wastes such as trichloroethylene and trinitrotoluene. Consortia, bacteria isolated therefrom, and dispersants isolated therefrom are useful for dispersing hydrocarbons such as oil, creosote, wax, and grease.

Abstract: Unique marine amoebae capable of digesting algal cell walls and degrading complex hydrocarbons, including plastics, and methods for treating algae and complex hydrocarbons using the amoebae and partially purified enzymes from the amoebae.

Abstract: Bleaching pulp with an enzyme system, containing thermostatic xylanose activity, obtained from a strain of Thermomonospora fusca and more specifically from a new strain with the designation KW3 and deposition number DSM 6013.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device is constructed of a metal casing and a honeycomb core body fixedly inserted in the metal casing. The honeycomb core body have been formed by superposing a planar band made of a metal sheet and a corrugated band made from another metal sheet one over the other in a contiguous relation, defines a number of network-patterned axial gas flow passages, and is adapted to carry an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst thereon. The metal casing defines a cavity compartment isolated from an exterior. Preferably, at least one rib or partition wall is arranged in the cavity compartment of the metal casing.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for destroying hydrogen peroxide, for example, contact lens disinfecting amounts of hydrogen peroxide, are disclosed. The present invention utilizes non-mammalian-derived catalase, for example, catalase obtained as a result of the action of one or more microorganisms such as Micrococcus luteus, Aspergillus niger and mixtures thereof, to promote the destruction of hydrogen peroxide. Such non-mammalian-derived catalase has substantial advantages, e.g., enhanced stability, relative to bovine catalase, which is conventionally used such contact in lens-relayed applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method, composition and device for removing dissolved oxygen from solutions containing alcohols and/or acids. By removing oxygen from various products, the present invention is an effective antioxidant for beverages and food products, as well as for industrial and commercial solutions containing alcohols and/or acids.

Abstract: A microbial process for selective cleavage of organic C--S bonds which may be used for reducing the sulfur content of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous materials, Microorganisms of Rhodococcus rhodochrous and Bacillus sphaericus have been found which have the ability of selective cleavage of organic C--S bonds. Particularly preferred microorganisms are Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain ATCC 53968 and Bacillus sphaericus strain ATCC 53969 and their derivatives.

Abstract: In systems in which air is introduced into a liquid as a source of oxygen, additional oxygen added independent of the feed air enhances the oxygen content of the liquid source significantly than if the same amount of additional oxygen were combined with the feed air.