Abstract: The present invention provides a method (100) for removal of metals from aqueous solutions comprising the steps of treating (102) the aqueous solutions with an adsorbent, allowing (104) the aqueous solutions and the adsorbent to be in contact for a predetermined time to obtain treated aqueous solutions, collecting (106) the treated aqueous solutions, filtering (108) the treated aqueous solutions and discharging (110) the filtered aqueous solutions. The adsorbent comprising plurality of natural biomaterials. Further, the plurality of natural biomaterials are capable of adsorbing the metals from the aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (100) for removal of metals from aqueous solutions comprising the steps of treating (102) the aqueous solutions with an adsorbent, allowing (104) the aqueous solutions and the adsorbent to be in contact for a predetermined time to obtain treated aqueous solutions, collecting (106) the treated aqueous solutions, filtering (108) the treated aqueous solutions and discharging (110) the filtered aqueous solutions. The adsorbent comprising plurality of natural biomaterials. Further, the plurality of natural biomaterials are capable of adsorbing the metals from the aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Two nucleotide sequences encoding two different polypeptides found in yeast trehalose synthase have been isolated and cloned. A third polypeptide has been isolated from the enzyme and characterized, and a method is provided to isolate and clone the nucleotide sequence encoding this polypeptide. The coding sequences can be inserted into suitable vectors and used to transform host cells. The transformed cells will produce increased amounts of trehalose compared to the untransformed wild types and have increased tolerance to a variety of stresses, in particular to decreased availability of water. The invention may be used to improve the stress tolerance of organisms, to increase the storage life of foodstuffs and to produce trehalose economically on an industrial scale in an organism (e.g. baker's yeast) that is a traditional and safe foodstuff.

Abstract: The present invention concerns transgenic plants producing trehalose and methods of increasing the trehalose content of plants. According to the invention, the plants of interest are transformed with the coding sequence of a gene for trehalose-6-phosphate synthase fused to a non-constitutive plant promoter, which allows for temporal, topological or stress-induced control over the expression of the gene. The invention can be used for protecting staple crop plants against drought, high salinity or temperature extremes and for improving the storage properties of harvested plants including green food stuffs, picked fruits and ornamental plants.

Abstract: Two nucleotide sequences encoding two different polypeptides found in yeast trehalose synthase have been isolated and cloned. A third polypeptide has been isolated from the enzyme and characterized, and a method is provided to isolate and clone the nucleotide sequence encoding this polypeptide. The coding sequences can be inserted into suitable vectors and used to transform host cells. The transformed cells will produce increased amounts of trehalose compared to the untransformed wild types and have increased tolerance to a variety of stresses, in particular to decreased availability of water. The invention may be used to improve the stress tolerance of organisms, to increase the storage life of foodstuffs and to produce trehalose economically on an industrial scale in an organism (e.g, baker's yeast) that is a traditional and safe foodstuff.