Abstract: Microbial growth media and methods of growing a microorganism. The microbial growth media may include a growth-stimulating amount of phosphoglucomutase in combination with one or more of a carbon and nitrogen source, a fermentable sugar, and an inorganic salt. The methods of growing a microorganism may include culturing a sample suspected of containing the microorganism in a microbial growth medium containing a growth-stimulating amount of phosphoglucomutase. Microbial growth-stimulating protein compositions and uses of same are also provided.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The media may comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, nitrofurantoin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are provided.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The media may comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, nitrofurantoin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are provided.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The media may comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, nitrofurantoin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are provided.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The media may comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, nitrofurantoin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are provided.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. The media comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. The selective agents and efflux pump inhibitors are provided in the media in combinations and amounts that inhibit growth of non-Salmonella microorganisms without substantially affecting growth and metabolism of Salmonella species. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella species are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a selective growth medium for investigating, isolating, counting and directly identifying pathogenic bacteria of the genus Listeria.The medium promotes the Listeria spp. while simultaneously inhibiting the growth of non-Listeria organisms. The medium does not produce a bacterial biomass contaminated with interfering fluorophores. The medium contains nitrofurantoin, esculin and lithium chloride and lacks acriflavin.

Abstract: Complexes of bacteriocins and metals are provided that are useful in detecting bacteria, fungi and other biological analytes, and are particularly useful in detecting gram positive bacteria. The complexes are preferably chelated complexes wherein the bacteriocin is a lantibiotic, non-lanthionine containing peptide, large heat labile protein and complex bacteriocin, fusion protein thereof, mixture thereof, and fragment, homolog and variant thereof, and (b) a detectable label comprising a transition or lanthanide metal. The complex preferentially binds to viable gram positive or mycobacterial cells. The complex can also bind to gram negative bacteria and fungi. Methods of using the complexes in assays, diagnosis and imaging are also provided.

Abstract: Complexes of bacteriocins and metals are provided that are useful in detecting bacteria, fungi and other biological analytes, and are particularly useful in detecting gram positive bacteria. The complexes are preferably chelated complexes wherein the bacteriocin is a lantibiotic, non-lanthionine containing peptide, large heat labile protein and complex bacteriocin, fusion protein thereof, mixture thereof, and fragment, homolog and variant thereof, and (b) a detectable label comprising a transition or lanthanide metal. The complex preferentially binds to viable gram positive or mycobacterial cells. The complex can also bind to gram negative bacteria and fungi. Methods of using the complexes in assays, diagnosis and imaging are also provided.

Abstract: A detectable synthetic copolymer useful to detect the presence of a microorganism in a test sample is provided. The copolymer comprises repeating monomeric units, which incorporate a population of first monomeric units each comprising a binding agent which binds to a microorganism having multiple binding sites for said binding agent and which further incorporates a population of a second monomeric units each comprising a detectable label or a binding site for a detectable label.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a fiber optic sensor for detecting or measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in a sample fluid. The method involves incorporation of a fluorescent indicator composition in a silicone capsule slidably arranged over the tip of a fiber optic, sealed with a suitable adhesive. To amplify the detectable signal obtained, the capsule is preferably fabricated so as to contain reflective particles, and tapers to a narrow tip. Novel optical sensors, manufactured using the aforementioned method, are provided as well.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymerizable compound and polymers resulting therefrom, the compound being ##STR1## wherein A is any polymerizable group; Q is phenylene; and R is --(CF.sub.2).sub.y CF.sub.3 wherein y=1-20, --(CH.sub.2).sub.x --O--C.sub.x H.sub.2x+1 wherein x=1-25, --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.p T wherein T=--H or any branched or unbranched C.sub.1-20 alkyl and n, m, and p=0-99 and m+n+p.gtoreq.1, --CHR'COOH wherein R' is H or any naturally occurring amino acid side chain, --(CH.sub.2).sub.x COOH, --(CH.sub.2).sub.x --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.p --CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --(CH.sub.2).sub.x --CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.x --O--C--COH.dbd.CH.sub.2. The resulting polymers are useful in any variety of applications requiring an antimicrobial agent or an active sanitizer or disinfectant including caulks, mortars, films and coatings, adhesives and the like.