Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions for maintaining and manipulating microbial cultures of Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods for identifying quorum sensing regulatory proteins and auto-inducing peptides in Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods and compositions for affecting quorum sensing pathways of the genus Clostridium in culture including auto-inducing peptides to direct or maintain Clostridium cultures in a desired differentiated state. Differentiated states include extended serial propagation for the production of butanol or other fermentation products.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions for maintaining and manipulating microbial cultures of Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods for identifying quorum sensing regulatory proteins and auto-inducing peptides in Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods and compositions believed to affect quorum sensing pathways of the genus Clostridium to direct or maintain enhanced butanol production of Clostridium in a desired differentiated state during sequential or continuous culture. Differentiated states include extended serial propagation, and continuous culture, for the production of butanol or other fermentation products. Further provided are methods where the concentration of butanol in peptide treated cultures of the genus Clostridium increase more rapidly and produce a substantially greater amount of butanol than in Clostridium cultures not treated with the peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions for maintaining and manipulating microbial cultures of Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods for identifying quorum sensing regulatory proteins and auto-inducing peptides in Gram-positive bacteria. Also provided are methods and compositions for affecting quorum sensing pathways of the genus Clostridium in culture including auto-inducing peptides to direct or maintain Clostridium cultures in a desired differentiated state. Differentiated states include extended serial propagation for the production of butanol or other fermentation products.

Abstract: Proteinase inhibitors are found to be a satiety aid when orally administered to dogs prior to a meal. Specifically, potato proteinase inhibitor 2 (PI2) by daily oral administration to groups of dogs showed a reduction in daily food intake in a crossover study. Analysis of food intake data during three separate treatment periods showed that animals that received the highest dose of PI2 ate significantly less on average than untreated animals. Analysis of food intake data confirmed that food intake decreased in a dose response manner with PI2 treatment. Therefore, a dietary aid for pets that incorporates PI2 could provide a pet owner with an additional resource to help their pet consume less food.