Abstract: A process for producing poly-?-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) involves contacting maple sap with bacteria (e.g Alcaligenes latus) that convert sugars into poly-?-hydroxybutyrate. The use of maple sap is comparable to or better than the use of pure sucrose, and the use of maple sap results in PHB having higher weight average molecular weight than PHB produced from pure sucrose, making maple sap-derived PHB more suitable for commercial utilization.

Abstract: Use of maple sap, down-graded maple syrup or mixture thereof as a carbon and energy source for the production of probiotic bacteria (e.g. Lactobacilli spp.) unexpectedly leads to an improvement in growth of the probiotic bacteria and an improvement in the yield of products produced by the bacteria.

Abstract: A process for producing poly-?-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) involves contacting maple sap with bacteria (e.g Alcaligenes latus) that convert sugars into poly-?-hydroxybutyrate. The use of maple sap is comparable to or better than the use of pure sucrose, and the use of maple sap results in PHB having higher weight average molecular weight than PHB produced from pure sucrose, making maple sap-derived PHB more suitable for commercial utilization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for degradation of nitramines. The explosives RDX, HMX, CL20 and tetryl are exemplary nitramines that may be degraded according to the invention. These nitramines may be attacked chemically, biochemically or biologically. The invention may be used to degrade such explosive compounds that may be present in soil. Cyclic nitramines may be attacked at bonds so as to cause ring cleavage, which in the presence of water can lead to hydrolytic decomposition and mineralization. To prevent the decomposition reaction from undergoing sequential reduction to the corresponding nitroso derivative (nitrosation being reduction of —NO2 to —NO), two routes may be taken: (a) attack on an —N—NO2 bond (denitration) followed by hydration or (b) attack on a CH2 bond (?-hydroxylation) to form unstable carbinol prior to cleavage and decomposition. The invention may be used to remediate soil and water contaminated with these explosives.

Abstract: A process for the reductive dehalogenation of halogenated aromatics. The process comprises reacting halogenated aromatics with sodium or calcium in the presence of a lower alcohol selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol or isopropanol and mixtures thereof in order to convert the halogenated aromatics to hydrogenated aromatics. The halogenated aromatics are preferably reacted with sodium in the presence of methanol under reaction conditions whereby said sodium is in molten form. The preferred starting sodium/methanol/halogen molar ratio ranges from 30-40/15-20/1. The process is particularly useful for dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyl found in electrical transformer oil.

Abstract: Various halogenated aromatic compounds, particularly polychlorinated biphls, and the like, are dehalogenated by reaction with alkali metal in the presence of liquid hydrosiloxane. A selected solvent or diluent may be present. The alkali metal halide reaction product may be removed by washing. It has been found substantially complete dehalogenation is achieved readily at ambient temperatures when the hydrosiloxane is present. The dehalogenated aromatic moiety normally is recovered intact. This method has been found very effective in the destruction and removal of PCB contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the reductive dehalogenation of polyhaloaromatic compounds. It comprises reacting polyhaloaromatics in a hydrocarbon or silicone-based oil or an organic diluent, with an alkali metal in the presence of an ammonium salt to reduce the polyhaloaromatics to hydrogenated aromatics and to convert the halogen content to metal halides. Preferably, the polyhaloaromatics and the ammonium salt are to be reacted with the alkali metal in the form of a suspension. Other preferred features include the use of an amount of alkali metal ranging from 5 to 10 moles and the use of an amount of ammonium salt also ranging from 5 to 10 moles for each mole of the polyhaloaromatic compound to be reduced, carrying out the reaction under an inert atmosphere and carrying out the reaction at a temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 60.degree. C.