Abstract: A method of isolating and purifying bioactive compounds in an extract obtained from seaweed. The method involves the steps of: (a) circulating the extract through an ultrafiltration membrane having a suitable molecular weight cutoff; (b) collecting filtrate from the extract to obtain a first filtrate fraction and a retentate; and (c) rinsing the retentate to obtain one or more additional filtrate fractions. The bioactivity of the first filtrate fraction and the additional filtrate fractions can then be evaluated to determine their efficacy on plant growth. One or more bioactive molecules isolated from an algal specie are also described in which the one or more bioactive molecules have a molecular weight in the range of about 0.15 k Da to about 1.0 k Da and are capable of enhancing or improving plant growth.

Abstract: The invention concerns endofucanases suitable for preparing fuco-oligosaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis of fucanes. It also concerns a bacterium producing endofucanases and the preparation of said enzyme from the bacterium. It further concerns endofucanase genes and it finally concerns the use said fuco-oligosaccharides for plant protection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making flours having a high food safety level comprising the grinding of grains previously cleaned and moistened, characterized in that, prior to or simultaneously with said grinding, said grains are brought into contact with ozone produced from a carrier gas, preferably in a quantity of between 0.5 and 20 expressed in grams of ozone per kilo of grains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making flours having a high food safety level comprising the grinding of grains previously cleaned and moistened, characterized in that, prior to or simultaneously with said grinding, said grains are brought into contact with ozone produced from a carrier gas, preferably in a quantity of between 0.5 and 20 expressed in grams of ozone per kilo of grains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to potentiate and stimulate natural defensive reactions of plants to a pathogenic agent. The method comprises application to plants of a composition comprising an effective amount of one or more oligo &bgr; 1-3 glucans composed of 3 to 250 monosaccharide units and a vehicle, wherein the effective amount of oligo &bgr; 1-3 glucans in the composition does not directly stimulate natural defensive reactions of plants when the pathogenic agent is absent.

Abstract: The use of aluminium chloride as a resveratrol synthesis elicitor in crop plants and edible products thereof, particularly in the field of vine and grape growing as well as in the production of grape juice and wine, is disclosed.