Abstract: Photosynthetic algae capable of photosynthesis by absorbing light and incorporating carbon dioxide are cultured in an algae culturing apparatus. The algae culturing apparatus can be part of an algae culturing system. The algae culturing apparatus has a culture tank configured to accommodate algae and a culture solution for culturing the algae. A flow generator is installed on the culture tank and is configured to generate a flow of the culture solution from a center of the culture tank toward an inside wall part of the culture tank on a liquid surface of the culture solution and in a region of the culture solution close to the liquid surface by moving the culture solution on the liquid surface and in the region close to the liquid surface in the culture tank from the center of the culture tank toward the inside wall part of the culture tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a microalga highly capable of producing aliphatic hydrocarbons of 16 to 26 carbon atoms; a process for producing oil, which comprises a step of culturing the microalga; oil collected from the microalga; a fuel produced from the microalga; and a method for fixing carbon dioxide, which comprises a step of culturing the microalga. Specifically disclosed is a microalga belonging to the genus Navicula, which is capable of producing aliphatic hydrocarbons of 16 to 26 carbon atoms. More specifically disclosed is a microalga, Navicula oiliticus strain JPCC DA0580 (FERM BP-11201).

Abstract: Disclosed are novel microorganisms having an excellent ability to reduce selenium acid compounds, a selenium acid compound-reducing agent comprising such microorganism(s) as an active ingredient, a method for reducing and a method for removing a selenium acid compound with use of such microorganism(s), and a process for producing metallic selenium. The microorganisms of the present invention are Aeromonas sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-1, Klebsiella sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-2, and Sulfurospirillum sp. strain JPCCY SEP-3. Also disclosed are a method for reducing a selenium acid compound comprising the step of co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound, and a process for producing metallic selenium comprising the steps of: co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound; and separating the thus produced culture product.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a microalga highly capable of producing aliphatic hydrocarbons of 16 to 26 carbon atoms; a process for producing oil, which comprises a step of culturing the microalga; oil collected from the microalga; a fuel produced from the microalga; and a method for fixing carbon dioxide, which comprises a step of culturing the microalga. Specifically disclosed is a microalga belonging to the genus Navicula, which is capable of producing aliphatic hydrocarbons of 16 to 26 carbon atoms. More specifically disclosed is a microalga, Navicula oiliticus strain JPCC DA0580 (FERM BP-11201).

Abstract: Disclosed are novel microorganisms having an excellent ability to reduce selenium acid compounds, a selenium acid compound-reducing agent comprising such microorganism(s) as an active ingredient, a method for reducing and a method for removing a selenium acid compound with use of such microorganism(s), and a process for producing metallic selenium. The microorganisms of the present invention are Aeromonas sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-1, Klebsiella sp. strain JPCC SEP JP-2, and Sulfurospirillum sp. strain JPCCY SEP-3. Also disclosed are a method for reducing a selenium acid compound comprising the step of co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound, and a process for producing metallic selenium comprising the steps of: co-culturing these microorganisms under the presence of a selenium acid compound; and separating the thus produced culture product.

Abstract: A non-aqueous toothpaste comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof, mixed in a base which is a combination of hydroxypropyl cellulose and 1,3-butylene glycol which is thereby essentially water-free thereby stabilizing the ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base for an oral composition which is suitable for the preparation of oral compositions, in particular, water-free or substantially water-free oral composition. The present invention further provides an oral composition stably containing active ingredients which are ordinarily unstable in the presence of water, in particular, a water-free or substantially water-free oral composition. The present invention provides a base for a non-aqueous oral composition which contains hydroxypropyl cellulose and at least one component selected from the group consisting of concentrated glycerol, diglycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and polyethylene glycols. The present invention further provides an oral composition containing the base for the oral composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base for an oral composition which is suitable for the preparation of oral compositions, in particular, water-free or substantially water-free oral composition. The present invention further provides an oral composition stably containing active ingredients which are ordinarily unstable in the presence of water, in particular, a water-free or substantially water-free oral composition. The present invention provides a base for a non-aqueous oral composition which contains hydroxypropyl cellulose and at least one component selected from the group consisting of concentrated glycerol, diglycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and polyethylene glycols. The present invention further provides an oral composition containing the base for the oral composition.