Abstract: Provided are biodegradable polymers each of which can be obtained by introducing pyridinium groups such as N-alkylpyridinium groups or N-arylpyridinium groups into a backbone of a synthetic polymer of a vinyl compound or olefin and then quaternizing the pyridinium groups with counter anions such as chlorine ions or bromine ions. The biodegradable polymers have high compatibility with microbial cells so that articles molded or otherwise formed from the biodegradable polymers can be easily decomposed by activated sludge or under conditions buried in the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorption resins comprising vinyl copolymers which do not dissolve in water and are capable of adsorbing microorganisms without inactivating the microorganisms and also adsorbents with a large contact area which are capable of adsorbing microorganisms efficiently as well as methods of making the resins and the adsorbents.

Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of micro-organisms or pyrogens which comprises introducing a prescribed amount of a test liquor containing micro-organisms or pyrogens into a total carbon analyzer to obtain a total carbon value A, while removing micro-organisms or pyrogens from the prescribed amount of the same test liquor and introducing the resultant into a total carbon analyzer to obtain a total carbon value B, subtracting the total carbon value B from the total carbon value A and determining micro-organisms or pyrogens basing upon the resulting value, and an apparatus suitable for conducting the method.

Abstract: A process for treating organic sewage comprises the steps of mixing sewage containing organic pollutants with activated sludge under aerobic conditions, bringing the mixture of the sewage and activated sludge into contact with polyvinyl pyridine, thereby producing floc, and separating the floc from the liquid based on the difference in specific gravity.

Abstract: A process for recovering carboxylic acids with a material of which the main component is a polymeric compound having a pyridine skeletal structure and a crosslinked structure, followed by desorbing the captured carboxylic acids by use of a desorbing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a: (a) material for adsorbing and recovering phenols which comprises as its main component a cross-linked polyvinylpyridine resin and (b) a method of recovering phenols using the above material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorption resins comprising vinyl copolymers which do not dissolve in water and are capable of absorbing microorganisms without inactivating the microorganisms and also adsorbents with a large contact area which are capable of absorbing microorganisms efficiently as well as methods of making the resins and the adsorbents.