Abstract: The atmosphere control composition according to the present invention is an atmosphere control composition for use in the culture of cells, which comprises (a) an ascorbic acid component, (b) water, (c) a porous carrier, (d) an aldehyde-removing agent, (e) a transition metal catalyst and/or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, wherein the aldehyde-removing agent comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of ethylene urea, urea, arginine, lysine hydrochloride and a polyallylamine. According to the present invention, the atmosphere control composition feasible for preventing the generation of aldehyde can be provided without affecting the oxygen absorption ability and the carbon dioxide generation ability thereof.

Abstract: The atmosphere control composition according to the present invention is an atmosphere control composition for use in the culture of cells, which comprises (a) an ascorbic acid component, (b) water, (c) a porous carrier, (d) an aldehyde-removing agent, (e) a transition metal catalyst and/or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, wherein the aldehyde-removing agent comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of ethylene urea, urea, arginine, lysine hydrochloride and a polyallylamine. According to the present invention, the atmosphere control composition feasible for preventing the generation of aldehyde can be provided without affecting the oxygen absorption ability and the carbon dioxide generation ability thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for accumulating a poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid in bacterial cells by continuously fermenting a methanol-assimilating bacterium having a capability of producing a poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, in a single fermentation vessel by using methanol as carbon source at a limited feeding rate of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium such that the retention time for the fermentation is more than 10 hours.

Abstract: A biodegradable plastic composition for forming biodegradable shaped bodies which includes a poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate having a viscosity of n.sub.A at 185.degree. C. and a polycaprolactone having a viscosity of n.sub.B at 185.degree. C., wherein the poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate is present in an amount C.sub.A of 10-45 or 55-85% by weight based on the total weight of the poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate and the polycaprolactone, and wherein n.sub.A, n.sub.B and C.sub.A satisfy the following condition:4.times.10.sup.-3 .times.C.sub.A -1.7.ltoreq.log (n.sub.A /n.sub.B).ltoreq.4.times.10.sup.-3 .times.C.sub.A -1.3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a copolymer, which comprises propagating cells of a bacterium having a capacity of producing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate mainly at a former stage, synthesizing and accumulating in the cells a copolymer comprising D-3-hydroxybutyrate and D-3-hydroxyvalerate by contacting the bacterium with a mixture of a carbon source utilizable by the bacterium and a primary alcohol having 3 to 7 carbon atoms, or with a primary alcohol having 3 to 7 carbon atoms, at a latter stage, and recovering the copolymer from the cells. According to this process, a copolymer comprising D-3-hydroxybutyrate and D-3-hydroxyvalerate can be manufactured in a large quantity at a low cost.