Abstract: Provided is a method for simply and efficiently collecting microorganisms in fermented milk without affecting the state of cells. A method for collecting microorganisms from a specimen containing fermented milk includes, in this order, steps of: (a) diluting the specimen with a buffer solution such that a protein concentration is 3 mg/mL or less; (b) performing centrifugation; and (c) washing and collecting the microorganisms.

Abstract: Provided a method for promoting growth of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. The method for promoting growth of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium includes subjecting a milk culture medium containing one or more selected from the group consisting of cysteine, cystine, and a salt thereof to heat treatment and then culturing bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium in the milk culture medium.

Abstract: Provided is a method for promoting bacterial cell wall degradation. A method for promoting cell wall degradation, comprising allowing an N-acetylmuramidase to act on a bacterium in the presence of one or more saccharides selected from the group consisting of: a monosaccharide wherein the monosaccharide is an aldopentose, an L-aldohexose, or a ketohexose; a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide, and a polysaccharide each containing one or more of the monosaccharides as a constituent saccharide; and a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a novel lactic acid bacterium strain which is capable of suppressing production of volatile sulfur compounds by oral bacteria, has no cariogenicity and no causative role in infective endocarditis, and is safe in an oral cavity, and provided is an agent for preventing, improving and/or treating oral diseases and discomforts by use of the bacterial strain.

Abstract: Provided is a novel lactic acid bacterium strain which is capable of suppressing production of volatile sulfur compounds by oral bacteria, has no cariogenicity and no causative role in infective endocarditis, and is safe in an oral cavity, and provided is an agent for preventing, improving and/or treating oral diseases and discomforts by use of the bacterial strain.

Abstract: Antibody-sensitized latex for use in determination of a bacterium belonging to the genus Nitrospira, the latex comprising latex particles each having a specific gravity of about 1.5 g/mL and an average particle diameter in the range of 1.0-1.5 ?m and an antibody adsorbed thereon. The antibody is specific to a bacterium belonging to the genus Nitrospira having an activity of nitrite oxidization. The latex is mixed with a sample, allowed to stand for a predetermined period of time, and observed on the presence or absence of agglutination of the latex particles in the mixture. This latex permits detection and determination of a bacterium belonging to the genus Nitrospira which is found in biological sewage treatment systems, such as streams and activated sludge, as well as in water of rivers, lakes and seashore, and in soil habitats, in a simple and easy manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody showing a high specificity to Nitrosomonas europaea or Nitrobacter agilis, and a monoclonal antibody-sensitized latex for detecting Nitrosomonas europaea or Nitrobacter agilis used for facilitating the detection of nitrifying bacteria present in activated sludge, water, soil or microorganism-immobilized carriers, and besides a method of detecting nitrifying bacteria using said monoclonal antibody-sensitized latex. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody to nitrifying bacteria having ammonia oxidation activities or nitrite oxidation activities present in activated sludge or soil, or microorganism-immobilized carriers. This monoclonal antibody to Nitrosomonas europaea or Nitrobacter agilis is prepared by culturing clones of fused cells (hybridomas) obtained by fusing antibody-forming cells and tumor cells obtained from an animal immunized with Nitrosomonas europaea or Nitrobacter agilis.