Abstract: Species of fungi have been identified, which can be used to control coleopteran infestations of host plants. The fungi are particularly useful for controlling infestations of Diaprepes abbreviatus.

Abstract: A method for making and identifying processed botanical materials as being of a pharmaceutical grade for use in clinical settings and patient treatment. The method utilizes fingerprints of the processed botanical material with respect to bioactivity and/or composition to establish whether the material meets previously established pharmaceutical grade requirements. The method is applicable to processed botanical materials, such as plant extracts, powders and the like which are used in medicinal applications.

Abstract: It is an aim of this invention to provide spray formulations which include live organisms and which can be used as pesticides or plant treatment products and whose storage stability at room temperature is considerably higher compared with corresponding formulations of the prior art. Moreover, it is intended that the spray formulation can be handled with greater ease, that is to say that it is, for example, free-flowing, low in dust and readily measured out, in order to be more user friendly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing arachidonic acid. In one embodiment, Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms are cultured in fermentation medium, preferably containing a component of a complex nitrogen source. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms or lipid isolated from such microorganisms to enhance the arachidonic acid content of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel isolated and purified Harknessia lythrii. It further provides a mycoherbicidal composition that is effective in controlling purple loosestrife, and methods for controlling purple loosestrife.

Abstract: A pesticidally active isolate of the fungus Beauveria bassiana, which is monosporic and which may be used in agriculture as a pesticide for the effective control of pests. The biomass of the inventive isolate contains an unusually high proportion of spores. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of the isolate and methods of formulating and using same for the effective control of crop infesting pests.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated Paenibacillus macerans, Pseudomonas putida, and Sporoboloinyces roseus which are useful as a biocontrol agent. These organisms are useful in a method of imparting to plants protection against plant pathogens by applying them to plants, plant seeds, or soil surrounding plants under conditions effective to impart disease protection to the plants or plants produced from the plant seeds. The biocontrol agents are also useful in a method of enhancing plant growth which involves applying them to plants, plants seeds, or soil surrounding plants under conditions effective to enhance growth in the plants or plants produced from the plant seeds.

Abstract: Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

Abstract: A method for reducing ecologically adverse changes of the gastrointestinal micro-flora in patients under treatment with medicaments (which may also be referred to herein as the therapeutic compounds or medications) such as gastric acid reducing medicaments or antibiotics. A pharmaceutical product useful in the present method comprising a medicament and a probiotically active organism as a combined preparation presented in a commercial package unit.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods useful for tick control. The tick control methods of the subject invention are particularly advantageous because they utilize natural chemical signals (phermones) in combination with an acaricide. The use of environmentally friendly phermones makes it possible to use acaricides in a highly selective and efficient manner thereby reducing exposure of the environment to acaricides.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for inducing resistance against phytophathogenic microorganisms in plants wherein the agent is an extract of biomass from non-plant-pathogenic microorganisms obtainable by the following process: a) resuspending 50 g to 200 g (dry weight) of biomass from non-plant-pathogenic microorganisms per liter of inorganic or organic solvent; b) stirring at room temperature for 1 to 12 hours; c) incubating; d) resuspending; e) allowing to cool to room temperature; and f) optionally filtering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel isolated and purified fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis. The present invention also provides a pesticidal composition of an effective amount of an isolated and purified fungal strain of Hirsutella rhossiliensis or Hirsutella minnesotensis that is capable of controlling nematode infestation and a carrier. Further, the present invention provides methods of controlling nematode infestation.

Abstract: Formulations containing spores of non-toxigenic strains of fungi are useful biocontrol agents for preventing toxin contamination in agricultural commodities, especially those for human and animal consumption such as peanuts, corn and cotton. These formulations include spores mixed with vegetable oil and applied to dry grain. Diatomaceous earth is added to the spore, oil and grain mixture to form a flowable formulation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to vaccines comprising homogenised inactivated yeast blastospores and homogenised inactivated dermatophyte microconidia or antigenic material of said spores, methods for their production and their use for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of mycoses in mammals, preferably humans. The vaccines according to the present invention are especially useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of skin mycosis, preferably Dermatomycosis and/or Candidosis and/or Onychomycosis.

Abstract: The subject invention provides for a method for controlling termites by contacting the termites with a composition comprising Beuveria bassiana No. 447 (ATCC 20872).

Abstract: The present invention relates to Streptomyces sp. producing tautomycetin which possesses an immunosuppressive or antibacterial activities, a process for preparing tautomycetin from the said microorganism, and an immunosuppressant or immunosuppressive pharmaceutical composition comprising tautomycetin as an active ingredient which suppresses interleukin-2 production, CD69 and interleukin-2 receptor(IL-2R) expression on the cell surface, and graft rejection in the organ transplantation. The present inventors isolated a soil microorganism which produces a substance possessing antibiotic and immunosuppressive activities, and identified the said microorganism and substance as a novel Streptomyces sp. and tautomycetin, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention includes the method of treating an infestation of Varroa mites in a honeybee colony including the steps of: (a) mixing a culture of Hirsutella Thompsonii fungus with a spreadable carrier media so as to form a carrier suspension; and, (b) dispersing the carrier suspension into the brood comb of a honeybee hive.

Abstract: Strains of the aerobic mycoparasitic fungus Coniothyrium minitans having high levels of &bgr;-glucanase activity have been obtained. Preferred strains have been deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under accession numbers 74415, 74416, 74417, 74418, 74419, 74435 and 74436. Methods for mutagenizing C. minitans 74415 and obtaining strains having &bgr;-glucanase activity are provided.

Abstract: An entomopathogenic fungus virulent against insects of the grasshopper family is described. The entomopathogenic fungus is a strain Beauveria bassiana. Also, formulations that include the entomopathogenic fungus are described. These formulations can be delivered to grasshopper-infested areas by land or by air. In addition, methods of killing an insect of the grasshopper family using the aforementioned formulation and baits and traps for killing an insect of the grasshopper family containing the formulation are described.

Abstract: A prophylactic or a remedy for renal diseases comprises a hydrophilic solvent-extract of mushroom as an effective component. The hydrophilic solvent-extract of mushroom according to the present invention possesses an effect of markedly improving and maintaining the renal functions of undialyzed patients suffering from renal disease. Therefore, the extract permits the substantial elimination or retardation of the initiation of any dialytic therapy, which has conventionally been inevitable for the end-stage renal disease patients.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for control of termites.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel biopesticides and their use to control cockroaches, carpenter ants, and pharaoh ants. Specifically, highly virulent isolates of Beauveria bassiana in an agricultural composition, can be used to effectively control these pests. Exemplified are Beauveria bassiana No. 447, ATCC 20872, and Beauveria bassiana SP111, ATCC 74038. Also described are unique formulations which are highly effective for delivering biocontrol agents to target pests. By using these novel compositions, target pests can be controlled without the environmental and public safety hazards presented by chemical control agents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are attenuated forms of the B. dermatitidis fungus. The fungus remains replication competent but is unable to express the WI-1 protein. One can administer this fungus to a dog, human, or other mammal to vaccinate them against the wild type fungus. Preferably, the administration is by subcutaneous injection.

Abstract: Microparticles such as propagules of eukaryotic biocontrol agents are encapsulated in cellular-scale polymer capsules that have a diameter similar to normal eukaryotic cells in a range of about 10 &mgr;m to about 400 &mgr;m. The microparticles are encapsulated by adding a hydrophobic dispersion medium such as a mixture of chloroform and hexane or a mixture of corn oil and n-hexadecane having a specific gravity of about 1 and containing an emulsifier such as lecithin to an aqueous suspension of the microparticles and a polymer matrix precursor such as alginate, agitating vigorously to form a stable emulsion of microscopic globules containing a microparticle, and adding the emulsion to an aqueous solution containing a polymerizing agent such as calcium chloride to polymerize and precipitate the globules to form microparticles encapsulated in polymer matrix capsules that may be of a teardrop shape having a length of 40-200% longer than the diameter.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising activated hemicellulose (AHCC), a method for inducing IL-12 in a living body having tumor cells by administering the composition, and a method for treating cancer by administering the composition are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a multiple drug resistance protein of Aspergillus nidulans. Vectors and transformed host cells comprising the multiple drug resistance-encoding DNA of Aspergillus nidulans atrD are also provided. The invention further provides assays which utilize these transformed host cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: Provided are termite phagostimulatory compositions extracted from fungi coexisting with subterranean termites. In a preferred embodiment, a subterranean termite feeding stimulant is obtained from extracts of fungi coexisting with Reticulitermes hesperus. Termite feeding stimulants in accordance with the present invention may be incorporated into termiticide-treated bait-based systems and methods to selectively target and enhance control of subterranean termites. Also provided are compositions which deter feeding of subterranean termites. These phagodeterrent compositions may be obtained from non-polar extracts of subterranean termite-associated fungus-colonized filter paper. They may also find useful application in termite control strategies, for example, by deterring subterranean termites from colonizing or feeding on particular substrates and structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparation of protein polysaccharide 0041 obtained by extracting a dried product of cultured mycelia of Agaricus blazei Murrill 0041 with hot water, and protein polysaccharide 0041 shows immunopotentiating antitumor activity when administered, so that it is useful as an antitumor agent against various tumors, and as an immunopotentiating substance against other diseases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for attracting, killing, and/or neutering populations of boll weevils and other insects which spend the winter in areas with thick vegetation are disclosed. With respect to boll weevils, certain plant compounds, when presented along with Grandlure, the synthetic pheromone of the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boh.), increase the capture of boll weevils by as much as 50% as compared to Grandlure alone. The compounds, beta-caryophyllene, eugenol and myrcene, are among those present in leaves in overwintering sites favored by boll weevils. With respect to controlling boll weevil populations, the compounds can be used alone, in combination with Grandlure, and/or in combination with compounds which are toxic to boll weevils or which inhibit their ability to develop normally or reproduce.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel means of introducing foreign genes and/or viruses, wildtype or recombinant, into plant cells via a seed treatment method using recombinant or wildtype furoviruses and their natural fungal vectors. Because of its ease of application, longevity of the seed treatment product, minimal risk of transmission to subsequent seed generations, specificity, and universality within a species, it offers a significant improvement over prior art techniques for viral mediated gene delivery techniques. The unique and critical aspect of the invention is the use of seed treatment technology for delivering foreign genes or viruses into plants for, for example, the enhancement of agronomic traits and production of desirable products such as pharmaceuticals.