Abstract: Contamination was controlled in fermentations using Zymomonas mobilis as the biocatalyst, without negative impact on fermentation production, by the addition of hop acids. The effective concentration of hop acids was found to be dependent upon the type of fermentation medium used.

Abstract: A process for concentrating microorganism-containing suspensions comprising (a) centrifuging a microorganism-containing suspension to provide a first microorganism-containing concentrate and a supernatant liquid; (b) filtering said first microorganism-containing concentrate, to provide a permeate and a second microorganism-containing concentrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to using bacterial metabolites to suppress phytopathogens, more particularly this invention relates to bacterial metabolites applied to Carya illinoensis and Prunus persica as a fungicide to suppress and inhibit Glomerella cingulata, Phomopsis sp., Phytophthora cactorum, Fusicladosporium effusum, and Monilinia fructicola.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing variants of Tre; novel Tre variants; and a method for introducing Tre in sufficient concentration into the intracellular environment suitable to store treated mammalian cells, treat an aggregation disease, and protect treated cells from oxygen radicals are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production strain for producing 2,3-butanediol. Said production strain has an acetolactate synthase activity 2—68 times higher than the original strain. The invention also relates to a method for producing 2,3-butanediol by fermentation by means of said production strain.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods of enhancing the petroleum degrading abilities of bacteria and the resulting bacterial composition. In certain aspects the bacteria are selected for degradation of a petroleum having a particular composition profile and/or for environmental robustness.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for targeted mutagenesis of specific genes in a bacterial strain. By inducibly over-expressing error-prone polymerases such as Pol IV or Pol V in conjunction with nickase in a bacterial strain, and housing the targeted gene(s) on an episome or plasmid which contains one or more nickase recognition sequences, the targeted gene(s) can be selectively mutated at rates significantly greater than genes contained on the chromosome. The methods disclosed herein are useful for engineering desirable bacterial phenotypes and novel strains, including for example strains useful for treating or degrading waste and/or environmental contaminants, for optimizing bioprocesses, and for converting low-value feed-stock into value-added products.

Abstract: A novel thermophilic bacterium is provided, which has a 16S rDNA sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 1. The thermophilic bacterium excretes extracellular proteins having excellent metal-ion binding ability, being useful in the treatment of boiler equipment, pipelines, geothermal wells or industrial wastewater or hard water.

Abstract: A method for the biological treatment of wastewater containing pollutants, using an aerobic biomass, includes a plurality of successive cycles of a predefined duration in order to achieve pollutants removal efficiency of 90% or higher, each of the cycles including the following steps: introducing a wastewater effluent containing phosphorus and calcium into a reactor containing biomass; applying an aerobic phase by introducing into the reactor a gas flow containing oxygen for a predefined length of time, sufficient to form aerobic biomass granules; decanting the aerobic biomass granules thus formed; and removing at least part of the treated effluent. After each step of introducing effluent into the reactor, the pH in the reactor is maintained at a value above 8 for a length of time at least equal to 10% of the cycle duration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zinc-enriched biomass comprising living or subsequently killed micro-organisms, selected from the group consisting of Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and combinations thereof, a method for the manufacture of said zinc-enriched biomass, as well as food preparations, nutraceutic products, functional foods, cosmetic and cosmeceutic products, and food supplements, comprising the said biomass. Furthermore, new micro-organism strains are described which are able to concentrate zinc within the cell in very high amounts and therefore are particularly suitable for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: Glycosylated indolocarbazoles, method for obtaining same and uses thereof. This invention relates to rebeccamycin and staurosporine derivatives obtained by fermentation of recombinant bacterial strains. The invention also relates to the methods used to obtain the recombinant strains and the production of rebeccamycin and staurosporine derivatives. The invention also relates to bacterial strains that are of use for the production of rebeccamycin and staurosporine derivatives. Lastly, the rebeccamycin and staurosporine derivatives described herein are applicable to the field of human health, specifically for manufacturing drugs that are of use in the treatment of tumour, neurological and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides new isolated strains of a Geobacter species that are capable of using a carbon source that is selected from C3 to C12 organic compounds selected from pyruvate or metabolic precursors of pyruvate as an electron donor in metabolism and in subsequent energy production. In other aspects, other preferred embodiments of the present invention include methods of making such strains and methods of using such strains. In general, the wild type strain of the microorganisms has been shown to be unable to use these C3 to C12 organic compounds as electron donors in metabolic steps such as the reduction of metallic ions. The inventive strains of microorganisms are useful for improving bioremediation applications, including in situ bioremediation (including uranium bioremediation and halogenated solvent bioremediation), microbial fuel cells, power generation from small and large-scale waste facilities (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of a non-live carbohydrate containing composition, the carbohydrate being also found in live Lawsonia intracellularis cells in association with the outer cell membrane of these cells, for the manufacture of a vaccine for protection against an infection with Lawsonia intracellularis, the vaccine being in a form suitable for systemic administration.

Abstract: A copper bioleaching process which makes use of a consortium which contains Leptospirillum ferriphilum and a sulphur oxidising microorganism which is halophilic or halotolerant.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas and a fermentation medium provides high ethanol productivity while removing medium components that were previously thought to be essential. The process is effective for providing a specific STY of at least about 1 g ethanol/(L·day·gram cells). In this aspect, the fermentation medium has less than about 1.04 ppm boron, less than about 0.16 ppm manganese, less than about 0.26 ppm molybdenum, or less than about 0.16 ppm copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacterial strain isolated from groundwater. The invention also relates to bacterial extracts and to the use of same in the context of the treatment of inflammations. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel compositions of interest in the treatment and the prevention of inflammatory disorders, notably dermatological pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing biofilm formation on a surface. The present invention also relates to anti-biofilm forming agents, to methods of producing and using them, and to anti-fouling coatings produced therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Sphingomonas sp. MD2 strain (KCTC 11845BP), a composition including the strain for decomposing methane or odor-producing compounds, a biocover or biofilter including the composition, a method for decomposing methane or odor-producing compounds using the composition, a system for decomposing methane or odor-producing compounds using the biocover or biofilter, and the use of the strain for decomposing methane or odor-producing compounds. According to the present invention, methane and odor can be effectively removed concurrently, and thus the cost required for the separate treatment of methane and odor can be reduced, and methane and odor-producing compounds in landfills or the like can be effectively decomposed.

Abstract: A process is provided for fermentation of syngas that is effective for reducing conductivity and providing an alcohol STY of about 10 g ethanol/(L·day). The process includes introducing the syngas into a reactor vessel and providing a nitrogen feed rate to the reactor vessel of about 100 mg or more nitrogen/gram of cells produced. Fermentation of the syngas is effective for providing a fermentation medium having an average conductivity of about 16 mS/cm or less and an STY of 10 g ethanol/(L·day) or more.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas and a fermentation medium provides high ethanol productivity while removing medium components that were previously thought to be essential. The process is effective for providing a specific STY of at least about 1 g ethanol/(L·day·gram cells). In this aspect, the fermentation medium has a weight ratio of NH4+ to B of about 625:1 or more, or a weight ratio of NH4+ to Mn of about 4050:1 or more, or a weight ratio of NH4+ to Mo of about 2500:1 or more, or a ratio of NH4+ to Cu of about 4050:1 or more; or the fermentation medium has a weight ratio of P to B of about 30:1 or more, or a weight ratio of P to Mn of about 190:1 or more, or a weight ratio of P to Mo of about 120:1 or more, or a weight ratio of Mn to Cu of about 190:1 or more; or the fermentation medium has a weight ratio of K to B of about 35:1 or more, or a weight ratio of K to Mn of about 245:1 or more, or a weight ratio of K to Mo of about 150:1 or more, or a weight ratio of K to Cu of about 245:1 or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods for preventing, suppressing, treating, or controlling pre- or post-harvest disease or decay in plants. In the inventive method, plants are contacted with a formulation including an antagonistic microorganism and a booster composition. The booster composition generally includes about 3 parts Kaolin clay, about 1 part yeast, about 1 part Yucca plant extract, and about 1 part calcium-source material. The antagonistic microorganism may be included in an amount of between about 0.02 parts and about 0.5 parts by weight of the formulation, with about 0.04 parts antagonistic microorganism being preferred in testing to date. The formulation is typically applied to the above ground structures of the plant, including its leaves, flowers, stems, trunk, blossoms and fruit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism growth substrate which comprises a sterile nutrient composition derived from the biomass of a culture of bacteria including methanotrophic bacteria and further containing at least one sterile nutrient. A preferred biomass material is that derived from a microbial culture comprising Methylococcus capsulates (Bath) (strain NCIMB 41526), Ralstonia sp. DB3 (strain NCIMB 41527) and Brevibacillus agri DB5 (strain NCIMB 41525), optionally in combination with Aneurinibacillus sp. DB4 (strain NCIMB 41528).

Abstract: Culturally modified lactic acid bacterial cells containing a porphyrin compound and their use in a novel method of reducing the oxygen content in a food and feed product or starting material is provided and means of improving the shelf life and/or quality of such products by using the culturally modified bacterial cells. Such culturally modified cells are useful in the manufacturing of a food and a feed product and for the manufacturing of metabolites produced by modified cells.

Abstract: Use of bacterial cells of the genus Tenacibaculum, from the crude cellular extract or from its cultivation supernatants, capable of degrading N-acyl homoserine lactones, for quorum quenching, for treatment of infectious bacterial illnesses or to inhibit formation of biofilms.

Abstract: Method for producing multiple modifications in the chromosome of Gram-negative bacteria and Salmonella strains which are deficient in c-di-GMP synthesis obtained by said method. The method can be used to make multiple modifications in the genome of Gram-negative bacteria, simply and efficiently, using the plasmids of the invention, which comprise a marker gene under the control of a constitutive promoter, a replication origin specific for Gram-negative bacteria, a gene which encodes a heat-sensitive protein essential for initiating replication of the plasmid, making the replication origin heat-sensitive, and a counter-selection gene. The invention also relates to mutant Salmonella enterica strains obtained using the method of the invention in which some of the twelve genes which encode proteins with GGDEF domain have been selected*, and to the use thereof as expression vectors, immunotherapeutic agents and in metabolic studies.

Abstract: Ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of a protein identified as MGA_0621. In certain embodiments, the attenuated bacteria may additionally exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type M. gallisepticum bacterium. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria. An exemplary live, attenuated strain of M. gallisepticum is provided, designated MGx+47, which was shown by proteomics analysis to exhibit significantly reduced expression of MGA_0621, and was shown to be safe and effective when administered as a vaccine against M. gallisepticum infection in chickens.

Abstract: This invention provides an IFN inducer comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria and capable of inducing IFN production, an immunopotentiating agent or prophylactic agent against virus infection comprising such inducer, and a food or drink product comprising such IFN inducer and having IFN-inducing activity, immunopotentiating activity, or prophylactic activity against virus infection. The agent for inducing IFN production comprises, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria that can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and promote IFN production, such as Lactococcus garvieae NBRC100934, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris JCM16167, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NBRC100676, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM1180, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM11040, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NBRC12007, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NRIC1150, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805, Lactococcus lactis subsp.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a probiotic(s) which can activate an aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and can consequently prevent inflammatory damage in the digestive tract. The present invention relates to; a probiotic(s) capable of activating an AhR; an anti-inflammatory agent comprising the probiotic(s); an orally ingestible composition containing the anti-inflammatory agent; and a method for screening for the probiotic(s).

Abstract: An optofluidic photobioreactor including an optical waveguide having an input, characterized by an evanescent optical field confined along an outer surface of the optical waveguide produced by radiation propagating in the optical waveguide, means for inputting light to the input of the optical waveguide, and a selected photosynthetic microorganism disposed substantially within the evanescent field. A method for optically exciting a photosynthetic microorganism for generating a biofuel, a biofuel precursor, or a biomass from the optically-excited photosynthetic microorganism involves irradiating the photosynthetic microorganism attached to the surface of the waveguide with an evanescent optical field from optical radiation propagating in the optical waveguide, and driving photosynthesis in the microorganism by the evanescent optical field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a probiotic fruit beverage comprising a high viable count of acid-adapted probiotic bacteria, such as strains of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, and to probiotic fruit beverage obtainable by such method.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pharmaceutical composition to protect an animal against a disorder arising from an infection with a bacterium that belongs to the group of nocardioform actinomycetes having the ability to survive within macrophages of the animal, comprising live bacteria of a nocardioform actinomycetes species, the live bacteria being attenuated by inactivation of a gene that encodes a protein involved in methylhexahydroindanedione propionate degradation, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for these live bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing ammonia or ammonium from an organic material, the method by contacting the organic material with at least one hydrolytic enzyme, in a medium, to produce a medium including hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed organic material suitable for microbial fermentation. The hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed medium with organic material is then fermented in the presence of at least one microorganism capable of ammonification, wherein the fermenting is under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce a fermentation product that comprises ammonia or ammonium. The organic material includes nitrogenous compounds suitable for conversion to ammonia or ammonium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated bacterium strain Candidatus Brocadia caroliniensis, having Accession Deposit Number NRRL B-50286. The strain is capable of oxidizing ammonium and releasing di-nitrogen gas.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for pesticidal polypeptides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated pesticidal nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 3, or 4, the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 9, 10, or 11, as well as variants and fragments thereof.

Abstract: A method to grow and concentrate algae by adding a bacterium to an aqueous algal solution. After the bacteria are added, the algae and bacterial precipitate out of solution and produce a viable algal concentration that is 30 to 45 percent algae by wet weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism which is novel at the elemental composition level, and to provide a technique for providing such a microorganism. The present inventor has succeeded in causing a microorganism to efficiently contain a non-essential element by decreasing the content of an essential nutrient source for the microorganism, a C source, an N source, a P source, or an S source, and by adding an X compound containing the non-essential element as a constitutive element in a manner to make up for the decreased amount, and then culturing the microorganism.

Abstract: A method for encapsulation of microparticles (e.g., fungal conidia), involving (i) suspending microparticles in an aqueous solution containing at least one sugar to form an aqueous suspension wherein the concentration of said sugar is about 0.1 to 10% w/v, and (ii) spray drying said aqueous suspension with a spray dryer, wherein the inlet temperature of said spray dryer is about 40° C. to about 140° C. and the outlet temperature of said spray dryer is about 20° C. to about 80° C.

Abstract: A plant disease controlling agent containing a lactic acid bacterium which is capable of controlling plant disease and a plant disease controlling method which comprises treating a plant and/or soil with the above-mentioned lactic acid bacterium. By using the lactic acid bacterium seemingly advantageous to human health, an agricultural crop can be safely and stably produced. As the lactic acid bacterium as mentioned above, use may be favorably made of a microorganism belonging to the genus Pediococcus such as Pediococcus pentosaceus or a microorganism belonging to the genus Lactobacillus such as Lactobacillus plantarum.

Abstract: A carotenoid producing bacterium belonging to the genus Paracoccus that selectively produces canthaxanthin so that the amount thereof is not less than 90 percent by weight of the total amount of produced carotenoids including ?-carotene, ?-cryptoxanthin, echinenone, canthaxanthin, 3-hydroxyechinenone, 3?-hydroxyechinenone, zeaxanthin, phoenicoxanthin, adonixanthin, and astaxanthin. A method for producing canthaxanthin by culturing the above bacterium, and then collecting carotenoids from bacterial cells or a culture solution after the culturing.

Abstract: The invention relates to probiotic micro-organisms isolated from faeces of children exclusively fed with breast milk. Said microorganisms are used in the food or pharmaceutical industry, especially for use in infant formula milk, due to their probiotic properties which have beneficial effects on the health of those ingesting them. Said microorganisms consist of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HERO 22A (CNCM I-4036), Lactobacillus paracasei HERO 7 (CNCM I-4034) and Bifidobacterium breve HERO 15B (CNCM I-4035).

Abstract: Crude solid vanillin-containing material is precipitated from a solution obtained by biotransformation, and purified by a process comprising contacting it with a purification fluid selected from (a) a liquefied gas whose pressure exceeds its critical pressure and whose temperature is below its critical temperature; (b) a supercritical fluid; (c) a gas. The fluid is preferably liquid carbon dioxide. The temperature is maintained below 25° . The product may be further purified by treatment with CO2 in a fluid bed drier. The crude material is preferably one precipitated from a solution resulting from biotransformation of ferulic acid. A new strain of Amycolatopsis capable of generating high concentrations of vanillin with minimal odoriferous by-products (e.g. guaiacol) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of a probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus and a probiotic Bifidobacterium longumin the manufacture of a medicament or therapeutic nutritional composition for administration to an infant during at least the first three months of life for the long-term prophylaxis of diarrhea in infants and young children.

Abstract: TRFs useful for identifying strains of interest are provided. A method of identifying one or more strain that can be used as a direct-fed microbial is also provided. One or more strain identified by the method is additionally provided. A method is also provided for administering to an animal an effective amount of the one or more strain. Additionally provided is an isolated strain chosen from at least one of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain PlB c6 (NRRL B-50103), Lactobacillus salivarius strain o246e 33w (NRRL B-50102), Pediococcus acidilactici strain o246e 42 (NRRL B-50171), and Pediococcus acidilactici strain PlJ e3 (NRRL B-50101). An isolated strain having all of the identifying characteristics of one of the strains listed above is also provided. One or more strain can be administered as a direct-fed microbial to an animal. Methods of preparing a direct-fed microbial are also provided.

Abstract: Described are microorganisms which are able to inhibit the formation of foot malodor by skin microorganisms. Also described are compositions comprising such microorganisms as well as the use of such microorganisms in cosmetic, prophylactic or therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A fermentation of a milk source to manufacture a fermented milk product with malty-chocolate-honey-butter-cream flavour and aroma. Fermentation is achieved by addition of adding a Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis diacetylactis (CNCM No. I-4404) or a Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis diacetylactis (CNCM No. I-4405) A further bacteria Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar is also added to the milk source. The milk source comprises amino acids and citrate prior to fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach to prevent or treat mastitis both in humans and animals through the use of mammal milk-derived microorganisms obtained from healthy hosts of the homologous species; to those new probiotic microorganisms obtained from milk able to reduce infectious mastitis and the method of screening used for their obtaining; to the use of these probiotic bacteria for the prophylaxis or treatment against mastitis and other diseases; and finally, to compositions comprising these compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are drying methods for preserving cultures of methanogens and dried cultures obtained by the disclosed drying methods. The dried cultures of methanogens may be reconstituted and utilized to bioaugment anaerobic digester systems.

Abstract: Isolated microbial consortia capable of degrading chlorinated carbohydrates and a method to acclimatize microbes to degrade chlorinated carbohydrates under specific conditions of temperature and salt are described. Also described is a method for using microbial consortia to degrade chlorinated carbohydrates in a waste stream.