Abstract: The present invention refers to articles for collecting samples from a surface, articles for microbiological analyses of said samples, and methods of use of said articles. The articles include sample collectors, sample housings with optional barrier layers, and sample-ready reagent strips comprising hydrophilic agents to grow and detect microorganisms. The disclosure includes methods to collect, detect, and quantify microorganisms in a surface sample.

Abstract: A method of propagating, concentrating and delivering yeast is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of producing and inoculating a bag, propagating yeast within the bag, and concentrating the yeast in a section of the bag that is the removed from the remainder of the bag while not exposing any portion of the yeast therein to an external environment. In order to remove the bag, which contains the most concentrated slurry of yeast, a smaller bag is heat-sealed off of the larger bag, thereby creating a separate bag for the living sediment, which is still the bag in which the sediment was propagated. In a preferred embodiment, the method is specific to the alcoholic beverage industry. The method is also applicable to other industries that grow and transport yeast, bacteria, molds and other microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing Saccharomyces strains that are capable of growth on xylose as a sole carbon source at a desired growth rate (such as at least one generation per 48 hours), strains made by such methods, and Saccharomyces strains that grow at a growth rate of at least one generation per 48 hours using xylose as a sole carbon source for growth made by non-recombinant methods.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an ethanologen for use in biorefinery is disclosed. The method for propagating ethanologen for use in the production of a fermentation product from biomass comprises the steps of providing a medium for propagation of ethanologen; supplying a first cell mass of ethanologen to the medium; supplying xylose to the medium as a carbon source for the ethanologen; and maintaining the medium comprising the first cell mass of ethanologen at a pH of between about 5.0 and 6.0 and at a temperature of between about 26 and about 37 degrees Celsius so that the first cell mass of ethanologen is propagated into a second cell mass of ethanologen. The second cell mass of ethanologen is larger than the first cell mass of ethanologen.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for conveniently and efficiently producing high purity thioredoxin from yeast. In the production of thioredoxin using yeast, thioredoxin is produced through the following steps (i) to (iii): (1) culturing the yeast; (2) stressing the yeast obtained in step (1) to cause a release of thioredoxin from a cell of the yeast; and (3) collecting the thioredoxin released from the yeast cell.

Abstract: The method of producing baker's yeast involves producing yeast from a substrate composed of date syrup (Dips) diluted by molasses in sufficient quantity to lower the concentration of organic acids present in the date syrup that are toxic to yeast to safe levels, preferably a 1:1 mixture (w/w) of date syrup (Dips) and molasses. The substrate is inoculated with viable cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and placed in a bioreactor or fermentation vessel. The yeast is produced by a fed-batch process to ensure continuous yeast production and prevent or minimize the production of alcohol by the yeast, additional increments of the substrate being added about hourly for the duration (about 12 hours) of the yeast propagation process. The process produces baker's yeast comparable in quality to yeast produced from a pure molasses substrate for such purposes as making bread, and in sufficient quantity to be practical for industrial production.

Abstract: A method for producing ethanol by fermentation includes the preparation of a starter culture, inoculation of a mash with the starter culture, fermentation of mash, and recovery of ethanol from the mash. The starter culture includes a tallow base with Chinese tallow tree parts and water which are inoculated with micro-organisms, where the micro-organisms include yeast. The micro-organisms are grown in the tallow base, and used to inoculate the mash. The mash is then fermented, and ethanol is recovered from the mash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite yeast suitable for high concentration alcohol fermentation from sugar-containing raw materials, characterizing in that the composite yeast comprises any kind of dried yeast selected from Brewers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, grape wine yeast Saccharomyces uvarum Beijerinek, and nutritious materials which are necessary for yeast growth, the nutritious materials include: the dried yeast 40-70 parts by weight, a nitrogen source 20-40 parts by weight, a phosphorous source 5-10 parts by weight, an other inorganic salt 2.5-5 parts by weight, a trace vitamin 1-2.5 parts by weight and a bacteriostatic 0.5-1.2 parts by weight. The present invention further relates to a method for preparation of the composite yeast suitable for high concentration alcohol fermentation from sugar-containing raw materials.

Abstract: A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

Abstract: High cell density cultures of yeast were found to have higher tolerance for butanol in the medium. The high cell density yeast cultures had greater survival and higher glucose utilization than cultures with low cell densities. Production of butanol using yeast in high cell density cultures is thus beneficial for improving butanol production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an alanine-rich yeast containing alanine at a high concentration and includes: a method involving liquid-culturing a yeast in a stationary phase of proliferation under the condition that the pH of a liquid medium is ?7.5 and <11; a method for producing an alanine-rich yeast by adjusting the pH of a liquid medium to ?7.5 and <11, and then culturing the yeast in this pH range; a method of producing an alanine-rich yeast, wherein the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Candida utilis; an alanine-rich yeast obtained by any one of said methods; an alanine-rich yeast extract extracted from said alanine-rich yeast; a seasoning composition including said alanine-rich yeast extract; and an alanine-containing food and drink including said alanine-rich yeast, said alanine-rich yeast extract or said seasoning composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method for producing an amino acid-rich yeast containing free amino acid in high concentration; a method for producing an amino acid-rich yeast, which includes liquid-culturing a yeast in a stationary phase of proliferation wherein the pH of a liquid medium is ?7.5 and <11; a method for producing an amino acid-rich yeast, which includes adjusting the pH of the liquid medium to ?7.5 and <11, and further culturing the yeast in this pH range; a method for producing an amino acid-rich yeast, wherein the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Candida utilis; an amino acid-rich yeast obtained by any one of the above methods; the amino acid-rich yeast extract wherein the amount of a free amino acid is from 7.5 to 18.0% by weight per dry yeast cell; and an amino acid-rich yeast extract extracted from the above amino acid-rich yeast.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to the enrichment of non-photosynthetic micro-organisms with organic selenium, and more particularly with selenomethionine, from a compound of the seleno-hydroxyacid type such as 2-hydroxy-4-methylseleno-butanoic acid in the (D, L) form or in the form of an enantiomer, salt, ester, or amide derivative of said compound, and to the use of micro-organisms, particularly bacteria thus enriched in the fields of animal or human nutrition, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes.

Abstract: A method for producing ethanol by fermentation includes the preparation of a starter culture, inoculation of a mash with the starter culture, fermentation of the mash, and recovery of ethanol from the mash. The starter culture includes a tallow base with Chinese tallow tree parts and water which are inoculated with micro-organisms, where the micro-organisms include yeast. The micro-organisms are grown in the tallow base, and used to inoculate the mash. The mash is then fermented, and ethanol is recovered from the mash.

Abstract: This invention is directed to applying a low sedimental fluid shear environment to manipulate microorganisms, and to microorganisms and compositions obtained based on such manipulation. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of modifying a molecular genetic or phenotypic characteristic (e.g., virulence, stress resistance or biofilm formation) of a microorganism by culturing in a low sedimental shear environment. One or more ion concentrations in the culture can be modulated in order to inhibit or amplify the extent of the modification. The present invention also provides microorganisms obtained from a low sedimental shear culture, which exhibit modified and desirable phenotypic characteristics, as well as therapeutic, vaccine and bioindustrial products prepared from such microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for culturing yeast at a neutral pH level. Yeast cultured under neutral pH conditions exhibit desirable characteristics useful for biological purposes, such as the development of vaccines, prophylactics and therapeutics. The invention also provides for compositions and kits comprising yeast grown using the methodologies disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to yeasts expressing the gene BDH1 coding for Bdh1p, characterised in that they catalyse, in an alcoholic fermentation medium, the reduction of acetoin into 2,3-butanediol by a rate at least twice higher than that of the initial stem. The invention can particularly be used for the fermentation of fruit juice and for producing 2,3-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing Saccharomyces strains that are capable of growth on xylose as a sole carbon source at a desired growth rate (such as at least one generation per 48 hours), strains made by such methods, and Saccharomyces strains that grow at a growth rate of at least one generation per 48 hours using xylose as a sole carbon source for growth made by non-recombinant methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of growing of microorganisms in cell culture media comprising crude glycerol as a carbon source. The present invention further provides novel cell culture media comprising crude glycerol as a carbon source. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media substantially lack refined glycerol. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media comprise crude glycerol as the sole carbon source.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving nutritive media, media supplements, media subgroup and buffer formulations are provided. Powder buffer formulations that produce particular ionic and pH conditions upon reconstitution with a solvent are also disclosed. Methods of producing these media, media supplements, media subgroups and buffer formulations as well as kits and methods for cultivation of procaryotic and eukaryotic cells (including human cells) are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of producing sterile powdered media, media supplements, powdered growth factors, media subgroup and buffer formulations. Methods of sterilization include gamma irradiation. Methods for producing dry cell powders where spray-drying a cell suspension may be used are disclosed. Cells, media, media supplements, media subgroups and buffer powders produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns dry active yeasts useful for rehydration and/or alcoholic fermentation, or rehydrated active yeasts useful for fermentation, or yeasts useful for fermentation, having a sterol content exhibiting at least two conjugated double bonds at the B cycle of at least 900 ?g/g of dry weight. The invention is useful for producing fermented alcoholic beverages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted or unsubstituted carbinol compound, comprising the steps of subjecting the corresponding substituted or unsubstituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by yeast in the presence of either (a) a supereritical fluid or (b) a liquefied gas, and recovering the carbinol compound. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a particularly preferred embodiment the aromatic aldehyde is benzaldehyde and the carbinol is phenylacetylcarbinol, according to the reaction (I): in which the benzaldehyde, the pyruvic acid, or both may optionally be substituted.

Abstract: A novel technique is provided for drying a yeast for brewing and a method of producing alcoholic beverages by using the yeast. It is intended to provide a method of producing a dry yeast which has the optimum fermentability when directly used in fermentation and gives an appropriate flavor without needing prepropagation, and a method of producing alcoholic beverages by using the yeast. A method comprising incorporating a stabilizer such as trehalose into a yeast which has been recovered from the fermentation step, and, if desired, further incorporating glycerol into the yeast to thereby lower the water activity in the cells, and then dehydrating/drying the yeast while sustaining a high viable cell ratio and favorable fermentability; and alcoholic beverages produced by using the yeast.

Abstract: Media and kits are disclosed for use in processes requiring microbial culture. More specifically, the invention provides carrageenan-stabilized agar-based microbial culture media and kits constructed using the media. The media and kits of the invention may allow the construction of kits with increased shelf stability and useful life. Further, the media and kits of the invention may be used in kits and methods useful in the manual determination of the type of infection present in a specimen in periods of about 24 hours. The stabilized culture media of the invention are useful in a broad variety of applications. In an embodiment, the media contains both an agar medium and iota carrageenan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a biological fertilizer composition that comprises yeast cells and swine manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a biological fertilizer composition that comprises yeast cells and poultry manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fermentation process for producing glutathione which comprises (a) the obtainment of a biomass pre-culture by pre-cultivating, in aerobic conditions, a strain of a glutathione producing yeast wherein the glutathione content per biomass unit is higher than 1.2% w/w; (b) the cultivation, in aerobic conditions, of the resulting biomass pre-culture such that the resulting biomass density is higher than 50 g/l; (c) the activation of the cultured biomass; and (d) the recovery of the cultured biomass, extracting glutathione at a pH equal to or lower than 6 and purifying the resulting glutathione. The process allows to obtain glutathione with high yields and relatively low costs.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells are characterized by their ability to enhance the immune system (e.g., increase the activity of T and B lymphocytes and natural killer cells) in a mammal, said ability resulting from their having been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength. Also included are methods of making and using these compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells are characterized by their ability to improve kidney functions (e.g., restoring urine secretion and/or lowering blood urea nitrogen, serum proteinuria, and/or serum creatinine levels) in a subject as a result of having been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to improve the memory of a mammal. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells are characterized by their ability to normalize the serum level of GPT, AP and/or LDH-5 in a mammal, said ability resulting from their having been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength. Also included are methods of making and using these compositions.

Abstract: A process of making a fuel or chemical from a biomass hydrolyzate is provided which comprises the steps of providing a biomass hydrolyzate, adjusting the pH of the hydrolyzate, contacting a metal oxide having an affinity for guaiacyl or syringyl functional groups, or both and the hydrolyzate for a time sufficient to form an adsorption complex; removing the complex wherein a sugar fraction is provided, and converting the sugar fraction to fuels or chemicals using a microorganism.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells are characterized by their ability to treat hyperlipemia (e.g., regulate triglyceride and/or beta-lipoprotein levels) in a subject as a result of having been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells are characterized by their ability to increase secretion of gastric juice or alleviate gastric ulcer in a mammal, said ability resulting from their having been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength. Also included are methods of making and using these compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high density antagonistic microbe base materials and a method of producing the same, more particularly, a method for preparing high density antagonistic microbe base material comprising the steps of: inoculating a mixture of native microbes as main components to organic medium to obtain crude bacteria by subculture; and further inoculating the obtained crude bacteria in a culture medium consisting of crushed soil from volcanic rocks mineral, combined nutrients and water, culturing and then being subjected to air ventilation under agitating the cultured material along the rise in temperature.

Abstract: The present invention describes new and distinct strains of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms, and a process for growing them in submerged culture. Specifically, the new strains of species of the genus Pleurotus offer superior yields of mushroom biomass and concentrations of biologically active compounds, for example, cholesterol-lowering compounds, lectins, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins or polysaccharides. The process includes use of defined media and a simple one-step procedure of separating the lovastatin-containing nutriceuticals from culture broth.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to substantially increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nutritive medium, medium supplement, media subgroup and buffer formulations. Specifically, the present invention provides powder nutritive medium, medium supplement and medium subgroup formulations, particularly cell culture medium supplements (including powdered sera such as powdered fetal bovine serum (FBS)), medium subgroup formulations and cell culture media comprising all of the necessary nutritive factors that facilitate the in vitro cultivation of cells. The invention further provides powder buffer formulations that produce particular ionic and pH conditions upon reconstitution with a solvent.

Abstract: The yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, has been used to invent a non-toxic selenium-germanium yeast product. Culture growth conditions can influence the biosorbent selenium and germanium uptake capacity. The invention involves assimilation of selenium and germanium by the yeast under optimal conditions of incubation time, biomass concentration, reaction pH, reaction medium, and feed rate. This yeast can assimilate higher intracellular selenium and germanium by either a one-step continuous feed-batch fermentation or a two-step continuous and semi-continuous feed-batch fermentation. The invention additionally involves the novel germanium and selenium-containing yeast.

Abstract: A method for detecting microorganisms present in a sample comprises the steps of: applying a non-lethal hydrostatic pressure to a sample containing microorganisms; and staining the microorganisms with a fluorescent dye. The method permits a significant increase in the uptake of a fluorescent substance by applying, to a sample, a desired non-lethal hydrostatic pressure, without causing any reduction of the survival rate of microorganisms. The method also permits the elimination of such a secondary effect that the subject microorganism undergoes proliferation during staining the same with a fluorescent dye. Thus, the present invention would contribute to the determination of the correct viable count in a wide variety of technical fields.

Abstract: An improved method for reducing colony forming units bacteria in yeast is disclosed. The method involves contacting the yeast with a hop acid in an amount sufficient to give a final concentration of the hop acid of at least about 40 ppm.

Abstract: A fermentation process for preparing a high yield erythritol using a salt tolerant mutant of Candida sp. [Candida magnoliae SR101:KCCM-10160]. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing erytlritol under optimal fermentation conditions for maximal erythritol production by optimizing the environmental conditions of culture, including medium component, pH, temperature, aeration rate and agitation speed.

Abstract: A culture material is formed containing a water-soluble polymer layer and a porous matrix layer arranged such that when water is applied to the surface of the matrix layer the water diffuses through the matrix layer to dissolve the water-soluble polymer layer which then gradually penetrates into the matrix layer to form a single layer for use as a culture medium on which a microorganism can be grown to form colonies. The water-soluble polymer layer or water added to the matrix layer can contain nutrients for the microorganism, and the microorganism can be added with the water. The culture material has a water content of not more than 50%, and is sufficiently insoluble in water such that it substantially holds its original shape for at least 30 minutes when in contact with water having a temperature of not more than 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention solves the need for non-toxic forms of bioactive chromium which is an essential part of the human diet. This invention provides novel dried-yeast products containing chromium as well as a method of producing the dried yeast products. The method uses organochromium complexes comprised of trivalent chromium, nicotinate, and glycine having high Glucose Tolerance Factor chromium activity. The invention also provides nutritional supplements containing the novel chromium-containing dried-yeast products and methods of administering these products and supplements to increase glucose uptake and insulin binding.