Abstract: A method of storing a quantity of red blood cells uses a blood bag which comprises a plastic polyvinyl chloride formulation which contains from 5 to 30 percent by weight of a first plasticizer material which is essentially nonextractable by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.; and from 10 to 25 percent by weight of a second plasticizer which is significantly extracted by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C. and which, upon leaching, is capable of suppressing the formation of plasma hemoglobin.

Abstract: A heat treatment for live yeast cell slurries and pastes, which comprises heating the slurry or paste at a temperature of about 60.degree. C. or greater for a sufficient period of time, increases the fluidity of the slurry or paste and allows more highly concentrated suspensions to be processed than otherwise possible.

Abstract: Effective disinfection and washing of immobilized lactase from Aspergillus oryzae is carried out after a period of hydrolyzing lactose by treatment of the immobilized lactase with aqueous solutions of pH's 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.7, one or both of which contain a disinfectant. The solution having a pH of 6 to 8.7 may be a phosphate buffered solution. The lactase may be immobilized on a high polymer compound by covalent linkage. The immobilized lactase has outstanding resistance to chemicals and wide pH stability so that decrease of lactase activity is minimized.

Abstract: A method and materials are provided for replication of virulent Treponema pallidum in tissue culture, employing a modified Eagle's minimum essential medium, wherein said in vitro cultivated T. pallidum can be utilized as a source of relatively pure organisms, free of host tissue, for the preparation of a vaccine against syphilis and as a source of organisms for use in specific immunological tests for syphilis.

Abstract: Enzyme-containing cells immobilized in an alginate gel are stabilized by contacting the gel with glycerol in a ratio of cellstoglycerol of 2:1 to 1:5. The enzyme-containing cells preferably convert sucrose to isomaltulose.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the embedding of microorganisms within a polymer matrix wherein the matrix comprises a polymer gel having a base of at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides, in which said polymer is at least partially cross-linked. The embedded microorganism products are useful in the inoculation of leguminous and non-leguminous plants in order to increase their nitrogen-fixing potential and nutrition, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing bread dough which may be deep-frozen with a view to long conservation thereof, characterized in that the yeast used was previously subjected to a stabilization by deep-freezing and that the mixing and kneading operations are carried out in a minimum of time without the dough attaining the temperature of 20.degree. C., after which the dough obtained is rapidly cooled until its innermost temperature attains at least -7.degree. C. The present invention also relates to a process for biological de-freezing of deep-frozen bread dough.

Abstract: Living cultures of microorganisms used in the preparation of foodstuffs by microbiological processing are protected against attack by bacteriophage viruses by the addition thereto of terpene. The terpene is added in an amount which is effective to obtain viricidal activity but ineffective to cause toxic effects on the microorganisms. The terpene is one obtainable from aromatic plants by steam distillation. Terpenes or mixtures of terpenes which have proved suitable are those obtained from black pepper oil, cinnamon flower oil, cardamon oil, linallyl acetate, cinnamic aldehyde, safrol, carvon and cis/ trans citral, used individually or mixed together. They may added dissolved in a carrier such as 1,2-propanediol. The terpenes demonstrate a viricidal activity in a concentration which is one or more powers of ten lower than the concentration at which the terpenes have toxic effects on the microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for the production of a storage-stable preparation of micro-organisms, starting from a mixed culture of micro-organisms, which is capable to degrade products of industrial organic syntheses, which comprises that the culture conditions of an active mixed culture enriched in the customary manner are optimized, with the addition of the product to be degraded, in the customary manner according to the rate of degradation of the product and this mixed culture is converted in at least two passes into a stabilized activated mixed culture under the optimum conditions thus determined, and the culture thereby obtained is rendered storage-stable, its activity being maintained.

Abstract: A method of preparing a variola virus which comprises growing the virus on the embryos of chicken eggs, recoverng the inoculated embryos, stabilizing the recovered embryos with a mixture comprising; lactose, raffinose, lysine, sodium glutamate, dextrin, isoniazid and thiourea.

Abstract: Deacidifying wine by passage through an alginate gel containing living cells of Leuconostoc oenos therein. To ensure maximum viability, the alginate gel is stored in a resting medium, preferably sterile grape juice containing 5-12% ethanol. Before deacidifying wine the immobilized cells are conditioned to a wine milieu.

Abstract: A method of coating a dry variola virus obtained by the inoculation of the mbryo of chicken eggs and stabilized by the addition of lactose, raffinose, lysine, sodium glutamate, isoniazid, and thiourea by treatment with methyl amyl acetate.

Abstract: A bacteria-containing composition for use in making cottage cheese is prepared containing a strain of Streptococcus diacetilactis that produces substantial amounts of diacetyl in a milk culture, a strain of diacetyl deficient mutant Streptococcus diacetilactis that produces essentially no diacetyl in a milk culture and a suitable carrier for maintaining viability of the Streptococcus diacetilactis. By the use of the two types of Streptococcus diacetilactis, a manufacturer of cottage cheese can optimize both the cell count to achieve the desired inhibition of spoilage bacteria and flavor production to achieve the desired flavor in the finished product.

Abstract: Porous granules of active yeast are produced by mixing moist yeast having a solids content of 30% to 40% with a gas in an amount of 0.2 to 2.0 times the volume of the yeast, extruding the resultant mixture at a pressure of from 1 to 10 atmospheres through orifices having a length to diameter ratio of about 1:1 to 4:1 and allowing escape of gas from the interior of the resultant extrudate to form pores communicating with the surface to produce porous granules of active yeast. The granules may be dried to produce active dry yeast granules having a total surface area formed by the outside surface plus the interior surface of the granules of at least 1.5 times the total area of the outside surface of the granules. The active dry yeast granules have good vitality and are capable of rapid rehydration and regeneration.

Abstract: A dry yeast composition in particulate form containing at least 92% dry matter is prepared consisting essentially of active dry bakers' yeast capable of fermenting sweetened doughs containing more than 5% sugar and an emulsifying agent having an HLB value of between 3 and 11. The emulsifying agent is added to the yeast before drying and protects the yeast during drying.

Abstract: The invention relates to cheese starter compositions comprising a plurality of discrete pellets containing frozen, live bacteria, wherein each pellet contains at least one strain of bacterium which is not appreciably present in at least one other of the pellets. In a preferred form of the invention, each pellet contains a single strain of bacterium, while in the composition as a whole there are at least two and preferably more strains.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting microbial contamination, particularly applicable to processes for preparing food materials under nominally aseptic conditions, is carried out by cycling the temperature of a desired portion of the process which is a source of contamination between upper and lower limits which fall between 0.degree. and 60.degree. C. and which are at least 5.degree. C. apart at a frequency of about 0.2 to 5 cycles per hour to create a varying thermal environment at the source of contamination which slows microbial growth.

Abstract: A medium for growing bacteria from an initial population to a final predetermined population where growth of the bacteria substantially subsides due to the lack of nutrient.

Abstract: Bacteria immobilized by adsorption on an inorganic carrier are stabilized by carrying out the adsorption procedure in the presence of from about 1 to about 20% weight per volume of sucrose of nonfat dry milk solids and lyophilizing the adsorbed bacteria.

Abstract: A homogeneous suspension, in a buffered aqueous solution having a pH of 7.0 to 7.7, of a destroyed microorganism which is positive to the clumping factor, said suspension containing from 3 to 50 percent by weight of at least one polyhydric alcohol soluble therein, is disclosed, as are its manufacture and its use as a reagent for the determination of fibrinogen and for fibrin cleavage products.

Abstract: A method of packaging, and the package so produced, for maintaining living organisms viable for a long period of time. The living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., are mixed with a carrier, such as peat. The organism-carrier mixture is then disposed in a package, such as a heat-sealable plastic envelope, and a gaseous atmosphere is provided in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegatative state formation of the organisms. Some organisms will form cysts, others spores, but whatever nonvegetative state is assumed, the organisms will be much less susceptible to heat, cold, starvation, and other adverse environmental factors. Suitable gaseous atmospheres include nitrogen, helium, and argon gases. The package is then sealed to prevent contamination of the atmosphere therein.

Abstract: A concentrated bacterial culture, capable of being cooled to temperatures as low as about -40.degree. C. for storage without rapid freezing and with minimum damage to the bacterial cells, is prepared by diluting a conventionally prepared concentrated cell paste with a liquid anti-freeze agent containing one or more water freezing point depressants which are water-soluble, are non-injurious to the bacteria, and do not form crystals when cooled to a predetermined temperature within the range of about 5 to about -40.degree. C. The amount of the freezing point depressant(s) is sufficient to prevent formation of ice crystals from the water present in the diluted product when cooled to the predetermined temperature. The culture, which does not become hard or crystalline upon being cooled to temperatures as low as -40.degree. C., can be warmed to a temperature convenient for sampling, assaying and blending and then re-cooled to a cold storage temperature without an appreciable reduction in viability.

Abstract: A dried lactic acid bacteria composition comprising lactic acid bacteria and alginate, which is effective for the preservation of said bacteria therein.

Abstract: An active dried bakers' yeast is prepared with a dry matter content of at least 85% by weight, a protein content (%N.times.6.25) of 45 to 60% based on dry matter and an activity value of 420 to 600, when determined according to test method B.sup.2 as defined in the specification. The yeast has the advantages that it can be added as such to the flour prior to dough-making without preliminary soaking, and it is capable of better gas production than active dried yeasts hitherto available.

Abstract: Storage stable, lyophilized, acid producing bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria, are prepared by lyophilizing the bacteria in the presence of at least 5% by weight of the bacteria of a basic organic or inorganic buffering agent, preferably an alkali metal salt of glycerophosphate, to provide lyophilized bacteria containing less than 5% by weight water, and sealing the lyophilized bacteria in a container while in a vacuum or surrounded by a gaseous atmosphere substantially free of oxygen, preferably argon which is essentially free of oxygen.

Abstract: In a feedlot operation wherein ruminant animals, such as cattle or sheep, are fed ad libitum a high-energy ration or feed, lactic acidosis is greatly reduced or eliminated and weight gain and feed conversion are increased by administering to the animal the microorganism Peptococcus asaccharolyticus upon introduction of the animal to the feedlot. The microorganism is conveniently administered to the animal, either by direct injection or introduction into the rumen via a needle or stomach tube or in admixture with the feed or ration. The microorganism is also useful in the treatment of cattle (calves) and sheep ill with lactic acidosis.

Abstract: A liquid seed treatment composition is described in which microdried bacteria are flowably suspended in a nonphytotoxic liquid carrier with a chemical substance normally toxic to the bacteria. The bacteria in the compositions exhibit prolonged viability relative to dry, non-fluid formulations. To sustain bacterial viability and effectiveness of the compositions, the compositions are maintained as a liquid colloid in which the ingredients are thoroughly dispersed.