Abstract: Provided are a nitrite-type nitrification carrier and a method for producing the same and a method and an apparatus for removing nitrogen using the same, in which the quantity of organic matter to be added can be substantially reduced to reduce running cost. A method for producing a nitrite-type nitrification carrier in which ammonia-oxidizing bacteria for nitrifying ammonium to nitrite is preferentially accumulated comprises the steps of: entrapping and immobilizing any sludge selected from sediment from a lake, a river or the sea, soil from the surface of the earth, or activated sludge from a sewage-treatment plant into a monomer or a prepolymer for immobilizing microorganisms; and then subjecting the entrapped and immobilized sludge to heat treatment at 30 to 80° C.

Abstract: The invention concerns uranium-chelating peptides as well as their uses for decontaminating soils and water, and for detecting and treating people contaminated by uranium. Said peptides have a helix-loop-helix type structure comprising the sequence of a calmodulin loop including at least one mutation of neutral residues selected from the group consisting of S, T, C, H, Y, N and Q, of one, two or three residues of at least one of the four calmodulin calcium binding sites: site I: residues selected among D20, D22 and D24 residues; site II: residues selected among D56, D58 and N60 residues; site III: residues selected among D93, D95 and N97 residues; site IV: residues selected among D129, D131 and D133 residues; said positions being indicated with reference to the human calmodulin sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and gaseous composition for the in situ bioremediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic compounds, including halogenated hydrocarbons. The gaseous composition, which readily permeates a subsurface region, comprises hydrogen (H2) and one or more volatile phosphates, such as triethylphosphate (TEP) and tributylphosphate (TBP). The volatile phosphates serve as nutrients that stimulate the growth and activity of indigenous microbes that are capable of degrading the contaminants. The addition of hydrogen facilitates the direct reductive dehalogenation of highly halogenated contaminants. The gaseous composition may optionally contain one or more of a volatile alkane and nitrous oxide as additional supports for microbial growth, and carbon dioxide to lower the pH of remediation sites that are highly alkaline.

Abstract: Two waste products, nitrate-rich sewage wastewater and power plant CO2 emissions, are combined and converted into a renewable, biomass energy source, which supplies the fuel to the power plant. The power plant, wastewater treatment facility, and biomass growth unit are preferably located on one site and arranged for convenient transfer of the CO2 and wastewater to the biomass growth unit; harvesting, processing and return of biomass from the growth unit as fuel to the power plant; and discharge of the de-nitrated wastewater into the same body of water used as the heat sink by the power plant, e.g., a lake, river, or sound. The present invention thus provides an integrated approach to minimization of CO2 emissions and nitrate discharge while achieving improved efficiency in the generation and harvesting of the biomass.

Abstract: This invention relates to molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides having cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and feed processing and industrial contexts.

Abstract: This present invention provides methods of enhancing the growth of a microorganism or plant by increasing its melanin content and exposing it to radiation, and methods of using melanized microorganisms to contain or exclude radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bio-assisted method for treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soil employing novel microbes which are capable of decontaminating hydrocarbon contaminated soil having free flowing water or in slurry form or having large amount of gravels. The method comprises adding hydrocarbon releasing microbes followed by adding the microbes capable of degrading the released hydrocarbon to decontaminate the soil, wherein said microbes are grown separately in suitable vessels containing a suitable nutrient medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable complex microbial system, which simultaneously decomposes a plurality of organic contaminants even under a polluted environment with these contaminants and permits more effective decomposition of persistent organic contaminants such as PCNB and simazine. A support for holding a complexed enrichment of degrading bacteria, which contains a porous material provided as a support on which degrading bacteria A capable of degrading at least one organic contaminant and degrading bacteria B capable of degrading another organic contaminant are enriched, is produced. The degrading bacteria A may be a PCNB-degrading bacteria, particularly degrading bacteria containing degrading bacteria having part or all of the bacteriological characteristics of Nocardioides sp. PD653 and the degrading bacteria B may be degrading bacteria containing degrading bacteria having part or all of the bacteriological characteristics of ?-Proteobacteria CDB21.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems including one or more trenches or wells that include one or more perforated pipes through which a gas, such as air, can be injected into the vadose zone of ground located beyond a methaneogenic source to create a positive-pressure gas curtain and/or aerobic conditions in the vadose zone that inhibits migration of and/or facilitate the remediation of mobile volatile organic compounds that are capable of contaminating groundwater surrounding the methaneogenic source.

Abstract: A mixed culture of Dehalococcoides species is provided that has an ability to catalyze the complete dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes such as PCE, TCE, cDCE, 1,1-DCE and vinyl chloride as well as halogenated ethanes such as 1,2-DCA and EDB. The mixed culture demonstrates the ability to achieve dechlorination even in the presence of high source concentrations of chlorinated ethenes.

Abstract: A biological filter apparatus for biological degradation of contaminants in an air stream is operated by passing the air stream through a filter chamber containing a structure supporting a population of microbes and collecting water that drains from the structure and spraying the collected water onto the structure, whereby the sprayed water is recirculated. Upon start up or re-start of the filter apparatus, a nutrient composition is added to the recirculating water. The nutrient composition contains a buffering agent, sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, and sources of trace elements selected from manganese, calcium, iron and sodium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading hydrophobic ester pesticides and toxins. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of insect esterases, and mutants thereof, in the bioremediation of hydrophobic ester pesticides and toxins residues, such as pyrethroid residues, contaminating the environment and horticultural commodities.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to isolation and identification of unique Pseudomonas stutzeri strains that can grow on crude oil under denitrifying conditions and are useful in oil recovery.

Abstract: A water purification solid material of relatively low cost whose handling is easy, produced from a natural raw material only; and a method of water purification with the use of the same. There is provided a water purification solid material for use in water purification using a microbe, characterized in that it is obtained by working only a natural raw material whose main component is a polysaccharide. Further, there is provided a method of water purification with the use of the same.

Abstract: A reaction tank (5) holds crushed cells comprising a pellicle of Bacillus midousuji cultured in the presence of a chlorinated aromatic compound such as dioxins and holds wastewater comprising a contaminated matter such as fly ash which comprises dioxins and which is produced by washing of a facility such as an incinerator. Air is supplied by a blower (6) to a matter held in the reaction tank (5). Accordingly, dioxins having three or more chlorine atoms in the contaminated matter can be decomposed, and the contaminated matter can be easily cleaned at a site where dioxins generate such as a washing or dismantling site of an incineration facility.

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.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce, often associated, offensive odors. Irrigation of oxygenated liquid on top of a permeable cover effectively creates an aerobic treatment zone at the top of the lagoon whereby odorous gases being produced anaerobically below the cover are metabolized within this zone before being released to the atmosphere. This same system also serves to increase evaporation from the overall waste handling system therefore substantially reducing or eliminating the need for land application of treated wastewater.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins including at least a swollenin and at least a plant cell-wall degrading enzyme, the swollenin, and plant cell-wall degrading enzyme, being recombinant proteins corresponding to native proteins in fungi, or mutated forms thereof. The invention also relates to the use of fusion proteins as defined above, for carrying out processes of plant cell-wall degradation in the frame of the preparation, from plants or vegetal by-products, of compounds of interest located in plant cell-wall, or in the frame of the bleaching of pulp and paper, or for biofuel production, or food industries.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing organic material, the method employing at least two reactors and including the steps of combining carbon dioxide or carbon-dioxide containing gas and ammonia or ammonia-containing material in a first reactor to form a buffer compound/buffer compounds, then feeding the buffer compound or buffer compounds formed in the first reactor into a second reactor, and performing bioconversion on organic material in the second reactor. In that case, the carbon dioxide of the mixed carbon dioxide gas reacts with the ammonia, forming a buffer compound, such as ammonium bicarbonate and/or ammonium carbonate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids, or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), from substrates which cannot be used as a source of carbon and/or energy for microbial growth or PHA synthesis and which have microbial and environmental toxicity. According to one embodiment of the invention, a process for the production of PHA is provided wherein an enzyme such as methane monooxygenase is used to convert volatile organic compounds into PHA through the use of microorganisms that are unable to use volatile organic compounds as a source of carbon for growth or PHA production.

Abstract: A device for digesting sludge anaerobically, comprising a digesting tank (100) having an upper region (104) and a lower region (105), and a reaction chamber (107) for converting raw sludge into matured sludge, an inlet (112) for introducing sludge (109) into the digesting tank, at least one transfer pipe (120) for channelling sludge from the lowe region of the digesting tank to the upper region of the digesting tank, said at least one transfer pipe being arranged within the digesting tank and having at least a part of its length thereof arranged within the reaction chamber so that least one transfer pipe is in contact with sludge moving through the reaction chamber, thereby resulting in heat transfer from sludge moving in at least on transfer pipe to sludge in the reaction chamber, and an outlet (114) arrange at the lower region of the digesting tank for discharging matured sludge (116) from the digesting tank.

Abstract: A microbial consortium for the biodegradation of sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters having greater than 60 mol percent aromatic acid content based on the total acid content of the co-polyester, created by applying selective pressure. Methods to biodegrade sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters using microbial consortium SPDC-1 are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that relate to the bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes, particularly the bioremediation of vinyl chloride by Dehalococcoides-like organisms. An isolated strain of bacteria, Dehalococcoides sp. strain VS, that metabolizes vinyl chloride is provided; the genetic sequence of the enzyme responsible for vinyl chloride dehalogenation; methods of assessing the capability of endogenous organisms at an environmental site to metabolize vinyl chloride; and a method of using the strains of the invention for bioremediation.

Abstract: A method for collecting bacterial cells comprising the steps of: feeding water to be treated containing ammonium and nitrite to an anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to denitrify ammonium and nitrite by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria; and feeding the denitrified treated water to an acclimatization vessel or returning the water through the acclimatization vessel to the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to collect anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria in the treated water as immobilized microorganisms attached to an immobilizing material in the acclimatization vessel.

Abstract: The detoxification method characterized by comprising converting at least one member selected from the group comprising arsenic, antimony and selenium into a harmless substance produced in a food chain system by using the food chain system. The method of detoxifying a harmful compound as described above is characterized by comprising converting a harmful compound containing at least one element selected from the group comprising arsenic, antimony, and selenium into a harmless substance by using a food chain system containing a larval zooplankton.

Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: Genetically modified plants able to accumulate heavy metals in shoots and methods of removing and possibly recovering said heavy metals, using said genetically modified plants. Said genetically modified plants include more than one copy of at least a sequence encoding a P1B-type ATPase of the Zn<2+>/Co<2+>/Cd<2+>/Pb<2+> subclass and that they overexpress said P1B-type ATPase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detoxification of feed products contaminated by the mycotoxin zearalenone.

Abstract: A system (10) for absorbing an acidic component from a process stream (22), the system including: a process stream (22) including an acidic component; an absorbent solution to absorb at least a portion of the acidic component from the process stream (22), wherein the absorbent solution includes an amine compound or ammonia; an absorber (20) including an internal portion (20a), wherein the absorbent solution contacts the process stream (22) in the internal portion of the absorber; and a catalyst (27) to absorb at least a portion of the acidic component from the process stream (22), wherein the catalyst is present in at least one of: a section of the internal portion (20a) of the absorber (20), the absorbent solution, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A biostimulation agent in the form of hollow spheres comprising soy wax or a combination of soy wax and beeswax. The biostimulation agent is capable of providing sufficient nutrients to help maximize biostimulation of indigenous microbes capable of biodegradation of chemical and/or petrochemical spills in the environment. The hollow spheres can be applied by spraying the loose product onto a spill. Alternatively, the hollow spheres are contained within a porous cylinder, bag, or boom that allows a spilled chemical and/or petrochemical to permeate through and contact the spheres.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method for the inoculation of a bioremediation agent into a waste stream, including but not limited to sludge or oil. The apparatus is capable of generating and maintaining a continuous release of decomposing bacteria, and living organisms, into a septic tank of sewage treatment system each time a toilet is flushed, or a boat bilge is pumped. The dispensing apparatus and method also provides a solid or liquid inoculate introduced directly into the apparatus for release into the waste stream slowly and continuously over time.

Abstract: A method of treating bio waste including the steps of (1) fermenting substantially raw biowaste in a pathogen reduction stage under anaerobic conditions for a predetermined period at a temperature in the mesophillic temperature range and (2) subsequently separating the solid and liquid phases to produce a fermented cake and fermented liquor. The fermented cake has at least 15% solids on dry basis and contains over 500 mg/L ammonia, over 1,000 mg/L total Volatile Fatty Acids (tVFA) and Escherichia coli less than 100,000 cfu per g dry solids. The fermented liquor contains over 10,000 mg/L COD, over 500 mg/L ammonia, over 1,000 mg/L tVFA and less than 5,000 mg/L of suspended solids.

Abstract: A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing organic material for microbiological fermentations of municipal waste water sludge for reducing the waste water sludge and/or of cellulosic material for the production of biofuels, with at least one of the following steps: disintegrating and/or liquefying the organic and/or cellulosic material by using a jet pump and/or creating a supersonic shock zone in a jet pump the organic and/or cellulosic material is supplied to in order to disintegrate and/or liquefy the organic and/or cellulosic material and/or applying high pressure steam to an annular ring chamber enclosing a tube of a jet pump and directing the steam into the tube of the jet pump thereby sucking organic and/or cellulosic material into the tube and creating a supersonic shock zone in the jet pump in order to disintegrate and/or liquefy the organic and/or cellulosic material.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured product from infectious organic waste material includes (a) introducing, into a reactor capable of being heated and pressurized, infectious organic waste material to form a reaction mixture; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to saturated steam at a temperature and pressure within the reactor for a duration of time sufficient to thermally hydrolyze and denature the reaction mixture into a denatured slurry; and (c) alternatively (1) anaerobically digesting the denatured slurry, or (2) fractionating the denatured slurry based on molecular weight, density and size into at least two hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured products. The resulting hydrolyzed, sterile products have safe and valuable nutritional properties and may be used in a wide range of commercial, agricultural, and industrial products or processes.

Abstract: A method for cleavage of the ether-linkage of polyethoxylates is described. A novel pure microbial culture, Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 (Depository No.: BCRC910228), is used under aerobic condition to cleave the ether-linkage adjacent to the carboxylated terminus or ethoxyl terminus. This method is useful to cleave sequentially ether-linkage of polyethoxylates in an aqueous buffer solution with an initial concentration of the polyethoxylates between 0.05% and 20%. This method is also effective for the cleavage of the ether-linkages in short-chain polyethoxylates with one to three ethoxyl units.

Abstract: An isolated and purified transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell comprising a disrupted ACR3 gene and an isolated DNA sequence comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid molecule encoding yeast cadmium factor resistance protein Ycf1p, is provided, as well as uses of the transgenic yeast cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing and disinfecting excrement material. A device includes a biopolymer decomposition container. The method includes treating an excrement sample with a bioactive agent, providing oxygen to the bioactive agent, and disinfecting microorganisms present within the system. The system and method further provides a byproduct that may be used to enrich soil.

Abstract: The instant invention presents improved means for sequestering COX and/or NOX in the aqueous phase of a gas scrubber. The instant invention presents means for the scrubbing of COX and/or NOX gas by chemically assimilating at least one of COX and NOX. The instant invention presents means for concentrating the COX and/or the NOX in the aqueous phase by creating a metal salt comprising the COX and/or the NOX. To control salt deposition, the instant invention presents means of chemical dispersion so that salt deposition can be controlled and the aqueous phase can become an efficient and effective carrier of the COX and/or the NOX. Means of controlling sulfide and sulfate emissions are presented incorporating sulfur consuming bacteria.

Abstract: A method of treating putrescible cakes to reduce the E. Coli and odor present in the cake and prevent further odor generation comprising the step of maintaining the cake under substantially anoxic condition in the presence of ammonium and/or nitrate moieties at pH 7.5 to pH 10.5 for a period of more than 1 day, the cake having a solids content of between 20% to 75% by weight.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides having lyase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having ammonia lyase activity, e.g., phenylalanine ammonia lyase, tyrosine ammonia lyase and/or histidine ammonia lyase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: A system and method integrating treatment of waste, polar Fats/Oils/Greases (FOG) with conventional anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities for biologically fueling digestion of solids in, and steady state production of methane from treated wastewater streams that includes a slipstream loop circulating warmed, actively digesting sludge from the base to the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility, a conditioning tank with input screened by a rock trap, actively digesting sludge pumped from the slipstream loop into the tank via the rock trap, before and after FOG wastes are pumped from a hauler tank via a hose connecting to the rock trap into the conditioning tank and mixed with actively digesting sludge in the tank to produce a feedstock slurry rich in volatile fatty acids for injection at a metered rate back into the actively digesting sludge slipstream loop for introduction at the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility.

Abstract: In a composting system for outdoor operation for large-scale composting of municipal and other wastes, one or more large compost piles or windrows are supported on a pad, and covered with a removable cover. Fluid circulation pipes are embedded within the pad, to recover heat generated by aerobic decomposition of the organic matter and to transfer the recovered heat to a region of the pad underlying an edge region of the cover. The recovered heat warms the edge region, to thaw snow and ice which may have built up on the cover at the edge region, permitting the user to easily remove the cover without damage. A computerized controller operates the system, including circulation of fluid from selected central zones to selected edge zones, with real time data collection of temperature at critical locations and optional serial extraction and application of heat from and to multiple regions on the pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed bacterial culture, designated as the culture Atz Mix 1, which degrades atrazine at various temperatures (10° C. to 30° C.) in a wide range of atrazine concentrations (several ppb to ten thousand ppm), without formation of toxic metabolites. Atz Mix 1 is a stable mixed culture and includes catabolic genes trzN, atzB, atzC coding the enzymes for the degradation of atrazine to cyanuric acid, and the gene trzD coding the enzymes for subsequent opening of s-triazine ring. The invention further includes a microbiological method of degrading atrazine and other s-triazine compounds for remediation of atrazine-contaminated soils, even those rich in nitrogen, as well as for accelerating the process of atrazine mineralization in waste waters containing high concentrations of s-triazine compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the removal of mercury utilizing Mer proteins. After the Mer proteins have been expressed and isolated, or alternatively using the native Mer protein complex, either can be used as a chelating agent to remove mercury from any aqueous mercury containing environment. The Mer protein may be used in a solution to bind mercury where the solution contains a Mer proteins may be reversibly attached to a removal apparatus as a Mer ligand. The Mer complex may also be used within a bioreactor to bind and reduce Hg(2+). The bioreactor may have any competent bacteria capable of producing a Mer complex attached within the bioreactor also containing an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to processes that integrate CO2-producing conversions of hydrocarbonaceous assets with biofuels processes that utilize CO2 in photosynthesis. In some embodiments, such processes involve the absorption of CO2 in an absorption liquid. In some such embodiments, such absorption is carried out in an absorption tower. In some other such embodiments, there is a subsequent desorption of the CO2. Generally, at least some of the CO2 captured by the absorption liquid is used to grow microbes or diatom species.

Abstract: Described herein are novel ammonia-oxidizing bacteria as well as isolated nucleotide sequences representative of 16S rDNA of these ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Particular bacteria of the present invention are tolerant of freshwater environments, saltwater environments or both. Furthermore, in various embodiments, various bacteria of the present invention are capable of surviving a freeze-drying process, and may remain viable thereafter. Methods for preventing or alleviating the accumulation of ammonia in aqueous environments, such as aquaria and wastewater are also provided, using the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial strain which is able to degrade or mineralize s-triazine compounds, such as simazine, which corresponds to Pseudomonas sp. strain MHP41, deposited under the accession number NRRL B-30908. The present invention provides a product for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with s-triazine, where the product includes a bacterial inoculum of Pseudomonas sp. strain MHP41. The present invention further provides a method for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with s-triazines, which uses this product for the bioremediation.

Abstract: Biodegradable support carrying a mixture of non-pathogenic bacteria that synergistically cooperate in decomposing the organic pollutants present in toilet wastewaters and in sewage collection and processing tanks.

Abstract: A method for remediating aquifers and groundwater contaminated, for example, by toxic halogenated organic compounds, certain inorganic compounds, and oxidized heavy metals and radionuclides, using the introduction of an innocuous oil, preferably an edible, food grade oil such as soybean oil, formulated into a microemulsion preferably by mixing with a natural food-grade emulsifier (such as lecithin) and water.