Abstract: Novel strains of isolated and purified bacteria have been identified which have the ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons including a variety of PAHs. Several isolates also exhibit the ability to produce a biosurfactant. The combination of the biosurfactant-producing ability along with the ability to degrade PAHs enhances the efficiency with which PAHs may be degraded. Additionally, the biosurfactant also provides an additional ability to bind heavy metal ions for removal from a soil or aquatic environment.

Abstract: A recombinant bacterium capable to completely degrade or mineralize pollutants such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), which corresponds to Wautersia eutropha strain JMS34, deposited under the access number NRRL B-30817 a product for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with PCBs, where the product includes a bacterial inoculum of this recombinant strain and a method for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with PCBs, which uses this product for the bioremediation.

Abstract: A microbial composition for concurrent dechlorination of a mixture of chlorinated ethanes and chlorinated ethenes includes a isolated consortium of bioremediative microorganisms comprising strains of microorganism comprising Clostridium, Acetobacterium, Dehalobacter, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. The composition may also include Methanomicrobia.

Abstract: A method of biotreating a solid material including an organic compound is provided. According to the method, a nonstirred bioreactor having a void volume of greater than or equal to 25% with a mixture including a solid material to be biotreated and a plurality of coarse substrates having a particle size greater than or equal to about 0.6 cm is formed. The solid material to be biotreated includes an organic material. The mixture includes sufficient coarse substrates to provide the reactor with at least 100 square meters of surface area per cubic meter of reactor space. The solid material in the bioreactor is biotreated until the organic material within the bioreactor is reduced to a desired concentration.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a purified thermostable enzyme derived from the archael bacterium AEPII 1a. In one aspect, the enzyme has a molecular weight of about 60.9 kilodaltons and has a cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells, and can be used to aid in the digestion of cellulose. The invention also provides polypeptides having endoglucanase activity having homology to SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the anaerobic microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Polyhalogenated ethenes are used to stimulate the growth and dechlorinating activity of PCB dechlorinating bacteria in a contaminated soil or sediment. This method may be further coupled with aerobic microbial degradation of PCBs for the complete destruction of PCBs in soils and sediments. Polyhalogenated ethenes are also used in growth media for the culturing of PCB dechlorinating bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions derived from brown-rot fungi that are suitable for use in bioremediation and similar applications where it is desirable to transform a target compound, often a toxic organic compound, into a different compound or compounds having more acceptable properties. The compositions are suitable for treating aqueous solutions or suspensions to reduce the amount of an undesired organic compound present, usually as one step in a treatment process to render the solution or suspension more suitable for environmental release. The invention also provides improved methods for growing fungal cultures for production of culture fluids.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a decontaminant capable of efficiently and rapidly decontaminating soil, groundwater or sediment contaminated with hexavalent chromium, and a decontamination method utilizing the same. By adding at least one of iron (0) and ferrous iron, and a microbial biostimulant of at least one member selected from the group consisting of yeast extract, inactive yeast, active yeast and peptone to soil, groundwater or sediment contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is chemically and biologically reduced efficiently, and iron reducing microorganisms are propagated and activated to sustain reducing power of the added iron over a long period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of sugar cane molasses and distillery slop for carrying out a method for enriching lignocellulose residue, especially bagasse or straw, with yeast protein. The invention also relates to said lignocellulose residue enrichment method, and to the product thus obtained.

Abstract: Method of modeling the biodegradation of hydrocarbons trapped in an oil reservoir or trap through the action of the bacterial population in an underlying aquifer.

Abstract: A method of treating sewage sludge comprises a pathogen reduction stage in which raw sludge is incubated for a predetermined incubation period at a temperature in the mesophilic temperature range. The sludge is incubated in a plurality of sequential vessels (1a,1b,1c) comprising an upstream vessel (1a) which receives the raw sludge to be incubated and a downstream vessel (1c) which discharges the incubated sludge. The sludge is fed from the upstream vessel (1a) to the downstream vessel (1c), via any intermediate vessels (1b), and subsequently discharged after spending a predetermined residence time in each vessel, the total residence time being said predetermined incubation period.

Abstract: It is described a method for manufacture of sanitised organic sludge, said method comprising the following steps: mechanical mixing of a cellulose containing component, a super absorbent and dewatered organic sludge; leading the mixture to a sanitising container; continuously supplying air to the sludge mixture until the desired temperature has been reached. The super absorbent increases the moisture retention of the sludge mixture, such that odour and leakage is prevented during composting. The cellulose component, preferably shredded newspaper, admits increased air supply to the sludge mixture. The method may be used to treat sewage sludge, hydrocarbon polluted soil and waste from fish processing or abattoirs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing membrane permeability are provided. One aspect provides protein resulting from a fusion between a membrane-active peptide and second peptide. Nucleic acids, and vectors encoding the, pore forming fusion proteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide having glycosidase activity. In addition methods of designing new glycosidases and method of use thereof are also provided. The glycosidases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and Temperature.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing bioremediation of ground water contaminated with nonaqueous halogenated solvents are disclosed. An illustrative method includes adding an electron donor for microbe-mediated anaerobic reductive dehalogenation of the halogenated solvents, which electron donor enhances mass transfer of the halogenated solvents from residual source areas into the aqueous phase of the ground water. Illustrative electron donors include C2-C4 carboxylic acids and hydroxy acids, salts thereof, esters of C2-C4 carboxylic acids and hydroxy acids, and mixtures thereof, of which lactic acid, salts of lactic acid—such as sodium lactate, lactate esters, and mixtures thereof are particularly illustrative. The microbes are either indigenous to the ground water, or such microbes can be added to the ground water in addition to the electron donor.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an isolated and purified enzyme with xylanolytic activity having more than 70% homology, preferably more than 80% homology with the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 11.

Abstract: A 10,000 gallon sequencing batch reactor tank for the on-site bio-degradation of oily sludge. Bacteria already present in and adapted to oily sludge degrade the hydrocarbons found in oily sludge within two weeks from 20,000 ppm to less than 100 ppm. A degradation cycle requires 5 days. After five days a recirculation pump and aeration system are turned off and solids are allowed to settle to the bottom of the tank. An ultrafiltration unit connected to the tank requires approximately 16 hours to process the contents of the reactor tank.

Abstract: A new and improved method for treating mine influenced water (MIW) or other environmental contamination is disclosed. A number of electron donors are disclosed, including chitin complex-containing materials. The chitin complex-containing materials may modify the pH and reductive-oxidation potential of the contaminated media within the subsurface or within a treatment cell to facilitate metal removal through biological, chemical, and physical means, or a combination thereof. Bioremediation enhancing agents such as yeast products may also be used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated sources. The yeast products may work with microbes to improve the rate of contaminant removal and promote microbial growth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the removal of petroleum hydrocarbon and toxic constitutes from contaminated soils and sediment. The method comprises the removal of contaminated materials from soils and performs bioremediation for the removed contaminated materials in an efficient mode. The remained contaminated materials in the soils are biologically stabilized to allow microorganisms to grow and to consume the remained contaminated materials in the soils.

Abstract: The method of detoxification of yperite—bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide—by the use of a haloalkane dehalogenases or their compositions, the method of preparation of dehalogenationating enzymes and of decontamination compositions which contains at least one wild type and/or modified haloalkane dehalogenase (EC 3.8.1.5) as an chemically active component. The preferred dehalogenases are LinB from Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26, DhaA from Rhodococcus rodochrous NCIMB 13064, DmbA from Mycobacterium bovis 5033/66. Decontamination is utilizable for detoxification of yperite from the surfaces of instrumentality, constructional objects, human or animal skin and elements of environment by the treatment of yperite with the detoxification composition according the invention at +10° C. to +70° C., preferably at about +40° C. and pH from 4 to 12.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel bacterial consortium comprise bacterial strains useful for effectively treating endocrine disrupters and a method for treating endocrine disrupters using the same. The invention provides a method for biologically restoring soils, wastes and water, etc. which are polluted with chlorinated compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), dioxin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), etc., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and petroleum-tar acids, and toluene which are all known as representative endocrine disrupters.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for disinfecting surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for destroying prion molecules using a combination of ultrasonic energy and enzyme treatment that is effective to denature and degrade prion proteins.

Abstract: A method for processing environmental or industrial samples to remove, reclaim or otherwise reduce the level of chemical species present in the sample that act as redox active species. The redox active species is kept in a waste chamber and is separated from an aqueous bacterial culture that is held in a culture chamber. The waste chamber and the culture chamber are separated by a porous membrane through which electron transfer can occur but through which the aqueous bacterial culture cannot pass. The redox active species substantially remains in the waste chamber and is in non-contact with the aqueous bacterial culture during the process of removal, reduction or reclamation.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid matrix containing organic contaminants is provided. The method comprises the steps of a) injecting ozone into the solid matrix for a period of time known as the pulse duration; b) interrupting the injection of ozone into the solid matrix for a period of time known as the gap duration; and c) repeating step a) at least one additional time. Gap durations of from about 2 hours to about 48 hours are disclosed. Pulse durations of from about 0.25 hours to about 8 hours are also disclosed. Recalcitrant organic contaminants are treated.

Abstract: A method of managing organic waste and an organic waste management system. The method includes the steps of receiving organic waste liquids and solids in a collection vessel, such as a grease trap. The dissolved oxygen is monitored, the pH level is monitored, the flow is monitored, and the temperature of the organic waste liquids and solids in the collection vessel are all monitored and data is generated therefrom. Enzymes and bacteria are generated/supplied and delivered along with other reagents to the collection vessel in response to the data. In addition, dissolved oxygen, air, or equivalent is applied to the collection vessel in response to the data so that the organic waste liquids and solids are degraded.

Abstract: A new and improved method for treating contaminated water or other contaminated media has been developed. Bioremediation enhancing agents (BEAs) such as yeast metabolites (YM) and other yeast derived products are used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated material. Polysaccharides are also an effective BEA when used alone or in combination with the yeast derived products. The BEAs may work with microbes and electron donors to improve the rate of contaminant degradation and to increase the efficiency of electron donor utilization. A number of novel electron donors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method for treating microcystin-containing water which detoxifies microcystin in the microcystin-containing water, the method comprises the step of: bringing the microcystin-containing water into contact with a Sphingomonas bacterium to degrade biologically the microcystin in the microcystin-containing water, wherein: the Sphingomonas bacterium is a strain FERM P-19480 which is deposited as strain MDB1 with International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

Abstract: A method and composition for bioremediation of environmental material. In one embodiment, material to be bioremediated is debris is obtained from a metropolitan street cleaning operation. An environmentally safe all natural non-pathogenic microbial composition is used under conditions sufficient to bioremediate the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the biological treatment of ammonium-rich aqueous media in the presence of ammonia oxidizing bacteria, by supplying nitrogen dioxide (NO2) into said aqueous media, thus effecting a nitrification and a denitrification, wherein further nitrogen oxide (NO) is supplied into said media such that the ratio of NO:NO2 is in the range from 1:2 to 1:500 (v/v). Further the use of off-gases in this process is disclosed as well as microorganisms cultured in the presence of NO and NO2.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to use sulphate-reducing thermophilic archaeobacteria for carrying out a method for degrading linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, when necessary sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: A method of biotreating a solid material to remove an undesired compound using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method, the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 ?m. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The solid material is biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation of nitroaromatic-containing wastewater, including: (a) providing activated sludge as biological matrix, (b) adding a nitroaromatic-degrading microorganism to the activated sludge, (c) adding nitroaromatic-containing wastewater to the material of step (b) and (d) adding at least one carbon source which is more readily utilizable than the nitroaromatic to be degraded to the material of step (c).

Abstract: Liquid chemical compositions are disclosed for anaerobic biodegradation, detoxification, and transformation of toxic organic and inorganic compounds in a contaminated geologic media under reducing conditions, including, but not limited to, denitrifying, manganese-reducing, iron-reducing and sulfate-reducing conditions. One such liquid chemical composition includes sodium nitrate in the range of one-fifth (0.2) to four (4) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; sodium hexametaphosphate or other biologically hydrolyzable ring or linear polyphosphate in the range of one twentieth (0.05) to five (5) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; a surfactant in the range of 0.01% to 10% by volume of the chemical composition; and a diluent in the form of water.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for in situ acceleration of biological degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a soil. The invention particularly provides a method for in situ acceleration of biological degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a soil comprising adding H2, CO2 and acetate.

Abstract: The system, based on a recirculating Carbon Flow Loop, neutralizes toxins within municipal waste or other feedstock. A Plasma Syngas Gasifier is used to generate ultra high temperatures in an oxygen controlled atmosphere. This breaks down the feedstock into its basic elements, predominantly hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas. This can be used as a fuel, and/or be processed using water shift reaction, to yield additional hydrogen plus carbon dioxide. Following processing the carbon dioxide gas flow continues in the Carbon Flow Loop to an Algae Bioreactor. Here photosynthesis transforms it into oil rich algae. This can continue in the Carbon Flow Loop as feedstock for the Plasma Syngas Gasifier, and/or exit the loop, and be used to manufacture biofuels or other products. New feedstock is added to the Carbon Flow Loop to replace carbon lost or removed.

Abstract: The system, based on an enclosed recirculating Carbon Flow Loop, uses plasma to neutralizes toxins within municipal waste or other feedstock. This breaks down the feedstock into its basic elements, predominantly hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas. The syngas is further processed using combustion, to transform the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas flow continues in the Carbon Flow Loop to an Algae Bioreactor. Here photosynthesis of algae transforms the carbon dioxide into an oil rich carbohydrate. This can either continue in the Carbon Flow Loop as feedstock, and/or exit the loop, and be used to manufacture biofuels or other products. New feedstock is added to the system to replace removed carbon.

Abstract: A method for processing environmental samples to remove or otherwise reduce the level of certain chemical species. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a process for reducing the level of inorganic and/or organic chemical species in wastewater or other aqueous or semi-aqueous environments or other waste environments. The present invention further provides compositions of bacteria useful in modulating the redox potential of an environment to generate redox mediator species which facilitate the removal of particular inorganic or organic molecules from the environment or from samples therefrom. The redox potential is preferably modulated through microbial-mediated oxidation or reduction of metal cations under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, respectively. The present invention is further directed to a computer program which facilitates the controlled modulation of the redox potential of an aqueous or semi-aqueous environment or other environments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method of processing thin stillage from ethanol production and/or other industrial processes to produce high value fungal biomass that can be recovered by simple means. The effluent is sanitized and recycled using a novel disinfection technique. This innovative approach generates revenue from low value thin stillage, while reducing wastewater purification costs.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the safe and effective detoxification of a hazardous compound containing the arsenic and or the like. The method for the detoxification of a hazardous compound according to the present invention is characterized in that the hazardous compound containing at lest one element selected from the groups comprising arsenic, antimony and selenium is converted to a harmless substance produced by the food chain system.

Abstract: A product for bioremediation, comprising a biodegradable carrier and a tablet or powder consisting essentially of microorganisms capable of digesting hydrocarbons, an inert material, and optionally trace oil in an amount sufficient to maintain the microorganisms in a dormant state, said microorganisms located entirely within said biodegradable carrier, and wherein the biodegradable carrier is directly in contact with the microorganisms.

Abstract: A biological system for removing selenium from waste water comprises a first immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) and a selenide removal module. The first ICB comprises a chamber having a substrate housed therein and situated to contact the waste water flowing therethrough during use. Anaerobic microorganisms are supported on the substrate, and comprise selenium respiring bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium and/or sulfate reducing bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium or to soluble selenides. The selenide removal module includes metallic or oxidized iron compounds capable of chemically reacting with selenide or sulfide compounds in the waste water to form iron selenide or iron sulfide precipitates.

Abstract: Use of a fungal biomass for treating industrial wastewaters containing at least one dye and related method, wherein: i. the fungal biomass contains at least the fungal species Rhizomucor pusillus (Lindt) Schipper; ii. the fungal biomass absorbs the at least one dye, so as to obtain wastewater that is basically free of the at least one dye.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating irradiated material which includes reducing irradiated material to particulate form, suspending the particulate irradiated material, or derivatives thereof, in a fluid to form a suspension, and removing radioisotopes from the suspension by biological treatment.

Abstract: To reduce the concentration of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) in an aquifer polluted by these ethers, a new mineral support for fixing bacteria, and in particular Mycobacterium austroafricanum I-2562, said mineral support comprising perlite, is used in a biobarrier- or biofilter-type process.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to economically process muddy paint sludge that is generated in painting, without destroying the natural environment, and to effectively utilize the processed product. The present invention's method of processing paint sludge comprises: (1) a first process, by which a first compost-like product is produced by fermenting organic waste under an aerobic condition and under the condition that the organic waste has a moisture content of 50%-60%, (2) a second process, by which the first compost-like product is mixed with paint sludge in such a way that the moisture content of the mixture becomes 50%-60% and the temperature of the mixture becomes about 60° C., and (3) a third process, by which the paint sludge in the mixture is processed into fine grains by fermenting heat generated by aerobic microbes in the first compost-like product.

Abstract: A method for the degradation of methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) and tertiary-butanol (TBA) using a mixture of Pseudomonas putida is described. The method enables almost complete remediation of MTBE and TBA in situ in contaminated water and/or soil.

Abstract: The present invention involves the discovery of a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor albus, which produces volatile antibiotics that are effective in the treatment of human and animal waste products. Through experimentation, this invention confirms that Muscodor albus can be used in disposable bags in connection with portable toilets to solve the problem of degradation of waste products in situations where humans are removed from sanitary facilities. This invention includes the discovery of non-volatile inhibitors that are also produced by Muscador albus and that are similarly effective in treating human and animal wastes. This invention covers a unique and novel method for preparing Muscador albus for commercial use in the treatment of human and animal wastes. This method entails infesting a seed grain with Muscador albus and then storing it under conditions that will allow the fungus to remain viable.

Abstract: A biological method for removing organic polymers is provided. The method includes the cultivation of a bacterial strain Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1. The deposit numbers are PTA-6168 at ATCC and BCRC910228 at Bioresources Collection and Research Center in Taiwan (Republic of China). A nitrogen source and inorganic salts are required for bacterial growth. Moreover, the method also provides the information of the supply of air and the water content in soils when this invention is applied to the removal of organic polymers in soils. In addition, the viability of cultivated bacteria is not affected by endogenous bacteria in soils and able to maintain the capacity of degrading organic polymers in the method. The present invention is able to remove the organic polymers in a wide range of amounts effectively and useful in the bioremediation of contamination from organic polymers in both soils and water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating sulfur-containing pollutants with a hydrocarbon that is used to stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The hydrocarbon is preferably an alkane such as butane. The sulfur-containing pollutant may comprise sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, disulfides, mercaptans, alkanesulfonates, dialkyl sulfides, thiosulfate, thiofurans, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, thioureas, thiols, thiophenols, thioethers, thiophene, tetrathionate, dithionite, dialkyl disulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfolanes, sulfonic acid, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, sulfonic esters, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate esters, sulfur dioxide and any other sour gases, elemental sulfur and any other sulfur-containing material considered to be a contaminant or pollutant.

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.