Abstract: Aqueous two phase systems are provided which permit the extractive separation of biological materials. In a preferred embodiment, an aqueous solution of arabinogalactan defines at least one phase, and an aqueous solution of a second solute, such as a polyether, defines at least one other phase. In one embodiment, an aqueous two phase system is provided in which one phase is defined by an aqueous solution containing predominantly ultrarefined arabinogalactan, and the other phase is defined by an aqueous solution containing predominantly a polymer such as a poly(ethylene glycol). Biological materials which can be extracted and separated from mixtures using the aqueous two phase systems include cells, organelles, macromolecules and organic molecules. The aqueous two phase systems can be used in wide range of different applications including in bioconversions for the production and separation of enzyme reaction products.

Abstract: The present invention herein provides a method for collecting insect hemolymph which permits the collection of hemolymph, at a time, from a vast number of insect bodies, which does not cause any scattering of the hemolymph during collection thereof, which may widely be used, which permits the collection of the hemolymph free of unnecessary tissues or the like and which can inhibit the melanization of the collected hemolymph. The insect hemolymph can be collected by freezing anesthetized lepidopterous insects, piercing the epidermis of the frozen insects without damaging the alimentary canals thereof and then thawing them in a buffer solution containing a melanization-inhibitory agent to thus discharge the hemolymph of the insects into the buffer solution through the holes while making use of the self-contraction phenomenon caused during the thawing process.

Abstract: Supercritical and near critical fluids are used to fractionate biomass materials in two steps. In the first step, the biomass is exposed to elevated pressure supercritical or near critical fluid to bring about disruption of the biomass. In the second step, the disrupted biomass is subjected to a multiplicity of supercritical or near critical fluid extraction steps, with different solvation conditions used for each fraction. Thus, fractionation of the biomass is effected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial microorganism having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. The present invention also provides a method for the isolation and utilization of a zearalenone-degradation gene encoding a gene product having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for the generation of transformants into which the zearalenone-degradation gene has been introduced, thereby providing the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone to said transformants. The present invention further provides a method for detoxification of plants pre- or post-harvest using microbes having the ability to degrade or detoxify zearalenone or derivatives or analogs of zearalenone. The invention also provides a method for detoxification of plants pre- or post-harvest using the zearalenone-degradation gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zeolite composition comprising a culture of denitrificating bacteria and a process for the preparation of said zeolite composition. The zeolite composition further comprises potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogen sulphate. The zeolite composition is very useful for controlling the biological conditions in waters, in particular for controlling the growth of algae.

Abstract: An isolated and purified acetyl esterase with activity towards acetylated xylan and acetylated mannan obtained from Aspergillus aculeatus and having amino acid sequence that comprises Seq ID No 1. An enzyme can be used for the modification of plant cell wall components.

Abstract: Mixed bacterial compositions minimally contain a mixed population of bacteria including at least one species of Nitrosomonas capable of converting ammonia to nitrite, at least one species of Nitrobacter capable of converting nitrite to nitrate, at least one species of Pseudomonas capable of converting nitrate to nitrite and capable of metabolizing urea, and at least one species of Enterobacter capable of metabolizing bacterial waste products and fermenting lactose. The ability of these aforementioned bacteria to metabolize the odor; and partially decompose the waste material producing the odor is enhanced by the addition of an acclimated mixed bacterial culture to the mixed bacterial composition containing the aforementioned species of Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter. The acclimated mixed bacterial culture includes at least one and up to four different species or strains of Pseudomonas, at least one species of Acinetobacter, and at least one species of Enterobacter.

Abstract: A method of destruction of sausage skins and other mainly cellulosic substances by means of dissolution with an enzyme solution. Enzymes are added to a reactor that contains a water solution, after or before which the substances to be dissolved are added to the reactor. The substances to be dissolved are dissolved partly or completely, after which a new amount of substances to be dissolved are added to the reactor. When the enzymes have been adsorbed into the new substances to be dissolved, the solution containing the substances dissolved are recovered by separating the solution and the substances to be dissolved from each other, whereby water is added to the substances to be dissolved and if desired, the four foregoing steps are repeated a wished amount of times.

Abstract: Purified collagen is produced by contacting a collagen sample with a first proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and a second proteolytic enzyme. Preferably, the first and second proteolytic enzymes are papain and the reducing agent is sodium sulfide, dithiothreitol, glutathionine or sodium borohydride. The purified collagen may be contacted with a delipidation agent such as chloroform or methanol and with a phosphorylation agent such as sodium trimetaphosphate to form a biocompatible collagen. Prior to phosphorylation, the delipidated collagen may be treated by compressing, dehydrating, dispersing and drying to form collagen fibers. Also, prior to phosphorylation, the delipidated collagen may be subjected to filter-sterilizing. De-epithelializing of the collagen may carried out prior to treating with the first proteolytic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biological control of plant diseases and concerns new microorganisms belonging to the genus Nectria, as well as their use for controlling fungal infections in plants. The invention also concerns compositions comprising new strains of the genus Nectria and their use for these purposes. The invention also provides a method of screening effective control organisms from microbial strains isolated from soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one enzyme component from the group consisting of carbohydrases, proteases, lipases and glycol proteases and a short-chained glycol component for the avoidance of slime formation and/or for the removal of biofilm on surfaces of water-bearing systems, in particular of industrial process-water systems. The enzyme component(s) and the glycol component can be added to the water-bearing system either separately, i.e. at different points, or in the form of an enzymatic composition containing the enzyme component(s) and the glycol component.

Abstract: A tissue dissociation method and system for washing and dissociating tissue and producing a cellular suspension for use in autologous, cell-based therapies or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for dissociating tissue comprising a housing unit, a first compartment having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the housing unit, a first inlet port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first compartment and thereby provides a means for introducing solutions into the interior of the first compartment, a second compartment, a second inlet port for introducing a tissue sample into the system, a means for agitating or rotating the second compartment in the housing unit, a means for controlling the exit of effluent from the housing unit, a first receptacle, and a centrifuge-ready second receptacle for collecting a resulting cell suspension.

Abstract: The present invention aims at enhancing purity of the proanthocyanidin extracts by acting yeast to the proanthocyanidin extracts for fermenting them to thereby assimilate the impurities such as saccharides with yeast to reduce them.

Abstract: A treatment composition for treating contaminated material is disclosed which has water, coal, and an alkali metal carbonate. In another aspect an additional ingredient is a seaweed derivative. A method for making such a treatment composition for treating contaminated material has been developed which includes introducing water into a first tank, blending in alkali metal carbonate in the first tank with the water to form a first composition, adding coal to the first composition and blending them together forming a base composition, introducing one half of the base composition from the first tank into a second tank, introducing an amount of seaweed derivative into the second tank equal in volume to the amount of base composition in the second tank, and blending the contents of the second tank together producing the treatment composition.

Abstract: An enzyme composition and a means of reducing the stickiness of honeydew contaminated cotton is disclosed. The composition includes, and the method uses, enzymes such as transglucosidases and pectinases which are capable of hydrolyzing sugars that make-up honeydew.

Abstract: The use of amylopectin-type starch obtained from potato that has been modified by genetic engineering to suppress the formation of amylose-type starch as a filling agent in the preservation of food-stuff, is described.

Abstract: A gene, encoding an endocellulase from a newly isolated mesophilic Clostridium strain IY-2 which can digest bamboo fibers, cellulose, rice straw, and sawdust, was isolated by shotgun cloning in an E. coli expression plasmid pLC2833. E. coli positive clones were selected based on their ability to hydrolyze milled bamboo fibers and cellulose present in agar plates. One clone contained a 2.8 kb DNA fragment that was responsible for cellulase activity. Western blot analyses indicated that the positive clone produced a secreted cellulase with a mass of about 58,000 daltons that was identical in size to the subunit of one of the three major Clostridium cellulases. The products of cellulose digestion by this cloned cellulase were cellotetraose and soluble higher polymers. The cloned DNA contained signal sequences capable of directing the secretion of heterologous proteins from an E. coli host.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing or removing endotoxins from compositions containing therapeutic active substances extracted from natural sources by genetic engineering and/or biotechnology. For that purpose, the compositions are treated with chromatographic materials. The natural sources are disintegrated, the thus obtained fractions are, if required, centrifuged, filtered or treated using affinity chromatography methods, the fractions are pre-incubated in an aqueous salt solution and detergents, are treated with anion exchange materials, then washed with another salt solution. The active substances are eluted from the anion exchanger then further purified in a manner known per se.

Abstract: A simplified method is disclosed for handling growth and dispersion of microorganisms in solution and which is adaptable to many different end-use applications, including treatment of turf, decorative and ornamental vegetation, horticultural plants and agricultural crops. Provision of the initial microorganism materials in the form of aqueous suspensions which are incorporated in liquid form into a large volume of water in a vessel and subsequent growth of biomass in the vessel provides for simplicity and flexibility not previously obtained from the prior art devices and methods. The method provides biomasses containing microorganisms to enhance vegetation growth, provide disease- and/or pest resistance, detoxification, solids removal, or any combination thereof. Apparatus to carry out the method of the invention is also disclosed, includes efficient and simply liquid feed devices.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Lactobacillus strains and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for disposing of organic waste materials using microorganisms; methods for accelerating the growth of plants, for destroying or repelling insect pests, for improving the soil, of deodorization and for improving water quality, using the waste materials processed by the disposal method; and compositions for use in these methods. The microbiological method for disposing of an organic waste material comprises the step of bringing (i) an organic waste material into contact with (ii) at least 5 species of microorganisms, each being selected from each of 5 groups consisting of actinomycetes, phototrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, mold fungi and yeast, the microorganisms (a) being acid-fast, (b) capable of producing lactic acid, (c) producing no butyric acid, (d) being non-pathogenic and (e) having an antagonistic value of 50 or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain fungi in the reduction of the pitch and/or lignin content of cellulosic materials. In particular, the white rot fungi Schizophyllum commune, Trichaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea are useful in reducing pitch and/or lignin, or both, which saves electrical energy during the mechanical refining of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.

Abstract: A novel bacterium that can produce an enzyme having a wide specificity and being capable of decomposing slimes originating in various molds, yeasts and the like, more particularly, a novel bacterium of the genus Cellulomonas. The enzyme solution prepared by using the above bacterium is excellent in the effects of decomposition and prevention of formation of mold slime and can be applied for controlling slimes in industrial water, such as white water in the papermaking industry or cooling water, removing slime from separative membranes, preventing sludge bulking, washing garbage cages in a kitchen sink, and preserving wood.

Abstract: A plastic is recovered from microorganisms containing it by chemically solubilising non plastic material with an oxidising agent in the presence of a chelating agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of ethanol from non-virgin biomass having deleterious materials therein is provided. The deleterious materials prevent or retard the production of ethanol when the non-virgin biomass is combined with a fermentation material. The method includes primary processing, secondary processing and/or blending the non-virgin biomass with virgin biomass such that the effect of the deleterious materials is reduced, thereby allowing production of ethanol when the biomass is combined with the fermentation material.

Abstract: The activities of chymopapain or papain in enzyme mixtures are inhibited by the addition of glycogen, hyaluronic acid, or desulfated heparin. The process for isolating viable hepatocytes or pancreatic cells by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides. Similarly, the process for removing undesired tissue by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides.

Abstract: A method of biodegradation of a polluting substance by a microorganism is disclosed, wherein the microorganism is an auxotrophic microorganism and the action of the auxotrophic microorganism is controlled by the amount of a required nutrient for the auxotrophic microorganism. A carrier for supporting an auxotrophic microorganism for use for biodegradation contains a required nutrient for the auxotrophic microorganism.

Abstract: A method is presented for releasing petroleum and hydrocarbon products sorbed onto or entrained by organic natural fibers in an aqueous medium through the use of enzymes to degrade the organic natural fiber sorbents utilized for oil spill cleanup, the method provides an opportunity for achieving responsible separation of oil from oil spill sorbent materials. Natural organic fibers which have been utilized to adsorb petroleum and hydrocarbon products are separated from these petroleum and hydrocarbon products by reducing the natural organic fiber links to the point that the adsorbed or entrained oil no longer has sufficient binding surface or fiber link to remain held by the fibers, thus floats to the surface of the aqueous medium. Aqueous medium enzyme compositions are provided which are suitable for degrading organic natural fibers inclusive of cellulose-based and protein-based fibers resulting in release of adsorbed, absorbed and/or entrained petroleum products.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating on-site animal waste pits in order to soften the fluidized hardened solid wastes therein. The methods and compositions involve the use of Lactobacillus bacteria in effective amounts. Also preferably, a nitrogen-fixing bacteria is included in order to fix nitrogen in removed wastes to increase their fertilizer value.

Abstract: A process to separate insoluble solid portions from soluble liquid materials of fruits with increased performance and yield using a press (7) wherein water, is first supplied to a mill for crushing the fruit. The soluble materials are then separated from the solid portions as juice in the press (7). The relationship between water feed and fruit feed can be controlled by a of microprocessor (22). An apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for determining the genotoxic or carcinogenic status of a subject by analyzing the cellular redox potential of a test specimen where an increased risk of, or presence of, genotoxic injury or cancer is indicated when the cellular redox potential favors oxidatively derived modified nucleotide bases. A sensitive method is disclosed wherein DNA is isolated from a test specimen obtained from a test subject and assayed for modified nucleotide bases that have formed either stable reductively formed derivatives or stable oxidatively formed derivatives. By identifying and comparing those modified nucleotide bases derived via reductive pathways to those modified nucleotide bases derived via oxidative pathways, a determination as to the cancer status of the test specimen can be made wherein a greater cancerous state exists when the ratio between the two species of modified nucleotide bases indicates that oxidatively formed derivative are favored over reductively formed derivatives.

Abstract: A method of protecting a subject against an agent that elicits production of toxic free radicals, superoxide anions, or heavy metal cations in the subject consisting of the in vivo administration to the subject of a polynucleotide encoding a protein that is transiently expressed in said subject. The transiently expressed protein is capable of neutralizing or eliminating the toxic free radicals, superoxide anions or heavy metal cations that are elicited by the agent. This method is particularly useful in protecting cancer patients against the damaging effects of ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for disposing of organic waste materials using microorganisms; methods for accelerating the growth of plants, for destroying or repelling insect pests, for improving the soil, of deodorization and for improving water quality, using the waste materials processed by the disposal method; and compositions for use in these methods. The microbiological method for disposing of an organic waste material comprises the step of bringing (i) an organic waste material into contact with (ii) at least 5 species of microorganisms, each being selected from each of 5 groups consisting of actinomycetes, phototrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, mold fungi and yeast, the microorganisms (a) being acid-fast, (b) capable of producing lactic acid, (c) producing no butyric acid, (d) being non-pathogenic and (e) having an antagonistic value of 50 or more.

Abstract: In the method for treatment of potato fruit water the potato fruit water is subjected to a heat treatment to at least 125.degree. C. for at least 3 minutes, whereafter the heat treated potato fruit water is cooled to a temperature, at which enzymes are relatively stable, then enzymatically treated with a proteinase, and finally concentrated to microbial stability. Hereby a method for treatment of potato fruit water, which will enable a commercially sound utilization of potato fruit water, is provided.

Abstract: An enzyme composition containing keratinase is obtained from Fervidobacterium pennavorans DSM 7003. The composition is capable of degradating keratin-containing substrates such as feathers, hair and horn within a few days at between 50.degree. and 105.degree. C. and at a pH of between 4 and 12 under anaerobic conditions. A pH of 10.5 and a temperature of 70.degree. C. or greater are preferred. Dissolving of the substrate can be at least 50% by weight after 24 hours, and in 1 to 4 days the entire substrate can be dissolved. Pretreatment of the substrate at a temperature of 120.degree. C. or greater is not required.

Abstract: A substrate bioavailability enhancing chemical mixture and bioremediation method is disclosed which increases substrate availability in microbial bioremediation and results in increased biodegradation efficiency and completeness while significantly shortening operating time. The mixture contains a surfactant, an emulsifier, an emulsifying solvent, a sequestering agent, and a pH control agent. A preferred mixture also contains a biocatalyst which stimulates the reproductive cycle and rapid multiplication of microbes and thus increases the number of microbes.

Abstract: Bacteria which will suppress fungus-induced potato disease under storage conditions have been screened and selected from soil samples. A method for isolating these antagonists, their use in controlling potato disease, and specific isolates which are inhibitory to potato dry rot disease under post-harvest conditions constitute the essence of the invention. The subject biocontrol agents are considered to be economically-feasible alternatives to chemical agents currently in use for this purpose.

Abstract: A composition for the transfection of higher eucaryotic cells, comprising complexes of nucleic acid, a substance having an affinity for nucleic acid and optionally an internalizing factor, contains an endosomolytic agent, e.g. a virus or virus component, which may be conjugated. The endosomolytic agent, which is optionally part of the nucleic acid complex, is internalized into the cells together with the complex and releases the contents of the endosomes into the cytoplasm, thereby increasing the gene transfer capacity. Pharmaceutical preparations, transfection kits and methods for introducing nucleic acid into higher eucaryotic cells by treating the cells with the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A broad spectrum biological herbicide comprises a mammal-sparing bioherbicide fungal mutant, e.g., a S. sclerotiorum mutant, of limited survival time and geographical dissemination characteristics under standard agricultural conditions. The invention also relates to a method of obtaining herbicides of the invention comprising obtaining viable wild type bioherbicide fungal spores, subjecting these to UV light to reduce the number of viable fungi to less than 5% the initial number of spores, selecting mutants which differ from the wild type in at least one characteristic such as altered phenotype or morphology, and further selecting a mammal-sparing bioherbicide fungal mutant of reduced survival time and geographical dissemination characteristics under agricultural conditions when compared with the wild type. The invention also relates to a method of using the broad spectrum biological herbicide to reduce the number of weeds in an area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for controlling sapstain in wood and wood products comprising a) steam pasteurizing the wood or wood product followed by b) treating the wood or wood product with a biological control agent comprising one or more fungi selected from the class Hyphomycetes. Also disclosed are wood or wood products so treated.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for the refining of oil and fat by which phospholipids in the oil and fat to be treated can be decomposed and removed efficiently. Particularly, it provides a process for the refining of oil and fat which comprises reacting, in an emulsion, the oil and fat with an enzyme having an activity to decompose glycerol-fatty acid ester bonds in glycerophospholipids (e.g., pancreas-derived phospholipase A.sub.2); and another process in which the enzyme-treated oil and fat is washed with water or an acidic aqueous solution. Preferably, the acidic aqueous solution to be used in the washing step is a solution of at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and salts thereof. Also, it is preferred that the emulsified condition is formed using 30 weight parts or more of water per 100 weight parts of the oil and fat.

Abstract: Fungi which grow white/colorless and reduce pitch are used to protect structural wood before or after cutting from logs against color staining by staining fungi.

Abstract: A method of recovering a biopolymer from solution involves the use of magnetically attractable beads which do not specifically bind the polymer. The beads are suspended in the solution. Then the polymer is precipitated out of solution and becomes non-specifically associated with the beads. When the beads are magnetically drawn down, the polymer is drawn down with them. The polymer can subsequently be resolubilized and separated from the beads.

Abstract: Fungi which grow white/colorless and reduce pitch are used to protect structural wood before or after cutting from logs against color staining by staining fungi. The fungus Phanerochaete gigantea is also useful to facilitate debarking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the amplification of nucleic acids in the form of DNA or RNA from blood samples by means of an enzymatic amplification method, characterized in that no preparation of the blood sample otherwise necessary to prepurify the nucleic acid to be amplified is performed and the proportion of the sample in the reaction mixture for the amplification process is greater than 5 volume % if a specific amount of salt is present in the reaction mixture. Depending on the proportion of blood sample and its salt contribution of monovalent and/or bivalent ions, the salt concentration in the reaction mixture in which the amplification is performed is, where applicable, adapted to the enzyme requirements by the use of an appropriately concentrated salt solution.

Abstract: Ascospores of wood-penetrating, pitch-grading fungi of the class of Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina, e.g. Ophiostromas, may be screened to provide fungi combining the properties of good growth on non-sterile wood substrates and minimized or even enhanced brightness effects for use in pitch reduction of wood substrates, e.g. logs and wood chips. A new and improved method of isolating such ascospores involving effective suspension in an oil consumable by the fungus, e.g. a vegetable oil, and then treatment of the oil with a dispersing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The fungus Phlebia tremellosa is useful in reducing the pitch content of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.

Abstract: A single bath process for imparting both a stonewashed and overdyed appearance to denim textiles and articles is disclosed. The single bath comprises a dye, a cellulase enzyme and optionally but preferably a salt.

Abstract: A liquid drain opener formulation which comprises a stable suspension of viable microorganisms, a surfactant, and a preservative all contained in an aqueous medium and having a pH in the range of about 3 to 10.

Abstract: A method of separating cell nuclei from cells comprises: treating a fluid containing whole cells so as to selectively lyse the cytoplasmic membrane together with a small proportion of the nuclear membranes but leaving a large proportion of the cell nuclei intact; applying the treated fluid to a membrane whereby a mesh of DNA from the lysed nuclei is formed on the surface and captures intact cell nuclei. A device for use in the method is described.