Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing vinegar by acetic acid fermentation utilizing an automatic alcohol analyzer for measurement of alcohol concentration in a fermenting broth, a feeding apparatus for feeding alcohol solution as raw material to the fermenting broth, and a control computer controllably coupled to the alcohol analyzer and to the feeding apparatus.

Abstract: Process for continuous production of vinegar by microbiological conversion with oxygen enrichment of ethanol into acetic acid. In a first phase, the micro-biological conversion of ethanol into acetic acid is performed in the presence of air. After consumption of the oxygen in the air, in a second phase, the addition of oxygen, controlled by the demand of the system, is provided by injection of pure oxygen, the aeration gas being recycled, and the gas mixture expelled as soon as the carbon dioxide content reaches the threshold of 7%. After closing of the recycling circuit, the superoxygenated atmosphere is reconstituted with pure oxygen.

Abstract: In a process for culturing microorganisms in a sealed vessel, the nutrient solution is circulated directionally and the microorganisms are kept in suspension in the moving directional flow. The oxygen-containing gas for aeration of the nutrient solution is run into the solution in such a way that it has a component of motion normal to the direction of flow of the nutrient solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing vinegar by acetic acid fermentation utilizing an automatic alcohol analyzer for measurement of alcohol concentration in a fermenting broth, a feeding apparatus for feeding alcohol solution as raw material to the fermenting broth, and a control computer controllably coupled to the alcohol analyzer and to the feeding apparatus.

Abstract: Multiphase contacting between gas, solid and liquid phases is effected using a novel apparatus comprising a cylindrical vessel, a draft tube, a conical bottom and a gas-sparger system. Mild and uniform mixing is achieved within the novel apparatus while stagnant zones and zones of high shear within the vessel are eliminated. Gas-liquid mass transfer is achieved at rates comparable to conventional high-shear mechanically-stirred devices while the efficiency of liquid mixing in the vessel is better than conventional low-shear pneumatically-stirred devices. The apparatus is preferably used in fermentation processes.

Abstract: In a fermentation procedure for the production of nucleosides i.e. inosine and/or guanosine using an adenine-requiring microorganism, the fermentation is carried out by allowing a source of adenine to be present in the medium in an excess amount over the amount of adenine that would be conductive to a maximum yield of inosine and/or guanosine in aerobic culture using ordinary air, and cultivating the microorganism while an oxygen-rich gas is bubbled into the medium. Thus, inosine and/or guanosine are accumulated in high yield in the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A permanent underground compost aeration system enables forward and reverse circulation of air through a compost pile by a single non-reversible blower and air pipe dampering arrangement. Adequate oxygenization of an entire compost pile is assured. Outside air in varying amounts can be introduced into the aeration system during its operation to provide fine control of oxygenation. A complete underground moisture drainage arrangement for the aeration system is provided to prevent flooding of the system. The aeration system is compatible with computer controls for air volume, temperature and moisture content. A pair of parallel elongated main header pipes are connected with two groups of smaller apertured air distribution pipes extending in opposite directions at right angles to the header pipes. All pipes of the aeration system have bottom moisture drain openings.

Abstract: Cultivation of phototrophic bacteria such as in the treatment of organic wastes is carried out in a light field substantially free from ultraviolet light having a wavelength of not more than 340 nm. This process promotes growth of the phototrophic bacteria and improves quality of the resulting bacterial cell.

Abstract: A process for producing vinegar by stationary acetic acid fermentation which comprises charging the starting mash into a closed type fermentation tank, keeping the oxygen concentration in the gas phase of said fermentation tank so as to fall in a range of 20-60% (V/V), and controlling the fermentation temperature by circulating the gas phase part in said tank outside the tank and controlling its temperature there.

Abstract: A photochemical reactor is divided into a first section suitable for containing a volume of fluid to be reacted and a second section having at least one light transmitting wall. A porous, high area, fiber webbing is mounted within the reactor so that at least a portion of the webbing is immersed in the fluid. The webbing is moved within the reactor so that the webbing is sequentially immersed in the fluid contained in the first reactor section and then moved to the second reactor section whereat the fluid attached to the webbing is exposed to light transmitted through the light transmitting wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microbiological process for the production of citric acid by assimilation of .alpha.-olefins, normal paraffins and their mixture. This process is carried out by culturing the microorganisms selected from the group of Candida tropicalis, Candida lipolytica, Candida intermedia and Canida brumptii and their mutants and their variants under higher concentration of dissolved oxygen than that in ordinary aeration in the culture medium. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in the culture medium is suitable in the range of from 5 to 40 ppm, preferably from 10 to 30 ppm on the weight basis of said culture medium in this invention.There is many means of which increase the dissolved oxygen in the culture medium.

Abstract: There is described a process for the production of a polysaccharide-producing enzyme, which comprises fermenting an appropriate enzyme producing organism in aqueous sucrose, characterized in that the sucrose concentration is maintained at between 1 and 10 g/l throughout all but the last part of the fermentation and that the dissolved oxygen content of the fermentation is controlled.There is also described a method for the purification of a polysaccharide producing enzyme, which comprises absorbing a mixture containing the enzyme on an anionic resin and removing the enzyme from the resin with a sugar containing eluant, and a novel highly purified form of polysaccharide producing enzyme.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aldonic acid from the corresponding ose, comprising enzymatically oxidizing the ose in a reaction mixture containing oxygen. The molar ratio of oxygen to ose in the reaction mixture is greater than 0.1.

Abstract: A continuous fermentor or reactor and process using the reactor for producing ethanol including at least two vertically arranged unit reactors each having an open top cone which is connected to an inverted open bottom cone by a short cylinder greater in diameter than the two cones. The lowest unit reactor is connected to a gas supply member and a liquid introducing pipe and the highest unit reactor is connected to a gas separator and a mash discharge pipe. Inert gas introduced into the bottom unit produces both upward and downward flows in each unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved draft device for a bubble column used in a reaction wherein gas and liquid are mixed such as fermentation. The draft device consists of a plurality of vertical plates coaxially arranged within the bubble column such that each plate has one vertical edge in outwardly spaced overlapping relation to a vertical edge of an adjacent plate and has the other vertical edge in inwardly spaced overlapping relation to a vertical edge of the other adjacent plate.

Abstract: Higher plant cells (e.g. cells of Spermatophyta) capable of growing in the presence of light and in the absence of a carbohydrate carbon source are produced from higher plant cells which require a carbohydrate source by cultivation in an aqueous medium in the presence of light, O.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. The quantity of carbohydrate is reduced during the cultivation while the concentration of dissolved oxygen is maintained at a value below 250 n mol of O.sub.2 per ml of medium.Preferably cultivation is in continuous culture and the preferred dissolved O.sub.2 concentration is from 25 to 85 n mol per ml. The CO.sub.2 present and the quantum flux density may be increased as the carbohydrate is reduced.

Abstract: Process for the culture of aerobic microorganisms in a culture medium provided with at least one source of oxygen, at least one source of carbon and at least one source of hydrogen, comprises providing oxygen originating from the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide as a source of oxygen and providing at least one highly inflammable product as a source of carbon and hydrogen.

Abstract: A plasminogen activator having a molecular weight of 45,000 to 68,000 is formed as a single fraction in the cells of human kidney or lung, and is separated and recovered with good efficiency without reducing its molecular weight. The pH of a solution to be contacted with said cells and the concentration of dissolved oxygen should be maintained within suitable ranges in order to form the plasminogen activator having a molecular weight of 45,000 to 68,000 as a single fraction. Furthermore, by properly adjusting the residence time of the solution with the cells, the activator can be formed over a long period of more than 40 days. To separate the activator, the pH of the solution in the separating step is maintained preferably at 4 to 12. By causing a metal chelating agent to be present in the solution in the separating step, the plasminogen activator can be obtained without reducing its molecular weight.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of processing seeds or cereal to accelerate natural germination in which a bed of seeds or cereal are steeped in water which is oxygenated by circulation therethrough of a stream of oxygenated air, the temperature of the bed is controlled during steeping by cooling the circulating oxygenated air, the body of water is drained from the bed, oxygenated air is passed through the bed to dry the seeds or cereal, and the temperature of the bed is controlled during the drying step whereby the bed of seeds or cereal is pregerminated.Advantages of the invention are that the seeds or cereal are in a condition ready for immediate germination when required but may be stored for a indefinite period of time. Also when the seeds or cereal are or is planted they can grow immediately since they have the correct moisture uptake, and further the germination and original growth phases are uniformly and actively promoted by the oxygenated reaction.

Abstract: A method of cultivating cells of animal and human tissues includes the steps of introducing the cells into a nutrient solution in which they tend to settle, and maintaining the cells in the solution in a suspended state so as to prevent their settling by introducing an oxygen-containing gas to the solution. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a container for a nutrient solution, an arrangement for introducing the oxygen-containing gas into the container, and a guide arrangement in the container and operative for guiding the nutrient solution so that the latter performs a circulatory movement in the container when the oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the latter. The guide arrangement may be formed as a tubular member, as a substantially flat partition wall, or as an inner wall of a circumferentially complete tubular container.

Abstract: A fermenter or reactor for zootechnic liquid materials, comprising a fermentation vessel or container, having positioned therein a movable member for the mixing and stirring of the liquid material. In the reactor or fermenter, said member comprises at least one substantially vertical tube or pipe having windows or slots formed therein as distributed along the length thereof; within said tube or pipe an Archimedean screw is housed and rotatable about its own axis through the action of a drive member.Such a fermenter or reactor is suitable to ensure an accurate mixing of the fermenting mass, while slowly stirring the latter and bringing all of the mass particles in contact with the microbic flora without any disturbance to the fermentation cycle.

Abstract: Biochemically degradable organic material, for example, animal waste matter, such as manure produced by hogs, sheep, cattle, chickens and humans is aerobically digested at thermophilic digestion temperatures to produce various digested products, including single cell proteinaceous material suitable for feeding to animals as part of the animals' nutritive diet. Biodegradable material is introduced into a digesting zone that is sufficiently insulated to prevent any substantial heat loss from the digesting material during the digestion process. An oxygenating gas such as air is introduced into the digesting material during all phases of the digestion. The digesting material is simultaneously vigorously agitated. The waste material is placed into the digester at ambient temperatures and is contacted with the oxygenating gas at a rate and is agitated at a level effective to cause thermogenic microbial digestion of the materials present in the waste matter.

Abstract: A process for removing color, turbidity, flavor, and odor from impure sugar syrups by entrapping the sugar impurities in an insoluble, primary calcium phosphate or aluminum hydroxide floc at about neutral pH, adding a suitable amount of hydrogen peroxide, rapidly decomposing the hydrogen peroxide with catalase to form a quantity of oxygen bubbles, and, during bubble formation, adding a polyelectrolyte to convert the primary floc into a secondary floc in which the oxygen bubbles are entrapped thereby causing flotation. The purified sugar syrup is then filtered with or without activated carbon and small amounts of a filter aid to produce a sugar syrup with substantially reduced color, turbidity, flavor, and odor.

Abstract: Apparatus for cultivating aerobic microorganisms is provided which comprises cell multiplying compartment and cell ripening compartment. The invention also provides a cultivation process using the same apparatus. The invention improves oxygen transfer rate and utilization of oxygen, thus enabling cultivation at a higher concentration of microorganisms as compared with any conventional process.

Abstract: A sparger for mass cell culture systems is formed from an elongated tube having a plurality of ports.

Abstract: Growth of yeasts requiring organic growth factors such as vitamins in an aerobic fermentation process is improved by dechlorination of residual chlorine from residual chlorine-containing make-up water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for enabling a micro-organism culture to be gasified and agitated so as to accelerate its growth. The culture is contained in a fermenter which comprises two containers C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 which communicate with one another in their upper and lower regions. The method consists of injecting sterile air in the form of bubbles discontinuously at the base of one C.sub.1 of the containers with injection periods of predetermined length alternating with non-injection periods at a predetermined frequency. This sequential infeed of air produces a surging or pulsating effect in the culture which, for a given consumption of air, very considerably increases the density of micro-organism achieved at the end of a given period of time. The invention is applicable to the cultivation of all aerobic micro-organisms:cells, fungi, bacteria, etc.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein yeast cells containing coenzyme Q in large quantities are efficiently produced by aerobically cultivating a yeast, in which maximum specific growth rate is not less than 0.15 hr.sup.-1 under optimum cultural conditions, in a nutrient medium in which said yeast can grow, while maintaining the dissolved oxygen concentration in the culture broth at not less than 2 ppm and controlling the average specific growth rate through the whole period of cultivation at not more than 0.1 hr.sup.-1, and coenzyme Q is recovered from the resulting yeast cells.

Abstract: A continuous fermentation process for the production of single cell protein employing fermentation apparatus for improved oxygen utilization comprising a fermentation section and an upper contiguous absorber section communicating therewith wherein a gas contacting zone is employed to contact cooled recycled fermentation liquid and make up nutrients with partially oxygen depleted oxygenating gas in countercurrent flow whereby the oxygen content of the fermentation liquid is enriched.

Abstract: A fermentation vessel is used to grow a cell mass and maintain it in a maintenance energy state. In this state the mass of the cell material is maintained substantially constant, and fresh medium containing an energy source is introduced to the vessel at a rate sufficient to sustain cell viability but insufficient to support growth of the cell mass. Fluid with suspended cells is pumped from the vessel to a separator which separates a fraction of the fluid from the cells and discharges the fraction, the unfiltered portion of the fluid and substantially all of the cells being returned to the vessel, the discharged fraction containing useful secondary metabolites.