Abstract: The present invention relates to the antagonistic bacteria that are used to prevent and eliminate tobacco bacterial wilt and their microbial organic fertilizer, which belong to the technology for agricultural intensive production. The present invention separates two antagonistic bacteria (Brevibacillus brevis NJL-25 and Bacillus cereus NJL-14) that have remarkable antagonistic action against the pathogens of tobacco bacterial wilt. Microbial organic fertilizer is produced from these antagonistic bacteria and organic compost. Wherein, the content of each of NJL-25 and NJL-14 is above 1×1010 cfu/g, the content of total nitrogen is 4˜5% (above 90% of the nitrogen is organic nitrogen), the content of total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% and the content of organic matter is 30˜35%. As indicated by experiments, after the microbial organic fertilizer is applied into soil, it will enable rapid multiplication of the antagonistic bacteria into a dominant microflora in the soil and achieve more than 97.

Abstract: Genes have been identified in the Bacillus genome that are responsive to various metabolic conditions and growth cycle changes. The new responsiveness of these genes allows for their use in regulated gene expression in Bacillus sp. and for the monitoring of bioreactor health.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active 1-(4-t-butylphenyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid and/or an enantiomeric ester thereof which includes treating an ester of (±)-1-(4-t-butylphenyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid with an esterase derived from Bacillus brevis 042-24 (FERM BP-5872).

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent with a high degree of safety is provided, which is derived from a natural product and can exhibit growth-inhibitory activity against acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, which is resistant against pasteurization and causes spoilage of fruit juice. The antimicrobial agent against acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria contains as an effective ingredient alpha-type thionin and/or beta-type thionin. A preservative for fruit juice is also provided, which contains as an effective ingredient the alpha-type thionin and/or beta-type thionin.

Abstract: To reduce the effects of the contaminants in the measurement of microorganisms and the reduction of the time necessary for the measurement. Measurement is performed of the microorganism prior to and following culture, and the difference between the two is found. This prevents errors caused by the effect of contaminants contained in the specimens. Since the measurement of the microorganism is performed by means of a flow cytometer, the microorganisms can be measured even when the culture period is short. Moreover, the measurements are accurate, since the contaminants are not measured. Furthermore, the growth form of the microorganisms can be determined by measuring the changes in the intensity of the light emission over the duration of emission of the forward scattered light detected by means of a flow cytometer.

Abstract: A medium for detecting staphylococci is described. The medium contains components selective for growing staphylococci, and a glucopyranoside indicator substance in sufficient quantity to distinguish colonies containing Bacillus and other microorganisms from colonies containing staphylococci. Methods of detecting staphylococci utilizing such medium are also described.

Abstract: A microbiological assay for chemicals, which uses a cell and a reducing dye to quantitatively measure inhibition of electron transport in the cell membrane as a function of chemicals in the substance being tested, is disclosed. This assay and method is reliable, simple, fast, and inexpensive, requires a minimum amount of durable equipment, and avoids the need for the use of live animals as the indicator organisms. The assay is particularly useful for testing for toxicity in food products, environmental, medical and industrial processes, sewage treatment, effluent, agricultural wastes, and chemical dumps.

Abstract: Fumaric acid is produced by reacting a culture of a microorganism which produces maleate isomerase that exhibits a maximum activity at not less than 50.degree. C. or a treated product thereof with maleic acid in an aqueous solution, and isomerizing maleic acid to produce fumaric acid. L-aspartic acid is produced by reacting both of a culture of a microorganism which produces maleate isomerase or a treated product thereof and a culture of a microorganism which produces aspartase or a treated product thereof with maleic acid and ammonia in an aqueous solution, producing L-aspartic acid from maleic acid and ammonia by enzyme reactions, and recovering L-aspartic acid from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A biodegradable resin molded article molded from a kneaded material obtained by kneading, melting or mixing a biodegradable resin raw material and at least one of a biodegradable additive and an additive made of a substance existing in the nature, an injection molded article of a biodegradable resin containing a biodegradable resin and an anti-biotic substance, a molded article of a resin composition including a polymer material having an ester bond in the polymer main chain thereof and an alkali or acid component in an amount effective for neutralizing an acidic or alkaline component contained in the polymer material, and a resin molded article having a layer of a biodegradable resin, and a layer of a photolytic resin covering the resin layer and containing an antibiotic.

Abstract: An immobilised hydantoinase containing a divalent metal ion selected from Mn.sup.++, Co.sup.++, Fe.sup.++, Ni.sup.++ and Mg.sup.++ is produced that is useful for the preparation of a D(-)(optionally substituted phenyl)glycine or N-carbamoyl derivative thereof by hydrolysis of a 5-(optionally substituted phenyl)hydantoin in the absence of air. Immobilization is carried out in the presence of the metal iona nd the metal ion stabilizes the hydantoinase and renders it capable of repeated re-use. The divalent metal ion may also be added to a reaction mixture containing the immobilized hydantoinase to minimize reduction of hydantoinase activity during hydrolysis of hydantoin. Cells that produce hydantoinase may be immobilized within or on a support, or hydantoinase separated from cells can be adsorbed on a positively charged polymeric support such as an ion exchange resin or covalently bonded to a polymeric support. A cross-linking agent such as glutaraldehyde may be used in immobilization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DNA comprising a mucleotide sequence coding for the signal peptide of Bacillus brevis substantially represented by the sequence (I): ##STR1##

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: The preparation of an L-amino acid, particularly valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine and phenylalanine, from the corresponding .alpha.-keto carboxylic acid by bacterial fermentation in the presence of ammonium ions is carried out with the aid of thermophilic Bacillus strains at temperatures above 45.degree. C., in particular above 60.degree. C. Bacillus strains DSM 406, 452, 461, 42, 463, 465 and 466 are particularly suitable for this purpose. The greater solubility of the amino acid at the elevated fermentation temperature permits the separation out of the amino acid from the reaction mixture simply by cooling, whereafter the depleted reaction mixture can be pumped back into the fermenter. Especially favorable yields are achieved by supplying oxygen to the fermenter to an amount of less than about 20% dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: An improved vector for expression in Bacillus brevis having:(1) a nucleotide sequence (a) represented by a general formula MNOACP;(2) a nucleotide sequence (b) located in the downstream of the nucleotide sequence (a) and represented by a general formula QRSWXY;(3) a nucleotide sequence (c) located in the downstream of the nucleotide sequence (b) and acting as a binding site to ribosome in the cell of Bacillus brevis;(4) a nucleotide sequence (d) located in the downstream of the nucleotide sequence (c) and acting as a translation initiation condon in the cell of Bacillus brevis; and(5) a gene directly connected with the nucleotide sequence (d) and to express in the cell of Bacillus brevis;wherein M represents G or T; N represents C, T or A; O represents A, C or T; P represents T or G; Q represents T or A; R represents T or A; S represents T, C or A; W represents A or G; X represents A or C; and Y represents T or G; and furthermore, wherein A represents adenine, C cytosine, G guanine and T thymine.

Abstract: A novel alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase enzyme product with improved stability is provided. The novel enzyme is produced in high levels by cultivation of Bacillus strains selected from the group consisting of Bacillus brevis and Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 11031, ATCC 12759, ATCC 12713, ATCC 11946, ATCC 27326, NRRL B-3751, NCTC 2120, NCTC 8721, NCIB 6816, NCIB 8537 and NCIB 11868.

Abstract: A process for removing oleaginous materials containing those of animal origin from wastewater comprising treating wastewater containing oleaginous material with a microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ;and the microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2.

Abstract: A process for removing oleaginous materials containing those of animal origin from wastewater comprising treating wastewater containing oleaginous material with a microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and the microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2.

Abstract: Enzymic complexes deriving from micro-organisms belonging to the Bacillaceae family using an hydantoin or a derivative thereof as inductor of the enzymic activity are used for hydrolysing racemic hydantoins into optically active aminoacids. The method of preparation is an enzymic hydrolysis fostered by the enzyme deriving from such special micro-organisms. The hydrolysis can be effected at a comparatively high temperature, which can reach even 60.degree. C.