Abstract: The present invention generally relates to bacteriologically pure bacterial cultures of novel strains of plant growth-promoting bacteria, and inoculums comprising the same. The invention is also directed to plant seeds coated with the inoculums, kits comprising the inoculums and methods for stimulating plant growth by applying the biologically pure bacterial culture or the inoculum to a plant, plant seed, or plant growth medium.

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: A composition and method for reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria in an aquatic environment. The composition includes isolated Bacillus cereus which are able to reduce a number of well known pathogenic bacterium from aquatic environments. The preferred Bacillus cereus is strain RRRL B-30535.

Abstract: A method for converting organic solid waste into humic products and the corresponding apparatus, in which a preliminary aerobic fermentation of the organic solid waste is performed, followed by a second aerobic fermentation of the organic waste in the presence of specific microorganisms in order to provide a basic precursor on which the selective metabolization occurs of specific bacterial strains to provide the humic product.

Abstract: Biological control composition comprising specific strains of Bacillus, which are selected from the group of Bacillus cereus NRRL B-30517 and NRRL B-30519, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-30518 and Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-30520, as well as a method therefore are provided. Furthermore, the specific strains in combination provide a synergistic effect against pathogenic fungi. The pathogenic fungi include varied Phytophthora species such as P. capsici.

Abstract: A biologically pure strain of Bacillus firmus (CNCM I-1582) possessing nematicidal activity is provided. Also provided are compositions containing and methods for employing the Bacillus firmus strain and a biologically pure strain of Bacillus cereus (CNCM I-1562) possessing nematicidal activity. Nematicidally active mutants of these strains are also provided. Further disclosed are nematicidal compositions for use in plant protection based upon these bacterial strains or mutants thereof. Further disclosed are methods for controlling plant-pathogenetic nematodes which include use of these bacterial strains or mutants thereof. The strains find utility in controlling root-knot disease causing nematodes, for example those belonging to the species Meloidogyne.

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: An isolation plating medium and mixture for simultaneously identifying Bacillus species are disclosed. The specific bacilli identified are Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus. The medium and mixture contain nutrients, inhibitory ingredients to inhibit the growth of other bacteria yeast and molds and a chromogenic substrate. The substrate changes color in response to the production of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C for the identification of the bacteria.

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 method of detecting a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C enzyme by means of a substrate which is cleaved by said enzyme and yields a dye when the chromophoric portion of the substrate is dimerized and oxidized; the invention teaches using in such method, as a novel substrate, a 3-indoxyl-myoinositol-1-phosphate compound of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 alkyl, while R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and chromogenic substituents, or of a salt of said formula I compound. The invention provides for a safe, sensitive and commercially viable detection of potentially pathogenic bacterial activity of such microbes as Bacillus cereus, B. Thuringiensis, Staphylococcus aureus and various Listeria strains in potentially infected materials including physiological samples or consumable goods such as foods and beverages.

Abstract: A method and mixture for denitrifying aerobic bacterial compositions and for aerobic methods for biological treatment of aqueous systems polluted by nitrogen waste products. A mixture of and limited to bacillus bacteria are added to the treatment subject. Optionally enzymes can be added to the mixture. Optionally a particulate carbon ingredient can be placed into the treatment subject. Optionally a living tissue ingredient can be used.

Abstract: A dry composition containing large numbers of beneficial bacteria and enzymes for the digestion of poultry manure is used to treat poultry litter. The growth of the beneficial bacteria, activated by moisture in poultry droppings prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter by competitive exclusion.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a means for discovery of microbes having useful activities. More specifically, the subject invention comprises the use of nematodes as the starting material for discovering novel strains of microbes such as Bacillus thuringiensis or other Bacilli. The nematodes are processed by Bacillus isolation techniques to recover the microbes.

Abstract: A novel strain of Bacillus cereus, designated SOY130 ATCC 202076 is useful as a biocontrol agent to combat fungal damping off disease in field crop plants. SOY130 produces the antibiotic zwittermicin A. Strain SOY130 is distinguished from other zwittermicin-producing Bacillus cereus strains by resistance to streptomycin and neomycin.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ceramide by using erythrocytes as a starting material is disclosed herein. For the purpose of obtaining ceramide at a low cost and in a large amount, ceramide is prepared by means of hydrolysis or enzymolysis of sphingolipid existing in sphingomyelin. According to the preparation process of the present invention, ceramide useful as a moisturizer for human skin can be obtained at a low cost and in a large amount by relying upon erythrocytes as a starting material.

Abstract: Above-ground fungal and bacterial infections of plants are treated by applying to the plants an antibiotic-producing Bacillus sp. strain ATCC 55608, 55609, 53522 and/or zwittermicin-A antibiotic therefrom. The above-ground infections treated can be caused by Phytophthora infestans, Botrytis cinerea, Pseudomonas syringae, Alternaria solani, Plasmopara viticola, Uncinula necator, Puccinia recondita f.sp. Tritici, Staganospora nodorum, Monilinia fructicola or Erwinia herticola. The Bacillus sp. and/or antibiotic when applied can be in the form of a whole culture broth, an antibiotic-containing supernatant, a powder, granules, a concentrate, an aqueous suspension or a microencapsulated formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzyme with LeuDH activity, to the B. cereus nucleotide sequence coding therefor, to the transformation of microorganisms of the genus E. coli with a plasmid containing this sequence, and to a process for the preparation of the enzyme.

Abstract: A test kit and method for the highly sensitive detection of specific analytes in a sample is provided. The presence of the analyte in the sample results in a decrease in the concentration of a growth inhibiting substance leading to proliferation of cells in the region of the analyte. The presence or absence of the analyte is determined by detecting the presence of increased numbers of cells. Assay sensitivity is accounted for by the exponential amplification of cell number that occurs during cell proliferation in the presence of analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing bacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbons, such as petroleum or petroleum products and methods for their use.

Abstract: The characterization of the protein structure of an enterotoxin to Bacillus cereus, designated hemolysin BL, is described herein. A high-yield purification scheme which allows quantitative characterization of the hemolysin BL activity is also described.

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: In a process of remediating chemical contamination of a pond contaminated with one or more toxic heavy metals or aromatic compounds, the steps include: preparing a silage of grass clippings, placing the silage on the surface of a pond, and inoculating the pond with an alga and Bacillus cereus in sufficient quantities to cause a mixed algal and bacterial bloom to form on the pond surface and become annealed to the silage, leaving the silage with the annealed bloom on the surface of the pond for a sufficient amount of time to allow the bloom to withdraw at least some of the toxic heavy metal content or to degrade at least some of the aromatic compound content of the pond, and removing the silage with the annealed bloom from the pond.

Abstract: The activity of pesticides is enhanced by application of a zwittermicin antibiotic in combination with insecticides. In particular, zwittermicin enhances the activity of Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins.

Abstract: A microorganism or a preparation thereof is permitted to act on a mixture of enantiomers of an epoxide such as 3-chlorostyrene oxide and the product optically active epoxide is recovered. The microorganism able to produce an optically active (S)-epoxide from the mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide include, for example, a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Candida, the genus Rhodosporidium, the genus Rhodococcus and the genus Nosardioides. Examples of the microorganism capable of producing an optically active (R)-epoxide from said mixture include a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Trichosporon, the genus Geotrichum, the genus Corynebacterium, the genus Micrococcus and the genus Brevibacterium. The objective optically active epoxide can efficiently be obtained with ease and simplicity from the corresponding mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide.

Abstract: An agriculturally effective active ingredient is applied to plant foliage before, after, or simultaneously with a transport enhancer consisting essentially of B. cereus. ATCC 55675, originally identified as a B. subtilis strain.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the rapid detection of biotoxic contaants in a test material comprising combining a sample of the test material with activated spores essentially devoid of detectable enzymatic activity, which activity becomes manifest and increases measurably following germination of the spores and with at least one germinant capable of triggering germination of the spores and a substrate which is catalytically convertible to a product by the enzymatic activity, incubating the mixture for a period of less than one hour to accelarate germination of the spores, increase of the enzyme activity, and a catalytic conversion of the substrate, and detecting the formation of the product of the catalytic conversion of the substrate and the enzyme, the level of the product being maximal in the absence of any biotoxic contaminants, and decreasing in direct proportion to the toxicity of contaminants in the test sample.

Abstract: A novel strain of Bacillus cereus, designated AS4-12, has been isolated from the environment. The strain AS4-12 is one of a number of B. cereus strains which are useful as biocontrol agents to combat fungal damping off disease in field crop plants, and strain AS4-12 has exhibited the best performance among a large number of natural isolates in fostering the emergence and growth of alfalfa plants under normal field conditions in the upper midwestern U.S.

Abstract: A method for testing causative bacterial species of food poisoning which is characterized by using two oligonucleotide primers that hybridize to opposite strands of bacterial DNA specifically, and flank a unique region in the target DNA and amplifying the specific fragment of the bacterial DNA, comprising the steps of:(a) hybridizing the primer to specific gene sequence of bacteria in a sample, extending the hybridized primer with deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP), and resultantly making the double strand nucleotide;(b) where the primer extension products are cleaved into each single strand of nucleotide by certain external force such as heat, pH and so on, one single strand functioning as a template for nucleotide extension with a primer of the other strand;(c) repeating a series of cycles involving cleavage of primer extension products, primer hybridizing, extension of the hybridized primers to amplify the specific fragment of DNA, and detecting the amplified DNA fragment; and(d) as

Abstract: A test kit and method for the amplification and detection of specific antigen cells using a probe. The method includes reacting the probe-specific cells with enzyme-conjugated molecules to form separate molecules. The specific antigen cells are mixed with a selected antibiotic which antibiotic is adversely affected by the enzyme in the reporter molecules and incubating the mixture to promote a bacterial chain reaction forming satellite colonies of bacteria microcolonies about the specific cells which amplifies the cells. The method then includes detecting the amplified probe-specific cells by observing the satellite colonies.

Abstract: 7-amino-cephalosporanic acids having the formula ##STR1## are obtained by submitting compounds having the following formula to enzymatic conversion: ##STR2## wherein R represents H, OH, O--CO--R", R" being an alkyl radical with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 represents a carboxylic group. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a microorganism selected from the Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Achromobacter genera, or in the presence of an enzyme, either free or immobilized, derived therefrom.

Abstract: A method of controlling the population of a first microorganism at a foliar locus by preferentially enhancing the population of a second microorganism at said locus, comprises applying to the locus an amount of a durable selective habitat enhancer which substantially preferentially potentiates growth of said second microorganism with respect to said first microorganism. The durable selective habitat enhancer preferably comprises a substantially water-insoluble, weather resistant polymeric substrate and a binder which increases the durability of the habitat enhancer. The second microorganism can be endogenous to the foliar locus or exogenously applied. Chitin and cellulose are preferred habitat enhancers.

Abstract: A stabilized spore-forming viable microorganism composition comprising in admixture at least a carbohydrate component from cereals or bulbs and spore-forming viable microorganisms belonging to genus Bacillus. Examples of cereals are maize, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oats and soybeans. Examples of bulbs are tuberous roots, tubers or corms. That component can also be a polysaccharide, e.g. starch. At least over 0.01 part by weight of the carbohydrate component is used per one part by weight of microorganisms. A process for production of the composition comprises drying a carbohydrate component from cereals or bulbs and spore-forming viable microorganisms belonging to genus Bacillus in admixture in a non-toxic aqueous medium.

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: The invention includes a substantially pure preparation of Bacillus cereus antibiotic. The invention further includes a seed inoculum for application to seeds to be protected from damping off and root rot including a non-interfering carrier and an effective quantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic, and a method for protecting plants in a growing medium from damping off and root rot including the step of placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected an effective guantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-medicinal feed additive promoting the growth of animals, the supplemented feeds in which it is present and a method for improving the growth of animals.The feed additive according to the invention comprises Bacillus cereus, IP 5832 strain, and/or the vegetative spores of this microorganism.

Abstract: FR-900493 is a compound of molecular formula C.sub.20 H.sub.33 N.sub.5 O.sub.11 which may be recovered from Bacillus cultures, possesses antimicrobial activity, and may be used for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in humans and animals.

Abstract: A method for enhancing nodulation in legumes growing in a growing medium. The method includes the step of placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the roots of the legume the nodulation of which is to be enhanced an effective quantity of an enhancing bacteria selected from the group consisting of ATCC 53522, enhancing mutants of ATCC 53522, a mixture of such mutants, and a mixture of such mutants with ATCC 53522.

Abstract: A process for preparing pectin which comprises subjecting a plant tissue containing pectic substances to the action of a microorganism which belongs to the genus Bacillus and possesses an activity liberating pectin from a plant tissue but substantially does not possess an activity of decomposing pectin, or a culture broth or processed material thereof to liberate pectin from said plant tissue and recovering the pectin, which allows to obtain readily a pectin of high molecular weight in high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression and secretion vector which comprises the signal and promoter sequence of the Bacillus cereus (herein "B. cereus") gene which codes for penicillinase and to the construction of vectors and the use of the vectors in the expression and secretion of one or more exogenous polypeptides in microorganisms for example, B. subtilis.

Abstract: Biologically pure mutants of Bacillus cereus subspecies israelensis (also called Bacillus thuringiensis sub. sp. israelensis) which are substantially non-spore-forming but which are capable of forming inclusion bodies toxic to Diptera larvae are described. A spore-free insecticide based on these inclusion bodies as well as the method of producing same are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of maltopentaose is disclosed, comprising cultivating a maltopentaose-producing microorganism belonging to a genus Bacillus in a medium and isolating the thus-accumulated maltopentaose from the culture broth. A typical example of the maltopentaose-producing microorganism is Bacillus cereus NY-14. This process permits the preparation of maltopentoase without the use of amylase as in conventional methods. Maltopentaose is useful, for example, as a substrate for the determination of serum amylase.

Abstract: A method is provided for the isolation and presumptive diagnosis of Bacillus cereus which method is useful in the assay of antibiotic preparations, food products such as milk, drug products and cosmetics. A medium for use in such method is also provided which medium includes tellurite, glycine and polymyxin, and inhibits most organisms which grow and resemble Bacillus cereus on this medium. If an organism grows on the medium and has characteristic colonies, a presumptive diagnosis of Bacillus cereus can be assumed until further tests are made.

Abstract: A proteolytic enzyme-containing composition is prepared having stabilized proteolytic enzyme activity and the ability to convert scleroproteins to water soluble products without racemization. The composition contains a proteolytic enzyme system from Bacillus cereus and an anionic detergent. The proteolytic enzyme system consists of a proteolytic enzyme oligomer that is retained by an ultrafilter membrane that retains molecules larger than 10,000 molecular weight and is reversibly interconvertible with a proteolytic active subcomponent that passes through the same membrane that retains the oligomer. The anionic detergent is preferably an alkyl sulfate or sulfonate or an alkyl-aryl sulfate or sulfonate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining glucose dehydrogenase by culturing a micro-organism in an appropriate nutrient medium and obtaining the enzyme from the cell mass or from the culture medium, wherein the micro-organism cultured is Bacillus cereus DSM 1644. The nutrient medium used contains a carbon source which consists predominantly or solely of glycerol.

Abstract: The presence of .beta.-lactam antibiotics in test material such as food, infusions, vaccines, blood for transfusion, body fluids, etc. may be determined by:seeding a nutrient medium with a .beta.-lactamase generating bacterium or spores thereof;applying a sample of said test material to a site on the so-called nutrient medium;then incubating the medium under conditions inducive to the generation of .beta.-lactamase by said bacteria; andassaying the .beta.-lactamase thus produced.

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: A method for dissolving collagen-containing skin tissue by hydrolyzing said tissue in a first stage in the presence of urea with an alkaline proteinase having an activity optimum between pH 9 and 13, said hydrolysis proceeding in a hydrolysis medium which is initially in the pH region optimum for the enzyme employed, and optionally further hydrolyzing said tissue in at least one further stage by adding a weakly alkaline, neutral, or acid proteinase to said hydrolysis medium.