Abstract: A method for the high yield, agricultural production of Enteromorpha clathrata involving repeated steps of supplying brackish or seawater to a pond containing Enteromorpha clathrata.

Abstract: A process for dewatering an aqueous suspension of microalgae is disclosed in which the aqueous suspension of the algae is introduced into a bubble column or a modified bubble column for generating a froth of bubbles and adsorbed algal cells that can be separated from the aqueous suspension. In one advantageous embodiment, the bubble column is a multi-stage loop-flow flotation column that has three loop-flow zones, each of which is defined by a draft tube concentrically mounted in the column to divide each loop-flow zone into a riser and the downcomer. Fine bubbles of gas and brine are in cocurrent upward flow in the riser and in cocurrent downward flow the downcomer. A higher gas holdup is promoted in the riser than in the downcomer, thereby circulating the brine in loop-flow upwardly through the riser and downwardly through the downcomer. Liquid communication between adjacent loop-flow zones is substantially eliminated. A froth enriched in algae is generated that can be separated from the aqueous suspension.

Abstract: DNA sequences are described that encode genes for synthesizing ketocarotenoids such as astaxanthin. The DNA sequences, microorganisms containing them and encoded polypeptides are described. Also described are methods to obtain related sequences and to make host cells that contain such sequences. These genes and methods are useful to impart red coloration during culture of fish and crustaceans, as coloring in food, and as antioxidants.

Abstract: Disclosed in a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the production of ascorbic acid by culturing organisms of the genus Prototheca and recovering ascorbic acid from the fermentation medium.

Abstract: A novel receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase-.gamma. (RPTP.gamma.) protein or glycoprotein and the DNA coding therefor is expressed in a wide variety of mammalian tissues. The RPTP.gamma. protein or glycoprotein may be produced by recombinant means. Antibodies to the protein, methods for measuring the quantity of the protein, methods for screening compounds, such as drugs, which can bind to the protein and inhibit or stimulate their enzymatic activity, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of extracts obtained from the marine algae Chaetoceros as antibacterially active agents and to compositions containing such agents for use against pathogenic bacteria. This invention also relates to a method of depurating an aquiculture using as a feed source the marine algae Chaetoceros.

Abstract: A process for isolating and purifying lycopene crystals from a biological lycopene source is disclosed. A lycopene-containing oleoresin is saponified in a composition of propylene glycol and aqueous alkali to form lycopene crystals. Crystallization is achieved without the use of added organic solvents. The crystals are isolated and purified. The substantially pure lycopene crystals so obtained are suitable for human consumption and can be used as a nutritional supplement and as an additive in food.

Abstract: A method is provided for the high yield, agricultural production of Enteromorpha clathrata involving repeated steps of supplying brackish or seawater to a pond containing Enteromorpha clathrata.

Abstract: A method for expressing a physiologically active polypeptide in cells of a blue-green alga by transforming the cells of a blue-green alga with a recombinant DNA containing a structural gene encoding the polypeptide, characterized in that as the recombinant DNA is used a recombinant DNA which contains a structural gene encoding the physiologically active polypeptide, the transcription initiation region of the RuBisCO gene of Anacystis nidulans located upstream of the structural gene, and the transcription termination region of the RuBisCO gene located downstream of the structural gene. According to this method, physiologically active polypeptide can efficiently be expressed using blue-green algae.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the production of ascorbic acid by culturing organisms of the species C. protothecoides and recovering ascorbic acid from the fermentation medium.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dewatering an aqueous suspension of microalgae, especially Dunaliella salina, with a Jameson cell. The algal cells are ruptured sufficiently to promote froth flotation of the cells from the suspension. The algal suspension is introduced into the top of the Jameson cell downcomer and passed through an orifice plate therein to generate a free liquid jet of the suspension. The jet is plunged downwardly through a gas and the gas is transported with the jet through a gas and liquid interface into the algal suspension. The momentum of the jet is dissipated, which disperses the gas into fine bubbles. The fine bubbles are intimately contacted with the aqueous suspension in cocurrent downward flow in a collection zone to absorb the algal bodies onto the surfaces of the bubbles. A froth of bubble and algal agglomerates is formed and collapsed to obtain a dewatered algal concentrate.

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 present invention is based upon the discovery that a MeOH extract of Anabaena affinis strain VS-1 showed strong cytotoxicity to L1210 murine leukemia cells, and from that extract was isolated the compounds having the following structures, Compounds 1 and 2. These two compounds are believed to be responsible for the cytotoxicity of the marine organism. This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of pyrrolo?3,2-d!pyrimidine derivatives as biosynthetic products.

Abstract: A process for the heterotrophic or predominantly heterotrophic production of whole-celled or extracted microbial products with a high concentration of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, producible in an aerobic culture under controlled conditions using biologically pure cultures of heterotrophic single-celled fungi microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. The harvested whole-cell microbial product can be added to processed foods as a nutritional supplement, or to fish and animal feeds to enhance the omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of products produced from these animals. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and system for the production of ethanol wherein a microalga capable of accumulating starch in the cells thereof is cultured, the culture solution containing the grown algal cells is concentrated, and ethanol is formed by maintaining the resulting slurry in a dark and anaerobic atmosphere while keeping its pH in the range of 6.0 to 9.0. This process and system can further include additional steps and units for subjecting the residual slurry, from which ethanol has been separated, to methane fermentation, burning it to generate carbon dioxide, and using the carbon dioxide in the microalga culturing step.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that a MeOH extract of Anabaena affinis strain VS-1 showed strong cytotoxicity to L1210 murine leukemia cells, and from that extract was isolated the compounds having the following structures, Compounds 1 and 2. These two compounds are believed to be responsible for the cytotoxicity of the marine organism. This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of pyrrolo[3,2-d] pyrimidine derivatives as biosynthetic products.

Abstract: Novel trehalase having the properties that it hydrolyzes .alpha.,.alpha.'-trehalose, 2,2'-dideoxy-.alpha.,.alpha.'-trehalose and 2-deoxy-.alpha.,.alpha.'-trehalose into the respective constituting sugars while it does not act on neotrehalose, lactose, maltose, celobiose and sucrose; its optimum pH is 5 to 6; its optimum temperature is 65.degree. C.; it is stable against heating up to 65.degree. C.; its molecular weight as measured by a gel filtration is 400,000 to 500,000 while the molecular weight of the subunit as measured by a sodium dodecylsulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is 180,000 to 250,000; its isoelectric point as measured by an isoelectricfocusing is 2.7; and it is a glycoprotein.

Abstract: Microalgal biomass that comprises cells of Chlorella pyrenoidosa which contain greater than 2.0% by dry weight of L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), microorganisms and processes that form the biomass, and L-ascorbic acid enhanced animal feed compositions that contain the biomass are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size of less than about 150 microns and a high content of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: Water containing an inorganic nitrogen-containing compound, such as water effluent from sewage treatment plant, is treated for the removal of the nitrogen-containing compound and for the production of hydrocarbons by proliferating microalga capable of consuming the nitrogen-containing compound and of producing the hydrocarbons as an intracellular product. After adjusting the water content, the resulting culture containing the proliferated microalga and clean water is heated at a high temperature and a high pressure to liberate the hydrocarbon from the microalga. The hydrocarbon is subsequently recovered by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Labelled triglyceride oils are produced for use in diagnostic breath test. The process involves the cultivation of microorganisms capable of producing the oils in an appropriately controlled environment wherein the microorganisms are fed .sup.13 C or .sup.14 C labeled carbon substrates to induce the microorganisms to produce the labeled oils. The preferred labelled carbon substrate is a substrate containing .sup.13 C. The oil produced is preferrably enriched in oleic acid. The microorganisms can be induced to produce the oil by nitrogen depletion during cultivation.

Abstract: A novel process for producing tocopherols and their precursors is described.

Abstract: A method for compensating toxicity test data for the measured toxicity of a reference sample by the steps of:a. obtaining toxic response data for a plurality of concentrations of at least two different test samples, including reagent controls having zero sample concentration for each sample;b. defining the sample having the smallest toxic response at high concentrations as the reference sample;c. computing the toxic response of the test sample relative to that for the reference sample for at least two concentrations in accordance with the equation:relative gamma=.GAMMA..sub.R =(L.sub.SC /L.sub.SX)(L.sub.RX /L.sub.RC)-1, where L.sub.SC =light output of the test sample control (i.e. for X=0),L.sub.SX =light output of the test sample for concentration X,L.sub.RX =light output of the reference sample for concentration X,L.sub.RC =light output of the reference sample control (i.e. for X=0); andd. generating a dose-response curve of concentration versus relative .GAMMA.

Abstract: Methods for producing hybrid and transgenic strains of marine algae, and seaweeds and phycocolloids produced by the product seaweeds. Hybrid marine algae are produced by preparing protoplasts from spores of parental algal plants, fusing the spore-protoplast to form heterokaryon fusion products, isolating selected fusion products, and culturing these to produce multicellular material. Similarly, transgenic marine algae are produced by preparing protoplasts from spores of a marine algal plant, introducing foreign DNA into the resulting spore-protoplasts to form transformed spore-protoplasts, selecting certain transformed spore-protoplasts, and culturing these to produce transgenic multicellular material.

Abstract: Infant formula and baby food compositions are presented which contain single cell edible oil which is recovered from dinoflagellates and which lacks unpleasant tastes and fishy odors. This single cell edible oil comprises at least 70% triglycerides which contain about 20-35% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and lack eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To produce the single cell oil, the dinoflagellates are cultivated in fermentors and induced to produce the single cell oil which is subsequently recovered by extraction with solvents.

Abstract: Substantially pure, pyrogen-free beta-1,3-glucan is produced by cultivating Euglena cells in a defined growth medium and under specified conditions that provide a cell mass comprising 70% to 90% beta-1,3-glucan on a dry weight basis, separating the cell mass from the supernatant, extracting the cell mass with methanol and chloroform, acid-washing the extracted cell mass, and washing the acid-treated material with water.

Abstract: Labelled triglyceride oils are produced for use in diagnostic breath tests. The process involves the cultivation of microorganisms capable of producing the oils in an appropriately controlled environment wherein the microorganisms are feed .sup.13 C or .sup.14 C labeled carbon substrates to induce the microorganisms to produce the labeled oils. The preferred labelled carbon substrate is a substrate containing .sup.13 C. The oil produced is preferrably enriched in oleic acid. The microorganisms can be induced to produce the oil by nitrogen depletion during cultivation.

Abstract: New hapalindole-type alkaloids called A89271 A-F and I are antifungal and antitumor agents. Methods for preparing them and for preparing hapalindoles G and H by culturing the blue-green alga Fischerella ambigua ATCC 55210 are provided. Methods for preparing A89271 factors B and F by culturing the blue-green alga Hapalosiphon hibernicus ATCC 55225 and a biologically pure culture of this alga are also provided. Further provided are methods and compositions for the inhibition of fungal growth and the treatment of susceptible neoplasms.

Abstract: A process for preparing phycoerythrin from Bangia atropurpurea or Porphyra angusta is disclosed. Spores of Bangia atropurpurea or Porphyra angusta, derived from their thalli, are cultivated under a controlled condition to germinate filaments. Phycoerythrin is then resulted from the extraction of filaments which are processed through drying powder-mill grinding, water or phosphate percolating and ammonium sulfate salting-out. The phycoerythrin is further purified by gel filtration. This process yields the phycoerythrin of 99% purity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate and less than about 3 grams of chloride per liter of medium. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microfloral biomass having cell aggregates of average size less than about 150 microns in diameter useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A process for the heterotrophic or predominantly heterotrophic production of whole-celled or extracted microbial products with a high concentration of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, producible in an aerobic culture under controlled conditions using biologically pure cultures of heterotrophic single-celled fungi microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. The harvested whole-cell microbial product can be added to processed foods as a nutritional supplement, or to fish and animal feeds to enhance the omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of products produced from these animals. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective production of polyunsaturated fatty acids from a culture of microalgae of Porphyrium cruentum. The process comprises growing a biomass by culturing the microalgae in a photobioreactor under optimum culturing conditions, removing a portion of the resulting biomass, and subjecting the removed portion to a temperature decrease. The result is the selective increase in the quantity of a given polyunsaturated fatty acid within the microalgae biomass.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of partial hydrolysates of algae, optionally labelled with stable isotopes, are used as growth media for cells.

Abstract: New hapalindole-type alkaloids called A89271 A-F and I are antifungal and antitumor agents. Methods for preparing them and for preparing hapalindoles G and H by culturing the blue-green alga Fischerella ambigua ATCC 55210 are provided. Methods for preparing A89271 factors B and F by culturing the blue-green alga Hapalosiphon hibernicus ATCC 55225 and a biologically pure culture of this alga are also provided. Further provided are methods and compositions for the inhibition of fungal growth and the treatment of susceptible neoplasms.

Abstract: Scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, an aldehyde and alcohol derivative of scytophycin B and the specified alkanoyl and benzoyl esters of scytophycins A, B, C, D and E and the B derivatives (scytophycin compounds) are novel antineoplastic and antifungal agents. Antifungal compositions containing a scytophycin compound and methods of inhibiting fungi, especially plant pathogenic fungi, using these compositions are included. A method for producing the scytophycin complex, comprising scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, using a new strain of the blue-green alga Scytonema pseudohofmanni, and a biologically purified culture of the alga are also provided.

Abstract: Soluble metabolic products, such as ethanol, are produced by growing modified algal cells in a growth medium and recovering the products from the growth medium. The algal cells are modified to overproduce the metabolic product by providing for overexpression of at least one enzyme in the metabolic pathway for the product. For the production of ethanol, the alcohol dehydrogenase gene, the pyruvate decarboxylase gene, or both, are overexpressed, typically under the control of a heterologous promoter. The algal cells may be modified by transformation with a DNA construct including coding sequence(s) of the enzyme(s) under the control of a heterologous promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides 1) a polysaccharide composition and a polysaccharide both having a heparinoid activity, obtained from green algae belonging to Codiaceae of Codiales, 2) a processes for producing said polysaccharide composition and said polysaccharide, as well as 3) an anticoagulant containing, as an active ingredient, said polysaccharide composition or polysaccharide both having a heparinoid activity.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and an apparatus for the detection of toxicity in surface waters, by which the fluorescence of a water sample is measured in that the correlation, especially the ratio, between the prompt fluorescence and retarded fluorescence of the water sample is determined, which contains a toxicity-sensitive bioorganism. The apparatus comprises a combination of a first fluorescence measuring means for measuring prompt fluorescence and a second fluorescence measuring means for measuring retarded fluorescence as well as a signal correlation means for correlating the output signals of two fluorescence measuring means with each other to form an output quantity indicating the toxicity of the water sample.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel biotransformation process for producing 17.beta.-N-monosubstituted carbamoyl-11-oxo-4-aza-5-.alpha.-androst-3-ones of the formula: ##STR1## These compounds are testosterone 5-.alpha. reductase inhibitors and are produced via a claimed novel biotransformation process using the green algae, Selenastrum capricornutum.

Abstract: The process consists of culturing in a closed photobioreactor (2) microalgae suspended in a culture medium (1), the oxygen produced by the microalgae by photosynthesis being collected and then reinjected into the culture medium, separating (6) the microalgae from the culture medium (1), dissolving (12) the microalgae, grinding or crushing (14) the solution of microalgae, adding (16) a solvent to the ground or crushed solution for solubilizing the antioxidants produced by the microalgae and then separating (18) the liquid phases present.

Abstract: Labelled triglyceride oils are produced for use in diagnostic breath tests. The process involves the cultivation of microorganisms capable of producing the oils in an appropriately controlled environment wherein the microorganisms are fed .sup.12 C or .sup.14 C labeled carbon substrates to induce the microorganisms to produce the labeled oils. The preferred labelled carbon substrate is a substrate containing .sup.12 C. The oil produced is preferrably enriched in oleic acid. The microorganisms can be induced to produce the oil by nitrogen depletion during cultivation.

Abstract: A novel B.t. toxin gene encoding a protein toxic to coleopteran insects has been cloned from a novel coleopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbe. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B.t. toxin. These recombinant microbes can be used to control coleopteran insects in various environments.

Abstract: A tough mutant strain of the bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate pyrocys lunula which produces almost three times more light than its predecessor Pyrocystis lunula strain, which can withstand much more centrifugal force than its predecessor, and which grows faster than its predecessor in a defined medium under laboratory conditions, doubling about every four days, and requiring only monthly transfers.

Abstract: A process for the heterotrophic or predominantly heterotrophic production of whole-celled or extracted microbial products with a high concentration of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, producible in an aerobic culture under controlled conditions using biologically pure cultures of heterotrophic single-celled fungi microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. The harvested whole-cell microbial product can be added to processed foods as a nutritional supplement, or to fish and animal feeds to enhance the omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of products produced from these animals. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A novel B.t. toxin gene encoding a protein toxic to coleopteran insects has been cloned from a novel coleopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbe. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B.t. toxin. These recombinant microbes can be used to control coleopteran insects in various environments.

Abstract: A rapid, non-destructive process for screening individual photosynthetic clonal colonies for selected gas producing capacity. Gas produced upon illumination of discrete algal clonal colonies grown on solid growth medium is continuously swept away in a carrier gas stream and conveyed to gas detectors for analysis. Hydrogen producing algal clones with enhanced gas production capacities and sustained production may be identified.

Abstract: Substantially pure, pyrogen-free beta-1,3-glucan is produced by cultivating Euglena cells in a defined growth medium and under specified conditions that provide a cell mass comprising 70% to 90% beta-1,3-glucan on a dry weight basis, separating the cell mass from the super-natant, extracting the cell mass with methanol and chloroform, acid-washing the extracted cell mass, and washing the acid-treated material with water.

Abstract: A composition for removing metal ions from aqueous solution is prepared by immobilizing metal ion-binding microorganisms such as algae, washing the immobilized microorganisms, drying the washed immobilized microorganisms and heating the dried immobilized microorganisms to a temperature of about 300.degree. to about 500.degree. C. for a time sufficient to provide a stable composition that is non-swelling in aqueous solution. The composition preferentially adsorbs precious metal ions from an aqueous solution containing concentrations of base metal ions and/or other dissolved materials several orders of magnitude greater than the concentration of the precious metal ions. The composition can also be used to extract precious metal ions from geothermal fluids.

Abstract: A method and system for removing pollutants dissolved in the aqueous discharge of a plant, such as a power plant, from a body of water having known hydraulogy and physicochemical characteristics, the method comprising (a) modifying the hydraulic system of the body of water including use of physical barriers to define a zone in a portion of the body of water which zone includes the discharge point and where the water has a range of physicochemical characteristics; (b) selecting a large and preferably filamentous, planktonically growing strain of algae adapted to absorb the particular pollutants and genetically dominating algae at the physicochemical characteristics of the zone; (c) establishing a colony of the selected algal strain in the zone; (d) harvesting a portion of the colony; and (e) reinnoculating the zone near the discharge point with a fraction of the harvested portion. The fraction used for reinnoculation can be adjusted to balance the rate of pollutant removal to the rate of pollutant discharge.