The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a sesquiterpene derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient for the prevention or treatment of muscle diseases.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

The present application relates to nutritional compositions comprising lactic acid-producing bacteria.

The present application relates to nutritional compositions comprising lactic acid-producing bacteria.

The invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a lacZ gene (lacZ.sup.FS) encoding a β-galactosidase characterized by a particular profile regarding its efficiency of hydrolysis of lactose. The invention is also directed to a Streptococcus thermophilus strain comprising a lacZ.sup.FS allele and bacterial composition thereof, and their use to obtain fermented milk not undergoing post-acidification.

Transgenic microalgae expressing at least one exogenous biologically active protein. The protein-expressing microalgae are used for the oral delivery of the biologically active protein to the target organism in its intact and functional form. The exogenous protein, expressed in algae, is characterized by being biologically active, exerting at least one specific activity having a beneficial effect on the subject consuming the algae. The transgenic microalgae are used as animal food for aquatic or land animals welfare or as food supplement for human healthcare.

There is provided a composition including parietal polysaccharides from at least one Candida species and parietal polysaccharides from at least one different yeast species. The composition can be used in modulating and/or stimulating immune responses in animal or human.

There is provided a composition including parietal polysaccharides from at least one Candida species and parietal polysaccharides from at least one different yeast species. The composition can be used in modulating and/or stimulating immune responses in animal or human.

Provided is a method of using a copper-calcium sulphate as an animal feed additive. When used in animal breeding, a low dose of the copper-calcium sulphate can achieve the effect of that high dosage of copper sulphate achieve in the promotion of animal growth, and thus the copper-calcium sulphate can be used as an animal basic nutritional supplement to substitute low-copper preparations in the breeding of poultry, livestock or aquatic animals. Copper-calcium sulphate, used as a novel, efficient and safe feed additive in the feed processing industry and animal breeding industry, can reduce the dosage of copper ion by nearly 50-70% to achieve the same production performance, can significantly reduce the use of copper in animal husbandry, and can reduce the production costs, reduce the toxic side effects of a high level of copper, and reduce the environmental pollution, thus the copper-calcium sulphate is a copper compound with unique advantages.