A method of implementing organic synthesis reactions uses a composition containing a metal catalyst originating from a calcined plant. The plants can be from the Brassicaceae, Sapotaceae and Convolvulaceae family, and the metal catalyst contains metal in the M(II) form such as zinc, nickel, manganese, lead, cadmium, calcium, magnesium or copper. Examples of the organic synthesis reactions include halogenations, electrophilic reactions, cycloadditions, transesterification reactions and coupling reactions, among others.

The invention is directed toward mutant, non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolase enzymes having three site mutations, methods of production, and methods of use to effectively degrade toxic organophosphorus compounds, most preferably GP (2, 2-dimethylcyclopentyl methylphosphonofluoridate).

This invention refers to a method for preparing a chemical digester characterized by using organic and inorganic elements used for multiple purposes such as an accelerator in the decomposition of organic matter, as a water flocculant, as an organic soil fertilizer and as a means to eliminate the concentration of flies and other inserts in organic matter to decompose. The method comprises heating water in a reactor at a temperature of 38 C., adding a polysaccharide, an anti-thickener and an antifoam. The method then comprises the addition of two organic acids, one of them previously mixed in a second reactor and, finally, an inorganic acid until the mixture is homogenized. Optionally the method comprises the packaging of the mixture and the treatment of organic matter.

Compositions and methods related to anucelate cells (e.g., bacterial minicells) for pesticide degradation applications including related cells, polypeptides, and vectors.

The present invention is directed towards a composition for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with toxic chemicals/substances, comprising at least one type of metal oxyhydroxide such as zirconium hydroxide, Zr(OH).sub.4, optionally with added water for hydration of the solid, mixed into a carrier liquid used for application to a contaminated surface.

Provided are processes and compositions for neutralizing a material of interest such as a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent on or from a surface. A method includes applying a neutralization composition to a surface having a material of interest deposited thereon where the composition includes a resin and an active decontaminant, encapsulating the material of interest with the neutralization composition, curing or otherwise solidifying the neutralization composition to form a polymeric coating on the surface, and optionally peeling the coating from the surface. The peeling may remove a portion or all of the material of interest from the surface. The presence of the active decontaminant optionally further neutralizes the material of interest independent of peeling. Also provided are neutralization compositions that may be used in the processes provided herein.

Provided is a mutated hyperthermophilic PTE having a lactonase activity derived from a hyperthermophilic phosphotriesterase corresponding to the consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the mutated PTE including the at least one mutation chosen amongst 55 putative positions and the mutated PTE having enhanced properties. Also provided are compositions including the mutated hyperthermophilic PTE and the uses thereof, notably as bioscavenger of organophosphate compounds or as quorum quencher of the bacteria using lactones to communicate.

A catalyst includes a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of forming a catalyst, may include: reacting bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based compound with a terminal azide and/or a terminal alkyne in the presence of Cu(I) to form a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of using such catalysts may include neutralizing toxicity of at least one organophosphorus-based compound by reacting the organophosphorus-based compound with a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand-metal complex.

A method of destructing a toxic chemical, comprising the steps of mixing said toxic chemical with a liquid phase formed by an aqueous mixture of water and an ionic liquid or molten salt which is miscible with water, said ionic liquid or molten salt comprising a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group; and contacting said toxic chemical in said liquid phase with said ionic liquid or molten salt so as to decompose said toxic chemical. The ionic liquid or molten salt comprises a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group. The dispersion or solution further contains at least one oxidizing agent and a donor of hydrogen bonds. Decontamination of contaminated surfaces and decomposition of toxic substances are achieved by using environmentally friendly, non-toxic solvents and reactants which yields reaction products which are substantially non-harmful or even non-toxic.

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having organophosphorous hydrolase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.