Described herein are isolated cell culture components such as, e.g., biologics and/or lipids, and methods for isolating cell culture components from a liquid cell culture medium. Methods of the present invention may include contacting a dehydration composition and a liquid cell culture medium comprising a target component to form a mixture; forming an at least partially dehydrated component in the mixture; and separating the at least partially dehydrated component from the mixture, thereby providing an isolated component. In some embodiments, the isolated component comprises the at least partially dehydrated component. In some embodiments, the isolated component is present in a composition (e.g., liquid phase) separated from the at least partially dehydrated component.

The present invention provides a Streptococcus, which is a new species of the genus of Streptococcus, named as Streptococcus sp. 121, and is registered and deposited in GuangDong Microbial Culture Collection Center with the accession number of GDMCC No: 61195. After fermentation culture, the Streptococcus sp. 121 of the present invention can produce a stronger bacteriostatic active substance, which has relatively obvious antimicrobial effects on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, and the like, has a broad development space in prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella dysenteriae, and has a very good development and application prospect in antimicrobial drugs.

The present invention provides a Streptococcus, which is a new species of the genus of Streptococcus, named as Streptococcus sp. 121, and is registered and deposited in GuangDong Microbial Culture Collection Center with the accession number of GDMCC No: 61195. After fermentation culture, the Streptococcus sp. 121 of the present invention can produce a stronger bacteriostatic active substance, which has relatively obvious antimicrobial effects on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, and the like, has a broad development space in prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella dysenteriae, and has a very good development and application prospect in antimicrobial drugs.

Provided is a method which allows, for example, suppression of foaming in the purification step such as distillation and continuous operation, as well as direct treatment of a waste liquid (can liquid) without having to subject the same to an extra purification treatment by removing the microorganisms, nitrogen compounds, and phosphorous compounds at once from an organic substance-containing liquid obtained from microbial fermentation. Also disclosed is a method for producing an organic substance, comprising a microbial fermentation step, a separation step, a liquefaction step, and a second purification step, wherein the concentration of the nitrogen compound in the second can liquid is 0 to 150 ppm based on the total mass of the second can liquid, and the concentration of the phosphorous compound in the second can liquid is 0 to 5 ppm based on the total mass of the second can liquid.

Provided is a method which allows, for example, suppression of foaming in the purification step such as distillation and continuous operation, as well as direct treatment of a waste liquid (can liquid) without having to subject the same to an extra purification treatment by removing the microorganisms, nitrogen compounds, and phosphorous compounds at once from an organic substance-containing liquid obtained from microbial fermentation. Also disclosed is a method for producing an organic substance, comprising a microbial fermentation step, a separation step, a liquefaction step, and a second purification step, wherein the concentration of the nitrogen compound in the second can liquid is 0 to 150 ppm based on the total mass of the second can liquid, and the concentration of the phosphorous compound in the second can liquid is 0 to 5 ppm based on the total mass of the second can liquid.

Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

Disclosed are methods of dewatering solid byproduct. In some embodiments, the solid byproduct contains particles and is produced from a fermentation process for making an oxygenated compound such as ethanol. The method comprises a chemical sequence for conditioning (pre-treating) the solid byproduct to be dewatered. The solid byproduct (in water) is treated with alkaline material to increase its pH to about 7-8.5. Coagulant is added to the alkaline-treated solid byproduct to reduce charge on the solid byproduct. An agglomerating polymer is then added to increase the average size of the solid byproduct particles to a desired size (e.g., at least about 1 mm). Dewatering can further use known technologies such as screw press, belt press, filter press, centrifuge, and/or a dryer to separate the conditioned or pre-treated byproduct from water. Also disclosed are methods of producing oxygenated product, as well as methods of producing animal feed and/or fertilizer, respectively.