The present invention relates to mutants of lactic acid bacteria which are resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin and which were found to give an increased texture when grown in milk while maintaining the other growth properties of the parent strain. The present invention, furthermore, relates to compositions comprising such mutants, and to dairy products fermented with the lactic acid bacteria resistant to ampicillin.

The present invention relates to a process for depositing at least a culture of microorganisms to an elongated element, preferably a yarn, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first feeding device comprising at least a first outlet; supplying at least one elongated element to said at least first feeding device; feeding to said first outlet at least a first culture comprising at least one microorganism; dispensing said first culture from said at least first outlet; contacting at least part of said elongated element with said first culture of microorganisms, to provide at least a part of said elongated element with an amount of said first culture of microorganisms.

The present invention relates to a process for depositing at least a culture of microorganisms to an elongated element, preferably a yarn, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first feeding device comprising at least a first outlet; supplying at least one elongated element to said at least first feeding device; feeding to said first outlet at least a first culture comprising at least one microorganism; dispensing said first culture from said at least first outlet; contacting at least part of said elongated element with said first culture of microorganisms, to provide at least a part of said elongated element with an amount of said first culture of microorganisms.

The invention involves mutant or recombinant Chlorophyte algal organisms that have a genetic modification in a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). In one embodiment the Chlorophyte organisms are Trebouxiophyte algae that are diploid or polyploid for a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). The mutant organisms can have a genetic modification in one allele of the gene but not in another allele of the gene. The mutant or algal organisms have higher biomass and lipid productivity. Additional mutant or algal organisms are disclosed that also have a genetic modification to one or more genes encoding a light harvesting chlorophyll a/b (binding) protein.

The invention involves mutant or recombinant Chlorophyte algal organisms that have a genetic modification in a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). In one embodiment the Chlorophyte organisms are Trebouxiophyte algae that are diploid or polyploid for a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). The mutant organisms can have a genetic modification in one allele of the gene but not in another allele of the gene. The mutant or algal organisms have higher biomass and lipid productivity. Additional mutant or algal organisms are disclosed that also have a genetic modification to one or more genes encoding a light harvesting chlorophyll a/b (binding) protein.

A method for producing astaxanthin, comprising: (a) acquiring vegetative cells of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis; (b) heterotrophically culturing the vegetative cells of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis in a nutrient-poor culture medium containing an organic carbon source and under a no-light condition, to obtain spore cells; and (c) harvesting the spore cells and/or astaxanthin, and optionally purifying the astaxanthin. Also provided is a culture medium used in the described method.

A method for producing astaxanthin, comprising: (a) acquiring vegetative cells of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis; (b) heterotrophically culturing the vegetative cells of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis in a nutrient-poor culture medium containing an organic carbon source and under a no-light condition, to obtain spore cells; and (c) harvesting the spore cells and/or astaxanthin, and optionally purifying the astaxanthin. Also provided is a culture medium used in the described method.

The present invention provides a production method for a composition for cell culturing. This production method comprises: (1) a step for subjecting algae to an acid hydrolysis treatment and/or an alkali hydrolysis treatment; (2) a step for neutralizing the hydrolysis product obtained in the step (1) to obtain an algae extract; and (3) a step for mixing the algae extract with a medium for cell culturing, wherein the medium for cell culturing does not substantially contain L-glutamine.

The present invention provides a production method for a composition for cell culturing. This production method comprises: (1) a step for subjecting algae to an acid hydrolysis treatment and/or an alkali hydrolysis treatment; (2) a step for neutralizing the hydrolysis product obtained in the step (1) to obtain an algae extract; and (3) a step for mixing the algae extract with a medium for cell culturing, wherein the medium for cell culturing does not substantially contain L-glutamine.

Provided is a dried powder of microorganisms, which is highly suitable for processing and has excellent usefulness as one component of various products. The present invention provides: a dried powder of microorganisms, the dried powder exhibiting a brightness of 55 or more and a chromaticness of 18 or less; and a method for producing a dried powder of microorganisms, the method comprising: washing microorganisms at least once with a liquid having an osmotic pressure lower than that of a liquid culture medium for culturing the microorganisms; and drying and heating the microorganisms after the washing to thereby obtain the dried powder of the microorganisms, which exhibits a brightness of 55 or more and a chromaticness of 18 or less.