The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of a novel yeast culture medium comprising a concentration of cupric sulfate sufficient to promote growth of strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus while inhibiting growth of other varieties of brewing yeast. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a yeast culture medium. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods of using the novel yeast culture medium to test yeast slurries for contamination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus.

A nutrient combination for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The nutrient combination comprises a source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2). The nutrient combination is preferably substantially fee of gaseous oxygen and/or gaseous NO.sub.x and/or SO.sub.x. In various embodiments the nutrient combination may comprise a two-phase mixture of a solution of the soluble source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2). A process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is also described. The process involves dispersing the nutrient combination of the invention throughout the carbonaceous material for a period of time to biogenically produce methane and subsequently collecting methane from the carbonaceous material.

A nutrient combination for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The nutrient combination comprises a source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2). The nutrient combination is preferably substantially fee of gaseous oxygen and/or gaseous NO.sub.x and/or SO.sub.x. In various embodiments the nutrient combination may comprise a two-phase mixture of a solution of the soluble source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2). A process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is also described. The process involves dispersing the nutrient combination of the invention throughout the carbonaceous material for a period of time to biogenically produce methane and subsequently collecting methane from the carbonaceous material.

The present invention relates to a fungicide composition comprising a biofungicide and a guar derivative containing at least one hydroxyalkyl group.

The present invention includes a method to increase romidepsin concentration in a bacteria fermentation media. Romidepsin concentration in a fermentation is increased by adding, for example, copper sulfate. The end resulting romidepsin concentration is increased by at least about two fold as compare to fermentation without copper sulfate.

The present invention includes a method to increase romidepsin concentration in a bacteria fermentation media. Romidepsin concentration in a fermentation is increased by adding, for example, copper sulfate. The end resulting romidepsin concentration is increased by at least about two fold as compare to fermentation without copper sulfate.

The present invention provides for a system for converting CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to one or more biologically derived compounds. In some embodiments, the system comprises a host cell comprising one or more nucleic acids encoding genes for a recombinant surface display protein which is capable of tethering an electrocatalyst molecule, such as a cobalt(II) complex supported by tetradentate polypyridyl ligand 2-bis(2-pyridyl)(methoxy)methyl-6-pyridylpyridine (PY4), and enzymes for synthesizing a biologically derived compound, such as an alkane, alcohol, fatty acid, ester, or isoprenoid.

The present invention provides for a system for converting CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to one or more biologically derived compounds. In some embodiments, the system comprises a host cell comprising one or more nucleic acids encoding genes for a recombinant surface display protein which is capable of tethering an electrocatalyst molecule, such as a cobalt(II) complex supported by tetradentate polypyridyl ligand 2-bis(2-pyridyl)(methoxy)methyl-6-pyridylpyridine (PY4), and enzymes for synthesizing a biologically derived compound, such as an alkane, alcohol, fatty acid, ester, or isoprenoid.

Methods are provided for inducing expression of cryptic genes in microbial cells. Microbial cells of a strain derived from a natural environment but grown in a laboratory culture, and having cryptic genes not expressed in the laboratory culture, are placed into a culture chamber having at least one nanoporous membrane. The culture chamber is then placed into a natural environment similar to the environment from which the strain was originally obtained. In the natural environment, the microbial cells are isolated in the culture chamber and exposed to inducers that diffuse into the culture chamber via the nanoporous membrane, and expression of the cryptic gene is induced.

Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of isobutanol. Yeast host cells provided comprise an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway and at least one of reduced or eliminated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, reduced or eliminated acetolactate reductase activity; or a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity.