Methods and strategies for introducing genetic safeguards into microorganisms, genetically modified organisms (GMO) including the safeguards, and methods of use thereof are provided. The genetic safeguards generally impart a low escape frequency, are robust, and are modular. Safeguards with low escape frequency prevent the rise of mutants escaping defined media and limit growth in the wild. Robust safeguards retain wild-type levels of fitness while also maintaining containment in diverse growth conditions.

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a biomass composition of a bacterium strain with bactericidal activity which inhibits or kills various pathogenic bacteria.

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a biomass composition of a bacterium strain with bactericidal activity which inhibits or kills various pathogenic bacteria.

Methods and processes for producing aerobic digestion products, such as organic acids, from a low-rank coal substrate are provided. Also provided are multistage bioreactor systems for carrying out the described methods and processes. In another aspect, product compositions comprising organic acids produced by the described methods and processes are provided, as well as methods for their use, including for the improvement of soil quality and/or plant growth.

Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

The present invention refers to a culture medium and a process for producing Clostridium collagenolytic and gelatinolytic proteases. The present invention includes an animal product-free culture medium for C. histolyticum comprising non-animal derived peptones, preferably vegetable derived peptones, yeast extract and the amino acids cysteine and arginine. The present invention also includes a process for producing a supernatant of Clostridium histolyticum liquid culture comprising one or more collagenolytic and gelatinolytic proteases, and pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient a supernatant of the Clostridium cultures described herein.

The present invention refers to a culture medium and a process for producing Clostridium collagenolytic and gelatinolytic proteases. The present invention includes an animal product-free culture medium for C. histolyticum comprising non-animal derived peptones, preferably vegetable derived peptones, yeast extract and the amino acids cysteine and arginine. The present invention also includes a process for producing a supernatant of Clostridium histolyticum liquid culture comprising one or more collagenolytic and gelatinolytic proteases, and pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient a supernatant of the Clostridium cultures described herein.

The invention described herein presents compositions and methods for a multistep biological and chemical process for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide and/or other forms of inorganic carbon into organic chemicals including biofuels or other useful industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical, or biomass products. One or more process steps utilizes chemoautotrophic microorganisms to fix inorganic carbon into organic compounds through chemosynthesis. An additional feature described are process steps whereby electron donors used for the chemosynthetic fixation of carbon are generated by chemical or electrochemical means, or are produced from inorganic or waste sources. An additional feature described are process steps for the recovery of useful chemicals produced by the carbon dioxide capture and conversion process, both from chemosynthetic reaction steps, as well as from non-biological reaction steps.

The present invention includes a method of preserving cannabinoid concentration in a biomass comprising: providing a hemp biomass in an aqueous solution; adding a culture of a cannabinoid preserving Bacillus bacteria to the hemp biomass solution; and culturing the hemp biomass with the Bacillus bacteria under conditions in which the cannabinoid concentration is maintained.