Provided is a means for efficiently producing a monoacyl MEL. This means comprises culturing a monoacyl-MEL-producing microorganism in the presence of a surfactant.

Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing soil health and/or plant health. In particular, the subject invention relates to compositions comprising microbes and/or their growth by-products for use in improving fertility, salinity, water retention, and other soil characteristics, as well as controlling pests and stimulating the growth of plants. In certain embodiments, the growth by-products are biosurfactants.

Provided are methods and yeast cultures for producing polyol lipids and polyol lipid compositions.

Provided are methods and yeast cultures for producing polyol lipids and polyol lipid compositions.

The subject invention provides methods of producing advantageous microbes and/or by-products using a modified form of solid-state fermentation, or matrix fermentation. In particular, the methods utilize foodstuff mixed with liquid nutrient medium to produce a three-dimensional scaffold substrate having ample surface area on which the microbes can grow. The methods can be used to cultivate yeasts, fungi and bacteria at high concentrations without susceptibility to total contamination. The subject invention can be used in remote locations and can be transported with ease.

A method to prepare and/or isolate water soluble anthocyanins is provided.

Transgenic host cells, vectors useful for making transgenic host cells, and kits useful for making transgenic host cells are described. Also described are transgenic plants. In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase (4HPAAS). In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a tyrosol:UDP-glucose 8-O-glucosyltransferase (T8GT). The transgenic host cells are useful for biosynthesis of one or more of salidroside, icariside D2, tyrosol, and 4-hydroxypenylacetaldehyde.

Methods are provided for enhanced production of microbial biosurfactants, the methods comprising co-cultivating Myxococcus xanthus and Pseudomonas chlororaphis. In certain embodiments, the biosurfactants are rhamnolipids or rhamnolipids-like glycolipids. In certain embodiments, other microbial growth by-products are produced, such as organic hydrocarbons including terpenes and/or terpenoids. Microbe-based products produced according to the subject methods are also provided, as well as their uses in, for example, agriculture, oil and gas recovery, and health care.

Methods are provided for enhanced production of microbial biosurfactants, the methods comprising co-cultivating Myxococcus xanthus and Pseudomonas chlororaphis. In certain embodiments, the biosurfactants are rhamnolipids or rhamnolipids-like glycolipids. In certain embodiments, other microbial growth by-products are produced, such as organic hydrocarbons including terpenes and/or terpenoids. Microbe-based products produced according to the subject methods are also provided, as well as their uses in, for example, agriculture, oil and gas recovery, and health care.

The present invention relates generally to the use of novel UDP-glucosyltransferases enzymes having specific activity towards cannabinoid compounds. The present invention further relates generally to the use of novel UGT enzymes having specific activity towards cannabinoid compounds to generate water-soluble cannabinoid glycoside compounds.