The invention is method of combatting weeds, which comprises applying to a soil region an herbicidal combination comprising: at least one alkali metal compound selected from alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate and alkali bicarbonate; and at least one calcium compound selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate; such that the predominant component of the combination is(are) the alkali metal compound(s). Herbicidal formulations are also provided by the invention.

Method for the prophylactic treatment of the development of parasites in a food product with a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, and said treatment comprising mixing the powder with the food product, characterized in that at most 1000 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

Disclosed herein are microbial consortia and compositions including microbes, for example, for use in agricultural or biodegradation applications. In some embodiments, soil, plants, and/or plant parts (such as seeds, seedlings, shoots, roots, leaves, fruit, stems, or branches) are contacted with a disclosed microbial consortia or composition including microbes. The microbial consortia or microbe-containing compositions may be applied to soil, plant, and/or plant parts alone or in combination with additional components (such as chitin, chitosan, glucosamine, amino acids, and/or liquid fertilizer). In additional embodiments, the disclosed microbial consortia or compositions including microbes are used in methods of degrading biological materials, such as chitin-containing biological materials.

The invention relates to a composition for the production of CO.sub.2, the use of a composition for the production of CO.sub.2 for an insect trap, in particular for an insect trap for attracting blood-sucking insects and arthropods, and a method for the production of CO.sub.2. The composition comprises a component a), a component b), and a component c). Component a) comprises at least a first yeast strain, which has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component b) comprises at least one second yeast strain, which has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component c) comprises at least one nutrient source for the at least one first yeast strain and/or for the at least one second yeast strain, wherein component c) is being formed by a turbo yeast or by a yeast extract.

The invention relates to a composition for the production of CO.sub.2, the use of a composition for the production of CO.sub.2 for an insect trap, in particular for an insect trap for attracting blood-sucking insects and arthropods, and a method for the production of CO.sub.2. The composition comprises a component a), a component b), and a component c). Component a) comprises at least a first yeast strain, which has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component b) comprises at least one second yeast strain, which has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component c) comprises at least one nutrient source for the at least one first yeast strain and/or for the at least one second yeast strain, wherein component c) is being formed by a turbo yeast or by a yeast extract.

Described herein are methods and compositions that utilize microorganisms integrated with plants for improvement of carbon dioxide conversion and sequestration in soil.

Described herein are methods and compositions that utilize microorganisms integrated with plants for improvement of carbon dioxide conversion and sequestration in soil.

Provided herein are portable biocontainment devices for safe and reliable collection of biological samples, including liquid and gas samples. A sample inlet for collecting fluids and/or gases, including oral fluids and expired breath samples, is connected to a container having a climate-controlled container reservoir. One or more sample containers are connected to the sample inlet for collection of samples. The devices are configured for safe transport and handling of samples, while maintaining sample viability, including for relatively long transport periods. Safety components integrated within the device facilitates safe and effective decontamination of contagious samples. In this manner, aborting the sample preservation by decontamination prior to a hazardous release is achieved within the same apparatus.

Provided herein are portable biocontainment devices for safe and reliable collection of biological samples, including liquid and gas samples. A sample inlet for collecting fluids and/or gases, including oral fluids and expired breath samples, is connected to a container having a climate-controlled container reservoir. One or more sample containers are connected to the sample inlet for collection of samples. The devices are configured for safe transport and handling of samples, while maintaining sample viability, including for relatively long transport periods. Safety components integrated within the device facilitates safe and effective decontamination of contagious samples. In this manner, aborting the sample preservation by decontamination prior to a hazardous release is achieved within the same apparatus.

The present invention relates to methods of preparing benzoxaboroles. Benzoxaborole compounds have shown promise as antimicrobial agents, especially against fungal pathogens. The invention also relates to compositions of acyclic alkoxy boronic acid esters as intermediates, and continuous flow processes of mixing the intermediates with organomagnesium, magnesium, or organolithium reagents to form the desired benzoxaboroles.