Anticancer compounds of general formula I

##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 take various meanings, for use in the treatment of cancer. A novel Labrenzia sp. strain named PHM005 with Accession Deposit Number CECT-9225, a method of producing compounds of the invention and analogues thereof by using the PHM005 strain and the Lab gene cluster codifying the biosynthesis of pederin-like and onnamide-like compounds are also provided.

Endophytic bacteria, compositions comprising the same, and methods of use thereof are disclosed which increase the root and shoot growth of cotton host plants, suppress growth of soil borne fungal pathogens of host plants, and increase resistance of the plant to salt stress and other abiotic stressors.

The present disclosure provides a process for preventing, and alleviating citrus greening infection of citrus plants including identifying the causative agent, providing consortia comprising Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas spp. in definite ratios effective in targeting the causative agent Phytophthora spp. and thereby preventing or alleviating the citrus greening disease in an effective manner. The present disclosure also provides consortia comprising standardized cultures of Trichoderma spp. in varying ratios and Pseudomonas spp. in varying ratios effective in preventing and controlling the causative agent Phytophthora spp. at different ages of citrus plants and stages of infection. The present disclosure further provides formulations comprising the antagonist microbial consortia and tailor made kits comprising one or more formulations of the present disclosure for managing citrus greening disease.

A bacterium that degrades LAS and/or removes N is provided. The bacterium is taxonomically classified as Pseudomonas sp., and was deposited in China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center on Sep. 18, 2018, with the accession number of CGMCC 16502. The bacterium can be applied in the rural domestic sewage treatment, and has the effect of removing LAS and/or N pollution.

Methods for increasing carbon-based chemical product yield in an organism by genetically modifying one or more genes involved in a stringent response and/or in a regulatory network, nonnaturally occurring organisms having increased carbon-based chemical product yield, and methods for use in production of carbon-based chemical products are provided.

The invention provides an encapsulated microorganism comprising particles comprising a core and a coating over the core. The core comprises a microorganism and an alginate or polyaspartate. The coating comprises a lipid-based coating. The application of lipid waxes serves to repel diffusion of any water-soluble chemicals that may be present on the surface of commercially available seeds. The lipid waxes applied on top of encapsulated microbial capsules are degradable by enzymes produces by germinating seeds. Thus, the colonization of rhizosphere of germinating plant by the commensal bacteria is a time targeted process to the benefit of the plant.

Disclosed herein are the genetically modified Pseudomonas with improved tolerance to hydroxycinnamic acids.

Provided is a strain of bactericidal nitrogen-fixing Pseudomonas protegens CHA0-ΔretS-NiF, a fermentation method and an application thereof. The strain is deposited under the accession number CGMCC No. 14476. The optimum culture condition thereof is at pH 7, the temperature of 28° C., and rotation speed of 600 rpm. Further provided is a microbial agent containing the Pseudomonas protegens CHA0-ΔretS-NiF as an active ingredient. The Pseudomonas protegens CHA0-ΔretS-NiF has strong nitrogen-fixing and bactericidal capabilities and may be used to prevent and cure plant diseases and to boost plant growth.

The disclosure discloses recombinant Pseudomonas plecoglossicida for producing L-xylose and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of bioengineering. According to the disclosure, a synthesized 2-ketogluconate reductase gene and a 2,5-diketogluconate reductase gene derived from Corynebaterium ATCC 31090 and a pyruvate decarboxylase gene derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae are successfully expressed in a host P. plecoglossicida by a double plasmid system, and an obtained genetically engineered strain is fermented for 56 h in a shake flask, where the yield of L-xylose reaches 16.2 g/L, and the transformation rate reaches 20.3%; the obtained genetically engineered strain is fermented for 48 h and 44 h in 3 L and 15 L fermentors, respectively, where the yields of L-xylose reach 37.6 g/L and 45.8 g/L, respectively, and the glucose transformation rates are 47.0% and 57.3%, respectively. The method has the advantages of low raw material cost, no pollution to the environment, simple operation, and important economic and social benefits.

Methods for producing methane from algae, and particularly methods for producing methane from brown algae. The present methods can use a biomass of brown algae such as Hormophysa cuneiformis subjected to bacterial treatment to produce methane. The bacteria can comprise Aeromonas sobria and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The brown algae and bacteria can all be obtained from the Arabian Gulf.