The invention relates to a method for detecting Serpula lacrymans contamination in an internal environment, taking into account the absence and presence of VOCs produced by the metabolism of Serpula lacrymans, especially by means of the calculation of a contamination index.

Disclosed are the isolation, purification and analysis of the triterpenoid compositions (including ergostane and lanostane) in the fruiting body of Antrodia cinnamomea using HPLC and NMR, as well as the stereo structures and the amounts of the triterpenoid compositions. The cytotoxicity of triterpenoids is also revealed. Based on the aforementioned techniques, the presence and amounts of ergostane and lanostane in the drugs, healthcare food or other goods are able to be detected.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for expressing glycan binding proteins (GBPs) in a cell or cells. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides recombinant Ab-Y3 protein variants and isolated nucleic acids engineered to express the same. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of isolating, purifying, detecting, or screening for certain proteins (e.g., IgG proteins) using recombinant Ab-Y3 protein variants.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

The invention relates to a method for detecting Serpula lacrymans contamination in an internal environment, taking into account the absence and presence of VOCs produced by the metabolism of Serpula lacrymans, especially by means of the calculation of a contamination index.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of (a) providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; (b) contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; (c) incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and (d) determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

Disclosed is a method for demonstrating the capability of strengthening scalp and/or preventing dandruff of a personal care product or component thereof, the method comprising selecting a first portion of a solid porous article of non-animal origin, treating the first portion of the article with the personal care product or the component thereof, subjecting the treated first portion to a drying step and mechanically treating the dried first portion.