Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy... – Cleaning using a micro-organism or enzyme
Patent
1994-06-30
1997-07-15
Lilling, Herbert J.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy...
Cleaning using a micro-organism or enzyme
71DIG2, 71 9, 422 5, 424 9341, 435 42, 435209, 435220, 4352521, 4352524, 4352527, 435277, 435842, 504117, C12N 120, C12N 942, C12N 952, C12P 3900
Patent
active
056482647
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to new bacteria capable of decomposing celluloses and their usage, especially, in relation with their agricultural usage in soil improvement. In more detail, the present invention relates to the bacteria useful for solubilizing natural lignin, fermenting and decomposing wood and other cellulosic materials difficult to be decomposed, proteinaceous substances and sludge, producing manure and compost, accelerating the maturity of humus as a product of decomposable biomasses, improving soil fertility and soil structure and techniques related to those available for practical uses.
BACKGROUND TECHNIQUES
In agricultural and other industrial fields, a large amount of hard-decomposable organic materials or hard-decomposable cellulosic substances, for example, sawdust, chipdust, pruner waste, bark, other lumber industrial products such as scrap wood, chaff, rice straw, wheat straw, hull and seed coat of beans such as soybean, red bean and peanut, coffee dregs, fallen leaves, bark, reed and mountain grass of miscanthus, discarded parts of shiitake (Cortinellus shiitake) and other mushrooms, and other plant materials having C/N ratio of 40-100% or more are discarded.
Although they are composed of extremely complicated organic components, in general the essential components are about 30-75% cellulose and 15-40% lignin. When both are combined, they occupy, in majority, more than 45-90%. The nexts are hemicellulose 7-25% and those present in a small amount such as nitrogen-containing compounds such as proteins, sugars, organic acids, alcoholic compounds. Moreover, fat, wax and essential oil are also present.
If the above-mentioned plant materials can be decomposed efficiently, the efficient uses of the discarded materials can be profitably used, and, they can be used as organic fertilizers. Moreover, as the above-mentioned plant materials can be applied to soil, if they can be decomposed efficiently, they can be a useful soil-improvement agent.
As most of plant materials contain lignin and cellulose, for efficient decomposition of plant materials, a means for efficiently decomposing and solubilizing lignin and cellulose is essential. However, by using existing microorganisms and enzymes as decomposers, quick decomposition of cellulose or solubilization of lignin is extremely difficult. Furthermore, the enzymes do not act on hard proteins such as gelatin and collagen either. As a consequence, the effective decomposition and solubilization of natural hard-decomposable organic materials by microorganisms have not been successful so far.
Therefore, the present invention provides new bacteria that can excellently ferment celluloses and solubilize lignins, a culture mixture whose abilities are improved, a process for decomposing hard-decomposable substances, methods of soil improvement, production of organic fertilizers, and deoderization of excreta.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Accordingly the present invention provides a bacterium Clostridium thermocellum biovar. nov. SK522 (FERM BP-3459) capable of excellently decomposing cellulose, growing at temperature range of 40.degree.-80.degree. C., with best growth at 65.degree.-72.degree., capable of solubilizing lignin, and any bacteria having the same properties.
The present invention further provides a bacterium Thermus aquaticus SK542 FERM BP-3382) producing yellow carotenoid pigment and protein-decomposing enzyme which functions within a pH 4.0-11.3, being active at temperature of 75.degree.-85.degree. C., growing within a temperature limit of 40.degree.-82.degree. C. in a culture medium of regular concentration, having a growth suitable-temperature of 72.degree.-76.degree. C. and having good properties, and other bacteria possessing the same properties.
The present invention further provides a mixed culture obtained by co-culturing the above-mentioned two bacteria.
The present invention also provides a method for solubilizing lignin characterized by acting said mixed culture on organic materials containing lignin.
The present in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4400470 (1983-08-01), Zeikus et al.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, pp. 1337-1343, Jun. 1981, vol. 41, No. 6.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, pp. 1125-1132, May 1982, vol. 43, No. 5.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, pp. 92-100, Jan. 1987, vol. 29, No. 1.
Biochemical Journal, pp. 407-413, 1984, vol. 221, No. 2.
Agricultural and Biological chemistry, pp. 25-28, Jan. 1983, vol. 47 No. 1.
Gomei Kaisha Nakamura Sangyo
Lilling Herbert J.
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