Comparison of Different Lactobacilli Regarding Substrate Utilization and Their Tolerance Towards Lignocellulose Degradation Products.

Fermentative lactic acid production is currently impeded by low pH tolerance of the production organisms, the successive substrate consumption of the strains and/or the requirement to apply purified substrate streams. We identified Lactobacillus brevis IGB 1.29 in compost, which is capable of producing lactic acid at low pH values from lignocellulose hydrolysates, simultaneously consuming glucose and xylose. In this study, we compared Lactobacillus brevis IGB 1.29 with the reference strains Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 367, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8826 and Lactococcus lactis JCM 7638 with regard to the consumption of C5- and C6-sugars. Simultaneous conversion of C5- and C6-monosaccharides was confirmed for L. brevis IGB 1.29 with consumption rates of 1.6 g/(L h) for glucose and 1.0 g/(L h) for xylose. Consumption rates were lower for L. brevis ATCC 367 with 0.6 g/(L h) for glucose and 0.2 g/(L h) for xylose. Further trials were carried out to determine the sensitivity towards common toxic degradation products in lignocellulose hydrolysates: acetate, hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, formate, levulinic acid and phenolic compounds from hemicellulose fraction. L. lactis was the least tolerant strain towards the inhibitors, whereas L. brevis IGB 1.29 showed the highest tolerance. L. brevis IGB 1.29 exhibited only 10% growth reduction at concentrations of 26.0 g/L acetate, 1.2 g/L furfural, 5.0 g/L formate, 6.6 g/L hydroxymethylfurfural, 9.2 g/L levulinic acid or 2.2 g/L phenolic compounds. This study describes a new strain L. brevis IGB 1.29, that enables efficient lactic acid production with a lignocellulose-derived C5- and C6-sugar fraction.

Fucoxanthin, A Carotenoid Derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum Exerts Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities In Vitro.

Microalgae contain a multitude of nutrients and can be grown sustainably. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, could have beneficial health effects. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative effects of fucoxanthin derived from this diatom in vitro. The effects of purified fucoxanthin on metabolic activity were assessed in blood mononuclear cells and different cell lines. In cell lines, caspase 3/7 activity was also analyzed. Nitrogen monoxide release and mRNA-expression of proinflammatory cytokines were measured. For antioxidant assays, cell free assays were conducted. Additionally, the antioxidant effect in neutrophils was quantified and glutathione was determined in HeLa cells. The results show that neither did fucoxanthin have anti-inflammatory properties nor did it exert cytotoxic effects on mononuclear cells. However, the metabolic activity of cell lines was decreased up to 58% and fucoxanthin increased the caspase 3/7 activity up to 4.6-fold. Additionally, dose-dependent antioxidant effects were detected, resulting in a 63% decrease in chemiluminescence in blood neutrophils and a 3.3-fold increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione. Our studies show that fucoxanthin possesses antiproliferative and antioxidant activities in vitro. Hence, this carotenoid or the whole microalgae P. tricornutum could be considered as a food or nutraceutical in human nutrition, showcasing beneficial health effects.

Probing the contractile vacuole as Achilles' heel of the biotrophic grapevine pathogen Plasmopara viticola.

The causative agent of Grapevine Downy Mildew, the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, poses a serious threat to viticulture. In the current work, the contractile vacuole of the zoospore is analysed as potential target for novel plant protection strategies. Using a combination of electron microscopy, spinning disc confocal microscopy, and video differential interference contrast microscopy, we have followed the genesis and dynamics of this vacuole required during the search for the stomata, when the non-walled zoospore is exposed to hypotonic conditions. This subcellular description was combined with a pharmacological study, where the functionality of the contractile vacuole was blocked by manipulation of actin, by Na, Cu, and Al ions or by inhibition of the NADPH oxidase. We further observe that RGD peptides (mimicking binding sites for integrins at the extracellular matrix) can inhibit the function of the contractile vacuole as well. Finally, we show that an extract from Chinese liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) proposed as biocontrol for Downy Mildews can efficiently induce zoospore burst and that this activity depends on the activity of NADPH oxidase. The effect of the extract can be phenocopied by its major compound, glycyrrhizin, suggesting a mode of action for this biologically safe alternative to copper products.

Reconstitution of the membrane protein OmpF into biomimetic block copolymer-phospholipid hybrid membranes.

Structure and function of many transmembrane proteins are affected by their environment. In this respect, reconstitution of a membrane protein into a biomimetic polymer membrane can alter its function. To overcome this problem we used membranes formed by poly(1,4-isoprene-block-ethylene oxide) block copolymers blended with 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. By reconstituting the outer membrane protein OmpF from Escherichia coli into these membranes, we demonstrate functionality of this protein in biomimetic lipopolymer membranes, independent of the molecular weight of the block copolymers. At low voltages, the channel conductance of OmpF in 1 M KCl was around 2.3 nS. In line with these experiments, integration of OmpF was also revealed by impedance spectroscopy. Our results indicate that blending synthetic polymer membranes with phospholipids allows for the reconstitution of transmembrane proteins under preservation of protein function, independent of the membrane thickness.

Optimization and Scale-up of Inulin Extraction from Taraxacum kok-saghyz roots.

The optimization and scale-up of inulin extraction from Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin was successfully performed. Evaluating solubility investigations, the extraction temperature was fixed at 85 degrees C. The inulin stability regarding degradation or hydrolysis could be confirmed by extraction in the presence of model inulin. Confirming stability at the given conditions the isolation procedure was transferred from a 1 L- to a 1 m3-reactor. The Reynolds number was selected as the relevant dimensionless number that has to remain constant in both scales. The stirrer speed in the large scale was adjusted to 3.25 rpm regarding a 300 rpm stirrer speed in the 1 L-scale and relevant physical and process engineering parameters. Assumptions were confirmed by approximately homologous extraction kinetics in both scales. Since T. kok-saghyz is in the focus of research due to its rubber content side-product isolation from residual biomass it is of great economic interest. Inulin is one of these additional side-products that can be isolated in high quantity (- 35% of dry mass) and with a high average degree of polymerization (15.5) in large scale with a purity of 77%.

How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters.

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a stable and continuous operation of the plasma is possible and the plasma torch can be used for many different applications. On one hand, the hot (3,600 K gas temperature) plasma can be used for chemical processes and on the other hand the cold afterglow (temperatures down to almost RT) can be applied for surface processes. For example chemical syntheses are interesting volume processes. Here the microwave plasma torch can be used for the decomposition of waste gases which are harmful and contribute to the global warming but are needed as etching gases in growing industry sectors like the semiconductor branch. Another application is the dissociation of CO2. Surplus electrical energy from renewable energy sources can be used to dissociate CO2 to CO and O2. The CO can be further processed to gaseous or liquid higher hydrocarbons thereby providing chemical storage of the energy, synthetic fuels or platform chemicals for the chemical industry. Applications of the afterglow of the plasma torch are the treatment of surfaces to increase the adhesion of lacquer, glue or paint, and the sterilization or decontamination of different kind of surfaces. The movie will explain how to ignite the plasma solely by microwave power without any additional igniters, e.g., electric sparks. The microwave plasma torch is based on a combination of two resonators - a coaxial one which provides the ignition of the plasma and a cylindrical one which guarantees a continuous and stable operation of the plasma after ignition. The plasma can be operated in a long microwave transparent tube for volume processes or shaped by orifices for surface treatment purposes.

The transcriptomic profile of Pseudozyma aphidis during production of mannosylerythritol lipids.

The basidiomycetous fungus Pseudozyma aphidis is able to convert vegetable oils to abundant amounts of the biosurfactant mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) with a unique product pattern of MEL-A, MEL-B, MEL-C, and MEL-D. To investigate the metabolism of MEL production, we analyzed the transcriptome of P. aphidis DSM 70725 under MEL-inducing and non-inducing conditions using deep sequencing. Following manual curation of the previously described in silico gene models based on RNA-Seq data, we were able to generate an experimentally verified gene annotation containing 6347 genes. Using this database, our expression analysis revealed that only four of the five cluster genes required for MEL synthesis were clearly induced by the presence of soybean oil. The acetyltransferase encoding gene PaGMAT1 was expressed on a much lower level, which may explain the secretion of MEL with different degrees of acetylation in P. aphidis. In parallel to MEL synthesis, microscopic observations showed morphological changes accompanied by expression of genes responsible for cell development, indicative of a coregulation between MEL synthesis and cell morphology. In addition a set of transcription factors was identified which may be responsible for regulation of MEL synthesis and cell development. The upregulation of genes required for nitrogen metabolism and other assimilation processes indicate additional metabolic pathways required under the MEL-inducing conditions used. We also searched for a conserved gene cluster for cellobiose lipids (CL) but only found seven genes with limited homology distributed over the genome. However, we detected characteristic TLC spots in fermentations using P. aphidis DSM 70725, indicative of CL secretion.

Power generation based on biomass by combined fermentation and gasification--a new concept derived from experiments and modelling.

A new concept is proposed for combined fermentation (two-stage high-load fermenter) and gasification (two-stage fluidised bed gasifier with CO2 separation) of sewage sludge and wood, and the subsequent utilisation of the biogenic gases in a hybrid power plant, consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell and a gas turbine. The development and optimisation of the important processes of the new concept (fermentation, gasification, utilisation) are reported in detail. For the gas production, process parameters were experimentally and numerically investigated to achieve high conversion rates of biomass. For the product gas utilisation, important combustion properties (laminar flame speed, ignition delay time) were analysed numerically to evaluate machinery operation (reliability, emissions). Furthermore, the coupling of the processes was numerically analysed and optimised by means of integration of heat and mass flows. The high, simulated electrical efficiency of 42% including the conversion of raw biomass is promising for future power generation by biomass.

High solids enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic materials with a powerful stirrer concept.

In this study, we present a powerful stirred tank reactor system that can efficiently hydrolyse lignocellulosic material at high solid content to produce hydrolysates with glucose concentration > 100 g/kg. As lignocellulosic substrates alkaline-pretreated wheat straw and organosolv-pretreated beech wood were used. The developed vertical reactor was equipped with a segmented helical stirrer, which was specially designed for high biomass hydrolysis. The stirrer was characterised according to mixing behaviour and power input. To minimise the cellulase dosage, a response surface plan was used. With the empirical relationship between glucose yield, cellulase loading and solid content, the minimal cellulase dosage was calculated to reach at least 70% yield at high glucose and high substrate concentrations within 48 h. The optimisation resulted in a minimal enzyme dosage of 30 FPU/g dry matter (DM) for the hydrolysis of wheat straw and 20 FPU/g DM for the hydrolysis of beech wood. By transferring the hydrolysis reaction from shaking flasks to the stirred tank reactor, the glucose yields could be increased. Using the developed stirred tank reactor system, alkaline-pretreated wheat straw could be converted to 110 g/kg glucose (76%) at a solid content of 20% (w/w) after 48 h. Organosolv-pretreated beech wood could be efficiently hydrolysed even at 30% (w/w) DM, giving 150 g/kg glucose (72%).

Characterization of novel mutants with an altered gibberellin spectrum in comparison to different wild-type strains of Fusarium fujikuroi.

The rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi is known for producing a wide range of secondary metabolites such as pigments, mycotoxins, and a group of phytohormones, the gibberellic acids (GAs). Bioactive forms of these diterpenes are responsible for hyperelongation of rice stems, yellowish chlorotic leaves, and reduced grain formation during the bakanae disease leading to severely decreased crop yields. GAs are also successfully applied in agriculture and horticulture as plant growth regulators to enhance crop yields, fruit size, and to induce earlier flowering. In this study, six F. fujikuroi wild-type and mutant strains differing in GA yields and the spectrum of produced GAs were cultivated in high-quality lab fermenters for optimal temperature and pH control and compared regarding their growth, GA production, and GA gene expression levels. Comparative analysis of the six strains revealed that strain 6314/ΔDES/ΔPPT1, holding mutations in two GA biosynthetic genes and an additional deletion of the 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase gene PPT1, exhibits the highest total GA amount. Expression studies of two GA biosynthesis genes, CPS/KS and DES, showed a constantly high expression level for both genes under production conditions (nitrogen limitation) in all strains. By cultivating these genetically engineered mutant strains, we were able to produce not only mixtures of different bioactive GAs (GA3, GA4, and GA7) but also pure GA4 or GA7. In addition, we show that the GA yields are not only determined by different production rates, but also by different decomposition rates of the end products GA3, GA4, and GA7 explaining the varying GA levels of genetically almost identical mutant strains.

Optimization of outdoor cultivation in flat panel airlift reactors for lipid production by Chlorella vulgaris.

Microalgae are discussed as a potential renewable feedstock for biofuel production. The production of highly concentrated algae biomass with a high fatty acid content, accompanied by high productivity with the use of natural sunlight is therefore of great interest. In the current study an outdoor pilot plant with five 30 L Flat Panel Airlift reactors (FPA) installed southwards were operated in 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany. The patented FPA reactor works on the basis of an airlift loop reactor and offers efficient intermixing for homogeneous light distribution. A lipid production process with the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (SAG 211-12), under nitrogen and phosphorous deprivation, was established and evaluated in regard to the fatty acid content, fatty acid productivity and light yield. In the first set of experiments limitations caused by restricted CO2 availability were excluded by enriching the media with NaOH. The higher alkalinity allows a higher CO2 content of supplied air and leads to doubling of fatty acid productivity. The second set of experiments focused on how the ratio of light intensity to biomass concentration in the reactor impacts fatty acid content, productivity and light yield. The specific light availability was specified as mol photons on the reactor surface per gram biomass in the reactor. This is the first publication based on experimental data showing the quantitative correlation between specific light availability, fatty acid content and biomass light yield for a lipid production process under nutrient deprivation and outdoor conditions. High specific light availability leads to high fatty acid contents. Lower specific light availability increases fatty acid productivity and biomass light yield. An average fatty acid productivity of 0.39 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹ for a 12 days batch process with a final fatty acid content of 44.6% [w/w] was achieved. Light yield of 0.4 g mol photons⁻¹ was obtained for the first 6 days of cultivation.

Surface etching of methacrylic microparticles via basic hydrolysis and introduction of functional groups for click chemistry.

Controlled basic hydrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) P(MMA-co-EGDMA) microparticles with a diameter d50=6 µm led to high densities of carboxylic groups at the particles' surface of up to 1.288 µeq g(-1) (equivalent to 1.277 µmol m(-2)). The microparticles' core has not been altered by this surface activation procedure as seen by fluorescent staining. The kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction was investigated via electrophoretic light scattering and particle charge detection employing polycation titration under shear condition. The activated microparticle's surface was subsequently exploited in carbodiimide-mediated coupling reactions using a variety of molecular reactants, that is, 11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecan-1-amine, cysteamine, propargylamine, and fluoresceinamine, thus enabling the introduction of chemically reactive moieties such as azides, thiols, and alkynes. Fluorescent staining of the particles' surface successfully demonstrated the versatile applications of surface functionalized microparticles via copper-catalyzed huisgen cycloaddition. Carrying on this two-step procedure in a controlled manner provides an excellent way for relatively simple but highly effective surface functionalization.

Development and optimization of single and combined detoxification processes to improve the fermentability of lignocellulose hydrolyzates.

In this work, an enzyme catalyzed detoxification process of lignocellulose hydrolyzates with immobilized laccase from Trametes versicolor was developed and optimized. Further, the immobilized laccase significantly reduced the amount of toxic phenolic compounds in the xylan rich fraction (XRF) by polymerization within 1h. The insoluble products precipitated onto the carrier surface and could be reversible resolubilized by an aqueous ethanol solution. Consequently, an in situ product removal could be realized. The reusability of the immobilized laccase could be additionally shown. The reaction kinetics could be described by a reversible Michaelis Menten equation giving the prerequisite for scaling up the process. In a second step, the organic acids, hydroxymethylfurfural and phenolic acids could be further removed by employing an anion exchanger. Both, the laccase and the laccase+anion exchanger treatment enhanced successfully the fermentability of an organosolv wheat straw fraction.

Amantichitinum ursilacus gen. nov., sp. nov., a chitin-degrading bacterium isolated from soil.

A bacterial strain named IGB-41(T) was isolated from a soil sample from an ant hill near Stuttgart, Germany. The strain was Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile and facultatively anaerobic. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA grouped the strain IGB-41(T) within the class Betaproteobacteria into the family Neisseriaceae together with Silvimonas amylolytica NBRC 103189(T), Silvimonas iriomotensis NBRC 103188(T) and Silvimonas terrae KM-45(T) as the closest relatives with sequence similarities of 96.7, 96.6 and 96.1 %, respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 61.5 mol% and quinone analysis revealed Q-8 as the only detectable quinone. Major cellular fatty acids were identified as C(16 : 0), summed feature 3 (iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c) and C(18 : 1)ω7c . Strain IGB-41(T) was unique in harbouring phosphoaminolipids, aminolipids and glycoaminolipids when compared with Silvimonas amylolytica NBRC 103189(T) in polar lipid analysis. On the basis of the physiological, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of strain IGB-41(T), we suggest that the novel strain should be assigned to a new genus Amantichitinum and novel species Amantichitinum ursilacus. The type species of the genus Amantichitinum is Amantichitinum ursilacus and the type strain is IGB-41(T) (=DSM 23761(T) =CIP 110167(T)).

Ammonia plasma treatment of polystyrene surfaces enhances proliferation of primary human mesenchymal stem cells and human endothelial cells.

The control of surface properties is a substantial step in the development and improvement of biomaterials for clinical applications as well as for their use in tissue engineering. Interaction of the substrate surface with the biochemical or biological environment is crucial for the outcome of the applied biomaterial and therefore should meet specific requirements regarding the chemical composition, wettability, elasticity, and charge. In this study, we examined the effect of chemical groups introduced by low pressure plasma treatments of polystyrene surfaces on the cell behavior of primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and dermal microvascular endothelial cells (hDMECs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and contact angle measurements were employed to evaluate ammonia-, carbon dioxide-, and acrylic acid-plasma modifications to substrate surfaces. HMSCs and hDMECs were analyzed simultaneously to identify the most suitable surface functionalization for each cell type. Significantly higher cell proliferation was detected on ammonia plasma-treated surfaces. Cell-material interaction could be shown on all created interfaces as well as the expression of typical cell markers. Hence, the applied plasma treatment presents a suitable tool to improve culture condition on polystyrene for two important cell types (hMSCs and hDMECs) in the field of tissue engineering.

Chemical tailoring of gelatin to adjust its chemical and physical properties for functional bioprinting.

Double chemical functionalization of gelatin by methacrylation and acetylation of free amino groups enables control over both the viscous behavior of its solutions and the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels after photochemical crosslinking. The degree of methacrylation is controlled by the molar excess of methacrylic anhydride applied. Tenfold molar excess leads to highly methacrylated gelatin (GM10), resulting in solutions with low viscosities within the inkjet-printable range (10 wt%: 3.3 ± 0.5 mPa s, 37 °C) and crosslinked hydrogels with high storage moduli G' (10 wt%: 15.2 ± 6.4 kPa). Twofold excess of methacrylic anhydride leads to less methacrylated gelatin (GM2) proper for preparation of soft hydrogels (10 wt%: G' = 9.8 ± 4.6 mPa s) but its solutions are highly viscous (10 wt%: 14.2 ± 1.1 mPa s, 37 °C) and thus prone to clogging printing nozzles. Here we show that additional introduction of acetyl functionalities into GM2 results in a significant decrease in solution viscosity (10 wt%: 2.9 ± 0.2 mPa s, 37 °C) and prevention of physical gel formation. In such a manner twofold functionalized gelatin can be inkjet-printed while the degree of chemical crosslinking remains low and the resulting gels are soft. Thus, by adjustable twofold modification of gelatin, i.e. inserting photochemically reactive and inert groups, a versatile bioink for inkjet bioprinting is created, which allows for addressing ECM based hydrogel matrices with a broad range of physical properties. Moreover, bioinks are proven to be cytocompatible and proper for inkjet printing of viable mammalian cells.

Stiff gelatin hydrogels can be photo-chemically synthesized from low viscous gelatin solutions using molecularly functionalized gelatin with a high degree of methacrylation.

Gelatin is a very promising matrix material for in vitro cell culture and tissue engineering, e.g. due to its native RGD content. For the generation of medical soft tissue implants chemical modification of gelatin improves the mechanical properties of gelatin hydrogels and the viscous behavior of gelatin solutions for liquid handling. We present a systematic study on the influence of high degrees of methacrylation on the properties of gelatin solutions and photo-chemically crosslinked hydrogels. Changes from shear thinning to shear thickening behavior of gelatin solutions were observed depending on mass fraction and degree of methacrylation. Degrees of swelling of crosslinked hydrogels ranged from 194 to 770 % and storage moduli G' from 368 to 5 kPa, comparable to various natural tissues including several types of cartilage. Crosslinked gels proofed to be cytocompatible according to extract testings based on DIN ISO 10933-5 and in contact with porcine chondrocytes.

Raman spectroscopy: a noninvasive analysis tool for the discrimination of human skin cells.

Noninvasive monitoring of tissue-engineered (TE) constructs during their in vitro maturation or postimplantation in vivo is highly relevant for graft evaluation. However, traditional methods for studying cell and matrix components in engineered tissues such as histology, immunohistochemistry, or biochemistry require invasive tissue processing, resulting in the need to sacrifice of TE constructs. Raman spectroscopy offers the unique possibility to analyze living cells label-free in situ and in vivo solely based on their phenotype-specific biochemical fingerprint. In this study, we aimed to determine the applicability of Raman spectroscopy for the noninvasive identification and spectral separation of primary human skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes, as well as immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Multivariate analysis of cell-type-specific Raman spectra enabled the discrimination between living primary and immortalized keratinocytes. We further noninvasively distinguished between fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes. Our findings are especially relevant for the engineering of in vitro skin models and for the production of artificial skin, where both the biopsy and the transplant consist of several cell types. To realize a reproducible quality of TE skin, the determination of the purity of the cell populations as well as the detection of potential molecular changes are important. We conclude therefore that Raman spectroscopy is a suitable tool for the noninvasive in situ quality control of cells used in skin tissue engineering applications.

Co-cultured production of lignin-modifying enzymes with white-rot fungi.

Co-cultivation was a potential strategy in lignocellulolytic biodegradation with producing high activity enzymes due to their synergistic action. The objective of this study was to investigate the rarely understood effects of co-culturing of two white-rot fungi on lignin-modifying enzymes (LMEs) production. Six species, Bjerkandera adusta, Phlebia radiata, Pleurotus ostreatus, Dichomitus squalens, Hypoxylon fragiforme and Pleurotus eryngii, were cultured in pairs to study the production of LMEs. The paired hyphal interaction observed showed that P. eryngii is not suitable for co-growth. The use of agar plates containing dye RBBR showed elevated decolourisation at the confrontation zone between mycelia. Laccase was significantly stimulated only in the co-culture of P. radiata with D. squalens under submerged cultivation; the highest value was measured after 4 days of incubation (120 U mg(-1)). The improved productions of MnP and LiP were simultaneously observed at the co-culture of P. ostreatus and P. radiata (MnP = 800 nkat L(-1) after 4 days of incubation; LiP = 60 nkat L(-1) after 7 days of incubation), though it was not a good producer of laccase. P. ostreatus appeared to possess specific potential to be used in co-cultured production of LMEs. The phenotype of LMEs production was not only dependent on the species used but also regulated by different nutritions available in the culture medium. The present data will provide evidence for illustrating the regulatory roles of C/N on LMEs production under the co-cultures' circumstances.

The utilization of renewable resources in German industrial production.

Renewable resources will be an increasingly important issue for the chemical industry in the future. In the context of white biotechnology, they represent the intersection point of agriculture and the chemical industry. The scarcity and related increase in the price of fossil resources make renewable resources an interesting alternative. If one considers the production of bulk chemicals, it is evident that for this area besides the C sources, sugar and starch, new sources of raw materials must be opened up. One possible solution is to utilize lignocellulose both for materials and energy. This article discusses this interesting prospective for the future, particularly from the point of view of the German industry.