Bacteria having ATCC No. 55926 or ATCC No. 202050 capable of biodegradation of wastes

• US 6,190,903 B1
• Filed: 11/26/1997
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Weinstein, I. Bernard, Nakanishi, Koji, Hoshina, Sadayori, Figurski, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Naff, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ware, Deborah K.
• Application Number:
  US08/979,586
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 435/252.5, 435/261, 435/262.5, 435/264, 435/832
• US Class Current: 435/252.5
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/34 characterised by the microorganisms used
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/205 Bacterial isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/07 Bacillus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/832 Bacillus

Abstract

A biologically pure culture of a microorganism is provided designated SH2A and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 55926, or a mutant derived therefrom. Further provided is a biologically pure culture of a microorganism designated SH2B and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 202050, or a mutant derived therefrom. A method of degrading an organic material is carried out by treating the organic material with an effective, degrading amount of either SH2A or a mutant derived therefrom, or SH2B or a mutant derived therefrom. The microorganism designated SH2A or a mutant derived therefrom, or SH2B or a mutant derived therefrom, is grown by culturing the microorganism at a temperature and in a medium effective to promote growth of the microorganism.

Claims

1. A biologically pure culture of a microorganism capable of degrading organic material designated SH2A and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 55926, or a mutant derived therefrom having degrading activity of said microorganism.

2. A biologically pure culture of a microorganism capable of degrading organic material designated SH2B and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 202050, or a mutant derived therefrom having degrading activity of said microorganism.

3. A method of degrading an organic material which comprises treating the organic material with an effective, degrading amount of a microorganism designated SH2A and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 55926, or a mutant derived therefrom which retains the degrading activity thereof, so as to thereby degrade the material.

9. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the organic material comprises a protein.

10. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the organic material comprises a sugar.

11. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the organic material comprises an amino acid.

12. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the organic material comprises a nucleic acid molecule.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the organic material comprises tunafish heads.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the organic material comprises squid.

16. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the treatment is effected at a temperature from about 62°

C. to about 100°

C.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature is about 62°

C.

18. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the treatment is effected at a pH at about 5.0 to about 8.0.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pH is about 7.4.

20. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the treatment is effected in an a erobic environment.

4. A method of degrading an organic material which comprises treating the organic material with an effective, degrading amount of a microorganism designated SH2B and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 202050, or a mutant derived therefrom which retains the degrading activity thereof, so as to thereby degrade the material.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the organic material is a plastic material.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plastic material is polyethylene.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the polyethylene is irradiated prior to treatment with the microorganism.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the irradiation comprises exposing the polyethylene to ultra-violet light.

21. A method for growing a microorganism designated SH2A and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 55926, or a mutant derived therefrom, which comprises culturing the microorganism at a temperature and in a medium effective to promote growth of the microorganism.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the temperature is about 62°

C. to about 100°

C.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the temperature is about 62°

C.

25. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein culturing is at a pH of about 5.0 to about 8.0.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the pH is at about 7.4.

22. A method for growing a microorganism designated SH2B and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 202050, or a mutant derived therefrom, which comprises culturing the microorganism at a temperature and in a medium effective to promote growth of the microorganism.