Patent GB-1526317-A (GB)
Title: Water soluble microbial composition and method for its preparation
IPC: C12N1/04
Filed: 1976-03-01
Abstract: 1526317 Preparations of living microorganisms MILES LABORATORIES Inc 1 March 1976 [3 March 1975] 8089/76 Heading C6F A dry, non-gelatinous composition capable of releasing a bacterium in a viable state upon contacting an aqueous medium comprises a coherent, dry, water-soluble, polymeric film and a microbiological mixture homogeneously dispersed therein, the mixture consisting essentially of the bacterium and a microbiological nutrient therefor e.g. peptone. A method of preparing the composition involves forming a liquid film of a non-gelling aqueous solution of a film-forming polymeric substance which solution contains uniformly dispersed therein at least one variety of bacterium and a nutrient material, and drying the liquid film under ordinary room pressure to form a coherent, water-soluble, polymeric film containing the bacterium and nutrient material, the amount of the nutrient material being sufficient to preserve the viability of the bacterium in the resulting dry film, but not sufficient to produce an osmotic pressure imbalance fatal to the bacterium during the drying step. The aqueous solution may include an additional watersoluble chemical reagent e.g. inorganic salt or carbohydrate in an amount capable of maintaining in combination with the nutrient material an osmotic balance favorable to preserving the viability of the bacterium during the drying step. A plasticizing agent and growth indicator agent may also be included. Film-forming polymeric substances: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a water-soluble substituted polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose are preferred. The microbial film sheets produced may be handled in a single piece or may be divided or sheared into segments e.g. discs. Alternatively, the composition may form an overlayer on an absorbent material or a coating within a container for fluids. The composition may be formed on and extend across the loop of a plastics or metal inoculating needle which may be sealed in a moisture-proof pouch prior to use. Detailed Examples of the compositions and methods for their preparation are given. Many species of bacteria are mentioned. 1526325 Producing carbonate by electrolysis in membrane cell DIAMOND SHAMROCK CORP 21 July 1976 30304/76 Heading C7B An alkali metal carbonate is produced by electrolysis of its chloride in a cell 1 having anode 5 and cathode 7 in anolyte and catholyte compartments 3, 4 separated by a permselective cationexchange membrane 2 spaced from the cathode, injecting CO 2  e.g. via inlets 16 and/or 18 into the catholyte compartment to convert the alkali metal hydroxide formed to the carbonate and utilizing a CD in excess of 1 A/in<SP>2</SP> to reduce the chloride to less than 400 p.p.m. The membrane comprises a fluorinated copolymer film having the recurring structural units:- and -CXX<SP>1</SP>-CF 2 - in which R<SP>1</SP> is F or perfluoralkyl of 1 to 10 C, Y is F or CF 3 , m is 1 to 3, n is 0 or 1, A is H, Na or K, X is F, Cl or CF3, X<SP>1</SP> is X or CF 3  #CF 2 # z  wherein Z is 0 to 5; e.g. a copolymer of tetrafluorethylene and perfluoro 2-(2-flurosulphonylethoxy)- propyl vinyl ether, preferably laminated to asbestos, glass or PTFE fabric. Some of the -SO 3 A groups may be replaced by sulphonamide groups - SO 2 N#<SP>A</SP> D  where A is H, Na or K and D is H or the remainder of an amine compound. Preferably all the CO 2  is injected into the space 15 between the cathode and membrane through a hollow cathode Figs. 2 or 3 (not shown) having apertures facing the membrane. The anode may be of expanded Ti mesh having a coating of 2TiO 2 .RuO 2 ; the cathode may be a screen, expanded mesh or apertured and of Fe, steel or Ni. A series of bi-polar electrode cells may be used.