Fermented succulent shoots of bamboo (Bambusa balcooa and Dendrocalamus strictus) are an enriched source of phytosterol. Microorganisms from the ‘soibum exudate’ involved in microbial bioconversion of phytosterol during fermentation of succulent bamboo shoots were isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. coagulans and Micrococcus luteus. Crude phytosterol was purified ...

The thermophilic microbiota of solid-waste composting, with major emphasis on Bacillus spp., was examined with Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems) with 2% agar as the initial plating medium. Five 4.5-liter laboratory units at 49 to 69 degrees C were fed a mixture of dried table scraps and shredded newspaper. The composting plants treating refuse at Altoona, Pa., and refuse-sludge at...