Methods for Liberating Phosphorus from Organic Matter
The subject invention provides microbe-based compositions comprising biologically pure yeasts, and/or one or more microbial growth by-products, such as enzymes. In certain embodiments, the enzymes are phytases. Methods of using these compositions to liberate phosphates from phytic acid-containing organic matter are also provided.
1 . A composition for liberating phosphates from phytic acid present in organic matter, the composition comprising a Wickerhamomyces anomalus yeast and/or one or more microbial growth by-products of said Wickerhamomyces anomalus , and a carrier.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the growth by-product is phytase.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising fermentation broth resulting from cultivation of the yeast.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising one or more biosurfactants.
6 . The composition of claim 5 , comprising one or more biosurfactants selected from glycolipids lipopeptides, flavolipids, phospholipids, fatty acid ester compounds, lipoproteins, lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes, and polysaccharide-protein-fatty acid complexes.
7 - 8 . (canceled)
9 . A method for liberating phosphorus from phytic acid in organic matter, the method comprising applying to the organic matter a composition of claim 1 .
10 . (canceled)
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the organic matter is selected from crop residue, manure, compost, yard waste, coffee grounds, sawdust, distiller's grains, lignin and brewers' spent grain.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the organic waste-matter is crop residue that is spread over the surface of a crop field.
13 - 14 . (canceled)
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the organic matter is soil.
16 . A method for enriching soil, wherein a composition of claim 1 is applied to the soil thereby liberating phosphates from phytic acid present in the soil.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein organic waste that has been pre-treated with the composition is applied to the soil.
18 . The method of claim 16 , used to enhance production in agriculture or forestry, wherein a plant is grown or will be grown in the enriched soil.
19 . (canceled)
20 . The method of claim 18 , used to treat and/or prevent phosphorus deficiency in the plant.
21 . A method of enhancing production in animal husbandry, wherein the method comprises applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a Wickerhamomyces anomalus yeast and/or one or more microbial growth by-products of said Wickerhamomyces anomalus , and, optionally a carrier, to, or formulating the composition with, an animal's drinking water and/or feed as a dietary supplement and/or digestive aide.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the animal husbandry is livestock rearing.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the animal husbandry is aquaculture.
24 . The method of claim 21 , used to treat and/or prevent phosphorus deficiency in the animal.
25 . A method of enhancing human health, wherein the method comprises administering an effective amount of a composition of claim 1 to a human subject as a dietary supplement and/or digestive aide.
26 . (canceled)
27 . The method of claim 25 , used to treat and/or prevent phosphorus deficiency in the subject.
28 . The method of claim 25 , used to prevent phytic acid from impairing absorption of minerals by the subject's digestive tract.