Concrete with Improved Environmental Impact

1 . A composition to improve concrete, wherein the composition comprises a microbe culture and/or growth byproducts thereof and a concrete mixture.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , where the concrete mixture comprises water, aggregate, and cement.

3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the aggregate is selected from one or a combination of the following: sand, gravel, stone, rock, blast furnace slag, glass, and recycled concrete.

4 . The composition of claim 2 , comprising clinker.

5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the growth byproducts are present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.001% to about 5%.

6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe culture is present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.1 g/l to about 100 g/l.

7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the growth byproduct is a biosurfactant.

8 . The composition of claim 7 , wherein the biosurfactant is a sophorolipid.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe culture comprises Wickerhamomyces spp. and/or Starmerella spp.

11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbes are in a vegetative state.

12 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbes are in a spore form.

13 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a concrete admixture, wherein the concrete admixture comprises at least one ingredient selected from the following:

a) accelerators;

b) bonding agents;

c) corrosion inhibitors;

d) air entraining agents;

e) crystalline admixtures;

f) pigments;

g) plasticizers;

h) superplasticizers;

i) pumping aids;

i) retarders;

k) water-reducing admixtures;

l) shrinkage reducers;

m) hydration-control admixtures;

n) alkali-silica reactivity inhibitors;

o) damp-proofing admixtures;

p) permeability reducing admixtures;

g) gas-forming admixtures;

r) anti-washout admixtures;

s) foaming admixtures; and

t) workability admixtures.

14 . (canceled)

15 . A method for improving one or more properties of concrete, wherein the method comprises adding a microbe culture and/or a growth byproduct thereof to concrete.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the concrete comprises water, aggregate, and cement.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the concrete further comprises a concrete admixture, wherein the concrete admixture comprises at least one ingredient selected from the following:

a) accelerators;

b) bonding agents;

c) corrosion inhibitors;

d) air entraining agents;

e) crystalline admixtures;

f) pigments;

g) plasticizers;

h) superplasticizers;

i) pumping aids;

i) retarders;

k) water-reducing admixtures;

l) shrinkage reducers;

m) hydration-control admixtures;

n) alkali-silica reactivity inhibitors;

o) damp-proofing admixtures;

p) permeability reducing admixtures;

q) gas-forming admixtures;

r) anti-washout admixtures;

s) foaming admixtures; and

t) workability admixtures.

18 . (canceled)

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the aggregate is selected from one or a combination of the following: sand, gravel, stone, rock, blast furnace slag, glass, recycled concrete and clinker.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the concrete comprises clinker.

21 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the growth byproduct is a biosurfactant.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the biosurfactant is a sophorolipid.

23 . (canceled)

24 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the growth byproducts are present at a concentration of about 0.001% to about 50%.

25 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the microbe culture is present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.1 g/l to about 100 g/l.

26 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the microbe culture comprises Wickerhamomyces spp. and/or Starmerella spp.

27 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the microbes are in a vegetative state.

28 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the microbes are in a spore form.

29 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the concrete is improved by one or a combination of the following:

a) increasing the suspension time of hydrophobic ingredients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, iron sulfide, silica and other slag to enhance the consistency of the mixture;

b) lowering the kinematic viscosity and stickiness of the mixture to reduce mixing time and energy and to improve blending;

c) reducing concrete bleeding;

d) reducing foaming, which reduces the amount of air in the final set concrete;

e) decreasing the porosity of the concrete;

f) increasing the strength of the concrete;

g) facilitating and improving the formation of strength-providing crystalline structures;

h) decreasing the amount of water used in the concrete composition;

i) increasing the plasticity of the concrete;

j) modifying the curing time of concrete; and/or

k) increasing tolerance to biotic and/or, abiotic stresses.

30 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the concrete, growth byproduct, and/or microbe culture are mixed together before application of the concrete.

31 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the concrete is curing when the microbe culture and/or growth byproducts are applied to the concrete.

32 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the concrete is entirely cured when the microbe culture and/or growth byproduct is applied to the concrete.