ACI Bioremediation™

What Are
AgriCultures?

What are AgriCultures?
       They are live cultures in a liquid medium - a living process rather than a product; 
       100% organic and completely naturally occurring;
       Not designed, genetically engineered or manufactured; 
       Non-pathogenic;
       No chemicals, no additives, no enhancers, and no preservatives;
       They are not enzymes and not a fertilizer.

What are they made of?
        AgriCultures are a patented, heterotrophic micro-organism composition containing approximately 200 million colony forming units per m/l — comprised of, but not limited to, the following partial list of bacteria that are neither manufactured, designed, nor genetically engineered:

Can you tell me more about these bacteria?
     Bacteria are single cell life forms that reproduce by dividing themselves into two identical single cells. Some bacteria, under optimal conditions, can reproduce a new generation every twenty to thirty minutes. There are different types of bacteria—aerobic, which requires oxygen, anaerobic, which can live without oxygen, and facultative, which can live under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. All three of these bacteria types are in AgriCultures.

Arthrobacter is a cellulous type bacteria which is a multi-functional soil amender. It is known to decompose stems, roots, leaves and virtually all plant matter into a rich, healthy humus. In doing so, nitrogen, nutrients and minerals are then liberated, including phosphorus, thereby enriching and maintaining a balanced soils condition.
Lactobacillus:  L. plantarum, or “scripto” bacteria, is a known producer of biologically active substances which combat diseases and insect infestations, root-rot, stem-rot, fungal disease, blight and non-parasitic nematodes, resulting in greater crop yields, healthier soils, and stronger root systems.
Micrococcus is a gram-positive, aerobic bacteria.
Pseudomonas identified in AgriCultures are gram-negative rods and cocci that are facultative bacteria.
Rhizobium Nitosomonas (of the Rhizobiaceae family) is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These microbes live throughout the upper layers of the soils “fixing” nitrogen from the air and from the various plant and animal residues found in the soils. In addition, they also neutralize and eliminate harmful chemicals, insecticides, nitrates, hydrocarbons, oils and pathogens from soils and groundwater.
Alcaligenes identified in the cultures are a facultative bacteria.

How long do they live?
      AgriCultures are live cultures with a "shelf life" of approximately two months after shipment. Under ideal conditions, such as cool storage, this may be extended by several months. At below freezing temperatures, the cultures become dormant, but will reactivate when temperatures rise above freezing. If refrigerated soon after culturing, they will be effective for up to six months.

How did AgriCultures get started?
      The original “mother culture” heterotroph (or mixotroph) was isolated in the early 1960s in a home garden. When certain plants failed to decompose in the backyard compost heap, other ingredients were added to help the process. After three to four weeks, the leaves broke down, as did other organic substances, some with surprising speed. Compost materials were then transferred from the pile to barrels, and other specifically selected natural nutrients were added that have since been modified, but are always organic. Since these humble beginnings, the cultures have evolved (never engineered or manufactured) over many generations to become this highly unique, natural combination . 

What research has been done?
      The resulting “mother culture” was retained and adapted to specific contaminants. Later, the broad capabilities of the cultures were realized for many applications, and it was discovered that they could degrade not only hydrocarbons, but other substances.
      After further research and investigation, these unique cultures were patented (U.S. Patent No. 5,266,096).  In the following years, the cultures were researched and new applications were developed.  See Excerpts from Patent.
      Currently, over twenty-five strains have been developed and evolved to a point where they are being used successfully in aquaculture, sewage treatment, for agricultural use in home gardens, composting, commercial crops, for industrial use in in situ bioremediation of soils and groundwater, in industrial waste lagoons, and all types of septic systems.  

And today?
     The results of all research efforts have been consolidated under the trade name of ACI  Bioremediation (formerly AgriCultures International). 
      Research and experimentation is ongoing, with the discovery of even more uses and applications for these amazing cultures.  See Other Applications and New Developments.