EP0136804A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Industrial-scale process for the production of polyols by fermentation of sugars
Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America
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Filing: 1984-08-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An industrial process for producing polyols comprises aerobically fermenting a sugar using Monrirella tomentosa var. pollinis. The total amount of the sugar added to the fermentation medium is in the range of from 40 to 80% weightvolume of the medium and the amount of sugar added at the start of the fermentation is from 20 to 35% weightivolume of the medium and sugar is progressively added to the medium so that, at the end of the fermentation, the total amount of sugar which has been added is at least 40% weight/volume. The process is especially useful for the production of erythritol and/or ribitol. The process enables a high final product concentration to be achieved and, at the same time, avoids any inhibition of cell growth.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude De Troostenbergh
- 👤 Luc Reuliaux
- 👤 Françoise Oudenne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:54
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An industrial process for producing polyols, especially erythritol and/or ribitol by the aerobic fermentation of a suitable sugar by Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis characterised in that the total amount of the sugar added to the fermentation medium is in the range 40% to 80% weight/volume of the medium, the amount of sugar added at the start of the fermentation being 20 to 35% weight/volume and sugar being progressively added to the medium so that, at the end of the fermentation, the total amount of sugar which has been added is at least 40% weight/volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An industrial process for producing polyols, especially erythritol and/or ribitol by the aerobic fermentation of a suitable sugar by Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis characterised in that the total amount of the sugar added to the fermentation medium is in the range 40% to 80% weight/volume of the medium, the amount of sugar added at the start of the fermentation being 20 to 35% weight/volume and sugar being progressively added to the medium so that, at the end of the fermentation, the total amount of sugar which has been added is at least 40% weight/volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to Claim 1 characterised in that the sugar is dextrose, sucrose, fructose, or maltose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to Claim 1 characterised in that the sugar is provided in the form of a starch hydrolysate and a glucoamylase enzyme which progressively converts the hydrolysate to the sugar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that air or an oxygen/inert gas composition approximating to air is fed to the fermentation at a flow rate between 0.1 and 1.5 litre/litre fermentation medium/minute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the pH at the beginning of the fermentation is adjusted to between 3 and 6, preferably between 4 and 5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of any one of the preceding claims characterised in that Xanthan gum is present in an amount between 100 ppm and 500 ppm of the fermentation medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of any one of the preceding claims characterised in that a conventional antifoam agent is also added to the fermentation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cell-free, polyol-containing culture broth obtained by fermenting a sugar with Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis, removing the cells from the broth and optionally refining the broth, characterised in that the polyols contained therein consist solely of ribitol, glycerol and erythritol in the following proportions based on total polyols : ribitol 1%-20%; glycerol, 5%-40%; the balance being erythritol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cell-free, polyol-containing culture broth obtained by fermenting a sugar with Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis, removing the cells from the broth and optionally refining the broth, characterised in that the polyols contained therein consist solely of ribitol, glycerol and erythritol in the following proportions based on total polyols : ribitol 1%-20%; glycerol, 5%-40%; the balance being erythritol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
A cell-free, polyol-containing culture broth obtained by fermenting a sugar with Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis to form a polyol mixture rich in erythritol, removing the cells, refining and concentrating the broth, crystallising erythritol and removing the erythritol crystals therefrom, characterised in that the polyols contained in the liquor after the crystallisation comprise ribitol, glycerol and erythritol in the following proportions based on total poly6ls : ribitol, 5%-30%; glycerol, 30%-60%; the balance being erythritol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A cell-free, polyol-containing culture broth obtained by fermenting a sugar with Moniliella tomentosa var. pollinis to form a polyol mixture rich in erythritol, removing the cells, refining and concentrating the broth, crystallising erythritol and removing the erythritol crystals therefrom, characterised in that the polyols contained in the liquor after the crystallisation comprise ribitol, glycerol and erythritol in the following proportions based on total poly6ls : ribitol, 5%-30%; glycerol, 30%-60%; the balance being erythritol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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