US3773620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing citric acid isocitric acid and microbial cells by fermentation
Assignee: KH Neochem Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Processes for producing citric acid together with microbial cells as well as producing increased yields of citric acid and/or isocitric acid by fermentation are described. Hydrocarbonassimilating microorganisms are employed in media containing hydrocarbons as the main carbon source. The addition of alcohols, such as C1-C20 saturated alcohols, to the medium permits the accumulation of citric acid together with the obtained microbial cells. The addition of ferrocyanides, such as potassium or sodium ferrocyanide, to the medium enhances the yield of isocitric acid, while the addition of monofluoroacetic acid or a salt thereof to the medium enhances the yield of citric acid.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kimura
- 👤 T Nakanishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:12
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P7/00; C12P7/40; C12P7/44; C12P7/48; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/83; Y10S435/84; Y10S435/843; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/913; Y10S435/921; Y10S435/93; Y10S435/933; Y10S435/938; Y10S435/944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism belongs to a genus selected from the group consisting of Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Nocardia, Candida, Torulopsis, Endomyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Mycoderma, Endomycopsis, Aspergillus and Penicillium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 2, wherein culturing is carried out at a temperature of about 15* to 45*C. and at a pH of about 1.0 to 9.0.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said alcohol contains from one to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said alcohol is an saturated alcohol having from one to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein approximately 0.1 to 1.0% (V/V) of said alcohol is added to the medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon is an n-paraffin having from 11 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the nutrient medium further includes a surfactant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of TorulopSis famata, Nocardia paraffinica, Penicillium janthinellum and Arthrobacter paraffineus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said nutrient medium contains sufficient nitrogen source to avoid adverse affect upon the production of said microbial cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process of producing citric acid together with microbial cells by fermentation which comprises culturing a hydrocarbon-assimilating microorganism capable of producing citric acid and belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Nocardia, Candida, Torulopsis, Endomyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Mycoderma, Endomycopsis, Aspergillus and Penicillium under aerobic conditions without control of microbial growth at a temperature of about 15* to 45*C. and a pH of about 1.0 to 9.0 in an aqueous nutrient medium containing at least one hydrocarbon as the main carbon source in the presence of approximately 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of at least one saturated alcohol having from one to 20 carbon atoms, said nutrient medium being able to support production of microbial cells, but being unable to support production of citric acid substantially in the absence of said alcohol without control of microbial growth, accumulating citric acid and the microbial cells in the culture liquor, and recovering the citric acid and the microbial cells therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said hydrocarbon is an n-paraffin having from 11 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Torulapsis famata, Nocardia paraffinica, Penicilluum janthinellum and Arthrobacter paraffineus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said nutrient medium contains sufficient nitrogen source to avoid adverse affect on the production of said microbial cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |