Fermentation process for the simultaneous production of protein and bio polymers

Claim 2

A PROCESS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PRODUCING BIO-POLYMER AND BACTERIA CELLS IN A SINGLE FERMENTATION ZONE COMPRISING CONTINUOUSLY CULTIVATING A MICROORGANISM SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ARCHOMOBACTER SP. ATCC 21575, ATCC NO. 21576, ATCC NO. 21578, ALCALIGENTS FAECALIS ATCC NO. 21577 ON AN OXYGENATED HYDROCARBON FEED IN A MEDIA COMPRISING AN AQUEOUS GROWTH MEDIUM CONTAINING OXYGEN AND OTHER ESSENTIAL CELL NUTRIENTS AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 20* TO ABOUT 65*C.

Claim 3

A process according to claim 1 wherein a microorganism is Alcaligenes faecalis ATCC No. 21577.

Claim 4

A process according to claim 1 wherein a microorganism is Acromobacter sp ATCC No. 21575, ATCC No. 21576, ATCC No. 21578.

Claim 5

A process according to claim 1 wherein a protein and bio-polymer are transferred to a separation zone and therein treated to separate the protein from the bio-polymer.

Claim 6

A process according to claim 1 wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbon feed is ethanol.

Claim 7

A process for the production of bacterial cells and biopolymers in a single stage reactor comprising: innoculating a stirred single stage reactor containing a sterile media comprising an aqueous growth medium containing oxygen and other essential cell nutrients at temperatures ranging from about 20 *to 65*C. with a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Achromobacter sp. ATCC No. 21575, ATCC No. 21576, ATCC No. 21578, and Alcaligenes faecalis, ATCC No. 21577; thereafter continuously supplying an oxygenated hydrocarbon and said sterile media to said single stage reactor whereby biopolymers are simultaneously produced with bacterial cells; and, continuously removing a mixture of biopolymer, bacteria, aqueous medium and unconverted oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 8

A process for the production of bacterial cells and biopolymers in a single stage reactor comprising: innoculating a stirred single stage reactor containing a sterile media comprising an aqueous growth medium containing oxygen and other essential cell nutrients at temperatures ranging from about 20 *to 65*C. with a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Achromobacter sp. ATCC No. 21575, ATCC No. 21576, ATCC No. 21578, and Alcaligenes faecalis, ATCC No. 21577; thereafter continuously supplying an oxygenated hydrocarbon and said sterile media to said single stage reactor whereby biopolymers are simultaneously produced with bacterial cells; and, continuously removing a mixture of biopolymer, bacteria, aqueous medium and unconverted oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 9

The process according to claim 6 wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbon is ethanol.

Claim 10

The process of claim 6 wherein the temperature ranges from about 25*C. to about 45*C.

Claim 11

The process of claim 6 wherein the mixture removed from the stirred reactor is transferred to a separation zone and therein treated to separate the bacterial cells from the biopolymer.