US3963580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for determining the suitability of milk for bacterial fermentation activity
Assignee: Microlife Technics Inc
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Filing: 1975-02-10
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for testing milk to determine its ability to be fermented by bacteria in order to produce cheese, cottage cheese and the like is described. The method utilizes a colorimetric oxidation-reduction dye which rapidly changes color when the milk is readily fermentable.
Inventors
- 👤 Ebenezer R. Vedamuthu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/04; A; A23; A23C; A23C9/00; A23C9/12; A23C9/13; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of determining the bacterial fermentation activity of skim milk with dairy starter cultures by using a colorimetric oxidation reduction sensitive dye, which comprises: a. providing the colorimetric dye in at least two separate sterile openable and resealable containers with a standard unadulterated sterile milk in one container and a milk to be tested in the other container; b. introducing dairy starter cultures of milk fermenting bacteria into the containers in an equivalent amount of at least about 10 5 cells per ml; and c. comparing the color change between the containers, wherein a fermentation defective milk is determined by a failure of the test milk to rapidly undergo the color change in relation to the color change in the standard milk container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of determining the bacterial fermentation activity of skim milk with dairy starter cultures by using a colorimetric oxidation reduction sensitive dye, which comprises: a. providing the colorimetric dye in at least two separate sterile openable and resealable containers with a standard unadulterated sterile milk in one container and a milk to be tested in the other container; b. introducing dairy starter cultures of milk fermenting bacteria into the containers in an equivalent amount of at least about 10 5 cells per ml; and c. comparing the color change between the containers, wherein a fermentation defective milk is determined by a failure of the test milk to rapidly undergo the color change in relation to the color change in the standard milk container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dye is resazurin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein between about 10 5 and 10 8 cells per ml of bacteria are used.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dye is methylene blue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in addition negative controls without bacteria are conducted in two separate containers with the standard test milk and with the skim milk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the contents of the containers includes buffered distilled water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the buffer is potassium dihydrogen phosphate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the volume of the contents of the containers is between 1 and 10 ml each.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein on a weight basis between about 0.00001 and 0.00010 parts dye per part skim milk is used.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the dye is resazurin.
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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |