US3996104A
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Process for preparing from a microbial cell mass a protein concentrate having a low nucleic acid content, and the protein concentrate thus obtained
Assignee: Scp-Exploatering AB
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Filing: 1975-01-21
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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Expires: 1995-01-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a process for preparing a protein concentrate having a low nucleic acid content starting from a microbial cell mass. By subjecting a suspension of the cell mass to a mechanical disintegration followed by an incubation in the presence of a salt at 30°-70° C and at a pH of 5-9 the nucleic acid contained in the mass is degraded, the degradation products being separated from the protein and a protein concentrate being obtained. The invention also relates to the protein concentrate thus obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Marianne Gunilla Lindblom
- 👤 Hakan Lars Mogren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:51
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J1/00; A23J1/18; A23J1/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S530/00; Y10S530/82; Y10S530/821; Y10S530/823; Y10S530/824
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A process for preparing from a microbial cell mass a protein concentrate having a low nucleic acid content, consisting essentially of forming a suspension of the cell mass, subjecting the suspended cell mass to a mechanical disintegration treatment at a temperature less than 70° C to activate the endogeneous enzyme, incubating the suspension in the presence of a salt which is acceptable for human consumption, the incubation being performed at a temperature within the range of 30°-70° C and a pH within the range of 5-9, and separating the protein concentrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for preparing from a microbial cell mass a protein concentrate having a low nucleic acid content, consisting essentially of forming a suspension of the cell mass, subjecting the suspended cell mass to a mechanical disintegration treatment at a temperature less than 70° C to activate the endogeneous enzyme, incubating the suspension in the presence of a salt which is acceptable for human consumption, the incubation being performed at a temperature within the range of 30°-70° C and a pH within the range of 5-9, and separating the protein concentrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mechanical disintegration treatment is performed in a homogenizer containing milling particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mechanical disintegration treatment is performed in a pressure homogenizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the suspension is incubated in the presence of sodium chloride as the salt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the salt is used in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight based upon the weight of the suspension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the salt is used in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the salt is used in an amount of 1 to 3% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the suspension is incubated at a temperature within the range of 40°-65° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the suspension is incubated at a temperature within the range of 48°-62° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the suspension is incubated at a pH within the range of 5-7.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the suspension is incubated at a pH within the range of 5-6.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein prior to incubation, the cell walls degraded by the mechanical disintegration treatment, are removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the cell walls are removed at a pH within the range of 7-9.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein after incubation the pH value is lowered to below 5 in order to increase the protein precipitation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the separated protein concentrate is washed with water in order to remove degradation products and the salt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the separation of the protein concentrate is carried out by centrifugal separation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the cell walls are removed by centrifugal separation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein yeast suitable for human consumption is used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein bacteria suitable for human consumption are used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 18 wherein Saccharomyces yeast is used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 18 wherein Candida yeast is used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 19 wherein methane-oxidizing bacteria are used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 19 wherein methanol-oxidizing bacteria are used as the microbial cell mass.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 20 wherein a cell mass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The protein concentrate obtained by the process of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-07 | 1980-06-07 | 1980-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-06-07 | 1984-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-07 | 1988-06-07 | 1988-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |