US4133904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Treatment of single cell protein
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1976-07-12
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Granted: 1979-01-09
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Expires: 1996-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A process for treating single cell protein particularly of bacterial origin in order to reduce the nucleic acid content thereof and thereby render it more suitable for human consumption. The process involves subjecting a culture containing microorganism cells to three main steps namely, (A) treatment with acid to lower pH, (B) heating and (C) treatment with alkali to raise pH. The microorganism cells are thereafter removed from the culture medium.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Steer
- 👤 Hugh L. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:02
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S530/00; Y10S530/82; Y10S530/821; Y10S530/825
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A process for the treatment of single cell protein consisting essentially of: (A) treating an aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an acid to lower its pH to a value not greater than 5, (B) heating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells for a period of from two to ten minutes to a temperature of at least 60° C, steps (A) and (B) being performed in either order or at the same time, and subsequently (C) treating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an alkali to raise pH of the medium to a value of at least 6 whilst maintaining the temperature of the medium at a value of at least 60°, and (D) separating the cells from the aqueous medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for the treatment of single cell protein consisting essentially of: (A) treating an aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an acid to lower its pH to a value not greater than 5, (B) heating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells for a period of from two to ten minutes to a temperature of at least 60° C, steps (A) and (B) being performed in either order or at the same time, and subsequently (C) treating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an alkali to raise pH of the medium to a value of at least 6 whilst maintaining the temperature of the medium at a value of at least 60°, and (D) separating the cells from the aqueous medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the cells are cells of a genus selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes and Bacillus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the cells are cells of the species Pseudomonas methylotropha.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein, before step (A) and/or step (B), the pH of the medium is raised to a value within the range 8 to 11 by treatment with an alkali.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein during step (B) the temperature of the medium is raised to a value within the range 60° to 100° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein during step (A) the pH of the medium is lowered to a value within the range 2 to 5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein during step (C) the pH of the medium is raised to a value within the range 6 to 10.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the acid used in step (A) is an acid selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the alkali used in step (C) is an alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the medium contains 0.05% to 2% w/v of a salt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for the treatment of single cell protein consisting of: (A) treating an aqueous medium containing nicroorganism cells with an acid to lower its pH to a value not greater than 5, (B) heating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells for a period of from two to ten minutes to a temperature of at least 60° C, steps (A) and (B) being performed in either order or at the same time, and subsequently (C) treating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an alkali to raise pH of the medium to a value of at least 6 whilst maintaining the temperature of the medium at a value of at least 60° C, and (D) separating the cells from the aqueous medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for the treatment of single cell protein consisting of: (A) treating an aqueous medium containing nicroorganism cells with an acid to lower its pH to a value not greater than 5, (B) heating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells for a period of from two to ten minutes to a temperature of at least 60° C, steps (A) and (B) being performed in either order or at the same time, and subsequently (C) treating said aqueous medium containing microorganism cells with an alkali to raise pH of the medium to a value of at least 6 whilst maintaining the temperature of the medium at a value of at least 60° C, and (D) separating the cells from the aqueous medium.
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) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |