Patent US4149937A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4149937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High surface low volume yeast biomass composite
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1978-06-26
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Granted: 1979-04-17
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Expires: 1998-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Immobilized microbe composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of yeast cells bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water insoluble, non-toxic to the cells, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells. The composites are especially useful in situations requiring a high biomass surface within a relatively small volume.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph A. Messing
- 👤 Robert A. Oppermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:42
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N11/00; C12N11/14; C12N11/02; C12N11/08; C12N11/089; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/94; Y10S435/942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An immobilized yeast composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of yeast cells bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water-insoluble, non-toxic to the microbes, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An immobilized yeast composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of yeast cells bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water-insoluble, non-toxic to the microbes, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein the population of microbes comprises yeast cells of a single species.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein the average pore diameter is in the range of about 1 to 140 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein the inorganic support comprises an amorphous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composite of claim 4 wherein the support comprises fritted glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein the inorganic support comprises a crystalline material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composite of claim 6 wherein the support comprises a cordierite-like material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composite of claim 6 wherein the support comprises a spinel-zirconia material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein intermediate the support surfaces and the microbes is a coating material selected from residues of polyisocyanates and silane coupling agents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composite of claim 1 wherein the yeast cells are selected from the genus Saccharomyces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite of claim 10 wherein the yeast cells are in the species cerivisiae.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite of claim 10 wherein the yeast cells are in the species amurcae.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of preparing a high surface area, low volume biomass composite comprising the step of exposing an aqueous suspension of a controlled population of yeast cells to a sterilized porous inorganic support material having a porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have pore diameters at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells, the exposure being under conditions sufficient to result in the bonding of at least some of the cells onto the internal surfaces defining the pores of the support material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of preparing a high surface area, low volume biomass composite comprising the step of exposing an aqueous suspension of a controlled population of yeast cells to a sterilized porous inorganic support material having a porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have pore diameters at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells, the exposure being under conditions sufficient to result in the bonding of at least some of the cells onto the internal surfaces defining the pores of the support material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein, prior to exposure to the yeast cell suspension, the surfaces of the support are treated with a coating agent selected from polyisocyanates and silane coupling agents.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the population of yeast cells comprises a single species.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the average pore diameter of the support is in the range of about 1 to 140 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the support comprises an amorphous material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the support comprises fritted glass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the support comprises a crystalline material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the support comprises a cordierite-like material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the support comprises a spinel-zirconia material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the yeast cells are selected from the genus Saccharomyces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the yeast cells comprise Saccharomyces cerivisiae cells.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the yeast cells comprise Saccharomyces amurcae cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-16 | 1982-10-16 | 1983-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-16 | 1986-10-16 | 1987-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-16 | 1990-10-16 | 1991-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |