US4384936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for determining the concentration of an L-amino acid in fermentation
Assignee: Ajinomoto Co Inc
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Filing: 1981-02-24
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2001-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Electrochemical method for determining the concentration of a carbon source and L-amino acid in a fermentation medium or cultured broth by contacting a microbial electrode consisting of an oxygen-sensitive electrode or a carbon dioxide gas-sensitive electrode combined with fixed microbial cells of a microorganism capable of assimilating said carbon source or decarboxylating said L-amino acid with a sample solution and sensing electrically the rate of current decrease which is caused by the consumed oxygen in the solution in proportion to the concentration of carbon source; or the electric motive force which is caused by the liberation of carbon dioxide in the sample solution in proportion to the concentration of L-amino acid. Microbial electrodes and systems useful in carrying out the aforementioned method are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Haruo Obana
- 👤 Tadashi Shirakawa
- 👤 Motohiko Hikuma
- 👤 Takeo Yasuda
- 👤 Isao Karube
- 👤 Shuichi Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:49
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; C12Q1/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A microbial electrode for determining the concentration of an L-amino acid in a culture medium or a cultured broth solution, which comprises: a carbon dioxide gas sensitive electrode having a carbon dioxide permeable membrane; anaerobic containing means containing said membrane and capable of containing a portion of said broth or mixture; a microorganism capable of anaerobically decarboxylating said L-amino acid immobilized on said membrane; and inert gas supplying means injectably attached to said containing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A microbial electrode for determining the concentration of an L-amino acid in a culture medium or a cultured broth solution, which comprises: a carbon dioxide gas sensitive electrode having a carbon dioxide permeable membrane; anaerobic containing means containing said membrane and capable of containing a portion of said broth or mixture; a microorganism capable of anaerobically decarboxylating said L-amino acid immobilized on said membrane; and inert gas supplying means injectably attached to said containing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said microorganism is a microbial cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrode of claim 2 wherein said microbial cell is selected from the group consisting of intact cells, freeze-dried cells, solvent treated cells, surface active agent treated cells, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrode of claim 2 wherein said microbial cell is fixed in a carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said membrane is selected from the group consisting of dialysis membranes, semi-permeable membranes, Millipore filters and nylon nets having micropores capable of entrapping said microorganisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Citrobacter freundii ATCC 10787, Clostridium welchii ATCC 13124, Rhodotorula glutinis IFO 0413, Escherichia coli ATTC 23226, Bacterium cadaveris ATCC 9760, Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 12984, Pseudononus saccharophia ATCC 16946, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 15037, and Lactobacillus casei ATCC 7469.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for determining the concentration of an L-amino acid in a culture medium or cultured broth, which comprises: (a) a carbon dioxide gas sensitive electrode having a carbon dioxide permeable membrane; (b) anaerobic containing means containing said membrane; (c) a microorganism capable of anaerobically decarboxylating said L-amino acid immobilized on said membrane; (d) anaerobic conveying means for anaerobically conveying a mixture of a sample of said L-amino acid and a buffered carrier solution saturated with an inactive gas to said containing means; (e) sample supplying means for supplying a sample of said L-amino acid to said conveying means; (f) buffered carrier solution supplying means for supplying a buffered carrier solution to said conveying means; (g) inactive gas supplying means for supplying inactive gas to said conveying means; and (h) measuring means or recording means electrically connected to said carbon dioxide electrode.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for determining the concentration of an L-amino acid in a culture medium or cultured broth, which comprises: (a) a carbon dioxide gas sensitive electrode having a carbon dioxide permeable membrane; (b) anaerobic containing means containing said membrane; (c) a microorganism capable of anaerobically decarboxylating said L-amino acid immobilized on said membrane; (d) anaerobic conveying means for anaerobically conveying a mixture of a sample of said L-amino acid and a buffered carrier solution saturated with an inactive gas to said containing means; (e) sample supplying means for supplying a sample of said L-amino acid to said conveying means; (f) buffered carrier solution supplying means for supplying a buffered carrier solution to said conveying means; (g) inactive gas supplying means for supplying inactive gas to said conveying means; and (h) measuring means or recording means electrically connected to said carbon dioxide electrode.
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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) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |