Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
In a food fermentation method including the steps of providing lactic acid producing bacteria in the food with an assimilable carbohydrate and then fermenting the food with the bacteria so that lactic acid is produced from the carbohydrate over a period of time in the food the improvement which comprises: (a) providing in admixture in a food a culture of a lactobacillus with an assimilable carbohydrate and with a stimulatory, food grade metal salt in an amount sufficient to accelerate the fermentation by the lactobacillus, wherein the culture is characterized by having low temperature fermentation characteristics in food at least as rapid as Lactobacillus casei subspecies alactosus NRRL-B-12,344; and (b) fermenting the food admixture at temperatures between about 15.6° C. and 48.9° C. so that lactic acid is produced in the food product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a food fermentation method including the steps of providing lactic acid producing bacteria in the food with an assimilable carbohydrate and then fermenting the food with the bacteria so that lactic acid is produced from the carbohydrate over a period of time in the food the improvement which comprises: (a) providing in admixture in a food a culture of a lactobacillus with an assimilable carbohydrate and with a stimulatory, food grade metal salt in an amount sufficient to accelerate the fermentation by the lactobacillus, wherein the culture is characterized by having low temperature fermentation characteristics in food at least as rapid as Lactobacillus casei subspecies alactosus NRRL-B-12,344; and (b) fermenting the food admixture at temperatures between about 15.6° C. and 48.9° C. so that lactic acid is produced in the food product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a meat fermentation method including the steps of providing lactic acid producing bacteria in the meat with an assimilable sugar and then fermenting the meat with the bacteria so that lactic acid is produced from the sugar over a period of time in the fermented meat the improvement which comprises: (a) providing in admixture in meat a culture of a selected lactobacillus having low temperature meat fermentation characteristics at least as rapid as Lactobacillus casei subspecies alactosus NRRL-B-12,344 at a concentration of between about 10 5 and 10 9 of the selected lactobacillus per gram of meat with an assimilable carbohydrate and with a stimulatory, food grade manganese salt in an amount sufficient to stimulate the growth of the lactobacillus, wherein the lactobacillus culture is characterized by an ability to rapidly ferment in the meat admixture at meat temperatures of about 24° C. to produce a pH of about 5 or less and (b) fermenting the meat admixture at smokehouse temperatures between about 15.6√ C. and 48.9° C. so that lactic acid is produced in the fermented meat product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a meat fermentation method including the steps of providing lactic acid producing bacteria in the meat with an assimilable sugar and then fermenting the meat with the bacteria so that lactic acid is produced from the sugar over a period of time in the fermented meat the improvement which comprises: (a) providing in admixture in meat a culture of a selected lactobacillus having low temperature meat fermentation characteristics at least as rapid as Lactobacillus casei subspecies alactosus NRRL-B-12,344 at a concentration of between about 10 5 and 10 9 of the selected lactobacillus per gram of meat with an assimilable carbohydrate and with a stimulatory, food grade manganese salt in an amount sufficient to stimulate the growth of the lactobacillus, wherein the lactobacillus culture is characterized by an ability to rapidly ferment in the meat admixture at meat temperatures of about 24° C. to produce a pH of about 5 or less and (b) fermenting the meat admixture at smokehouse temperatures between about 15.6√ C. and 48.9° C. so that lactic acid is produced in the fermented meat product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the meat admixture contains a food grade nitrite as a preservative which is partially reduced due to the lactic acid produced by the lactobacillus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the lactobacillus, sugar, preservatives and metal salt are added to the meat as an aqueous pickling solution containing between about 10 5 to 10 10 of the lactobacillus per ml in an amount of the pickling solution up to about 15 percent by weight based upon the meat weight and wherein the meat is held at 21.1° C. to 38° C. until a pH between about 5 and 6 is achieved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the manganese salt is manganese sulfate and wherein the food is fermented at temperatures of 26.7° C. or less to produce a pH of less than about 5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the lactobacillus has essentially the same meat fermentation characteristics as NRRL-B-12,344.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the lactobacillus is Lactobacillus casei subspecies alactosus NRRL-B-12,344.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the lactobacillus has been grown in the presence of a manganese salt and further manganese salt is added to the culture as the metal salt after growth and wherein the lactobacillus is admixed with the food as a liquid concentrate containing at least about 10 7 cells per gram.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the bacterial concentrate is frozen with the manganese salt prior to use and thawed to provide a liquid concentrate for admixture with the food.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the lactobacillus is in a lyophilized, powdered form containing the manganese salt which is provided in the food as a powder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein portions of fermented food are utilized as a source of lactobacillus for a subsequent food fermentation with the metal salt.