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US4455373A
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Microbiological oxidations
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1981-07-29
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Granted: 1984-06-19
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Expires: 2001-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Microbiological oxidations of organic compounds including C6 to C28 alkanes, C2 to C18 alkenes and cyclic compounds such as cyclohexane and benzene carried out using as catalysts methane-utilizing bacteria adapted to utilize methanol as a carbon source. The application also covers methane-utilizing bacteria adapted to utilize methanol as a carbon source and a method for producing such bacteria. In the method methane-utilizing bacteria are cultured in the presence of methanol vapor as principal carbon source for sufficient time to allow adaptation to occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving J. Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:08
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N9/00; C12N9/0004; C12N9/0071; C12N9/0073; C12N1/00; C12N1/26; C12N1/28; C12N1/30; C12N1/32; C12P; C12P17/00; C12P17/02; C12P17/06; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/22; C12P7/24; C12P7/40; C12P7/42; C12Y; C12Y114/00; C12Y114/13; C12Y114/13025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A process in which a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of alkanes, having 6 to 28 carbon atoms, alkenes having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, alicyclic hydrocarbons, benzene and alkyl benzenes is oxidized, comprising contacting the compound under aerobic conditions with cells of a methane-utilizing bacterium containing methane mono-oxygenase enzyme activity or with an extract thereof which comprises methane mono oxygenase enzyme activity wherein the bacterium has been adapted to utilize methanol as a carbon source for growth by cultivating said bacterium in a culture medium in the presence of methanol vapour as the principal carbon source for a period sufficient to allow adaptation to occur.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process in which a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of alkanes, having 6 to 28 carbon atoms, alkenes having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, alicyclic hydrocarbons, benzene and alkyl benzenes is oxidized, comprising contacting the compound under aerobic conditions with cells of a methane-utilizing bacterium containing methane mono-oxygenase enzyme activity or with an extract thereof which comprises methane mono oxygenase enzyme activity wherein the bacterium has been adapted to utilize methanol as a carbon source for growth by cultivating said bacterium in a culture medium in the presence of methanol vapour as the principal carbon source for a period sufficient to allow adaptation to occur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the methane-utilizing bacterium is a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of Methylosinus trichosporium and Methylococcus capsulatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the oxidisable organic compound is contacted with the adapted methane-utilizing bacterium at a pH in the range pH 7 to 8.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of adapting methane-utilizing bacteria containing oxygenase enzyme activity to utilize methanol as a carbon source for growth which comprises culturing the bacteria in a culture medium in the presence of methanol vapour as the principle carbon source for a period sufficient to allow adaptation to occur.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of adapting methane-utilizing bacteria containing oxygenase enzyme activity to utilize methanol as a carbon source for growth which comprises culturing the bacteria in a culture medium in the presence of methanol vapour as the principle carbon source for a period sufficient to allow adaptation to occur.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein during the adaptation period methanol is the only carbon source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the methane-utilizing bacteria belong to a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of Methylosinus trichosporium and Methylococcus capsulatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the methane-utilizing bacteria belong to the strain Methylosinus trichosporium NCIB 11131.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the adaptation period is a period sufficient for the growth of from 15 to 30 successive generations of the bacteria.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-06-19 | 1987-12-19 | 1988-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-12-19 | 1992-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-19 | 1995-12-19 | 1996-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |