US4797360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conversion of sucrose to fructose and ethanol
Assignee: University of Queensland
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Filing: 1986-12-02
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2006-12-02
Abstract
Abstract The conversion of sucrose to fructose and ethanol by fermentation using the microorganism "Zymomonas mobilis" and/or the enzyme immobilized levansucrase can be effected at sucrose concentrations greater than 30% where the fermentation is effected at microorganism and/or concentrations 0.01% to 0.5% (by weight) in a fermentation medium with a pH in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 and a temperature range of 35° C. to 40° C.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst W. Doelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:56
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/18; C12P19/02; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/06; C12P7/065; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for the production of fructose and ethanol from sucrose, comprising the step of fermenting sucrose, using the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis in the presence of a fermentation medium wherein the concentration of sucrose is greater than 30% by weight, to produce a fermentation product consisting essentially of ethanol and fructose under semi-anaerobic conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for the production of fructose and ethanol from sucrose, comprising the step of fermenting sucrose, using the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis in the presence of a fermentation medium wherein the concentration of sucrose is greater than 30% by weight, to produce a fermentation product consisting essentially of ethanol and fructose under semi-anaerobic conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sucrose concentration is in the range of 30% to 50% by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sucrose concentration is approximately 40% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fermentation medium comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of peptone, yeast extract, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium sulphate, urea and magnesium sulphate, the concentration of the component in the fermentation medium being in the range of 0.01% to 0.5% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the concentration of the component in the fermentation medium is approximately 0.2% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration of the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis in the fermentation medium is in the range of 0.01% to 0.5% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the concentration of the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis is approximately 0.2% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fermentation process is maintained at a pH level in the range of 4.0 to 7.0.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pH level is maintained at approximately 6.0.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fermentation process is maintained at a temperature in the range of 35° C. to 40° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, at the completion of the fermenting of sucrose, the steps of (i) separating the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis from a fermentation product consisting essentially of fructose and ethanol; and then (ii) removing ethanol from the fermentation product to concentrate said fructose.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fermentation medium comprises the enzyme levansucrase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of fermenting sucrose comprises using the levansucrase to convert the sucrose to fructose and glucose and then adding the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis to the fermentation medium to convert the glucose to ethanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis has the characteristics of strain ATCC No. 39676.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fermenting of sucrose is a single-stage fermentation process.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein production of slime during said fermenting of sucrose is eliminated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pH of said fermentation medium is adjusted to between about 5.8 and 6.1 for said fermenting of sucrose.
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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) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |