US3713976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cultivation of micro-organisms on hydrocarbons
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract Protein concentrates are obtained in a process which includes: 1. Cultivating a hydrocarbon-consuming micro-organism in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; 2. CONTACTING THE CULTIVATED MICRO-ORGANISM FROM (1.) AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW THAT WHICH SUPPORTS ACTIVE FERMENTATION OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM WITH A GAS CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM CONTAINING A THIOSULFATE COMPOUND, E.G., SODIUM THIOSULFATE, AND A GAS CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED HYDROCARBON; AND 3. RECOVERING FROM (2.) A MICRO-ORGANISM HAVING (A) A PROTEIN CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.) AND (B) A SULFUR-CONTAINING AMINO ACID, E.G., CYSTINE AND METHIONINE, CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.).
Inventors
- 👤 P Bunting
- 👤 W Leathen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:33
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/26; C12P; C12P21/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/921; Y10S435/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
CULTIVATING A HYDROCARBON-CONSUMING MICRO-ORGANISM IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM, A HYDROCARBON AND A GAA CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
CULTIVATING A HYDROCARBON-CONSUMING MICRO-ORGANISM IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM, A HYDROCARBON AND A GAA CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming micro-organism at an active fermentation temperature in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature below that which supports active fermentation of the micro-organism with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a micro-organism product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming micro-organism at an active fermentation temperature in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature below that which supports active fermentation of the micro-organism with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a micro-organism product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated micro-organism obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said micro-organism is a bacterium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
CONTACTING THE CULTIVATED MICRO-ORGANISM FROM (1.) AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW THAT WHICH SUPPORTS ACTIVE FERMENTATION OF THE MICRO-ORGANSIM WITH A GAS CONTANING FREE OXYGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM CONTAINING A THIOSULFATE COMPOUND, E.G., SODIUM THIOSULFATE, AND A GAS CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED HYDROCARBON; AND
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
CONTACTING THE CULTIVATED MICRO-ORGANISM FROM (1.) AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW THAT WHICH SUPPORTS ACTIVE FERMENTATION OF THE MICRO-ORGANSIM WITH A GAS CONTANING FREE OXYGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM CONTAINING A THIOSULFATE COMPOUND, E.G., SODIUM THIOSULFATE, AND A GAS CONTAINING FREE OXYGEN IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED HYDROCARBON; AND
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said micro-organism is a yeast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
RECOVERING FROM (2.) A MICRO-ORGANSM HAVING (A) A PROTEIN CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.) AND (B) A SULFUR-CONTAINING AINO ACID. E.G., CYSTINE AND METHIONINE, CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
RECOVERING FROM (2.) A MICRO-ORGANSM HAVING (A) A PROTEIN CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.) AND (B) A SULFUR-CONTAINING AINO ACID. E.G., CYSTINE AND METHIONINE, CONTENT GREATER THAN THAT OF THE MICRO-ORGANISM OBTAINED IN (1.).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions is selected from the group consisting of sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate, strontium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the thiosulfate compound is employed in an amount sufficient to give aBout 15 to about 400 parts by weight of sulfur per million parts by weight of aqueous nutrient medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast at an active fermentation temperature of about 25* C. to about 40* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature which is 5* to 20* C. below the active fermentation temperature with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a yeast product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast at an active fermentation temperature of about 25* C. to about 40* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature which is 5* to 20* C. below the active fermentation temperature with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a yeast product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the compound capable of furnishing a thiosulfate ions is selected from the group consisting of sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate, strontium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the thiosulfate compound is employed in an amount sufficient to give about 15 to about 400 parts by weight of sulfur per million parts by weight of aqueous nutrient medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the yeast is of the family Cryptococcaceae.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the yeast is of the subfamily Cryptococcoideae.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein the yeast is of the genus Candida.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the yeast is of the strain Candida tropicalis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein the yeast is Candida tropicalis, strain CS-9-5.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the hydrocarbon is a liquid petroleum fraction consisting essentially of a mixture of straight chain hydrocarbons.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein the liquid petroleum fraction is a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the pH of the aqueous nutrient medium is within the range of about 1.5 to about 8.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the oxygen-containing gas is air.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast at an active fermentation temperature of about 25* C. to about 40* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a yeast product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast at an active fermentation temperature of about 25* C. to about 40* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium, a hydrocarbon and a gas containing free oxygen; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with a gas containing free oxygen in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon; and recovering a yeast product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
161 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained within the range of about 2 to about 5, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in The fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
161 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained within the range of about 2 to about 5, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in The fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained at about 3, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained at about 3, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing a small amount of a compound capable of furnishing thiosulfate ions dissolved therein and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a sulfur-containing amino acid content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
164 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained at about 3, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing about 25 to about 150 parts by weight of sulfur as sodium thiosulfate per million parts by weight of aqueous nutrient medium and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a cystine and methionine content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
164 words
A process which comprises cultivating in a fermentation stage a hydrocarbon-consuming yeast of the strain Candida tropicalis at a temperature of about 25* C. to about 35* C. in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium whose pH is maintained at about 3, a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of C9 to C13 normal paraffins and air; contacting in a maturation stage the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage at a temperature of about 10* C. to about 20* C. with air in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium containing about 25 to about 150 parts by weight of sulfur as sodium thiosulfate per million parts by weight of aqueous nutrient medium and in the absence of added hydrocarbon feedstock; and recovering a Candida tropicalis product having (1) a protein content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage and (2) a cystine and methionine content greater than that of the cultivated yeast obtained in the fermentation stage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3620927A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |