Use of erythromycin as a selective antimicrobial agent in the production of alcohols
OwnerKevin E. Dailey, Kevin L. Kauersinventors
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Abstract
A process for the use of low concentration levels of Erythromycin to eliminate or control the growth of unwanted or undesirable bacteria (contaminating bacteria) in the fermentation production of alcohols without inhibition of the growth or replication of the yeast.
Claims14
A method for increasing the amount of alcohol produced during large scale alcohol production comprising:
- introducing an antibiotic as an active agent to a vessel used during alcohol production to render an ideal environment for a fermentation mixture when combined with the antibiotic for fermenting the fermentation mixture into the desired alcohol;
- the active agent functions to substantially reduce any deleterious effects of at least one contaminating bacteria present in said fermentation mixture while not having any deleterious effects on the yeast;
- and
- wherein the active agent is added to said vessel in an amount ranging from at least 0.5 ppm to about 6 ppm of the fermentation mixture and is selected from the group consisting of Erythromycin and derivatives or salts of Erythromycin.
A fermentation mixture used in the production of ethanol comprising yeast, carbohydrates and 0.5 ppm to about 6 ppm of Erythromycin, wherein the Erythromycin inhibits growth of microorganisms competing for the yeast thereby increasing the amount of alcohol produced from the fermentation mixture.
A method for controlling the growth of lactic acid bacteria in a fermentation process for the production of alcohol comprising:
- adding a minimum inhibitory concentration of Erythromycin or derivatives or salts thereof to a vessel and the Erythromycin becoming part of a fermentation mixture used in making alcohol, wherein the vessel is susceptible to lactic acid bacteria, and wherein the addition of the minimum inhibitory concentration of Erythromycin to the vessel controls the growth of lactic acid bacteria.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.