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US 3,982,998 AGranted
Methanol foam fermentation to single cell protein by microorganisms
AssigneePhillips Petroleum Company
InventorsDonald O. Hitzman, Eugene H. Wegner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for the production of microbial cells by fermenting a carbonaceous material in a foam fermenter containing an oxygen-enriched nutrient medium. The process uses a source of carbon which is assimilable by the microorganism for the production of the microbial cells. The microbial cells are separated and removed from the foam fermenter for use as a food product high in protein content.
Claims16
A process for the production of microbial cells, said process including the steps of:
- a. placing a microorganism into a fermenter containing a nutrient medium and aerobically culturing said microorganism, said microorganism being capable of assimilating alcohol as a main source of carbon;
- b. introducing an alcohol having from 1-16 carbon atoms into said fermenter as the main carbon source for said microorganism to assimilate and produce microbial cells;
- c. maintaining said alcohol and medium in a foamed condition in said fermenter so that said fermenter is essentially foam-filled;
- and
- d. separating and recovering the microbial cells produced in said fermenter.
2 more elements
A process for the production of microbial cells, said process including the steps of:
- a. placing a microorganism in a fermenter, said microorganism being capable of assimilating a straight chain alcohol having 1 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule as a main source of carbon;
- b. continuously introducing a nutrient medium into said fermenter at a controlled rate;
- c. introducing oxygen into said fermenter continuously at a controlled rate for aerobically fermenting said alcohol;
- d. continuously introducing said alcohol into said fermenter at a controlled rate for said microorganism to assimilate as the carbon source and produce microbial cells;
- e. maintaining said fermenter during operation at a pressure of at least approximately 1 atmosphere;
- f. maintaining said alcohol and medium in a foamed condition in said fermenter so that said fermenter is essentially foam-filled;
- and
- g. continuously separating and recovering the microbial cells produced in said fermenter.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.