Method and starter compositions for the growth of acid producing bacteria and bacterial composition produced thereby

In a method for growing acid producing bacteria by inoculating the bacteria into a growth medium containing water and nutrients for the bacteria and then growing the bacteria in the growth medium the improvement which comprises:

• (a) providing a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base or basic salt or mixture thereof in the growth medium, the agent being provided by coating particles of the agent with a material which provides a controlled release of the agent over a period of time;
• and
• (b) growing the bacteria in the growth medium in the presence of the insolubilized neutralizing agent, wherein a pH range in the medium is maintained so as to promote growth of the bacteria by a controlled reaction of the insolubilized neutralizing agent with at least a part of the acid produced by the bacteria in the medium over the period of time.

In a method for growing acid producing bacteria by inoculating the bacteria into a growth medium containing water and nutrients for the bacteria and then growing the bacteria in the growth medium the improvement which comprises:

• (a) providing a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base or basic salt or mixture thereof in the growth medium, the agent being insolubilized by compressing the agent as a powder in admixture with a binder to provide particle that release the agent into the growth medium over a period of time;
• and
• (b) growing the bacteria in the growth medium in the presence of the insolubilized neutralizing agent, wherein a pH range in the medium is maintained so as to promote growth of the bacteria by a controlled reaction of the insolubilized neutralizing agent with at least a part of the acid produced by the bacteria in the medium over the period of time.

A bulk starter medium for growing acid producing bacteria for use in a food fermentation comprising in intimate admixture:

• (a) a powdered or aqueous bacteria growth medium including a carbohydrate source and a nitrogen source assimilable by the bacteria wherein the powder can be dissolved or dispersed in water to provide the aqueous growth medium with an initial pH between about 4 and 8.5;
• and
• (b) a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is a base, basic salt or mixture thereof, wherein a portion of the insoluble or the insolubilized neutralizing agent remains in solid form in the aqueous medium over a period of time and wherein the neutralizing agent maintains a pH in the aqueous medium above about 5 for so long as desired to enhance growth of the bacteria by a controlled reaction of the neutralizing agent with at least a part of the acid produced by the bacteria over the period of time they are grown, wherein the growth medium and neutralizing agent, in combination, are adapted for growing the acid producing bacteria for use in the food fermentation.

A bulk starter medium for growing acid producing bacteria comprising in admixture:

• (a) a powdered or aqueous bacterial growth medium including a carbohydrate source and a nitrogen source assimilable by the bacteria wherein the powder can be dissolved or dispersed in water to provide the aqueous growth medium with an initial pH between about 4 and 8.5;
• and
• (b) a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is an insolubilized particulate alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base or basic salt or mixture thereof, the agent having been insolubilized by being coated with a material which dissolves in the growth medium over a period of time to provide a controlled release of the base or salt into the growth medium at a rate which provides the pH of the medium above about 5 to provide for growth of the bacteria by a controlled reaction of the neutralizing agent with at least a part of the acid produced by the bacteria over the period of time they are grown.

A bulk starter medium for growing acid producing bacteria comprising in admixture:

• (a) a powdered or aqueous bacterial growth medium including a carbohydrate source and a nitrogen source assimilable by the bacteria wherein the powder can be dissolved or dispersed in water to provide the aqueous growth medium with an initial pH between about 4 and 8.5;
• and
• (b) a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is an insolubilized particulate alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base or basic salt or mixture thereof, the agent having been insolubilized by being compressed as a powder in admixture with a binder to provide a controlled release of the agent into the growth medium to provide for growth of the bacteria by a controlled reaction of the neutralizing agent with at least a part of the acid produced by the bacteria over the period of time they are grown.

A bacterial composition for use in a food fermentation which comprises in intimate admixture:

• (a) acid producing bacteria which have been grown in an aqueous growth medium including an assimilable carbohydrate source and a nitrogen source to a concentration of at least about 10.sup.5 cells per ml;
• and
• (b) a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a nontoxic, ordinarily water soluble neutralizing agent which is a base, basic salt or mixture thereof such that when acid is produced by the bacteria at least a part is neutralized, wherein the growth medium and neutralizing agent, in combination, are maintained above about pH 5 for so long as desired to promote growth of the acid producing bacteria to be used in fermenting the food.