Method and composition for producing stable bacteria and bacterial formulations
AssigneeEcoScience Corporation
InventorsXixuan Jin, Kathryn Grigas, Chao Chen, Aparajit Panda, Michael L. Matheny
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Abstract
Stabilized bacteria and bacterial formulations which can survive long term storage at high temperature are described. Bacteria are dried until they reach a dormant state. Oxygen is then removed from the environment surrounding the bacteria to prevent oxidative damage to the dormant cells. The bacteria is packaged and stored in material impermeable to gas and water vapor until such time as it is ready for use. Bacteria stored under these conditions will remain stable and efficacious for at least a year.
Claims19
A method for preparing a stabilized bacterial formulation which retains viability when stored at a temperature between about 20.degree. to 25.degree. C. for at least a year, the method comprising
- drying harvested bacteria at temperatures which do not kill the bacteria, until free and bound water has been removed, wherein the bacteria become dormant, which is 10% by weight of the bacteria or less,
- wherein the bacteria is mixed with a powder or granular inert non-aqueous carrier, and
- packaging the dried bacteria and carrier in a sealed packaging material which is impermeable to gas and water vapor transfer, and
- removing substantially all of the oxygen from the package.
A stabilized bacterial formulation retaining viability when stored at a temperature between about 20.degree. to 25.degree. C. for at least a year comprising
- bacteria which have been harvested and then dried at temperatures which do not kill the bacteria, until free and bound water has been removed, wherein the bacteria become dormant, which is 10% by weight or less, and
- a non-aqueous powder or granular inert carrier,
- contained within a sealed packaging material, which is impermeable to gas and water vapor transfer and contains substantially no oxygen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.