Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Treatment by living organism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-05-08
Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Treatment by living organism
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228265
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a bio-enhancer and more particularly a natural bio-enhancer for accelerating microbial metabolism.
In recent years the increased production and subsequent removal of waste products has become of increasing concern, particularly with regard to the damage caused to the environment both by the waste products and by attempts to dispose of them. Whilst much attention has been focused on waste products from industry such as chemical plants and oil fields, increased production of more domestic waste products, such as sewage and food, both from homes and catering establishments is also becoming a problem.
Increased production of waste products such as grease and sewage has led to several problems in various areas of the world. Such problems are the clogging of waste pipes causing such pipes to back up dangerously, the increase in noxious odours from the waste outlets and build-up of potentially dangerous materials in collecting areas such as grease traps and sewage holding tanks. There is a constant need for new means for solving, or at least easing, such problems in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
According to the present invention there is provided a bio-enhancing composition for stimulating the metabolism of a microorganism which composition comprises carbohydrate and at least 0.01% by weight of saponin. Preferably the composition comprises yucca extract.
It is preferred that the composition has a Brix value of approximately 5 to 30, preferably 10 to 20 and more preferably 15 to 18. It is particularly preferred that yucca extract is obtained from the schidigera species of yucca. In a specific embodiment of the present invention the composition is used to accelerate bacterial metabolism and preferably to accelerate bacterial metabolism in the degradation of organic waste.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of stimulating the metabolism of a microorganism comprising contacting the microorganism with a composition according to the present invention.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a bio-enhancing composition according to the present invention for the stimulation of a metabolism of a microorganism.
Yucca extract, as used in the present invention, is produced by pressing the trunk of a yucca plant. The liquid obtained directly from this pressing may be used, unchanged, in the present invention. The sugar values of the extract depend on the time of year of harvest of the plant. In the spring or wet season the sugar value is low whilst in the autumn or dry season, the sugar value is high. Yucca extracts taken at different times of the year may be blended to give any specific Brix value.
It is particularly preferred that the species from which the yucca extract is obtained is the yucca schidigera.
The composition of the present invention may be used to accelerate the metabolism of all microorganisms, notably bacteria. It may be used not only in the acceleration of bacterial metabolism in degradation of organic waste products but also in the acceleration of bacterial metabolism used to degrade oil spills, in recycling plants, or in various biotechnological applications. Other possible uses are in composts, in the increased bacterial/microbial activity of contaminated soils, and in other environments which require increased bacterial activity such as golf course turf, farmland, farmwater, ponds, water hazards and potable water.
It is preferred that the yucca extract is not diluted so much as to take the Brix value below 5 or concentrated so much as to take the Brix value above 30. It is particularly preferred that the Brix value be maintained between 10 and 20 brix and the best results have been obtained with a Brix value of between 15 and 18.
It is thought that the saponin present in yucca, combined with the relatively high Brix value, may be the cause of the bacterial acceleration. Certainly the extracts from other plants containing saponin, such as oranges, have been found to be ineffective as bacterial accelerants.
It has been found that the composition of the present invention increases the respiration of the bacteria, causing increased carbon dioxide production. This in turn allows bacteria to break down organic waste more quickly and efficiently. A phenomenon that is observed as a result of such an acceleration in the bacterial metabolism is that, in the absence of oxygen, treated liquid containing organic waste shows a marked reduction in pH with time but that, in the presence of oxygen, a similarly treated liquid will show an increase in pH with time, in the presence of the composition of the present invention. This is explained by the fact that, in anaerobic conditions, bacteria produce volatile fatty acids, lowering the pH whilst, in the presence of oxygen, bacteria actually consume such volatile fatty acids as energy sources, so as to increase the pH.
A preferred dosage is one part per million of yucca extract per volume of treated sample.
The present invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples.
In the following examples, the yucca extract used was tested and shown to have the composition:
Lab Testing for Contents of Yucca Extract
TEST
METHOD
RESULT
FAT
AOAC 950.54
0.2%
PROTEIN (N × 6.25)
AOAC 992.23
0.8%
ENERGY
Atwater Method,
43 Kilo-
USDA Handbook 74
cals/100 g
CARBOHYDRATES
Atwater Method
9.6%
USDA Handbook 74
SAPONIFICATION VALUE
AOCS Cd 3-25
30.9%
SUCROSE
AOAC 971.18
0.1%
FRUCTOSE
AOAC 971.18
2.2%
ALPHA-GLUCOSE
AOAC 971.18
1.4%
BETA-GLUCOSE
AOAC 971.18
0.6%
LACTOSE
AOAC 971.18
<0.1%
TOTAL SUGARS
AOAC 971.18
4.3%
The above lab test results can vary from sample to sample according to plant, growing area and growing conditions in the growing area. Because of the variances of the plants, these results should be taken as guide lines only.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4927530 (1990-05-01), Ueda
patent: 4986994 (1991-01-01), Baccus
patent: 5081033 (1992-01-01), Dorn et al.
patent: 5639794 (1997-06-01), Emerson et al.
patent: 5792467 (1998-08-01), Emerson et al.
patent: 5895680 (1999-04-01), Cirigliano
patent: 0 063 621 (1982-11-01), None
patent: 0 268 575 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 61 118 189 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 63 242 400 (1988-10-01), None
Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th edition, 1987, “Brix degree,” p. 95.
Barry Chester T.
Digestco Limited
Seed IP Law Group PLLC
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