Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Micro-organism – per se ; compositions thereof; proces of... – Bacteria or actinomycetales; media therefor
Patent
1994-05-09
1997-06-10
Naff, David M.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Micro-organism, per se ; compositions thereof; proces of...
Bacteria or actinomycetales; media therefor
424 9345, 435243, 4352599, 435260, A01N 6300, C12N 100, C12N 104, C12N 120
Patent
active
056374941
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to stabilized cultures of microorganisms suitable for use in the presence of solid carriers in dry formulated powders and to a process for producing such stabilized cultures.
In particular the invention relates to stabilized dry cultures of Gram-negative bacteria and to a process for producing them.
Dry cultures of microorganisms have a wide and increasing range of applications. Such applications include use in silage, hay and grain additives, probiotics (as digestive aids for animals), in seed coatings, drenches and dressings, in biotransformations such as the processes described in our European Patent specifications Nos. 0076606 and 0179603 and in the manufacture of cheese and yogurt.
Of the various applications for cultures of microorganisms their use in the manufacture of cheese and yogurt has received most commercial attention to date. However a problem associated with this use has been the comparitively poor stability of the cultures of lactic acid producing bacteria employed therein when stored at room temperature. This poor stability also applies to cultures of microorganisms used for other purposes, particularly in the dry state and in the presence of solid carriers, e.g. in silage additives.
Because of poor stability for prolonged periods at room temperature cultures of lactic acid producing bacteria for use in cheese and yogurt manufacture have generally been stored and distributed under cold store conditions. In recent years however there have been improvements in the stability at room temperature of such cultures. For example a process has been described in UK Patent Specification No. 1469218 for producing stabilized dry cultures of lactic acid producing bacteria in which the following components are included in the cultures: salt of glutamic or aspartic acid; components (a) and (b) being included in the cultures in specified amounts.
Despite the improvements of recent years there remains a need for improved stabilized dry cultures of microorganisms, particularly for use in silage additives, which can readily be used in any physical situation. In particular there is a need for such stabilized dry cultures for use in the presence of solid carriers in dry formulated powders.
Accordingly the present invention provides a culture of a microorganism which comprises viable cells of the microorganism and stabilizing amounts of (a) an antioxidant, which is 6-deoxy-L-ascorbic, L-rhamnoascorbic, D-araboascorbic and/or ascorbic acids and/or a non-toxic, water-soluble salt of any of these acids; and (b) a monocarboxylic .alpha.-amino acid and/or a non-toxic, water soluble salt thereof.
Further the present invention provides a culture of a microorganism which comprises viable cells of the microorganism and stabilizing amounts of the following components: acid, D-araboascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid and/or is a non-toxic, water soluble salt of any of these acids; aspartic acid and/or is a non-toxic, water soluble salt of any of these acids; and very desirably,
The present invention further includes a method of making a dried culture of viable cells of a microorganism which comprises the steps of: containing medium at a physiological pH; of at least 20% w/w; antioxidant which is 6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid, L-rhamnoascorbic acid, D-arabo-ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid and/or is a non-toxic, water soluble salt of any of these acids; and (b) a monocarboxylic .alpha.-amino acid and/or a non-toxic, water soluble salt thereof, and causing the added components to disperse through the concentrated culture; and
A particular process of the present invention for producing a culture of viable cells of a microorganism comprises the steps of: containing medium at a physiological pH; of at least 20% w/w; antioxidant which is 6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid, L-rhamnoascorbic acid, D-arabo-ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid and/or is a non-toxic, water soluble salt of any of these acids; and (b) a monocarboxylic .alpha.-amino acid which is glycine, taurine, glutamic acid and/or asparaic acid and/or is a non
REFERENCES:
patent: 3897307 (1975-07-01), Porubcan et al.
patent: 4304867 (1981-12-01), Kahan et al.
patent: 4345032 (1982-08-01), Hata
patent: 4368330 (1983-01-01), Andrews
patent: 4927763 (1990-05-01), Sudoma et al.
Merck Index, 11th edition, #5009, p. 809.
Ecosyl Products Ltd.
Naff David M.
Ware Deborah
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