Method and apparatus for the production of secondary metabolites by the maintenance-state cultivation of microorganisms
US4167450A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1977 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/818
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A fermentation vessel is used to grow a cell mass and maintain it in a maintenance energy state. In this state the mass of the cell material is maintained substantially constant, and fresh medium containing an energy source is introduced to the vessel at a rate sufficient to sustain cell viability but insufficient to support growth of the cell mass. Fluid with suspended cells is pumped from the vessel to a separator which separates a fraction of the fluid from the cells and discharges the fraction, the unfiltered portion of the fluid and substantially all of the cells being returned to the vessel, the discharged fraction containing useful secondary metabolites.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.