Patent · US Expired

Stabilized cultures of microorganisms

US5637494A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
5References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1994
Grant dateJun 10, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12R2001/225
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Cultures of microorganisms, particularly in freeze dried form, include an ascorbic acid antioxidant and a monocarboxylic .alpha.-amino acid each of which are present at a mass fraction of 0.05 to 0.3. The acid acts as a potentiator for the antioxidant. The cultures are more stable for extended storage, particularly at relatively high temperatures, than unstabilized cultures. Further, additional components include a carbohydrate in an amount of 25 to 45 weight percent, particularly inositol or sucrose, a viscosity inducer and a cryoprotectant. The latter two need not be different materials to the carbohydrate. The invention is suitable for stabilizing cultures of microorganisms such as lactic acid producing strains of Lactobacillus or Streptococcus; and the cultures are useful as additives and forage, especially silage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.