Process for deodorizing fermented culture broths with superheated steam

US5834275A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien · DE

Inventors

• Wilfried Raehse · Goldkronach, DE
• Kathleen Paatz · Goldkronach, DE
• Werner Pichler · Kundl, AT
• Horst Upadek · Erkrath, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 15, 1997
• Grant date: Nov 10, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P1/00
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is provided for deodorizing an aqueous culture broth composition by: (a) providing an aqueous culture broth composition containing odorous compounds in spray form; (b) providing a stream of superheated steam; (c) providing a spray zone in vacuo; (d) simultaneously introducing both the aqueous composition of (a) and the superheated steam into the spray zone causing the odorous compounds to be entrained in the superheated steam, thus forming a deodorized aqueous culture broth composition; (e) removing the superheated steam containing the entrained odorous compounds from the spray zone; and (f) discharging the deodorized aqueous culture broth composition from the spray zone. Preferably, the culture broth composition is maintained at a temperature of less than 50.degree. C. in the spray zone to prevent inactivation of temperature-sensitive materials such as enzymes. Pressure in the spray zone may be about 10 to 250 mbar and temperature of the superheated steam can be up to 250.degree. C. The superheated steam may be introduced into the spray zone countercurrent to the culture broth composition. The deodorized culture broth composition can be recycled to the spray zone for fur…