Process for the lysis of a culture of lactic acid bacteria by means of a lysin, and uses of the resulting lysed culture
US5955258A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12P21/06
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a process for the lysis of a culture of lactic acid bacteria, or a product containing such culture e.g. cheese, by means of a lysin through the in situ production of a homologous autolysin, or a heterologous autolysin obtainable from Gram-positive bacteria esp. from lactic acid bacteria. The gene encoding said autolysin is controlled by a promoter, preferably regulated by food-grade ingredients or parameters, to achieve an enhanced lysis after induction resulting in an enhanced production of total autolysin compared with the natural production lever of the homologous autolysin during fermentation or shortly thereafter. Other uses of the invention include preparing a mixture of peptides which are modified by peptidases freed after the lysis, using the autolysin as a bactericidal agent against spoiling bacteria or pathogenic bacteria for improving the shelf life of a product containing the lysed culture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.