Patent US4720460A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4720460A
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US
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Process for preserving acid producing bacteria and compositions produced thereby
Assignee: Bayer Corp
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Filing: 1985-04-04
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2005-04-04
Abstract
Abstract Described is a method to stabilize or preserve acid-producing bacteria in a buffered solution. A carrier may be added that is not a specific substrate for the bacteria in order to give texture, most preferably the carrier being polyethylene glycol or sodium alginate. Optionally, other ingredients such as anti-oxidants, mold inhibitors, and/or salts may be added. These compositions may be stored at temperatures above freezing for a time from a few days up to about 2 months or longer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey T. Barach
- 👤 Bassie J. Kamara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:07
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/878
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of preserving acid-producing bacteria which comprises suspending the acid-producing bacteria in a stablizing amount of an aqueous buffered solution containing a buffering agent and polyethylene glycol as a cell stabilizing carrier in the amount of 0.1-10% weight/volume, said solution being free of a specific fermentable substrate for the bacteria, thereby providing a suspension of bacteria having enhanced viability.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of preserving acid-producing bacteria which comprises suspending the acid-producing bacteria in a stablizing amount of an aqueous buffered solution containing a buffering agent and polyethylene glycol as a cell stabilizing carrier in the amount of 0.1-10% weight/volume, said solution being free of a specific fermentable substrate for the bacteria, thereby providing a suspension of bacteria having enhanced viability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the resultant suspension of bacteria has a pH between approximately 6.0 and approximately 8.0.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said bacteria are lactic acid-producing bacteria derived from a freshly harvested culture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said freshly harvested culture is rinsed with a washing solution prior to admixing the bacteria in the aqueous buffered solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the buffering agent in said buffered solution is diammonium phosphate, sodium phosphate dibasic diammonium bicarbonate or a mixture thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5, further including an additional agent selected from the group consisting of anti-oxidants, mold inhibitors and salts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the mold inhibitor is 0.1-5% weight/volume sodium benzoate and the salt is 0.1-5% weight/volume sodium citrate based on the buffered solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A composition comprising a suspension of viable acid-producing bacteria and an aqueous buffered solution containing a buffering agent and polyethylene glycol as a cell stabilizing carrier in the amount of 0.1-10% weight/volume, said solution being free of a specific fermentable substrate for the bacteria.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A composition comprising a suspension of viable acid-producing bacteria and an aqueous buffered solution containing a buffering agent and polyethylene glycol as a cell stabilizing carrier in the amount of 0.1-10% weight/volume, said solution being free of a specific fermentable substrate for the bacteria.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The composition of claim 8, wherein said suspension has a pH from approximately 6.0 to approximately 8.0 wherein said pH is achieved with a buffering agent selected from the group consisting of diammonium phosphate, sodium phosphate dibasic, diammonium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof, and said bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Leuconostoc cremoris, Streptococcus lactis, S. cremoris, S. diacetylactis, S. thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus, L. bifidus, L. casei, L. lactis, L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii, L. thermophilus, L. fermentii and Pediococcus cerevisiae.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-18 | 1991-07-20 | 1992-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-07-20 | 1996-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-18 | 1999-07-20 | 2000-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |