Patents by Inventor C. Michael Williams

C. Michael Williams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Purified Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1 keratinase
    Patent number: 5171682
    Abstract: A substantially pure keratinaceous material-degrading B. licheniformis PWD-1 enzyme is disclosed. The substantially pure enzyme is characterized by a molecular weight of 33 kiloDaltons, an isoelectric point of 7.25, an optimum pH of 7.5, an optimum temperature of 45.degree.-50.degree. C., and thermal stability at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jason C. H. Shih, C. Michael Williams
  • Method of degrading keratinaceous material and bacteria useful therefor
    Patent number: 5063161
    Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jason C. H. Shih, C. Michael Williams
  • Method of degrading keratinaceous material and bacteria useful therefore
    Patent number: 4959311
    Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jason C. H. Shih, C. Michael Williams
  • Feather-lysate, a hydrolyzed feather feed ingredient and animal feeds containing the same
    Patent number: 4908220
    Abstract: A hydrolyzed feather product, feather-lysate, is disclosed. The product comprises partially hydrolyzed feather, proteins cleaved from the partially hydrolyzed feather, peptides cleaved from the partially hydrolyzed feather, and Bacillus licheniformis cells. Preferably, the B. licheniformis cells are killed. Feather-lysate may be combined with a carbohydrate source to form an animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jason C. H. Shih, C. Michael Williams