Patents Examined by Irene Marx
  • Probiotics for pet food applications
    Patent number: 7771982
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactic acid bacterial micro-organisms that have been isolated and selected for their probiotic potential and their use for the preparation of petfood compositions intended to improve the health of pets, and to compositions containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ralf Zink, Roberto Reniero, Florence Rochat, Christoph Cavadini, Thierry Der Weid, Eduardo Schiffrin, Jalil Benyacoub, Virginia Rousseau, Pablo Perez
  • Bifidobacteria preventing diarrhea caused by pathogenic bacteria
    Patent number: 7767430
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium, that are useful in preventing diarrhea brought about by pathogenic bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of said microorganisms for the preparation of an ingestable support and to a composition containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Richard Neeser, Roberto Reniero, Florence Rochat, Alain Servin
  • Methods for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome and carbohydrate malabsorption
    Patent number: 7767203
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ganeden Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Andrew R. Lefkowitz
  • Enzymatic synthesis of sugar acrylates
    Patent number: 7767425
    Abstract: A process is described for the enzymatic synthesis of sugar acrylates, and a process is described for preparing polymeric sugar acrylates, the polymers obtainable by this process and their use for preparing, for example, cosmetics, drugs, laundry detergents, thickeners, protecting colloids, superabsorbents and textile sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Boeckh, Bernhard Hauer, Dietmar Häring
  • Ginsenoside glycosidases hydrolyzing ginsenoside sugar moieties and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7759101
    Abstract: The invention relates to ginsenoside glycosidases which hydrolyzes ginsenosides having higher contents in ginsengs so as to prepare rare ginsenosides with high physioloigical activity. Said ginsenoside glycosidases are derived from microorganism cultures, ginseng plants, almonds, wheat brans, malts and animal livers etc., and are categoried to four types depending on their capability of hydrolyzing the sugar moieties of ginsenosides, namely, ginsenoside glycosidase I, ginsenoside glycosidase II, ginsenoside glycosidase III and ginsenoside-?-rhamnosidase. The invention also relates to the uses of the ginsenoside glycosidases in preparing rare ginsenosides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Fengxie Jin, Hongshan Yu
  • Endophytic fungi and methods of use
    Patent number: 7754203
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor, that produces a mixture of volatile antibiotics with activity on specific plant pathogens, bacteria, nematodes and insects. Also provided is a method for treating or protecting plants, soil and seeds from microbial infections comprising applying an effective amount of a volatile antibiotic producing Muscodor sp. The invention also relates to fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal and nematicidal compositions comprising this novel Muscodor strain and the antibiotics and metabolites produced by this strain either alone, or in combination with other chemical and biological pesticides. Also provided is a method for identifying and isolating related gas producing fungi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AgraQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Strobel, Denise C. Manker, Julien Mercier
  • Biocatalytic manufacturing of (meth) acrylylcholine or 2-(N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl (meth) acrylate
    Patent number: 7754455
    Abstract: A biocatalytic method for the synthesis of 2-(N,N-dimethyl amino)ethanol and/or choline esters of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid comprising reacting 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethanol and/or choline with acrylyl-CoA and/or methacrylyl-coA in the presence of a biocatalyst with choline acetyltransferase activity. The acrylyl-CoA and/or the methacrylyl CoA is formed by the reaction of acrylate and/or methacrylate with coenzyme A in the presence of ATP and a biocatalyst with S-acetyl coenzyme A synthetase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hughes, Kenneth Charles Symes
  • Process for producing amide compound using microbial catalyst
    Patent number: 7749739
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing an amide compound from a nitrile compound using a microbial catalyst, wherein a microbial cell having nitrile hydratase activity of 50 U or higher per mg of dry cell at a reaction temperature of 10° C. is brought into contact with a nitrile compound in an aqueous medium without being immobilized. This method utilizes a microbial cell that exhibits high nitrile hydratase activity in the reaction without being entrap-immobilized. Thus, an amide compound can be effectively produced from a nitrile compound without problems of decreased reaction speed or lowered amount produced per unit cell amount, which are caused by entrap-immobilization. Accordingly, an amide compound can be produced within a very short period of time in the case of a batch reaction and with a very small-scale facility in the case of a continuous reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dia-Nitrix Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Murao, Katsuo Ishii
  • Process for producing carotenoid compound
    Patent number: 7745170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene, comprising inducing mutation in a carotenoid-producing microorganism in which the base sequence of DNA corresponding to 16S ribosomal RNA is substantially homologous to the base sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1; screening for a mutant strain having a high product proportion of zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene to the whole production amount of carotenoids to provide a microorganism producing zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene; culturing the mutant microorganism; and harvesting zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, lycopene or a carotenoid mixture containing the same from the resultant culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tsubokura, Hisashi Yoneda, Kazuaki Hirasawa
  • Bacterial consortium NBC2000 and method for biologically treating endocrine disrupters using the NBC2000
    Patent number: 7745199
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel bacterial consortium comprise bacterial strains useful for effectively treating endocrine disrupters and a method for treating endocrine disrupters using the same. The invention provides a method for biologically restoring soils, wastes and water, etc. which are polluted with chlorinated compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), dioxin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), etc., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and petroleum-tar acids, and toluene which are all known as representative endocrine disrupters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Sung-gie Lee
  • Method for selectively staining chitin-containing organisms
    Patent number: 7745168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the staining of fungi and microsporidia for observation with a light microscope based upon the presence of chitin in the composition of these organisms. With the method of the present invention a sample to be analyzed is treated with a solution of Ponceau S and Stains-all dye. The sample is then selectively decolorized and rinsed. The resulting sample is examined with a light microscope, or photographed for a permanent record, to identify the presence of a variety of microorganisms, to include fungi and microsporidia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: My Lien Dao
  • Process for bio-bleaching of kraft pulp using bacterial consortia
    Patent number: 7736879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an environment friendly, safe, and efficient four-step method of bio-bleaching Kraft pulp using the following strains of bacteria: (a) Serratia marcescens, MTCC 5094, (b) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5095, (c) Providencia rettgeri, MTCC 5096, (d) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5098. The present invention also provides a microbial consortium comprising a synergistic mixture of ligninolytic bacterial isolates Serratia marcescens, MTCC 5094, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5095, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5098, or comprising bacterial strains Providencia rettgeri, MTCC 5096, Serratia marcescens, MTCC 5094, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5095, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC 5098, and a process for preparing an inoculum of the bacterial isolate Providencia rettgeri, MTCC 5096.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Rita Kumar, Anil Kumar
  • Isolation and characterization of novel clostridial species
    Patent number: 7704723
    Abstract: A novel clostridia bacterial species (Clostridium ragsdalei, ATCC BAA-622, “P11”) is provided. P11 is capable of synthesizing, from waste gases, products which are useful as biofuel. In particular, P11 can convert CO to ethanol. Thus, this novel bacterium transforms waste gases (e.g. syngas and refinery wastes) into useful products. P11 also catalyzes the production of acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: The Board of Regents For Oklahoma State University, The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Raymond L. Huhnke, Randy S. Lewis, Ralph S. Tanner
  • Nanofibrillar structure and applications including cell and tissue culture
    Patent number: 7704740
    Abstract: A nanofibrillar structure for cell culture and tissue engineering is disclosed. The nanofibrillar structure can be used in a variety of applications including methods for proliferating and/or differentiating cells and manufacturing a tissue. Also disclosed is an improved nanofiber comprising a lipid, lipophilic molecule, or chemically modified surface. The nanofibers can be used in a variety of applications including the formation of nanofibrillar structures for cell culture and tissue engineering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan State University
    Inventors: Melvin S. Schindler, Hoo Young Chung
  • Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and their use in bioleaching processes for sulfured copper minerals
    Patent number: 7700343
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an isolated chemolithotrophic bacterium belonging to species Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans named Licanantay, deposited in Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH-DSMZ with number DSM 17318, and its use in pure form or in mixtures that contains it for bioleaching processes of minerals or sulfured metallic species concentrates. This Licanantay strain DSM 17318 has sulfur-oxidizing activity in both primary and secondary sulfured minerals, especially in the case of chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, chalcocite, enargite and tennantite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Biosigma S.A.
    Inventors: Atsuko Ohata, Manabu Manabe, Pilar A. Parada Valdecantos
  • Methods for increasing lactose digestion
    Patent number: 7700093
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ganeden Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Andrew R. Lefkowitz
  • Lecithinized superoxide dismutase composition and a process for its production
    Patent number: 7700336
    Abstract: To provide a lecithinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) composition useful as a drug material and a process for its production. The PC-SOD composition contains a PC-SOD obtained by substituting at least amino group in a specific SOD with a lecithin moiety represented by the following formula (I), wherein the PC-SOD contains a PC-SOD (A) having an m number of amino groups substituted with the lecithin moieties (wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 4 and averages from 1.5 to 2.4 as a main component and the PC-SOD (A) consists of a PC-SOD (a1) wherein m=1, a PC-SOD (a2) wherein m=2, a PC-SOD (a3) wherein m=3 and a PC-SOD (a4) wherein m=4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: LTT Bio-Pharma Co., Ltd., Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Nomoto, Toshiaki Nakayama, Maki Murahashi, Yoshitomi Morizawa
  • Use of alkaline phosphatase to maintain healthy tissue mass in mammals
    Patent number: 7695714
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of placental alkaline phosphatase, and other members of the alkaline phosphatase family, to enhance protein synthesis in the muscle as well as the survival of non-cancerous differentiated cells in the muscle, adipose and other tissues. The ability of alkaline phosphatase to selectively enhance the survival of healthy cells and increase protein synthesis has many therapeutic applications. The use of alkaline phosphatase may prevent the loss of body weight and muscle mass typically experienced by diseased (such as cancer) or aging patients, or developing fetuses subjected to harmful conditions, or by patients who are treated with a toxic therapy including chemotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Zoltan Laboratories LLC
    Inventor: Zoltan Kiss
  • Process for producing carotenoids
    Patent number: 7687246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological process for producing carotenoids utilizing a microorganism which is capable of producing carotenoids and belonging to the genus Xanthophyllomyces (Phaffia) in the presence of an inhibitor for biosynthesis of sterols from farnesyl pyrophosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B. V.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Hoshino, Setsuko Masuda, Yutaka Setoguchi
  • Culture of and microorganisms derived therefrom
    Patent number: 7674609
    Abstract: Crypthecodinium cohnii, or microorganisms derived from Crypthecodinium cohnii, are grown in a culture medium including propionic acid. The propionic acid increases the production of one or more of dry cell weight, total lipid and docosahexaenoic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Hull
    Inventors: Colin Ratledge, Alistair James Anderson, Kanagasooriyam Kanagachandran