Cellulolytic, N.sub.2 -fixing bacteria and use thereof

• US 4,973,559 A
• Filed: 01/12/1990
• Issued: 11/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Dexter, Lee B., Gould, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lilling, Herbert J.
• Application Number:
  US07/462,928
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 435/42, 435/165, 435/171, 435/172.1, 435/252.4, 435/261, 435/252, 435/842, 435/252.7, 435/252.6, 435/822
• US Class Current: 435/252
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 10/12 by fermentation of natural products, e.g. of vegetable material, animal waste material or biomass
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 29/065 Microorganisms addition of bacteria for nutritional purposes A23L33/135
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/205 Bacterial isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/22 Processes using, or culture media containing, cellulose or hydrolysates thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/01 Bacteria or Actinomycetales ; using bacteria or Actinomycetales
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/822 using bacteria or actinomycetales
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/832 Bacillus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/842 Clostridium

Abstract

Cellulolytic, N₂ -fixing bacteria have been isolated from terrestrial ecosystems. Many of these bacteria can be taxonomically classified as Bacilli, while others may not be characteristic of any previously defined taxon. These organisms are useful for converting lignocellulosic and other cellulosic materials into foods and fertilizers having increased carbohydrate digestibility and enhanced assimilable nitrogen content.

Claims

1. A free-living biologically pure culture of a terrestrial, cellulolytic, N₂ -fixing, facultative anaerobic bacterium.

2. A biologically pure mixed culture free-living, terrestrial, cellulolytic, N₂ -fixing, facultative anaerobic, bacterial isolates.

3. A fermentation broth comprising a cellulosic substrate and an inoculum consisting of one or more isolates of terrestrial, cellulolytic, N₂ -fixing, facultative anaerobic bacteria.