Bacterial autolysate
View Patent ↗A method for producing a feedstuff or feedstuff component, e.g., a palatability-enhancing agent, said method comprising subjecting a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium to autolysis.
1. A process for producing a feedstuff or feedstuff component, comprising homogenizing a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium and a heterotrophic bacterium, autolyzing the resulting culture at a pH range of from 7.0 to 8.0, and separating the autolysed product from the microbial culture, wherein said product comprises about 50 to 60% by weight of free amino acids.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said culture has been produced using methane as the carbon source.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said culture comprises Methylococcus capsulatus.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein autolysis is effected at a temperature of at least 25° C.
5. An autolysed product suitable for use as a palatability enhancing agent obtainable by a process comprising homogenizing a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium and a heterotrophic bacterium, autolyzing the resulting culture at a pH range of from 7.0 to 8.0, and separating the autolysed product from the microbial culture, wherein said product comprises 50 to 60% by weight of free amino acids.
6. A food product comprising an autolysed material or processed derivative thereof as claimed in claim 5 .
7. The food product as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said food product is a dog food or an additive thereof.
8. The food product as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said food product is a fish food.
9. The food product as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said food product is an extruded fish food in pellet form.
10. The autolysed product as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said culture has been produced using methane as the carbon source.
11. The autolysed product as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said culture comprises Methylococcus capsulatus.
12. The autolysed product as claimed in claim 5 , wherein autolysis is effected at a temperature of at least 25° C.
13. The autolysed product as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said microbial culture is in the form of an aqueous slurry.
14. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said microbial culture is in the form of an aqueous slurry.
15. An autolysed product suitable for use as a palatability enhancing agent obtainable by a process consisting essentially of homogenizing a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium and a heterotrophic bacterium, autolyzing the resulting culture at a pH range of from 7.0 to 8.0, and separating the autolysed product from the microbial culture, wherein said product comprises 50 to 60% by weight of free amino acids.