Methionine recovery processes
The present invention relates to a method of making a methionine preparation, for example for an animal feed additive. The invention also related to methods for increasing the solubility of a methionine preparation.
1. A method of making a methionine preparation comprising:
(a) culturing a methionine-producing microorganism in a fermentation medium to yield a fermentation broth;
(b) solubilizing methionine in said fermentation broth by raising the pH 8.5 or above, or lowering the pH to 3.5 or below;
(c) removing insoluble material from said fermentation broth to yield a clarified broth;
(d) crystallizing methionine from said clarified broth; and,
(e) isolating the methionine crystals to produce a methionine preparation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said base is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein temperature of said fermentation broth is increased to at least 40° C. prior to removal of said insoluble material.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein temperature of said methionine-enriched broth to at least 40° C.
5. A method of making a methionine preparation comprising:
(a) culturing a methionine-producing microorganism in a fermentation medium to yield a fermentation broth;
(b) solubilizing methionine in said fermentation broth by raising the temperature of the broth to at least 40° C.;
(c) removing insoluble material from said fermentation broth to yield a methionine-enriched clarified broth;
(d) crystallizing methionine from said clarified broth; and,
(e) isolating the methionine crystals to produce a methionine preparation.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said solubilizing further comprises raising the pH 8.5 or above, or lowering the pH to 3.5 or below.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein a methionine preparation is made by drying said clarified broth.
8. A method of making a methionine preparation comprising:
(a) culturing a methionine-producing microorganism in a fermentation medium to produce a fermentation broth;
(b) collecting methionine-enriched insoluble material from said fermentation broth;
(c) solubilizing methionine from said methionine-enriched insoluble material by addition of an acid to lower the pH to 3.5 or below, or a base to raise the pH to 8.5 or above to produce a methionine-enriched broth;
(d) crystallizing methionine from said methionine-enriched broth; and,
(e) isolating the methionine crystals to produce a methionine preparation.
9. A method of making a methionine preparation comprising:
(a) culturing a methionine-producing microorganism in a fermentation medium;
(b) obtaining a methionine-containing fermentation broth from said culturing, wherein the pH of said fermentation broth is adjusted to an acidic pH or basic pH; and
(c) concentrating said methionine-containing fermentation broth and optionally drying to produce a methionine preparation.
10. A method of making a methionine preparation comprising:
(a) culturing a methionine-producing microorganism in a fermentation medium;
(b) obtaining a methionine-containing fermentation broth from said culturing, wherein the pH of said fermentation broth is adjusted to an acidic pH or basic pH; and
(c) removing from said methionine-containing fermentation broth to produce a methionine preparation.