Danisco US Inc.

Genencor International, Inc.

Other

Genecor International, Inc.

Robert I Christensen

Nathaniel T Becker

Meng Hong Heng

Ryszard Braun

Mark S Gebert

Alfred L Gaertner

Robin Fong

Douglas A Dale

Thomas S Green

Stefan Ekbom

Alexandra Schuler

Antti V Kosola

Robert C Fewkes

Ernst H Gros

Bruce A Bisgrove

David R Wight

Mahmood M Ghani

Michael Bodo

John Reynold

Pekka Vaha-VaHe

Antti Pekka Vaha-Vahe

Meng H Heng

The invention provides small enzyme-containing granules having an inorganic salt core and an enzyme-containing layer coated over the core, and methods for producing such granules. The majority of the enzyme granules are less than 300 &#x3bc;m in diameter. The granules are suitable for incorporation into compositions such as cleaning, textile processing, and animal feed compositions.

Small enzyme-containing granules

Filtration processes and systems are provided for the separation of a filterable fluid stream by a filtration membrane module with uniform transmembrane pressure and flux along the membrane and internal control of membrane fouling via intermittent periodic reduction of the pressure differential between the permeate and retentate sides of the membrane and/or backwashing cycles during separation, recovery, and/or purification of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, biologically produced polymers and other compounds or materials from aqueous fluids.

Filtration with internal fouling control

A fluid bed processing system with a spraying apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an expansion chamber and at least one spraying apparatus which extends into the expansion chamber. The spraying apparatus has a plurality of single nozzles which are spaced along the spraying apparatus and has at least one fluid passage connected to each of the single nozzles.

Spray gun with a plurality of single nozzles for a fluid bed processing system and method thereof

A granule having high stability and low dust is described. The granule includes a hydrated barrier material having moderate or high water activity. Also described are methods of producing the granules.

Granule with hydrated barrier material

The present invention provides low-density compositions, as well as particulates formed, at least in part, from such compositions. Preferred low-density materials include, for example, hollowspheres, low-density minerals, and low-density wood materials (e.g., sawdust). The low-density compositions of the invention can be formed as particulates, or cores, suitable for use in forming enzyme granules, e.g., marums, layered granules, prills, drum granules, agglomerated granules, or the like. Granules are disclosed having advantageous properties, e.g., low dusting, storage stable, fast enzyme-release profile, low true density, etc. The granules of the invention are especially useful, for example, in liquid detergents and cleaners, such as predominantly aqueous, liquid laundry detergents. In one embodiment, granules are provided having a true, or volumetric, density within a range of from about 0.95 to about 1.4 g/cm . The granules can be economically produced in commercial quantities by way of a marumerization, drum granulation, fluid-bed spray-coating, pan-coating, or other suitable process.

Low-density compositions and particulates including same

Granules are prepared containing an admixture of protein and salt layered over an inert particle. A preferred amount of salt is about between 63.7 and 84.3% of the total weight of the admixture. Proteins include pharmaceutically important proteins such as hormones, or industrially important proteins such as enzymes including proteases, amylases, lipases and cellulases capable of hydrolyzing substrates such as stains. Inert particles include inorganic salts, sugars, sugar alcohols, small organic molecules such as organic acids or salts, and minerals such as clays or silicates. A binder such as starch or polyethylene oxide may be mixed in with the admixture. A barrier material such as an inorganic salt or organic acid or salt may be in the admixture or coated over the admixture layer. A coating layer of a soluble or water dispersible film-forming polymer may be between the inert particle and admixture layer and/or over the admixture layer. The granules may also contain plasticizers, extenders, lubricants, pigments and anti-agglomeration agents. A preferred method for preparing the granules is by spraying a solution or slurry of the admixture onto the inert particles while fluidized in a fluid-bed coater.

Granule containing protein and salt layered on an inert particle

Growing community of inventors

Pinole, CA, United States of America

Robert I Christensen