GB133374A - - Google Patents

Abstract

133,374. Eoff, J. R. July 21, 1917, [Convention date]. Glycerine, obtaining.-Glycerine is produced by fermenting sugars with veast in the presence of an alkali or alkaline salt, the proportion of alkali &c. being just below that which inhibits the activity of the yeast. Acetic acid, alcohol, and acetone are obtained as by-products. Any yeast capable of acclimatization in an alkaline medium is used. The yeast is first cultivated in sterile grape juice, and when in vigorous growth is added to a medium consisting of a wort made from malt sprouts, dextrose, and a yeast food such as Pasteur's solution, or a mixture containing ammonium nitrate, potassium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, magnesium sulphate, and traces of zinc and iron salts. When fermentation is active, sodium or potassium carbonate, phosphate, or hydroxide is added in successive doses up to the limit previously indicated. The " starter " so obtained, when fermenting vigorously, is added to a larger quantity of the medium, and alkali is added as before, the product being used for the manufacturing operation. The material treated for the production of glycerine may be either a solution of dextrose to which a wort obtained from malt sprouts is added, or " black strap " or other molasses, or purified and neutralized waste, sulphite liquor. The temperature is maintained at 27-50‹ C. preferably 37‹ C., during the fermentation. In treating molasses, the initial stage of the fermentation is effected while the molasses is slightly acid, in order that the sucrose may be inverted by the invertase of the yeast. Afterwards, successive doses of alkali are added in the ordinary manner. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specifications 138,099, 138,328, 138,329, 138,330 and 138,331.