Solid State Fermentation is process where a crude fermented product is used for the fermentation. This process is mainly used in the industries for the production of enzymes. Some of the processes that are patented in USPTO are given below.
Patent no: 6,664,095 titled ‘Solid state fermentation’ with the abstract: The present invention provides an improved solid state fermentation device that combines all of the operations of microorganism cultivation (sterilization, inoculation, cultivation, extraction, and post extraction treatment). This solid state fermentation device is modular in nature and operates in a contained manner so that the live microorganisms from the reactor cannot come into contact with the environment and pollute the environment and also so that the environment inside the bioreactor is aseptic. Another aspect of this invention allows fermentation of microorganisms without inhibiting the growth of the microorganism. Specifically, the bioreactor is designed to remove heat that accumulates inside the bioreactor during fermentation by conduction. Additionally, there is a mechanism to add fluid to the interior of the bioreactor that permits equal distribution and precise control of a variety of environmental parameters. For example, the bioreactor of the present invention provides a means to add nutritive media to the microorganisms at any time during the fermentation process without disturbing the fermenting microorganisms. Furthermore, the bioreactor of the present invention provides a mechanism to mix the contents of the bioreactor at any time and for any duration during the fermentation process. Finally, the present bioreactor provides a means of extracting desired microbial products from the bioreactor without opening the bioreactor.
Patent no: 6,620,614 titled ‘Solid-state fermenter and method for solid-state fermentation’ with the abstract: The invention concerns a solid state fermenter in particular for large volumes as well as a procedure for solid state fermentation. The task of the present invention was the development of a solid state fermenter for large volumes and of a procedure for solid state fermentation that allows an economic application of the solid state fermentation for little competitive micro-organisms in large fermenters. The solid state fermenter according to the invention is characterized by representing a module fermenter, where at least two module bases, that are permeable for air and water, are arranged on top of each other, which are connected with the wall of the vessel in such a manner, that neither air nor water can pass laterally, the existence of a cultivation substrate for the micro-organisms, which have to be cultivated, on the module bases, a cooling device below every module base and the fermenter being closed with a lid.
Patent no: 6,667,066 titled ‘Multi-enzyme product with glucoamylase, proteolytic and xylanase activities and method for producing same by solid state fermentation of wheat bran with Aspergillus niger’ with the abstract: The invention concerns a multi-enzyme product with glucoamylase, proteolytic and xylanase activities, characterized in that it consists of wheat bran fermented with an Aspergillus niger strain, said enzymatic glucoamylase, proteolytic and xylanase activities being present in the following minimum values: glucoamylase activity: at least 100 UG per gram of dry matter; proteolytic activity: at least 100 UP per gram of dry matter; xylanase activity: at least 100 UX per gram of dry matter, provided that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the gluycoamylase activity is at least 750 UG per gram of dry matter, or the xylanase is at least 300 UX per gram of dry matter. The invention is useful for producing ethanol or monogastric animal feed.