Fermentation Control in Baker's Yeast Production: Mapping Patents

Abstract

During baker's yeast manufacturing, the fermentation process must be thoroughly controlled. This review of the patent literature provides new information on the early development of industrial fermentation processes. As shown by a review of 199 patents filed between 1900 and 2009, inventors in this field were mainly interested to improve yeast yields through the control of infection and sugar concentration in the growth media. Contrary to common belief, much attention was also given to continuous culture processes, involving addition and withdrawal of growth media. These technologies were mainly developed in about 30 y, between 1910 and 1939. In the recent years, inventors gave sustained attention to the fine tuning of fermentation control, mainly the rapid determination of yeast fermentation by-products in the exhaust to get rapid feedback on the rate of sugar addition in the fermentation tank. Improved fermentation control benefited much the baking industry because baker's yeast had higher gassing power and was cheaper. However, some of these key patents on baker's yeast technology were later declared invalid in court because it had little intellectual property value. In the baker's yeast trade and other sectors, this situation might have encouraged trade secrets while reducing the credibility of innovative ideas disclosed in the patent literature.

Aeration and Foam Control in Baker's Yeast Production: Mapping Patents

“…For a few patents, this German inventor from Mannheim was linked to a German manufacturer, Norddeutsche Hefeindustrie AG, based in Berlin thus very far from his hometown. Stich also claimed 2 patents on mechanical foam control, described in this review, as well as 1 patent on molasses treatment, 1 on growth media (adjuncts), 1 on seeding conditions, and 2 on fermentation control with some link to aeration (Gélinas , ).…”

“…Number of patent applications on media, fermentation control, and aeration and foam control during the production of baker's yeast according to filing date (5 y range). Data on media and fermentation control were obtained from Gélinas (, ). Since the publication of the latter reviews, the following 8 patents were found and counted above, specifically on growth media (YU 57002 filed in 2002; KR 100522264 filed in 2005; US 20120128853 filed in 2010; RU 2010152223 filed in 2010; CN 102311927 filed in 2011; RU 2012138881 filed in 2012; CN 104087521 filed in 2014), and fermentation control (RO 127019 filed in 2012).…”

“…According to Table , 13 industrial assignees, including the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, filed at least 3 patents on aeration and foam control, a number similar to other aspects of baker's yeast manufacturing such as growth media (Gélinas ) and fermentation control (Gélinas ). Among the most important industrial assignees in baker's yeast manufacturing, a major difference was the absence of the Fleischmann/Standard Brands group with only 1 patent on foam control.…”

“…Especially on aeration, 13 patented inventions were licensed to 6 manufacturers or industrial groups, especially between 1916 and 1945 (Table ). That number represents about 10% of total patents filed during that period, which is similar to growth media but less than for fermentation control with about 15% of patents leading to licenses (Gélinas , ). In 2 cases, no proper reference was made to the priority file or the 1st applicant.…”

“…According to Table 3, 13 industrial assignees, including the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, filed at least 3 patents on aeration and foam control, a number similar to other aspects of baker's yeast manufacturing such as growth media (Gélinas 2012) and fermentation control (Gélinas 2014 patent applications on media, fermentation control, and aeration and foam control during the production of baker's yeast according to filing date (5 y range). Data on media and fermentation control were obtained from Gélinas (2012Gélinas ( , 2014. Since the publication of the latter reviews, the following 8 patents were found and counted above, specifically on growth media ( a These data were partly adapted from Gélinas (2010).…”