Metabolically Active Micro-Organisms and Methods for Their Production

Abstract

The invention relates to a preparation of metabolically active bacteria, compositions comprising such a preparation, e.g., probiotic supplements or animal feeds, and to uses thereof, for example in the treatment of diseases affecting the intestinal microbial balance. Also described are a growth substrate for microorganisms comprising a mixture of complex and simple sugars and a process for the manufacture of preparations of metabolically active microorganisms using this growth substrate.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A method of treating or preventing a disorder affecting the intestinal microbial balance in a human or animal patient comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria as defined in  claim 65  or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria according to  claim 65  admixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers or excipients. 
     
     
         66 . A method of  claim 65  wherein the disorder affecting the intestinal microbial balance is chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. 
     
     
         67 . Animal feed comprising a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria as defined in  claim 65 . 
     
     
         68 . A foodstuff or beverage suitable for human consumption comprising a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria as defined in  claim 65 . 
     
     
         69 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria as defined in  claim 65  admixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers or excipients. 
     
     
         70 . A method for preparing a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria comprising:
 growing bacteria in a growth substrate comprising a mixture of complex and simple sugars, proteins and peptides to obtain a preparation of bacteria, and   chilling the resulting preparation to about 4° C. whereby the bacteria adopt a near equilibrium growth state characterised in that the population of bacteria in the preparation can be maintained at a constant level when stored at about 4° C. and at controlled pH for a period of at least 5 months, and   optionally storing the preparation at about 4° C.   
     
     
         71 . A method of preparing a metabolically active and stable preparation of bacteria comprising:
 adding bacteria to a growth substrate comprising a mixture of complex and simple sugars, proteins and peptides to form a preparation of bacteria, wherein the bacteria are added to the growth substrate at a concentration providing a near equilibrium growth state characterized in that the population of bacteria in the preparation can be maintained at a constant level when stored at about 4° C. and at controlled pH for a period of at least 5 months, and   optionally storing the preparation at about 4° C.   
     
     
         72 . A growth substrate for micro organisms comprising a mixture of complex and simple sugars wherein total amount of sugars is in the range of from 20 mg/ml to 40 mg/ml, and the total amount of reducing sugars is in the range of from 5 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml. 
     
     
         73 . A method of preparing a growth substrate or micro organisms comprising:
 subjecting malted cereal to a mashing step in which the malted cereal is mixed with aqueous liquid and subjected to conditions of time and temperature which limit the extent of conversion of complex to simple carbohydrates such that a mixture of complex and simple carbohydrates, proteins and peptides is obtained, and   separating the mixture of complex and simple carbohydrates, proteins and peptides from the spent malted cereal to obtain a growth substrate.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the mashing step comprises mixing the malted cereal with water at a temperature in the range of from 30° C. to 45° C., resting the mixture for 1 to 2 hours, increasing the temperature to a temperature in the range of from 75° C. to 85° C., within a period of time in the range of from 20 to 40 minutes, and then resting the mixture at a temperature in the range of from 75° C. to 85° C. for period of time in the range of from 60 to 90 minutes.