Patent Number: 6180378
Docket Number: 11596
Serial Number: 9239778
Date Patented: 01/30/2001

Technology Description: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists developed a new enzyme-recycling method that could expand non-food uses for domestic animal fats and vegetable oils.  They have demonstrated the method using the enzyme lipoxygenase, which adds oxygen to fatty acids.  Adding oxygen to fatty acids improves their properties, thus expanding their commercial uses.  Currently, manufacturers rely on imported castor oil for making certain commercial materials.  Castor oil is imported into the United Staes from South America, China and India.  Using this technology will make it possible to produce castor-oil-type fatty acids from domestic fats and oils, instead of relying on imports.  ARS's process is more stable and the enzymes can be used over and over again, which is more economical.  Current processes rely on non-reusable ezymes that make the process more expensive.  This technology allows manufacturers to improve the properties of domestic fats and oils for use in applications such as lubricants, greases, emulsifiers and plasticizers. The technology is applicable to the industrial lubricant and grease industry.  Companies engaged in the development of pharmaceuticals through enzymatic reaction would also benefit from the technology. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,180,378 (Docket #0115.96), "Immobilization of Bioactive Protein in Crosslinked Phyllosilicates," which issued on January 30, 2001.  Foreign rights are not available. Inventors: Thomas A. Foglia Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Wyndmoor, PA 190388598 (215) 233-6480 / Fax: (215) 233-6795  tfoglia@arserrc.gov An-Fei Hsu (Retired)  Shu-I Tu Microbial Biophysics & Biochemistry Research Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (215)233-6466 / Fax: (215) 23-6581  stu@arserrc.gov  Siuuan Shen (former ARS)