> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.valyu.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Citric-acid fermentation patent landscape

> Group fermentation patent publications into families and trace claimed process features in a cited patent landscape and CSV with Valyu DeepResearch.

**Example question:** Which patent families published from 2018 through 2024 concern citric-acid fermentation production or recovery?

**You get:** A family-grouped landscape and CSV of publication identifiers, process stages, claimed features and dated status sources.

**Start with:** Product and process terms; jurisdictions; publication window; relevant production stages; known applicants or families.

## Run with DeepResearch

Set `VALYU_API_KEY` in your environment, then run this illustrative request. Change the question and CSV fields for your own task. The CSV fields below describe the requested output, not a saved result.

<Accordion title="Run the research request">
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl --fail-with-body https://api.valyu.ai/v1/deepresearch/tasks \
    -H "x-api-key: $VALYU_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    --data-binary @- <<'JSON'
  {
    "query": "Map a bounded set of patent families concerning microbial fermentation production or recovery of citric acid, with publications from 2018 through 2024. Use original patent publications and official patent-office records where accessible. Group related publications into families and distinguish production-stage claims from recovery-stage claims and description-only examples. Record claim numbers and source URLs. Report legal status only with a dated official source; otherwise mark it unverified. Do not give freedom-to-operate or enforceability conclusions.",
    "mode": "standard",
    "research_strategy": "Use patent search for discovery and original publication or patent-office records for claims and status. Confirm source access and dataset availability before choosing API filters. Cite every row; mark missing or inaccessible evidence.",
    "report_format": "A concise evidence table, comparison limits and unresolved questions.",
    "deliverables": [
      {
        "type": "csv",
        "description": "One row per evidence item with the requested fields and supporting source URL.",
        "columns": [
          "family_id",
          "publication_number",
          "jurisdiction",
          "priority_date",
          "publication_date",
          "applicant",
          "process_stage",
          "claimed_feature",
          "claim_number",
          "source_url",
          "legal_status",
          "status_source",
          "status_checked_date",
          "open_question"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
  JSON
  ```
</Accordion>

Save the returned `deepresearch_id`. Poll [Get status](/api-reference/endpoint/deepresearch-status) until the task completes, then read the report and download the CSV from `deliverables`.

## How it works

1. Search patent publications using product, fermentation and process-stage synonyms. Include production and recovery terms, then review relevance.

2. Read publication claims, descriptions and family records. Distinguish an example in the description from a claimed feature.

3. Group related publications by family and retain jurisdiction-specific publication identifiers. Record legal-status source and date separately from technical content.

To build the workflow inside your own agent, use [Search](/search/quickstart) to find sources and [Contents](/guides/content-extraction) to read selected pages. Keep the CSV fields above as your extraction schema.

## Check the result

Check family grouping and jurisdiction rather than counting publications as independent inventions. A keyword match in a description does not establish claim coverage. Legal interpretation remains a separate review.


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