Inventors:
Robert Sporleder - Berthoud CO, US
James Linden - Loveland CO, US
Herbert Schroeder - Fort Collins CO, US
Donald Johnson - Fort Collins CO, US
Linda Henk - LaPorte CO, US
Robert Tengerdy - Fort Collins CO, US
George Szakacs - Budapest, HU
International Classification:
C12N009/20
C12N009/30
C12N009/42
C12N009/48
A23L001/48
US Classification:
435/198000, 435/203000, 435/209000, 435/212000, 426/018000
Abstract:
Rural biomass and other cellulosic materials are converted to a protein-enriched animal feed supplement or to single-cell protein by a series of bio-reactions. A first stage bio-reaction is a solid substrate bio-reaction. Enzymes, such as cellulase, produced by the first-stage bio-reaction are added to a second-stage bio-reaction. Raw second-stage bio-reaction feedstock is pretreated to hydrolyze hemicellulose and/or to partially digest starch in the feedstock. In the second-stage bio-reaction, the feedstock is substantially digested and single-cell protein is harvested in an aerobic bio-reaction, while ethanol is produced in an anaerobic reaction. Alternatively, raw biomass or other cellulosic materials can be treated with organic acid (e.g. maleic acid) combined with dry steam to produce a nutritional product that can be directly used as an animal feed supplement.