Systems and methods for yeast propagation
First Claim
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1. A method of propagating yeast comprising:
- (a) combining(i) a propagation medium comprising;
a nutrient source;
(ii) a carbon source comprising a starch feedstock material having one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides;
(iii) one or more amylolytic enzymes that can convert at least a portion of the one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides into one or more monosaccharides; and
(iv) a first cell mass of yeast, wherein the yeast can use at least a portion of the one or more monosaccharides to grow the first cell mass of the yeast for a time period to form a second cell mass of the yeast; and
(b) enzymatically converting at least a portion of the one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides into one or more monosaccharides at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C.; and
(c) growing the first cell mass of yeast on the propagation medium at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C. for a time period to form the second cell mass of yeast that is greater in cell number than the first cell mass of yeast.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for propagating yeast using a feedstock material such as starch and one or more enzymes (e.g., an enzyme cocktail) to break down the feedstock material into one or more monosaccharides at a sufficient rate so that the yeast can use the monosaccharides as a carbon source for producing more yeast cells while not producing an undue amount of alcohol.
34 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of propagating yeast comprising:
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(a) combining (i) a propagation medium comprising; a nutrient source; (ii) a carbon source comprising a starch feedstock material having one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides; (iii) one or more amylolytic enzymes that can convert at least a portion of the one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides into one or more monosaccharides; and (iv) a first cell mass of yeast, wherein the yeast can use at least a portion of the one or more monosaccharides to grow the first cell mass of the yeast for a time period to form a second cell mass of the yeast; and (b) enzymatically converting at least a portion of the one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides into one or more monosaccharides at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C.; and(c) growing the first cell mass of yeast on the propagation medium at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C. for a time period to form the second cell mass of yeast that is greater in cell number than the first cell mass of yeast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for propagating yeast comprising:
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(a) a propagation reactor vessel, wherein the propagation vessel contains composition comprising; (i) a nutrient source; (ii) a carbon source comprising a starch feedstock material having one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides; (iii) one or more amylolytic enzymes that can convert at least a portion of the one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides into one or more monosaccharides at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C.; and(iv) a first cell mass of yeast, wherein the yeast can use at least a portion of the one or more monosaccharides as a feed source; wherein the propagation reactor vessel is configured for enzymatic hydrolysis of the starch feedstock material, and for growth of the first cell mass of yeast at a temperature in the range from about 25 to 37°
C. to form a second cell mass of the yeast; and(b) an aerator coupled to the propagation reactor vessel.
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Specification