Provided herein are shelf-stable protein food ingredients, food products comprising the shelf-stable protein food ingredients, methods of their production, and methods of their use. The shelf-stable protein food ingredients comprise cultured fungal biomass and a limited amount of water. Advantageously, the shelf-stable protein food ingredients can be stored, transported, and delivered within the food supply.

Provided herein are compositions with enhanced protein content, protein compositions with improved functionality, and methods for the preparation thereof.

Provided herein are compositions with enhanced protein content, protein compositions with improved functionality, and methods for the preparation thereof.

The invention provides novel microalgal food compositions comprising microalgal biomass that have been processed into flakes, powders and flours. The microalgal biomass of the invention is low in saturated fats, high in monounsaturated triglyceride oil and can be a good source of fiber. The invention also comprises microalgal biomass that is suitable as a vegetarian protein source and also as a good source of fiber. Novel methods of formulating food compositions with the microalgal biomass of the invention are also disclosed herein including beverages, baked goods, egg products, reduced fat foods and gluten-free foods. The provision of food compositions incorporating the microalgal biomass of the invention to a human have the further benefit of providing healthful ingredients while achieving levels of satiety sufficient to reduce further caloric intake. The invention also provides novel strains of microalgae that have been subject to non-transgenic methods of mutation sufficient to reduce the coloration of the biomass produced by the strains. Oil from the microalgal biomass can be extracted and is an edible oil that is heart-healthy. The novel microalgal biomass and oil therefrom can be manufactured from edible and inedible heterotrophic fermentation feedstocks, including corn starch, sugar cane, glycerol, and depolymerized cellulose that are purpose-grown or byproducts of existing agricultural processes from an extremely broad diversity of geographic regions.

A method for preparing salami includes preparing a meat batter by mixing at least one meat and at least one additional ingredient, wherein the at least one additional ingredient excludes nitrates and excludes nitrites. The method also includes forming a plurality of salamis by placing a portion of the meat batter into each of a plurality of casings. The method also includes fermenting the plurality of salamis to a predetermined pH level and drying the plurality of salamis to a predetermined water activity.

Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

Provided herein are edible aerial mycelium, compositions including the same and methods for their preparation. Further provided are various food products including the aerial mycelium, such as hybrid food products containing mixtures of aerial mycelium and meat of various origin.

Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

A method for preparing salami includes preparing a meat batter by mixing at least one meat and at least one additional ingredient, wherein the at least one additional ingredient excludes nitrates and excludes nitrites. The method also includes forming a plurality of salamis by placing a portion of the meat batter into each of a plurality of casings. The method also includes fermenting the plurality of salamis to a predetermined pH level and drying the plurality of salamis to a predetermined water activity.