A method for preparing a fermented molasses including at least one glycine betaine ester, the method includes the steps of (1) providing a fermented beet molasses, (2) adding, into this fermented beet molasses, at least one acid in an acid: glycine betaine molar ratio between 1 and 2.2 and (3) esterifying the acidified fermented molasses obtained in the preceding step by mixing with at least one alcohol. Also, a fermented and esterified molasses including betaine esters and the use thereof for improving the surfactant and/or emulsifying properties of a composition.

A method for preparing a fermented molasses including at least one glycine betaine ester, the method includes the steps of (1) providing a fermented beet molasses, (2) adding, into this fermented beet molasses, at least one acid in an acid: glycine betaine molar ratio between 1 and 2.2 and (3) esterifying the acidified fermented molasses obtained in the preceding step by mixing with at least one alcohol. Also, a fermented and esterified molasses including betaine esters and the use thereof for improving the surfactant and/or emulsifying properties of a composition.

Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

Provided herein is a method for producing alcohol. The method comprises fermenting milk permeate with yeast to produce a fermented broth comprising the ethanol. The fermented broth is then subjected to distillation to obtain a concentrated ethanol-enriched vapour having at least 50% v/v ethanol. From the ethanol-enriched vapour resulting from the distillation, an ethanol product is produced that is a biofuel or a potable spirit. The disclosure also provides a unique potable spirit composition produced from such process.

Provided herein is a method for producing alcohol. The method comprises fermenting milk permeate with yeast to produce a fermented broth comprising the ethanol. The fermented broth is then subjected to distillation to obtain a concentrated ethanol-enriched vapour having at least 50% v/v ethanol. From the ethanol-enriched vapour resulting from the distillation, an ethanol product is produced that is a biofuel or a potable spirit. The disclosure also provides a unique potable spirit composition produced from such process.

Methods of separating components traditionally considered as waste material from mold-fermented compositions are described. The waste components can be separated either from unfiltered compositions or from a separation stream separated from a composition. In some embodiments, filamentous fungus used in the production of the mold-fermented composition is specifically targeted for separation. Incorporation of separated waste components into various products are also described herein. In some embodiments, the separated components are used in alternative meat products and other foods designed for human consumption. Separated components can also be used in animal feed, as feed stock for other fermentation processes, or for use in treating food, creating cosmetics, or chemical processes.

Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

A fermentation and aging apparatus may include a tank, a fermentation container, an ingredient accommodator having at least a portion of ingredients for making a beverage accommodated therein, a pump, and a controller that controls the pump such that the portion of ingredients accommodated in the ingredient accommodator may be introduced into the fermentation container while the beverage is made. The controller may control the pump according to a primary fluid supply operation of turning on the pump to introduce fluid accommodated in the tank into the ingredient accommodator and to introduce the fluid and the portion of ingredients into the fermentation container, an operation of turning off the pump during a predetermined idle period, and a secondary fluid supply operation of turning on the pump to introduce the fluid accommodated in the tank into the ingredient accommodator and to introduce ingredients remaining in the ingredient accommodator and the fluid into the fermentation container.