The present invention relates to a method of co-culturing Inonotus obliquus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Phellinus linteus. The co-cultured mycelia prepared through the method of the present invention have high beta-glucan content and thus can exhibit superior health functionality, and can be used as an additive or a cooking seasoning in various foods. In addition, the use of the co-cultured mycelia in curing raw meat enables easy preparation of a meat-based food product that has a good taste and flavor.

The invention describes products, uses thereof, compositions thereof, and methods to prepare products formed from Maillard reaction products from a sugar donor and/or sweet tea extracts, Stevia extracts, swingle (mogroside) extracts, one or more sweet tea extract components, one or more steviol glycosides, one or more mogrosides, one or more glycosylated sweet tea glycosides, one or more glycosylated steviol glycosides or one or more glycosylated mogrosides and an amine donor/reactant.

The invention describes products, uses thereof, compositions thereof, and methods to prepare products formed from Maillard reaction products from a sugar donor and/or sweet tea extracts, Stevia extracts, swingle (mogroside) extracts, one or more sweet tea extract components, one or more steviol glycosides, one or more mogrosides, one or more glycosylated sweet tea glycosides, one or more glycosylated steviol glycosides or one or more glycosylated mogrosides and an amine donor/reactant.

Microbial starter cultures. More specifically, a method for preparing a microbial culture such as a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter culture wherein at least one microbial strain such as a lactic acid bacteria and at least one inactivated yeast strain is inoculated in a culture medium.

Microbial starter cultures. More specifically, a method for preparing a microbial culture such as a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter culture wherein at least one microbial strain such as a lactic acid bacteria and at least one inactivated yeast strain is inoculated in a culture medium.

The system comprises one or more transportable bioreactors configured with the ability to conduct aerobic fermentation of fruit biomass. This system integrates three functionalities: transportation regulations, fermentation requirements and food safety/quality control requirements. The transportation design features of the system render the bioreactors transportable to a fruit processing facility, wherein they can be filled with fruit biomass. The transportable bioreactor and processes take into account the requirements of the bioreactor functionalities of the system, given the particular deployment specifications of the system tailored for a certain environment and fruit biomass. Moreover, the design of this system conforms to the minimal requirements for the food safety and quality regulations of the jurisdictions in which the ultimate products will be directly and/or indirectly sold (e.g., as a foodstuff, health supplement, and/or a food ingredient). The integration of these three types of functionalities (transport, bioreactor and sanitation) gives rise to a practical solution for addressing the various problems of wasted foodstuffs such as fruit biomass.

The system comprises one or more transportable bioreactors configured with the ability to conduct aerobic fermentation of fruit biomass. This system integrates three functionalities: transportation regulations, fermentation requirements and food safety/quality control requirements. The transportation design features of the system render the bioreactors transportable to a fruit processing facility, wherein they can be filled with fruit biomass. The transportable bioreactor and processes take into account the requirements of the bioreactor functionalities of the system, given the particular deployment specifications of the system tailored for a certain environment and fruit biomass. Moreover, the design of this system conforms to the minimal requirements for the food safety and quality regulations of the jurisdictions in which the ultimate products will be directly and/or indirectly sold (e.g., as a foodstuff, health supplement, and/or a food ingredient). The integration of these three types of functionalities (transport, bioreactor and sanitation) gives rise to a practical solution for addressing the various problems of wasted foodstuffs such as fruit biomass.

It is an object of the present invention to achieve a simplified process of producing a yeast extract, improved production efficiency, reduced production costs, and the like. A yeast cell lysate is treated with a ribonuclease and AMP-deaminase simultaneously to improve production efficiency. Use of heat-resistant AMP-deaminase allows reactions with the ribonuclease and the AMP-deaminase to proceed simultaneously in an efficient manner.

Legume plant-based proteins, especially pea protein, are used as a primary source for twin-screw extrusion to manufacture an intermediate moisture, texturized protein piece that can be further processed by controlled hydration and coated with a batter, breading, or coating to produce a comestible product. Protein is the predominate ingredient (70-95%) in the extruded piece. In the preferred embodiment, the protein is pea powder and flavor is provided by addition of yeast extract to impart beef, chicken, or pork flavor. Additional components in the form of hydrophilic polymers and alkalai are also added prior to extrusion to insure desired texture and handling properties. The hydrophilic polymers impart functional properties such as water-binding, thereby aiding in foaming, emulsifying, texturizing, and gelation, important to manufacturing an intermediate moisture texturized plant-protein product by extrusion.

Legume plant-based proteins, especially pea protein, are used as a primary source for twin-screw extrusion to manufacture an intermediate moisture, texturized protein piece that can be further processed by controlled hydration and coated with a batter, breading, or coating to produce a comestible product. Protein is the predominate ingredient (70-95%) in the extruded piece. In the preferred embodiment, the protein is pea powder and flavor is provided by addition of yeast extract to impart beef, chicken, or pork flavor. Additional components in the form of hydrophilic polymers and alkalai are also added prior to extrusion to insure desired texture and handling properties. The hydrophilic polymers impart functional properties such as water-binding, thereby aiding in foaming, emulsifying, texturizing, and gelation, important to manufacturing an intermediate moisture texturized plant-protein product by extrusion.