Systems and methods for yeast propagation

摘要

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.

主权项

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.