| 摘要 |
An incubator apparatus (10) for preparing an aerobically cultured plant material, such as a soyfood substrate (11), inoculated with a beneficial microorganism to form a cultured food, such as Tempeh, is described. The incubator apparatus is comprised of a water tray (13), which provides a water bath (15) for heating the inoculated soyfood substrate loaded in shallow metal trays (45), preferably stainless steel trays. The trays are then supported on tray racks (43) that are mounted in the water bath so that the trays are partially immersed in the water bath. The trays holding the inoculated soyfood substrate are then sealed in the water bath by a cover (61). The cover mounts over the tray racks and is partially immersed in the water bath to seal the cover over and around the trays filled with the inoculated soyfood substrate. An aerating supply system (31) provides for the aerobic culturing of the soyfood substrate while a circulating pump (100) provides a uniform distribution of the water bath throughout the water tray. A sensor (132) and a controller (104) actuate a temperature control system to effect heating and cooling of the water bath as needed to promote the growth of the microorganisms on the soyfood substrate. Later, a heating system (17) is used to elevate the temperature of the water bath to stop the culturing process by killing the microorganisms and to pasteurize the cultured food. The cultured food is then cooled and removed from the trays as a ready to eat food that can serve as an alternative to meat. The Tempeh is high in protein content and high in fiber without having cholesterol.
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