Methods of separating filamentous fungi and other components from mold-fermented compositions, and uses of separated components

Abstract

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.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of separating one or more components from a mold-fermented composition, comprising:
 providing a mold-fermented composition;   separating a first separation composition from the mold-fermented composition during the process of producing the final mold-fermented composition; and   isolating or separating a second separation composition from the first separation composition, the second separation composition comprising one or more separation components;   wherein the one or more separation components are selected from the group consisting of mold, starch, yeast, residual undigested protein, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mold-fermented composition is a mold-fermented beverage. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mold-fermented beverage is sake and the first separation composition is sake kasu, or the mold-fermented beverage is mirin and the first separation composition is mirin kasu. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mold-fermented composition is a mold-fermented food. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mold-fermented food is soy sauce, and the first separation composition is shoyu kasu. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more separation components is filamentous fungus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first separation material comprises:
 mixing the first separation composition with a solvent;   heating the mixture of the first separation composition and solvent to evaporate one or more volatile components from the mixture; and   separating the mixture into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the one or more separation components are part of the solid fraction.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first separation composition comprises:
 mixing the first separation composition with a solvent; and   separating the mixture into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the one or more separation components are part of the solid fraction   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first composition comprises:
 heating the first separation composition to evaporate one or more volatile components from the mixture; and   separating the first separation composition into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the one or more separation components are part of the solid fraction.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first separation material comprises:
 heating the first separation composition to evaporate one or more volatile components from the mixture;   mixing the first separation composition with a solvent; and   separating the mixture into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the one or more separation components are part of the solid fraction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first separation composition comprises:
 removing an alcohol content from the first separation composition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein removing the alcohol content from the first separation composition comprises boiling alcohol out of the first separation composition, separating alcohol from the first separation composition by passing the first separation composition through a selective membrane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein second separation composition has a protein content greater than 55 wt. % on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         14 . A food product comprising:
 a second separation composition comprising one or more separation components, the second separation composition produced by:
 providing a mold-fermented composition; 
 separating a first separation composition from the mold-fermented composition during the process of producing the mold-fermented composition; and 
 isolating or separating the second separation composition from the first separation composition; 
 wherein the one or more separation components are selected from the group consisting of mold, starch, yeast, residual undigested protein, or a combination thereof. 
   
     
     
         15 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more components comprise filamentous fungus. 
     
     
         16 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the mold-fermented composition is a mold-fermented beverage. 
     
     
         17 . The food product of  claim 16  wherein the mold-fermented beverage is sake and the first separation composition is sake kasu, or the mold-fermented beverage is mirin and the first separation composition is mirin kasu. 
     
     
         18 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the mold-fermented composition is a mold-fermented food. 
     
     
         19 . The food product of  claim 18 , wherein the mold-fermented food is soy sauce and the first separation material is shoyu kasu. 
     
     
         20 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the food product is a meat or seafood alternative or analogue food product. 
     
     
         21 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the food product is a food product formulated for human consumption. 
     
     
         22 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the food product is an animal feed or a pet food. 
     
     
         23 . The food product of  claim 14 , wherein the food product is protein-containing powder.