US 12,077,751 B2
Systems and methods for bleaching microbial cells
Xuefei Zhao, Ames, IA (US); Zhiyou Wen, Ames, IA (US); Martin Anthony Gross, Ames, IA (US); and Everett Donald Dudley, Jr., Highland Park, IL (US)
Assigned to GW Nutrition Inc., Slater, IA (US)
Filed by GW Nutrition Inc., Slater, IA (US)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/369,421.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/048,691, filed on Jul. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0010297 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12N 13/00 (2006.01); A23K 10/12 (2016.01); A23L 3/28 (2006.01); A23L 17/60 (2016.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12N 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC C12N 13/00 (2013.01) [A23K 10/12 (2016.05); A23L 3/28 (2013.01); A23L 17/60 (2016.08); C12M 23/18 (2013.01); C12N 1/12 (2013.01); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of treating biomass, the method comprising:
mixing the biomass in a liquid to form a suspension, the biomass having an initial color; and
exposing the suspension to non-ionizing UV light to lyse the biomass to form treated biomass by directing the suspension through at least one tube, wherein the temperature of the suspension reaches between 40° C. and 60° C. during the step of exposing, wherein a light source directs the non-ionizing UV light towards the at least one tube, the treated biomass having a treated color, wherein the treated color is lighter than the initial color, wherein the treated biomass has a lipid content of between 5% and 15%, wherein exposing the suspension to non-ionizing UV light occurs without suppressing carbon dioxide in the suspension; and
including the treated biomass as at least a portion of a food product;
wherein the biomass has an initial taste and the treated biomass has treated taste, the initial taste being stronger than the treated taste and wherein the method occurs in an absence of a chemical bleaching agent.