Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Background of the Invention
The protein in fresh green plant tissues normally is
separated from the fiber by mechanical crushing of the plant
; cell walls by hammer mills, rollers, screw presses or the like
and squeezing the green juice from the plants.
Thereafter under prior practices the protein in the ;-
juice has been separated from the water in the juice by heating
the juice to about eighty degrees ~. or by adding mineral acids
or organic solvents which coagulated the protein. The protein
coagulum was then collected, usually by filtering or centrifuging.
The usual procedure used prior to the present invention, including ;
heating and the addition of solvents for obtaining protein fxom
green plants is disclosed in a book by N. W. Pirie, Blackwell
.. . . .
Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1971 entitled Leaf Protein,
Its Agronomy, Pre~ara~ion, Qualit~ and Use.
The heating of the plant juice is expensive as is the
addition of acid or organic solvents and in addition considerable
e~uipment and energy is required to carry out the process by the
heating method~ The invention is directed to less expensive
apparatus and process to coagulate and preserve the protein in
the green juice expressed from green plants and to separate the ~
protein rom most of the wat~r in the juice.
Summary o the Invention
In general, the invention consists of subjecting the
25 juice expressed from fresh green plant tissues to a generally -
.
short anaerobic fermentation in which organic acids are formed
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from the carbohydrates in the juice. The fermentation ~ -
is normally effected by the microorganism naturally
resldent on the green leafy plants which are carried into
30 the juice and lS usually accomplished in the anaerobic -
atmosphere of a sealed fermentation tank. The formed acid -
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lowers the pH of the juice and causes the protein to coagulate.
At the same time, some of the undesirable chlorophyl and
saponin glycosides or other toxic substances in the juice are
destroyed. Under the anaerobic conditions there is also less
oxidation of unsaturated fats and phenols than is the case when
the juices are heated. These oxidationswill produce an unpleasant,
rancid taste ~nd lowers the nutritive value of the proteins.
Also during the anaerobic fermentation some of the soluble
carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen in the juice are converted
into bacterial protein. This bacterial protein is high in
cystine and methionine which are the limiting amino acids in
leaf protein. Furthermore the oxidative destruction of these
amino acids which occurs when the juice is heated in the presence
of oxygen is avoided and thus the value of the protein concentrate
as a feed or food is raised.
Increase in the speed of the fermentation process is
accomplished by retaining some of the fermentation mixture
obtained from the previous day's fermented green juice in the
fermentation tank to inoculate the next load of juices supplied
to the tank or by adding an inoculum containing acid-forming
; anaerobic bacteria.
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After the protein has coagulated in the fermentation
tank it may be removed therefrom as a liquid slurry or silage to a
storage or preservation tank which also is sealed against the entry
. , .
of air. The coagulated protein settles to the bottom of the tank
and may be removed and used as an animal feed supplement. The
supernatant or de-proteinized li~uid which collects ln the top
portion of the storage tank is drawn off and can be used for
fertilizer. Conversely, the fermentation and preservation tanks
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may be combined into a single unit as illustrated in a second
embodiment of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawing
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sect:ional view of a large
storage structure and a roller press with parts shown
schematically;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 and illustrates a
small anaerobic fermentation tank and a large anaerobic storage
tank with valved connections;
Fig. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention
which shows an extractor and a single tank is shown in elevation
which is employed as a fermentation tank and an anaerobic storage
or preservation tank;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view illuskrating two of the
conduit connections to the tank oE Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower
portion of the combination fermentation and storage tank
illustrating a construction for regulating the flow in the
fermentation and storage tank for occasional mixing to aid
fermentation;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 in which a
construction is illustrated for regulating the flow to induce
rotation of the contents to aid in settling of the protein
sludge;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 in which a
construction is illustrated to regulate the flow to remove
supernatant; and
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 in which a
construction is illustrated to regulate the flow to remove
protein sludge.
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Description of the Preferred Embodiments -
The process and system described are directed to the
coagulation of proteins obtained from the green juice expressed -.
from alfalfa plants but the proteins may also be obtainecl fr m
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the juice of other green plants such as those set forth in
Table 1 hereinafter.
The alfalfa 1 from which the proteins are to be
obtained is normally chopped in the field and loaded on a wagon
and is then loaded into the extractor 2 which is shown as a
set of rollers to rupture the cells and squeeze out the juice
and fibrous residue. Other equipment like a screw press which
would accomplish the same result could also be employed.
It has previously been observed that when the fresh
green juice was allowed to stand, there is some coagulation of
the protein. However this has not been a basis ~or the
separation of the protein from the water ln the juice for when
the juice is left standing in contact with the oxygen in the air,
aerobic bacteria and molds rapidly grow. The molds of~en produce
toxic mycotoxins. Furthermore, aerobic bacteria which grow in
the juice in the presence of air cause undesirable putrifactive
changes in the juice. When left standing in contact with air,
the pH of the plant juice begins to rise as ammonia and amines
are formed. The juice soon spoils and becomes unsuitable for ~
20 feed and food. -
However if the fresh juice is placed under anaeroblc
condition5 and oxygen is excluded, anaerobic bacteria which
are re~,ident on the leaf surface of the green plants such
as alfalfa 1 are carried into the juice and begin to muItiply.
These produce organic acids and the pH drops from about 6 to
j between pH 4 and 5. Molds do no~ grow at this low pH and in
the absence of oxygen. Consequently after the juice is
separated from the alfalfa 1 it is pumped or conveyed by ~ ;
gravity from extractor 2 through conduit ~ to the oxygen
rree fermentation and sometimes preservation tank 4. At
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the same time the pressed forage from which the juice has been
separated is conveyed by conveyor 5 to a blower 6 which loads
the forage through pipe 7 into the top of the forage storage
tank 8 from whence it may be fed to livestock. Although some
of the proteins have been removed with the green juice extracted
from the alfalfa,sufficient remains in the pressed forage stored
in tank 8 to provide the nutrients requ:ired for ruminant animal
feed. Fig. 1 illustrates the forage 9 stored in tank'8. Tank 8
is sealed against the entry of air and may be provided with a
breather bag 10 such as that illustrated in U. S. Patent 3,193,058.
Bag 10 is supported from the roof of tank 8 and has a pipe 11 '''
connected to the bag and extending through the roof of tank 8. ,'
'' Under conditionso a sudden temperature change a decrease in internal
pressure to a point below atmospheric any air tending to flow ~
into the structure flows instead into bag 10 and expands it within , '
tank 8. Conversely with a rise in temperature causing an , '
increase in internal pressure the bag 10 is deflated and the
air in the bag is forced out through pipe 11. Two way valve ~- '
12 may also be provided as a relief valve for passage of air
, 20 into or gases out of the structure,when unusual pressure ' '
differentials may occur.
The fermentation tank 4 is sealed against the entry
of air and may be initially purged with inerk gases such as
carbon dioxide and nitrogen or during filling so that an anaerobic ; -,~
~- 25 atmosphere is maintained in tank 4 when the green plant juices ~,
are stored in the tank for anaerobic fermentation.
The sealing of tank 4 against the entry of air may be ,
accomplished by a floating cover, not shown, such as is employed
in hydrocarbon storage tanks or equipped with a breather system
such as that employed in the forage storage tank 8. This consists,
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in general of the bag 13 connected through the top of the tank
4 to the atmosphere so that air can enter bag 13 and be expelled
therefrom with changes in the differential in pressure between
outside air and gases inside tank 4 due to temperature changes.
A valve 14 may also.be connected to tank 4 so that in the event
of unusual changes in pressure bag 13 will be protected against
excessive inflation.
It has been found that it is desirable that tank 4 .
be of a size to hold the green juices from one day's harves~
or of a size to receive the green juice from a single cutting
of a forage crop. Anaerobic fermentation of the juices preferably
occurs in.a period o approximately twenty four hours. : .:
In order to initiate and carry out the anaerobic :
fermentation process it is desirable that an inoculum be. present
in the fermentation tank 4. As a source of inoculum for the
fermentation. of the plant juices in tank 4 there are the micro- ~:
; organisms naturally resident on the leaves and stems of the .
green plants. Enough bacteria and yeasts are usually present .
in the expressed juice of fresh green plants to cause anaerobic
fermentation o the juice provided the ~uice is placed under
suitable conditions so that there is a growth o~ acid producing
bacteria which lowers the pH o the stored juice and coa~ulates
the protein in two or three days. However, because the natural
inoculum in the leaf surface is limited and varies with the
plant and weather conditions, the best results are obtained when
the resh juice is inoculated with about 10 to 30 percent of ~:
the volume of juice that has already undergone the anaerobic
fermentation for one or two days and which has a pE[ between
: 4.5 and 5Ø ~ small supply of this inoculum 15 can be retained ::
in tank 4 preferably in the bottom of tank 4 as illustrated in
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the drawings or supplied thereto from another source. Theretained
inoculum 15 is rich in anaerobic acid forming bacteriawhich will
cause a more rapid anaerobic fermentation so that the pH drop
and protein coagulation can normally be completed within 24
hours. It is also possible to add an inoculum ~rom a tank
culture or synthetic medium which contains cells or spores
of acid forming anaerobic bacteria. `
During the fermentation process proteins in the juice
in tank 4 tend to coagulate or form into a curdlike state.
The protein coagulum prepared by anaerobic fermentation
is more soluble when the pH is raised than the coagulum prepared
by heat coagulation. Heat coagulation causes denatuxation of the
protein and the protein becomesinsoluble. The fermentation does
. ~.
not clenature all the protein, hence the protein ~rom the
anaerobi¢ fermentation process has better functional properties
than that prepared by heat coagulation.
j The protein coagulum produced by anaerobic fermentation
also has a better taste than the uncoagulated green juice or
the coagulum obtained by heating the juice. It is more readily
eaten by monogastric animals including swine and chickens.
The conduit 3 leading to the bottom of tank 4 from
extractor 2 extend9 through the reversible pump 16 accomplished
through valving within the pump and which is actuated to pump the
green juices in conduit 3 into fermentation tank 4. Conduit 3 is
provided with valves 17, 18 and 19 which when opened control the
flow of the juices through conduit 3 to fermentation tank 4.
Upon completion of the anaerobic fermentation process
in tank 4 which occurs as previously described, the protein
coagulum thereby formed in the form of a liquid silage is
conveyed to the sealed storage structure 20. ~ header 21 is
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connected to fermentation tank 4 at different levels by short
- conduits 22, 23, 24 and 25 respectively, each conduit having
a valve 26.
Header 21 is joined to conduit 3 at a connection
located just before conduit 3 conducts green juices through
pump 16 and valve 27 is located adjacent to the connection of
header 21 to conduit 3. When the protein coagulum is to be
discharged from fermentation tank 4 to sealed storage structure
20, the valves in conduit 3 are closed. In turn valve 27 is
; 10 opened and the valve 26 in conduit 24, for example, is opened
and pump 16 i5 actuated. The protein coagulum then flows through
.
conduit 24 and header 21 into conduit 3 and through pump 16. A
conduit 28 is connected to the discharge side of conduit 3 and
leads to the bottom o~ storage tank 20 for 1OW thereto of the
protein coagulum. At this time the valves 29 and 30 located in
conduit 28 are open and the valve 31 in the conduit 32 connected
to conduit 3 is closed.
- When conduit 3 is being used to fill fermentation
tank 4 with green juice or for conveying of the protein coagulum
to conduit 28 and then to storage tank 20, the discharge condùit
connected to conduit 3 and leading from pump 16 is closed by -
,
valve 34. Likewise the valve 35 in conduit 36 leading from
the header 37 which is connected to the storage tank 20 by short
pipes 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 which are secured to the tank 20 at
di~ferent levels. Each of the short pipes has a valve 44 to
control flow through the respective pipes.
The storage structure is also designed to be sealed
against the entry of oxygen as is crop storage tank 8 so that
an anaerobic atmosphere can be maintained therein. Consequently
30 storage structure 20 is protected against entry of air ~ -
by change in pressure differentials between the outside atmosphere
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and the gases in the structure such as by a breather bag 45
which is suspended within the upper end of structure or tank 20
and connected to the atmosphere by the pipe 46 extending through
the roof of the structure. A relief valve 47 is also employed -
with tank 20 to prevent excessive inflation of breather bag 45in
the event of unusual changes in pressure differential between the
inside and outside atmosphere to which tank 20 is subjected.
In the storage tank 20 the protein coagulant 48 as
illustrated in the drawings tends to settle to the bottom of
tank 20 as a sludge and the supernatant or de-proteinized
liquid 49 collects in the upper portion of the tank.
The liquid 49 is arawn off from the upper portion of
tank 20 through one of the pipes 38l 39 or ~0. E'or example,
if the valves ~, 35 and 3~ are opened and pump 16 started/
liquid ~9 will then pass to header 37l thence through conduit
36l conduit 3 through pump 16 and be discharged from conduit 33
; such as to a tank truck or feed lot not shown. Liquid 49
contains minerals and some protein and when drawn off and
received in a tank truck may be used as fertilizer.
In turn the protein sludge 48 may be drawn off in a
similar path by opening valve 44 in either of the conduits 42
or 43. Likewise upon the opening of valves 30l 31 and 34 and
the starting of pump 16 the sludge may be discharged from the
cone-shaped bottom of tank 20 through conduits 28 and thence
through conduit 3 and pump 16 and leave the system through
conduit 33. The protein sludge is a slurry-like substance and
may be used as a feed supplement with corn silage, shelled corn
or reconstituted dry grain or any feed materials which are
defiaient in protein Other types of draw off may be employed ~;
such as directing flow of the liquid 49 by a conduit directly to
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a manure spreader or the like where a vacuum pump, not shown,
or gravity may draw the liquid from the structure.
In the second embcdiment of the invention there is
shown the extractor 50 corresponding to ex-tractor 2 of the
5 first embodiment into which green plants 51 such as alfalfa : .
are deposited after cutting and the plants are then pressed to
rupture the cells and squeeze out the juice and fibrous residue.
As in the first embodiment a conveyor S conveys the
pressed fibrous residue to a blower and thence a sealed storage
tank such as blower 6 and tank 8 as is shown in Figu:re 1 of the
first embodiment.
The extractor 50 may be of cone shape at the bottom
and has an extension in the bottom containing the hose connection
52 to which may be connected the fle~ible hose or conduit 53.
~djacent to extractor 50 ma~ be located the reversible pump 54
and pump 54 is provided with the lower fixed conduit 55 and
upper fixed conduit 56, each of which is provided with the hose
connection 57. The flexible conduit 53 leading from extractor
50 is connected to the lowermost hose connection 57 of the pump
and another flexible conduit 58 is connected at one end to the
: ..
uppermost hose connection 57 and the other.end of the conduit
58 is secured to the hose connection secured to a fixed conduit .
59 extending from the bottom of the fermentation and preservation . ..
; tank 60. Conduit 59 has a valve 61 in it for opening and closing , :-
the conduit. . ..
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: Consequently when the fresh green juice extracted from
: plants 51 is to be transferred to tank 60 flexible conduits or .::
hoses 53 and 58 are connected to their respective hose connections,:
; valve 61 is opened and pump 5~ is started. The ~uice then flows . . :~
~ 30 through hose 53, pump 54 and hose 58 into the bottom of tank 60.
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The fresh juice is thereby mixed with inoculum which is juice
which has previously been fermented and retained in tank 60.
The fermentation and preservation tank is a combination
of the fermentation tank 4 and the preservation tank 20
5 illustrated in the first embodiment of the invention and ~ -
consequently will be more like the size of the storage or ~-
preservation tank 20 than the fermentation tank 4.
As with tanks 4 and 20, the anaerobic atmosphere is
maintained within tank 60 by preventing the entry of air. Again
this may be done by a floating cover, not shown, or as with tanks
; 4 and 20, a breather bag 62 which is suspended inside the tank 60
from the roof and connected to the outside atmosphere by pipe 63
so that the pressure differential between the gas inside the tank
and the outside atmosphere can be compensated Eor to prevent
in~ress of air to the inside of tank 60. A relief valve 64 is
connected to tank 60 to permit entry of air or e~it of gases in
the event of extreme temperature changes.
Tank 60 is provided with a number of inlet conduit
connections 65 - 71 each of which has a valve 72 for opening and
closing the conduit.
The conduit connections 65 - 71 are preferably located
on an oblique angle relative to tank 60 as illustrated in Fig. 4
so that a slow rotation can be obtained within tank 60, with the
respective conduit connections in some cases acting as inlets and
25 other cases as outlets. Conduits 67 and 68 are shown in Fig. 4
to illustrate the oblique orientation of the connections. ~ -
Should it be desirable the flexible hose 58 may be
connected to any of conduit connections 65 ~ 71 for filling of
tank 60 with fresh juice. This is not shown in the drawings.
Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings illustrate the mixing
operation which may be carried out in tank 60.
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In Fig. 5 where a partial view of tank 60 is shown,
the flexible hose 73 is connected at the upper end to conduit
connection 67 at one end and at the other end to the upper
conduit 56 of pump 54. A second flexible hose 74 is connected
to the lower conduit 55 of pump 54 and to the fixed connection
59 at the bottom of tank 60. When val~es 72 and 61 are opened
and pump 54 is started, flow of the stored sludge from tank
60 occurs through connection 67, through the described hoses
73 and 74 and pump 54 and through connection 59 into the bottom
of tank 60. This provides for occasional or intermittent
mixing to aid the fermentation in the anaerobic atmosphere in
the tank and to remove foam. The flow may be reversed by ~ `
reversing pump 54.
In Fig. 6 the upper end of flexible hose 73 is
connected to conduit connection 68 and to the upper conduit
56 of pump 54. The flexible hose 74 is connected to conduit
connection 67 at one end and at the other end to the lower
conduit 55 of pump 54. In the illustration in Fig. 6 when the
valves in conduit connections 67 and 68 are open and the pump
54 is started flow from tank 60 of the stored material begins
in hose 74 passes through pump 54 and then back into tank 60
through hose 73 and conduit connection 68. This described flow
is for the purpose of rotat:ion of the contents of the tank to
aid in settling of the protein sludge in tank 60. The flow
may be reversed by reversing pump 54 and the rotation of the `
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contents is readily accomplished by the oblique conduit
connections as illustrated in Fig. 4.
` In the flows of tank contents described with respect
`~ to Figures 5 and 6, the best results will be obtained if the ;
flow is restricted to a generally slow flow so that the
fermentation process will not be unduly disturbed. `
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Fig. 7 illustrates the flow to remove the super-
natant liquid which forms in the upper portion of the tank 60
when the protein coagulum 75 settles to the bottom of tank 60
- and the anaerobic fermentation process is completed. As
illustrated in that figure, the flexible hose 73 is secured at
one end to conduit connection 68 and at the other to the upper
conduit 56 of pump 54. In turn the hose 74 is connected to the
lower conduit 55 of pump 54. When valve 72 in conduit connection
68 is opened and pump 54 is started, the supernatant is pumped
from tank 60 and into a tank truck, for example, for distribution
on fields as fertilizer or to a feed processing plant.
Figure 8 illustrates the flow from tank 60 to remove
protein sludge. As illustrated the flexible hose 73 is secured
at one end to the fi~ed conduit 59 at the bottom of tank 60 ~ `
and conneated at the other end to the lower conduit 55 of pump
54. Hose 74 in turn is connected to the upper conduit 56 of
pump 54. When valve 61 is opened and pump 54 is started the -
protein sludge is drawn from the lower portion of tank 60 and
pumped to a feed lot or deposited in a tank truck, not shown.
The experiments carried out in developing the invention
as set forth in the following tables and examples illustrate
the work which has been done to establish that the fermentation
; process employed to precipitate and preserve protein by the
anaerobic fermentation process has many advantages over a
process of coagulating the proteins by heat.
In support of the pH statements made in the Examples
described hereinafter, is the following table presenting data
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on the pH change on fermentation of juices from various plants.
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Table I
pH of pH after 24
Plant Fresh Juice Hours Fermentation
Alfalfa 5.8 - 6.0 4.2 - 4.5 ;~
Corn 5.5 3 4
5 Oats 5.6 3~7
Pea Vines 5.6 3.8
Lawn Grass 5.5 - 4.2
Pangola Grass 5.7 4.2
Brome Grass 6.0 - 4.0
10 Elephant Grass 5.7 4
Sudan Grass 5.5 3.6
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Exam~le 1
One o the first experiments was carr;ied out by squeezing green
juice from the fresh green lea~ and stem tissues of alalfa
~Medicago sativa) by means of a small stainless steel screw
press. The pH of these resh alfalfa juices was close to pH
6. A quantity of the fresh green juice (from as little as
100 ml to as much as 2000 ml) was placed in Erlenmeyer flasks
or bottles. The oxygen above the juice was displacecl with
nitrogen and the fIask or bottle closed and sealed with a rubber
. . .
stopper with a water valve or Bunsen valve which allowed gases
ormed during the anaerobic fermentation to escape but did not
allow air to enter the vessel. In some cases a small amount
o ground wheat or flour was added to the alfalfa j~uice to
~ 25 increase the carbohydrate content. As illustrated in Table 1
-~ the pH of the green juice dropped from pH 6 to between 4.2 and
4.5 within 1 to 3 days and an olive green protein sediment or
coagulum settled to the bottom~ The liquid above the sediment
was turbid due to suspended bacteria cells. The pro~ein sediment
or coagulum was collected by centrifuging the fermentation
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mixture or by syphoning off the supernatant liquid. This
separation was generally done after a fermentation period of
from 12 to 72 hours. However, in some experimentation the
,
fermentation time was extended for longer periods to see how
long the mixture would keep. Some gas was produced during the
fermentation. When gas production had stopped the Bunsen or
water valve was replaced by a tight rubber stopper for prolonged
storage at room temperature. The green color of the supernatant
changed from light tan to dark brown during the prolonged
fermentation and storage period. This storage period has been
extended to over a year and the contents of the botttes continue
to show a low pH and no signs of putrefacti~e spoilage. In
contrast, th~ fresh alfalfa juice samples that were left exposed
to air underwent an aerobic fermentation~ they showed an increase `~
in pH within two days and signs of spoilage as indicated by an
unpleasant putrid odor. Within a few days the putrid smell
was so bad that the fresh juice samples that had been left
exposed to air had to be discarded.
Example 2
The experiment described in Example 1 was repeated except that
the green alfalfa tissue was replaced by green leaf and stem
tissue o~ corn (Zea mays) cut just as ears began to orm. The
pH of the juice of the corn decreased from 5.5 to 3.4 as
illustrated in Table 1 and a protein coagulum was formed.
; 25 Example 3
In this example the alfalfa tissue of Example 1 was
replaced by green stem and leaf tissue of oats (Avena sativa)
that was cut when heads were beginning to form, and the pH
i - results were as set forth in Table 1.
Example 4
The alfalfa tissue of Example 1 was replaced by fresh lawn
grass clippings. These clippings consisted of the mixture of
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grasses cut from an established lawn with a rotary mower. Juice
was expressed from the clippings with a screw press. Samples of
the solids and supernate were taken from the lawn grass juice
that had been subjected to anaerobic fermentation for 26, 50 and
74 hours. These samples and a sample of the unfermented fresh
juice were hydrolyzed and analyzed for their amino acid
composition. These amino acid analyses showed that the lawn
grass juice that had been fermented for 26 hours contained 15%
more protein as calculated from the amino acid content than the
unfermented fresh juice, as illustrated in Table 1. After 50 and
74 hours this increase was 17% and 21% respectively. This
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experiment showed that some of the carbohydrates and non-protein
nitrogen in the lawn grass juice had been converted into
hacterial protein during the anaerobic fermentation. Thus a ;
short anaerobic Eermentation of the green plant julce will
increase the amount of protein that may be recovered from-the
juice of green plant tissue. ~
Example 5 ;~ ,
Example 1 was repeated except that the alfalfa tissue was
replaced by fresh leaf and stem tissue of the tropical grass
commonly known as pangola grass (Digitaria decumbems) as set
forth in Table 1. This tropical grass was grown in the
greenhouse and was about 18 inches high when cut, and the results
were of the same order as those of Example 1 and as illustrated
in Table 1 the pH of the fresh juice decreased from 5.7 to 4.2 ~;
after 24 hours of fermentation.
Example 6 !~` ,.. .
The alfalfa tissue of Example 1 was replaced by the tropical
. .
grass known as elephant grass (Dennisetum purpureum). This grass
was obtained from a local field plot. The grass was about
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4 feet tall when cut. The juice which was readily expressed
from the leaf and stem tissue showed good anaerobic fermentation
; and a protein sludge settled to the bottom of the fermentation
bottle. The data in Table 1 shows the pH of the fresh juice
decreased from 5.7 to 4.2 after 24 hours of fermentation.
In the examples given hereafter the juice from green
plants was placed in larger glass jars instead of the smaller
flasks or bottles employed in the previous examples. The ;~
experiments which were carried out in the following examples
gave the same results in the decrease of the pH of the fresh
juice after 24 hours of fermentation as that set forth in
Table 1.
Example 7
A larger quantity of fresh alfalfa juice was plaaed in cylindrical
glass precipitating jars 1~ cm in diameter and ~6 cm hlgh. Juice
was added to a depth of 40 cm. A close fitting circular cover
of particle board or polystyrene was floated on top of the juice.
This floating cover prevented diffusion of oxygen into the
.
surface of the liquid yet allowed gases formed during the
fermentation to escape around the edges. The top of the jar
was covered with a loose fitting plastic cover which helped to
xetain the fermentation gases above the liquid and to maintain
anaerobic conditions. Within one or two days the pH of the
alfalfa juice dropped from about pH 6 to between pH 4.2 and 4.5.
An olive tan protein coagulum settled to the bo~tom of the jar.
The supernatant which for the first few days was very turbid
due to the growth of anaerobic bacteria, slowly became less
turbid and developed a brown color. There was no putrid odor
or other signs of spoilage duriny the fifteen month period
that the jars and their contents were held at room temperature.
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1~80~28
The jars with alfalfa juice then contained a thick protein
coagulum or sludge to a depth of 15 cm above which was 25 cm
of a brown, sllghtly turbid liquid.
Example 8
The experiment described in Example 7 was repeated except the
alfalfa juice was replaced by juice prepared from fresh lawn
grass clippings. After the anaerobic fermentation was complete
the jar contained a thick pro-tein coagulum to a depth of 10 cm -
above which was 30 cm of a slightly turbid liquid. The p~ of
the fresh juice after 24 hours of fermentation decreased from
5.5 to 4.2 which conforms to the data set forth in Table 1.
In the following examples the fermentation process
was carried out in much larger tanks and the results with respect
to the pH drop conformed to the data in Table 1.
Example 9
To determine if the anaerobic fermentation of fresh green plant
juice could be conducted on a larger scale as might be required
from farm operations, fermentations were done in a 100 gallon
cylindrical tank 73.5 cm in diameter and 100 cm deep. ~he
green juice in this tank was covered with a floating circular
cover about 72.5 cm in diameter which was cut from 3/4 inch
particle board. This cover was floated on the top of the juice
to prevent oxygen diffusion into the liquid and thereby maintain
anaerobic conditions. In addition, a loose fitting metal lid
covered the top and helped to retain the fermentation gases
in the upper part of the tank. Fresh alfalfa which had been ;
cut and chopped with farm harvesting equipment was passed through -
a large screw press which expressed the green alfalfa juice.
Four hundred seventy-four pounds of this fresh juice was placed
in the tank and one hundred twenty-four pounds of inoculum
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which had been prepared by allowing alfalfa juice that had
been expressed the day before to undergo anaerobic fermentation
in milk cans closed with a Bunsen valve. The inoculum was
mixed with the fresh juice which was then covered with the
floating cover and allowed to undergo anaerobic fermentation
for 20 hours. During this time the pH of the juice fell from
6 to between 4.2 - 4.5 and a protein coagulum formea. The
entire fermentation mixture was then centrifuged in a high
speed Sharples centrifuge to collect the protein coagulum.
About 5 percent of the weight of the fermented mixture was
collec-ted as thick protein coagulum. This paste contained 31%
total solids. Amino acid analysis showed it contained 41%
.
protein on a dry basis.
Example 10
Example 9 was repeated except that the protein coagulum was
collected in a low speed basket centrifuge. Amino acid analysis
! of the protein coagulum showed it contained 39% protein on a
dry basis.
Example 11
Example 9 was repeated except that the tank was filled to a
depth of 72 cm with fresh alfalfa juice containing only 5
liters of inoculum prepared from alfalfa juice that had undergone
anaerobic fermentation for the previous 24 hours. After this
mixture had fermented for 72 hours while covered with the
floating cover, a brown turbid supernatant was separated from a
- thick protein sediment or sludge which had settled to the bottom.
This separation was made by syphoning off the supernatant. The
syphoning was done with a rubber tube and a pipe having a
circular disk positioned just below the inlet which reduced the
mechanical mixing of the supernatant and sediment. The depth of
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the supernatant layer that was syphoned off was 34 cm. The
protein sediment or sludge filled the bottom part of the tank
to a depth of 24 cm. Samples of the supernatant and sediment
were saved for analysis. Mineral analysis of the supernatant
showed it contained 4.4 percent total solids which on a dry
matter basis contained 0.19 percent nitrogen, 245 ppm phosphorus
and 5610 ppm potassium. Thus, the supernatant is a valuable -~
liquid fertilizer. The thick protein sludge was stored in a cold
room for feeding trials with pigs and chickens. In a further
experiment to determine if the thick protein sedimentwould be eaten -
by pigs, a trough was filled with about 5 gallons of the sediment ;
and placed before a group of nine grown pigs. These pigs had
access at all times ko a dry grain ration and to fresh watex.
The pigs readily consumed all of the ~ermented alfalfa
sediment within a few hours after it was placed before them.
~hey continued to eat the fermented alfalfa sediment well
; on each of the three consecutive days that about 5 gallons
w~s fed. During this time they seemed to reduce their intake
of water and dry food and ate the alfalfa sediment more
readily on the third day than on the first day. In contrast
it has been reported by other workers that when either fresh
unfermented alfalfa juice or the wet heat coagulated alfalfa
protein coagulum was placed before the pigs, they consumed
very little of either the fresh juice or heated coagulu~ and
. ~ ~
after a few days refused to eat either the fresh juice or
heated coagulum. These experiments showea that pigs liked the
taste of the fermented alfalfa juice but did not like the
taste of the fresh unfermented alfalfa juice or the heat
coagulated alfalfa protein. Before feeding the fermented
alfalfa sediment to day old baby chicks it was necessary to
dry it. Drying was done by mixing 750 cc of the fermented
alfalfa protein sediment with 100 grams of starch and then
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drying the mixture overnight in 29 x 49 cm enamel trays in a
cross-flow oven at 60 C. This fermented alfalfa sediment
and starch mixture dried to a light olive green powder to which
was added a vitamin and mineral mixture, 0.2% methionine and
4% glutamic acid to bring the protein content to 20~ A
similar ration was made from spray driecl whole alfalfa juice
and from spray dried heat coagulated alfalfa protein. These
three rations were fed to groups of day old chicks at the same
; protein level. Within one week, 80% of the chicks fed the
spray dried whole alfalfa juice died. The deaths were pr~bably
dué to the toxic effects of alfalfa saponins for alfalfa is
very high in water soluble saponins which are toxic to chickens.
The groups o~ chicks fed the fermented alfalfa sediment or the
heat coagulated alfalfa protein grew well for the two week
period o the experiment. The group fed the ermented al~alfa
sediment showed slighkly more weight ~ain than those fed the
heat coagulated protein. The fermented alfalfa sediment contained
88~ water from the alfalfa juice. This water would contain
water soluble saponins. Because it showed no toxicity when
fed to chicks, while the spray dri~d whole juice was very toxic,
it was concluded that the anaerobic fermentation of the alfalfa
juice markedly reduced the toxicity of the saponins in the
alfala juice. The toxic saponin glycosides were probably
hydrolyzed during the ermentation. Because methionine and
cystine are known to be the limiting amino acids in alfalfa
- protein, a careful analysis was made for the amino acids
methionine and cystine in fresh unfermented whole juice and in
. .
the supernatant liquid and the sediment from the anaerobic
ermentation described in this Example 11. The methionine was
determined by oxidation to methionine sulfone and the cystine by
oxidation to cysteic acid before acid hydrolysis and ion exchange
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chromatography. The analyses showed that the anaerobic
fermentation increased the methionine content 13~ above that
of the whole fresh juice. During the anaerobic fermentation
much of the soluble carbohydrate and non-protein nitrogen
is converted into bacterial protein. This bacterial protein
is high in methionine and so the conten~ of methionine in the
mixture of alfalfa and bacterial protein is greater than that
in the fresh whole alfalfa juice.
A similar amino acid analysis and comparison was
made on the protein coagulum formed by heating and by anaerobic
fermentation of alfalfa. The following table sets forth the
data which was collected as a result of this analysis from
anaerobic fermentation which was carried out in 100 and 200
gallon tanks.
Table II
Protein
Content GMS Amino Acid/100 Grams
Sample ~ Dry Total Amino Acids ~ -
LYS CY~ MET LEU
Heated Alfalfa Concentrate 41.3 6.65 1.33 2.27 8.86
(Spray dried)
Fermenked Alfalfa Sludge 29.7 5.38 1.83 2.55 9.46
~Spray dried)
; Fer~ented Alfalfa 46.6 6.48 1.96 2.75 9.63
(Centxifuged, washed and
freeze dried)
The protein coagulum obtained by fermentation contained -
25 41~ more cystine and 13~ more methionine than the protein :
coagulum formed by heatlng the juice.
The following table illustrates enzymatic release of
amino acids from heated spray dried protein concentrate of
alfalfa and fermented oven dried sludge from alfalfa after
digestion with pepsin followed by pancreatin.
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101~28
Ta~le III
Sample GMS Amino Acid Released/100 Grams Total Amino Acids
.
Total LYS CYS MET MET~0 LEU
Heated 17.9 1.77 None 0.24 6.79 2.51
Fermented 20.9 1.51 1.06 0.48 None 2.87
The above study of the hydrolysis of the fermented and
heated alfalfa protein coagulum by the digestive enzymes pepsin
followed by pancreatin showed that cystine was 1~ of the total
amino acid released from the fermented coagulum but no cystine
was released from the heated coagulum. The enzymatic release
of methionine from the fermented coagulum was twice that from
the coagulum formed by heating. Methionine sulphoxide was
released from the heated coagulum but not from the ~ermented
coagulum~ The data in Table III suggests an oxidative destruc-
tion of sulphur amino ~cids occurs on heaking but does notoccur or is reduced when anaerobic fermentation of green plants
like alfalfa ic employed. -
The foIlowing Table IV presents data on the results ;
of rat feeding trials showing protein eaten, gain in weight,
20 protein efficiency ratio (P.E.R.) of casein, heated spray -~
dried alfal~a proteln concentrate and oven dried protein sludge
from alfalfa at 10% protein.
Table IV ~ --
Corrected
Sample Protein Eaten Weight GainP.E.R.
gms~2 wks. gms/2 wks. ~ -
Casein 14.9 I 0.3 64.4 I 1.8 ~.5
Heated Protein 9.4 I 0.4 19.8 I 1.4 1.1
Concentrate
Fermented 10.2 I 0.6 29.2 + 2.i 1.7
Sludge
Protein Efficiency Ratio = Gain in Weight
~P.E.R.) Protein Eaten
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The data in the above Table IV indicates that the ,- ,-
rats which were fed the heat coagula~ed protein gained an
average of only 19.8 grams and showed a corrected protein
efficiency ration of 1.1. The rats which were fed the protein
coagulated by fermentation showed a gain of 29.2 grams and a
corrected protein efficiency ratio of 1,.7. Conseguently rat
growth is greater on protein formed by anaerobic fermentation
than on protein formed by heating but less than on casein, and
the results were obtained even though rats do not like the taste
of alfalfa.
Example 12
The anaerobic fermentation described in Example 1 was repeated
except the protein sediment or coagulum,was collected by
centri~ugation after a fermentation period of 1, 2 and ~ days.
~he sediments were analyzed for xanthophyll and carotene using
the method described by B. E~ Knuckes, S. C. Witt, R. E. Moller
and E. M. Bickoff,"Journal of the Association of Official
Analytical Chemists", Vol~ 54, pages 769-772, 1972. The ~ ,,
analyses showed that the protein sediment collected after 1, 2
and 4 days contained 813, 736 and 763 milligrams of xanthophyll
per pound of dry matter respectively. The non-epoxide xanthophyll ,,
levels were 774, 768 and 795 milligrams. The carotene content
was ~65, 613 and 680 milligrams per pound of dry matter after
1, 2, and 4 days of anaerobic fermentation. The analyses thus
showed that the xanthophyll and carotene are not destroyed during ,-
~ ,: ~::the anaerobic fermentation. In a further experiment it was
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shown that the xanthophyll and carotene content of the protein
concentrate prepared by the anaerobic fermentation of alfalfa
juice was higher than that prepared by the usual method of
~ 30 heat coagulation of the protein in the same juice. ,
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Example 13
.
In this example it was shown that anaerobic fermentation may
be used to preserve the wet protein coagulum that is produced by
heating the green juice expressed from alfalfa, oats, corn, brome
and lawn grass. The wet protein coagulum obtained by heating
the expressed juice to 80 C. was placed in the lower portion
of cyrovac plastic bags. These bags have a very low rate o~
oxygen diffusion through the plastic. The bags were evacuated
to remove the air in each bag and then tied shut in two places
with a soft insulated wire or string. In some cases a second
bag was placed over the first to reduce oxygen leakage. The
tight folds in the plastic at the area of the ties allowed
the gases formed in the fermentation to slowly escape yet
reduced the diffusion o~ air into the bag. In some cases,
ground whole wheat was mixed with the wet protein coagulum in
order to increase the amount of carbohydrate available for the
anaerobic fermentation. The bags were stored at room temperature
for periods up to 16 months with the tied portion on top to ;-
prevent leakage o~ liquid. Some bags were opened during this
period for examination and to determine the pH of their contents.
In a few cases the plastic bags cracked or developed leaks.
This allowed air to leak into the bag which soon caused spoilage.
; However, in those bags where no leaks developed the pH of the
protein coagulum dropped from an initial value of about 6 to
between 3.5 and 4.5. The wet protein coagulum seemed well
preserved or pickled and there was no sign of putrefaction
or spoilage. Some dark brown liquid collected in the bottom of
the bags. This liquid which looked and tasted like soy sauce
probably represented some protein hydrolysate formed by
proteolytic hydrolysis of a small part of the protein.
,
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It appeared that added carbohydrate facilitated the anaerobic
preservative of the protein coagulum and the production of
acid. The addition of a small amount of fermented juice
or fermented coagulum as inoculum to the freshly prepared heat
precipitated protein coagulum was found to increase the rate
of anaerobic f-ermentation and aid in the preservation of the
wet coagulum. The wet protein coagulum (812 gms) obtained by
heating juice from fresh green oat tissue to 80, was collected
- on a cloth filter and after squeezing out the free liquid was
mixed with ground wheat (254 gms). This mixture was plac~d in
cyrovac bags as described previously in this example and stored
at room temperature for 16 months. The pH was then measured
at 4.1. The light olive green oat protein ground wheat mass
contained some brown fluid and had a pleasank odor resembling
soy sauce. A portion o~ this wet preserved oa~ protein mass
was mixed with about five parts of water. The mass readily
dispersea in the water to give a light green turbid suspension
` which might be the basis for a protein rich beverage. On heating
the suspension it became viscous with a smooth texture like that
of puddings. The addition of some sugar reduced the sour taste
arising from the low pH~ Those who tasted the heated mass
described it as bland, slightly tea-like, and not unpleasant.
One person from a country where fermented foods are common said
the fermented oat leaf protein-ground wheat mixture was very
good.
In another experiment about i25 gallons of a protein
sludge coagulated by heat was placed in a 200 gal~on tank con-
taining 25 gallons of a previously anaerobic fermented plant
juice. The tank was closed with a floating cover to maintain
anaerobic conditions. The pH dropped to about 4.5 and the sluage
was preserved at room temperature for several weeks without
spoilage.
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By providing for the juice of leafy green plants such
as those set forth in Table I to undergo an acid forming
anaerobic fermentation by the bacteria naturally present on
the leaves and stems of the plants from which the juice is
extracted the invention obtains protein-coagulation in a short
space of time such as 24 hours. The process decreases the
expense and reduces the energy required to precipitate protein
in the j~ice of green plants to a coagu:Lated state and to -
- separate most of the water from the juice and to convert part
of the carbohydrate and non-protein nitrogen in the juice
into bacterial protein which increases the cystine and
methionine protein content of the juice. The protein con-
centrate obtained by the invention is improved in taste over
the concentrates produced by the use of heat or acid or organic
solvents so that the concentrate is more readily eaten by animals.
The coagulated green plant juice as a feed supplement
! not only includes proteins from the juice which are insoluble
at a pH of from 3.4 to 4.5, but in addition lncludes cells and
proteins of acid forming anaerobic bacteria which are derived
from the fermentation process. This results in an increase in
the methionine and cystine content of the feed supplement and
the nutritional value of the supplement. Tests have indicated
~that the methionine content of the feed supplement produced
by anaerobic fermentation of the juice of green forage plants - -
~25 is in excess of two percent more than that of the methionine
content of a feed supplement coagulated by heatlng or by adding
' acid to the juice.
With respect to the apparatus whlch has been described
it is contemplated that other apparatus could be added. For
example, the coagulated protein could be separated from the
juice by a centrifuge rather than by gravity but this would
be more expensive.
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8~)02!3
This application is a division of Canadian
Application Serial Number 240,928 filed December 2, 1975 ~ -
entitled COAGULATION OF PROTEIN FROM THE JUICES OF G Æ EN
PLANT BY FERMENTATION AND THE PRESERVATION THEREOF.
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