The invention relates to a method of treating
plant-based material comprising: a) transferring said
plant-based material to a first mix-tank (102(a)), wherein said
plant-based material is mixed with one or more first solvents to produce a washed mash; b) separating the washed mash into at least one centrate and a washed cake; c) transferring said washed cake to one or more second mix-tanks (102(b)-102(d)), wherein one or more second solvents are mixed with said washed cake to produce a washed cake suspension; d) transferring said washed cake suspension to one or more fermenters (104), wherein said transferred washed cake suspension is inoculated with at least one microbe, and wherein said inoculated washed cake suspension is incubated for a
sufficient time to produce a fermented mixture; e) optionally heating said fermented mixture for a time sufficient to achieve a degree of
hydrolysis (DH) of at least 10% of the proteins therein; f) separating said fermented mixture into a fermented centrate and a fermented cake by hydrodynamic force; g) transferring the fermented centrate to: (i) a first mix-tank (102(a)) and / or (ii) one or more second mix-tanks (102(b)-102(d)), wherein a mix-tank comprises said plant-based material or said washed cake, and wherein steps (c)-(f) and h) are repeated at least one (1) time for sub-steps (i) or (ii); and h)
drying said fermented cake, wherein the resulting dried fermented cake has higher
protein content compared to said transferred plant-based material.