Protein production from waste from the sugary beverage industry

Abstract

This invention proposes a bioecological process for utilizing waste from sugary drinks by producing highly nutritious proteins from single-celled organisms, as well as other molecules of various interest, while significantly reducing the pollutant load of this waste. The process involves the upstream separation of the returned products, which are highly concentrated in sugars. The first step involves preparing the musts for fermentation by degassing and adjusting the sugars to 20 g / L and the pH to 5. An enrichment matrix is ​​used for musts made from carbonated beverage waste. The culture is carried out in batch or semi-continuous mode at a temperature of 30 ± 2°C with an agitation speed of approximately 150 rpm and oxygenation to promote oxidative metabolism. The incorporation of nectars and juices into the fermentation musts of carbonated beverages at a rate of ≥ 50% ensures a significant improvement in biomass yields. The process guarantees almost complete depletion of the sugars initially present in the musts (≥ 95%), producing biomass with a protein content exceeding 50% on a dry matter basis, which can be used in animal feed, aquaculture, or cosmetics.