Granules containing fungal biomass particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a granular protein composition comprising granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and comprising at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the granules satisfies the following conditions: 50-grnl ≥ 50 μm; D x-grnl represents the weight percentage of granules with a diameter less than x μm; where the particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules satisfies the following condition: D 10-prtcl ≦30μm; 2μm≦D 50-gprtcl ≦60μm;·D 90-prtcl ≦150μm;D x-prtcl represents the weight percentage of particles of fungal biomass contained in granules with a diameter less than x μm; where the ratio D 50-grnl :D 50-prtcl ≧2.0. The functionality of proteinaceous fungal biomass is enhanced by (i) significantly reducing the particle size of the fungal biomass and (ii) agglomerating the resulting fungal biomass particulates into granules.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a particulate protein composition comprising at least 80% by weight of granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and comprising at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles.

[0002] The present invention also provides providing a fungal biomass; subjecting the fungal biomass to a size reduction process to produce a powder or suspension comprising particles of the fungal biomass; agglomerating particles of fungal biomass; The present invention relates to a method for preparing a particulate protein composition, comprising: [Background technology]

[0003] There is a growing demand for edible products that can provide high protein content that is not derived from animals. Driven by increasing health consciousness among individuals, edible products containing non-animal-derived ingredients such as protein and fiber are seen as healthy alternatives to animal protein-based products. In particular, there is a growing demand for edible meat substitutes that mimic the composition and texture of meat but are composed of non-animal ingredients, which can reduce dependence on animals such as cows and the carbon footprint caused by such animals.

[0004] Single-cell proteins (SCPs) are of interest as an alternative to meat protein and as a protein source in many food applications, such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, dairy products, ice cream, chocolate, and soups. Fungal SCPs can be produced more sustainably from sugar-rich crops, yielding many tonnes of protein per hectare compared to meat protein production, and with lower nitrogen emissions.

[0005] One way to produce protein sources for human food or animal feed is to produce "single-cell proteins" (SCPs) by fermentation (Suman et al., 2015, Int J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci., Vol. 4, No. 9, pp. 251-262). In this context, fermentation is understood as the conversion of carbon-rich raw materials into protein-rich products by microbial cells, such as bacteria, yeast, or fungi. The use of SCPs as animal feed and food ingredients offers the added advantage that microbial cells are rich in essential amino acids. Furthermore, fungal cells in particular are very rich in trace elements and vitamins, making fermented feeds highly nutritious.

[0006] SCPs are already used in foods for human consumption. For example, Quorn™ contains mycoprotein produced as SCP by fermentation of the fungus Fusarium venenatum. Quorn™ is available in a variety of forms, including sausages, cutlets, burgers, patties, and strips.

[0007] Fermentative production of fungal biomass typically produces a fermentation broth with a dry matter content of about 5% by weight. This fermentation broth must be concentrated and optionally dried to be suitable for distribution and storage under ambient conditions and to be applicable to a wide range of foods. The concentrated or dried fungal biomass can be suitably applied to foods to provide valuable protein and dietary fiber. However, unlike other protein sources such as soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, and gluten, it does not impart significant texture.

[0008] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 226811 describes granulated pea protein having a protein content of at least 70% by weight and an average diameter of 150 to 300 μm.

[0009] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 311599 describes a granular powder comprising at least one vegetable protein and at least one vegetable fiber, said granular powder having: Laser volume mean diameter D of 10 μm to 500 μm 4,3 , and Dry matter content greater than 80% dry matter content measured after steaming at 130°C for 2 hours.

[0010] WO 2018 / 029353 describes a method for producing single cell proteins (SCPs), the method comprising the steps of: a) growing a thermophilic fungus in a medium containing a fermentable carbon-rich raw material; and b) recovering SCP from the medium in the form of a biomass of the thermophilic fungus grown in step a), wherein the fungus is cultivated submerged under non-sterile conditions at a temperature above 45°C and a pH below 3.8.

[0011] US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0093155 describes a method for producing a food ingredient, including: a. culturing a filamentous fungus in a growth medium; b. harvesting the fungal biomass; c. Optionally, processing the harvested filamentous fungal biomass; d. sizing the biomass to form particles; e. Drying the particles to form a food ingredient. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The inventors have surprisingly discovered that the functionality of proteinaceous fungal biomass can be improved by reducing the particle size of the fungal biomass sufficiently and agglomerating the resulting microparticles of fungal biomass into granules. These granules typically comprise 80% by weight of fungal mass particles. The protein content of the granules is typically at least 30% by weight.

[0013] The present invention therefore relates to a granular protein composition comprising at least 80% by weight of granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the granules satisfies the following conditions: D 50-grnl ≥ 50 μm; D x-grnl represents the weight percentage of granules with a diameter less than x μm; wherein the particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules satisfies the following conditions: D 10-prtcl ≦30 μm; 2μm≦D 50-gprtcl ≦60 μm; D 90-prtcl ≦150 μm; D x-prtcl represents the weight percentage of particles of fungal biomass contained in granules with a diameter less than x μm; Here, the ratio D 50-grnl :D 50-prtcl ≧2.0.

[0014] The granules according to the present invention have the advantage that they provide better gelling and foaming properties and a firmer texture when applied to food products such as meat analogues compared to non-granular particles of fungal biomass of the same size.

[0015] The present invention also provides providing a fungal biomass; subjecting the fungal biomass to a size reduction process to produce a powder or suspension comprising particles of the fungal biomass; agglomerating particles of fungal biomass; or a method for preparing a particulate protein composition, comprising: Here, the particle size distribution of fungal biomass particles satisfies the following conditions: ○ D 10-prtcl ≦30 μm; ○ 2μm≦D 50-gprtcl ≦60 μm; ○ D 90-prtcl ≦150μm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a particulate protein composition comprising at least 80% by weight of granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the granules satisfies the following conditions: D 50-grnl ≥ 50 μm; D x-grnl represents the weight percentage of granules with a diameter less than x μm; wherein the particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules satisfies the following conditions: D 10-prtcl ≦30 μm; 2μm≦D 50-gprtcl ≦60 μm; D 90-prtcl ≦150 μm; D x-prtcl represents the weight percentage of particles of fungal biomass contained in granules with a diameter less than x μm; Here, the ratio D 50-grnl :D 50-prtcl ≧2.0.

[0017] As used herein, the term "fungal biomass" refers to organic matter derived from fungi.

[0018] As used herein, the term "protein" refers to a molecule comprising a chain of at least 20 amino acids.

[0019] As used herein, the term "granule" refers to a particle that is an agglomeration of smaller particles, particularly smaller particles of fungal biomass. Granules (or granulates) may be produced by agglomeration techniques such as, for example, fluidized bed agglomeration, pressing, extrusion, and spray-drying agglomeration.

[0020] As used herein, the term "fat" refers to a lipid containing one or more fatty acid residues. As used herein, the terms "fat" and "oil" should be considered synonymous unless otherwise specified.

[0021] As used herein, the term "dietary fiber" refers to polysaccharides that are not digested by human digestive enzymes. Chitin, chitosan, and β-glucan are examples of dietary fibers found in fungi.

[0022] As used herein, the term "polysaccharide" refers to a polymer containing long, arbitrarily branched chains of monosaccharides, the total number of monosaccharides in the polysaccharide being at least 10.

[0023] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, are defined as "at least one."

[0024] As used herein, the term "or" is defined as "and / or" unless otherwise indicated.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages referred to herein should be interpreted as percentages by weight.

[0026] Particle size distributions referred to herein are measured by laser diffraction analysis using a Mastersizer 3000 (ex Malvern Panalytical) unless otherwise specified. This technique is based on passing a laser beam through dispersed particles. The angular variation in the intensity of the scattered light provides information about the size of the particle. The larger the particle, the smaller the angle at which light is scattered, and the smaller the particle, the larger the angle at which light is scattered. The scattered intensity data can be used to calculate the particle size distribution.

[0027] The particle size distribution of granules in the granular protein compositions of the present invention can be measured using a Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S dry powder dispenser. The particle size distribution of fungal biomass particles contained in the granules can also be measured using this setup. The Aero S disperses the dry sample by accelerating the particles in a venturi using compressed air. The particles are then drawn into the measurement cell of the Mastersizer 3000 using a vacuum source. The air pressure drop across the venturi is manipulated to achieve complete dispersion of the sample and can be controlled to within + / - 0.1 bar. The particle size distribution of granules can be measured using a Mastersizer 3000 with a dispersion pressure of 1 bar in the Aero S dispenser. The particle size distribution of fungal biomass particles contained in the granules can also be measured using a Mastersizer 3000 with a dispersion pressure of 4 bar in the Aero S dispenser. Using a dispersion pressure of up to 4 bar ensures that the granules are deagglomerated before measurement.

[0028] The granular protein composition of the present invention preferably does not contain any meat or meat-derived ingredients. Preferably, the composition is a vegetarian composition, more preferably a vegan composition.

[0029] Granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and comprising at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles preferably constitute at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, of the granular protein composition of the present invention. In addition to these granules, the granular protein composition may contain other ingredients such as desiccants, glidants, micronutrients, flavors, and colorants.

[0030] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate protein composition consists of granules comprising particles of fungal biomass.

[0031] The protein content of the granules is preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably 40-70% by weight, most preferably 42-60% by weight.

[0032] The biomass particles in the granules preferably have a protein content of at least 35% by weight, more preferably 40-70% by weight, most preferably 42-60% by weight.

[0033] The dietary fiber is preferably contained in the fungal biomass particles at a concentration of 35 to 42% by weight, more preferably 30 to 40% by weight, calculated on a dry matter basis.

[0034] Preferably, at least 35% by weight, more preferably 40-75% by weight, of the dietary fiber in the fungal biomass particles is an aminopolysaccharide selected from chitin, chitosan, and combinations thereof.

[0035] Chitin preferably constitutes 15-50% by weight, more preferably 20-40% by weight, and most preferably 25-35% by weight of the dietary fiber in the fungal biomass particles.

[0036] Chitosan preferably constitutes 15 to 50% by weight, more preferably 20 to 40% by weight, and most preferably 24 to 34% by weight of the dietary fiber in the fungal biomass particles.

[0037] The dietary fiber in the fungal biomass particles preferably contains 10 to 70% by weight, more preferably 20 to 50% by weight, of polyglucuronic acid.

[0038] The combination of aminopolysaccharides and polyglucuronic acid preferably constitutes at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, of the dietary fiber in the fungal biomass particles.

[0039] The combination of fungal protein and aminopolysaccharide preferably constitutes at least 40% by weight of the dry matter contained in the fungal biomass particles, more preferably 50-70% by weight.

[0040] The particles of fungal biomass preferably contain 0-15% by weight, more preferably 0-10% by weight, most preferably 0.5-5% by weight of digestible carbohydrates, calculated on dry matter weight.

[0041] The fat content of the particles of fungal biomass is preferably in the range of 6 to 20% by weight, more preferably 6.5 to 12% by weight, calculated on dry matter.

[0042] Preferably, the combination of protein, fat, and dietary fiber constitutes at least 80% by weight of the dry matter contained in the particles of fungal biomass, more preferably 88-99.8% by weight.

[0043] The granular protein composition according to the present invention preferably has a moisture content of 1 to 15% by weight, more preferably 2 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 3 to 9% by weight.

[0044] The granules of the present invention may suitably be produced by fluidized bed agglomeration, compaction or extrusion, with fluidized bed agglomeration typically producing relatively fine granules, whereas compaction and extrusion are primarily used to produce fairly coarse granules.

[0045] Preferably, the particle size distribution of the granules is D 50-grnl is in the range of 60 to 1,500 μm, more preferably in the range of 70 to 1,200 μm, and most preferably in the range of 80 to 1,000 μm.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the particle size distribution of the granules is D 10-grnl is at least 10 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 to 1,000 μm, and most preferably in the range of 20 to 800 μm.

[0047] Advantageously, the particle size distribution of the granules is D 90-grnl is at least 100 μm, more preferably in the range of 150 to 3,000 μm, and most preferably in the range of 200 to 2,000 μm.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the granules of the present invention comprise 50-grnl The fine granules have a particle size distribution in the range of 60 to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 70 to 300 μm, and most preferably in the range of 80 to 250 μm.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the particle size distribution of the fine granules is D 10-grnl is at least 10 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 to 100 μm, and most preferably in the range of 20 to 80 μm.

[0050] Advantageously, the particle size distribution of the fine granules is D 90-grnl is at least 100 μm, more preferably in the range of 150 to 1,000 μm, and most preferably in the range of 200 to 800 μm.

[0051] According to another preferred embodiment, the granules in the granular composition have a span of less than 8, the span being (D 90 -D 10 ) / D 50 More preferably, the span of the granules is less than 5, more preferably, the span is in the range of 0.8 to 4, and most preferably, the span is in the range of 1.5 to 3.

[0052] The fungal biomass particles in the granules of the present invention preferably have a D 10-prtcl The particle size distribution is such that the particle size is 20 μm or less, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 15 μm, and most preferably in the range of 1 to 12 μm.

[0053] Preferably, the particle size distribution of the particles of fungal biomass in the granules is D 50-prtcl is in the range of 2 to 40 μm, more preferably in the range of 3 to 30 μm, and most preferably in the range of 4 to 25 μm.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the particle size distribution of the particles of the fungal biomass is D 90-prtclis in the range of 10 to 130 μm, more preferably in the range of 20 to 110 μm, and most preferably in the range of 25 to 100 μm.

[0055] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the granules of the invention have a ratio D 50-grnl :D 50-prtcl More preferably, the ratio is at least 3.0. Most preferably, the ratio is in the range of 4.0 to 15.0.

[0056] The fungal biomass contained in the fungal biomass particles is preferably biomass of one or more fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota, Mucoromycota, or Symbiomyceta. More preferably, the fungal biomass is biomass of one or more fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota or Mucoromycota.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the fungal biomass in the fungal biomass particles is selected from the group consisting of Rasamsonia, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Acremonium, Humicola, Paecilomyces, Chaetomium, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Thermomyces, Myceliophthora, Thermosuchus, and the like. The biomass is a strain of a fungal genus selected from the group consisting of: Methylparaben, ... More preferably, the fungal biomass is selected from the group consisting of Rasamsonia composticola, Rasamsonia emersonii, Talaromyces emersonii, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizomucor pusillus, Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae (indica), Thielavia terricola, Thielavia terrestris, Thermoascus thermophilus,and one or more fungal biomass belonging to a species selected from the group consisting of Rhizopus species, and Rasamsonia composticola strain CBS 141695, Rasamsonia emersonii CBS 143030, Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae CBS 143027 and CBS 104.75, Rhizomucor miehei CBS 143029, Rhizomucor pusillus CBS 143028, Thermoascus thermophilus CBS 143029, and Thermoascus thermophilus CBS 143030. 528.71, Thielavia terrestris CBS 546.86, Talaromyces emersonii CBS 393.64 and Thermothelomyces thermophila CBS 117.65, and Rhizopus species CBS 143160 are more preferred, with strains CBS 141695, CBS 143030, CBS 143027, CBS 143029, CBS 143160, and CBS 143028 being most preferred.

[0058] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor device comprising: providing a fungal biomass; subjecting the fungal biomass to a size reduction process to produce a powder or suspension comprising particles of the fungal biomass; agglomerating particles of fungal biomass; a method for preparing a particulate protein composition, preferably a particulate protein composition according to the present invention, comprising: Here, the particle size distribution of fungal biomass particles satisfies the following conditions: ○D 10-prtcl ≦30 μm; ○2μm≦D50-gprtcl ≦60 μm; ○D 90-prtcl ≦150 μm.

[0059] The fungal biomass subjected to size reduction in the present method may be provided in the form of, for example, floc or coarse powder. Preferably, the fungal biomass is provided in the form of a granular composition in which at least 80% by weight of the particles have a mesh size of at least 100 μm, more preferably at least 160 μm, and most preferably at least 200 μm. The weight percentage of particles having a mesh size of at least x μm is measured using a mesh with openings of x μm.

[0060] The fungal biomass subjected to size reduction treatment preferably comprises at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, and most preferably at least 50% by weight of intact fungal cells, said weight percentages being calculated by weight of the total amount of fungal biomass.

[0061] The fungal biomass preferably has a protein content of at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 35% by weight, even more preferably 40-70% by weight, and most preferably 42-60% by weight, calculated on dry matter.

[0062] The fungal biomass provided by the method is preferably biomass of one or more fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota, Mucoromycota, or Symbiomyceta, and more preferably the fungal biomass is biomass of one or more fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota or Mucoromycota.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the fungal biomass is selected from the group consisting of Rasamsonia, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Acremonium, Humicola, Paecilomyces, Chaetomium, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Thermomyces, Myceliophthora, Thermoascus, Thielavia, and the like. More preferably, the fungal biomass is a biomass of a strain of a fungal genus selected from the group consisting of: Ielavia, Mucor, Stibella, Melanocarpus, Malbranchea, Dactylomyces, Canariomyces, Scytalidium, Myriococcum, Corynascus, and Coonemeria. More preferably, the fungal biomass is a biomass of a strain of a fungal genus selected from the group consisting of: Rasamsonia composticola, and one or more fungal biomass belonging to a species selected from the group consisting of Rasamsonia emersonii, Talaromyces emersonii, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizomucor pusillus, Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae (indica), Thielavia terricola, Thielavia terrestris, Thermoascus thermophilus, and Rhizopus species, in particular Rasamsonia composticola strain CBS.141695, Rasamsonia emersonii CBS 143030, Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae CBS 143027 and CBS 104.75, Rhizomucor miehei CBS 143029, Rhizomucor pusillus CBS 143028, Thermoascus thermophilus CBS 528.71, Thielavia terrestris CBS 546.86, Talaromyces emersonii CBS 393.64 and Thermothelomyces thermophila CBS 117.65, and Rhizopus species CBS 143160 are more preferred, with strains CBS 141695, CBS 143030, CBS 143027, CBS 143029, CBS 143160, and CBS 143028 being most preferred.

[0064] The size reduction process used to produce a powder or suspension containing particles of fungal biomass preferably involves grinding or milling.

[0065] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the size reduction process produces a powder comprising particles of fungal biomass, which may be suitably agglomerated by fluidized bed agglomeration, compaction or extrusion.

[0066] In another embodiment, the fungal biomass is provided in the form of a wet biomass having a moisture content of 75-99% by weight, and a size reduction process is performed to produce a suspension of particles of the fungal biomass. The particles of fungal biomass in the suspension may be suitably agglomerated, for example by spray drying agglomeration.

[0067] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention produces a particulate protein composition as previously described herein.

[0068] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a food product comprising at least 1 wt %, preferably 10 to 95 wt %, of the particulate protein composition of the present invention, calculated on a dry matter basis.

[0069] Examples of foods to which the granular protein compositions of the present invention may be suitable include textured proteins (e.g., TVP), meat analogs, meat products, soups, sauces, grain-based foods, and pet foods.

[0070] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing the aforementioned food products comprising combining the particulate protein composition of the present invention with one or more other edible ingredients.

[0071] The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. [Example]

[0072] Example 1: Production of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass in cake or powder form For pre-culture, Rhizomucor pusillus strain CBS 143028 was inoculated into 200 ml of defined mineral medium at pH 5.5 containing: KCl 0.17 g / L, KH2PO4 1.3 g / L, Na2HPO4 0.4 g / L, citric acid 0.5 gr / L, MgSO4.7 aq 0.7 gr / L, FeSO4.7 aq 0.03 gr / L, CaCl2.2 aq 0.035 gr / L, ZnSO4.7 aq 0.04 gr / L, MnCl2.4 aq 0.004, CuSO4.5 aq 0.0005 gr / L, CoCl2.6 aq 0.0005 gr / L, Na2B4O7.10 aq The preculture was grown in a 1 L Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a baffled, breathable stopper at 46°C in an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 24 hours. The preculture was then used to inoculate a fermenter containing a defined mineral medium, as described above, at pH 3.5, with 77 g dextrose / L as the carbon source, 1.4 g (NH4)2SO4 / L as the nitrogen source, and NH3 as the titrant. The fungus was grown in the fermenter in a fed-batch mode with a doubling time of 12 hours. Olive oil was continuously fed to maintain a concentration of 50 ppm.

[0073] Once the fermentation broth reaches a dry matter content of 2-5% by weight, it is concentrated using a vibrating sieve to a minimum dry matter content of 10% (w / w). The biomass is then mixed with antioxidants and pasteurized.

[0074] The sieved biomass was then crushed in a hydraulic press to obtain Rhizomucor pusillus biomass as a cake with a dry matter content of approximately 29% (w / w). A portion of the biomass cake was further freeze-dried and ground (6,000 rpm, 0.5 mm mesh size) to obtain Rhizomucor pusillus biomass in powder form with a dry matter content of approximately 96% (w / w).

[0075] The composition of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass in cake and powder form was analyzed, and the results are shown in Tables 1–3.

[0076] [Table 1]

[0077] [Table 2]

[0078] [Table 3]

[0079] It should be noted that the protein content of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass shown in Table 2 is based on the Kjeldahl method, a standard method used to analyze the protein content of various foods. The Kjeldahl method is based on total nitrogen content and uses a standard conversion factor of 6.25 to estimate the protein content of the analyzed food. However, the conversion factor of 6.25 may not be appropriate for some foods.

[0080] In Rhizomucor pusillus biomass, the conversion factor may be overestimated due to the presence of other nitrogen sources such as RNA, chitin, and chitosan. Therefore, the actual protein content of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass may be better estimated by amino acid analysis.

[0081] Example 2: Dietary fiber composition of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass The dietary fiber content and composition of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass were measured, and the results are shown in Tables 4 and 5.

[0082] [Table 4]

[0083] [Table 5]

[0084] The dietary fiber content of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass on a dry matter basis is very high. Interestingly, Rhizomucor pusillus biomass not only contains chitin as a fiber, but also contains almost the same amount of the fiber chitosan. Chitosan is a deacetylated form of chitin, and the health benefits of chitosan in animals have been reported.

[0085] Example 3: Preparation of Rhizomucor pusillus fine powder Ground biomass powders were produced in the same manner as described in Example 1, except that next to the regular ground biomass powder (Powder 1), a very finely ground biomass powder (Powder 2) was also produced (18,000 rpm, 0.12 mm mesh size). The particle size distribution of the ground powders was measured by laser diffraction using a Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S dry powder dispenser. The results are summarized in Table 6.

[0086] [Table 6]

[0087] Example 4: Rheological testing The ground powder from Example 3 was combined with 25 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8) at a ratio of 1:5 (w / w) and stirred for 2.5 hours. The suspension was then centrifuged at 5000 g to separate the pellet and supernatant fractions. The resulting supernatants were each concentrated 5-fold. The resulting concentrated supernatants had a protein content of approximately 2.5 mg / mL.

[0088] The concentrated supernatant was heated at 80° C. for 20 minutes and then cooled to 25° C. The stress and strain at break of the heated samples were then measured using an amplitude sweep measurement with an Anton Paar MCR301 rheometer.

[0089] No break stress was detected in the heated sample produced from the supernatant of conventionally ground biomass (powder 1). However, a heated sample of the supernatant of finely ground biomass powder (powder 2) had a break stress of 55 Pa, a break strain of 1.18%, and a storage modulus of 8000 Pa.

[0090] Example 5: Application test The ground biomass powder of Example 3 was applied to a vegan burger, the composition of which is shown in Table 7.

[0091] [Table 7]

[0092] The burgers were prepared as follows: The crushed biomass powder and TVP were hydrated with tap water in a volume ratio of 1:3. Hydrated TVP and hydrated biomass powder were mixed together and egg white was added. The mixture was mixed for 1 minute on the lowest setting of a hand mixer. A 100g burger is made. I left the burger to rest for 10 minutes. The burger was steamed at 100°C for 20 minutes. The burger was frozen The burgers were thawed on the day of tasting. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes over medium to high heat. The burgers were cooked for consumption and evaluated by an expert panel, and the results are summarized in Table 8.

[0093] [Table 8]

[0094] Example 6: Preparation of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass granules Powder 2 of Example 3 is granulated by fluidized bed agglomeration.

[0095] The granules thus obtained have a particle size distribution meeting the specifications shown in Table 9.

[0096] [Table 9]

[0097] Example 7: Application test Powder 2 from Example 3 and biomass granules from Example 6 are applied to a vegan burger with the composition shown in Table 10.

[0098] [Table 10]

[0099] The burgers were then cooked and evaluated by an expert panel, who found the burgers to be very similar and had a firm texture.

[0100] Example 8: Preparation of Rhizomucor pusillus biomass granules Powder 2 from Example 3 was granulated in a Process 11 twin-screw extruder (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Karlsruhe, Germany). The extrusion conditions used are summarized in Table 11.

[0101] [Table 11]

[0102] The particle size distribution was measured by laser diffraction using a Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S dry powder dispenser, and the results are shown in Table 12.

[0103]

Table 12

Claims

1. 1. A granular protein composition comprising at least 80% by weight of granules having a protein content of at least 30% by weight and at least 80% by weight of fungal biomass particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the granules satisfies the following conditions: ・D ５０－ｇｒｎｌ ≧50μm; (D ｘ－ｇｒｎｌ represents the weight percentage of granules with a diameter less than x μm); The particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules satisfies the following conditions: ・D １０－ｐｒｔｃｌ ≦30μm; ・2μm≦D ５０－ｇｐｒｔｃｌ ≦60μm; ・D ９０－ｐｒｔｃｌ ≦150μm; ( ｘ－ｐｒｔｃｌ represents the weight percentage of particles of fungal biomass contained in granules with a diameter less than x μm); The ratio D ５０－ｇｒｎｌ :D ５０－ｐｒｔｃｌ ≥ 2.0; The particle size distribution is measured using a Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S dry powder dispenser; the particle size distribution of the granules is measured using a dispersion pressure of 1 bar; and the particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules is measured using a dispersion pressure of 4 bar.

2. The granules are ・D １０－ｇｒｎｌ ≧50μm The particulate protein composition according to claim 1, which satisfies the conditions of

3. The granules are ・D ９０－ｇｒｎｌ ≧100μm 3. The particulate protein composition according to claim 1 or 2, which satisfies the conditions of

4. A particulate protein composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition has a moisture content of 1 to 15% by weight.

5. The particulate protein composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fungal biomass is biomass of one or more fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota, Mucoromycota or Symbiomyceta.

6. 6. The particulate protein composition according to claim 5, wherein the fungal biomass is the biomass of one or more species of fungi belonging to the phylum Zoopagomycota or Mucoromycota.

7. The fungal biomass is selected from the group consisting of: Rasamsonia, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Acremonium, Humicola, Paecilomyces, Chaetomium, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Thermomyces, Myceliophthora, Thermoascus, Thielavia, 7. The particulate protein composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the particulate protein composition is biomass of a strain of a fungal genus selected from the group consisting of Thielavia, Mucor, Stibella, Melanocarpus, Malbranchea, Dactyromyces, Canariomyces, Scytalidium, Myriococcum, Corynascus, and Coonemeria.

8. 8. The particulate protein composition according to claim 7, wherein the fungal biomass is the biomass of a strain of the genus Rhizomucor.

9. - providing a fungal biomass; - subjecting the fungal biomass to a size reduction process to produce a powder or suspension comprising particles of fungal biomass; agglomerating particles of fungal biomass; A method for preparing a particulate protein composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: The particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles is ○D １０－ｐｒｔｃｌ ≦30μm; ○2μm≦D ５０－ｇｐｒｔｃｌ ≦60μm; ○D ９０－ｐｒｔｃｌ ≦150μm Meet the conditions of The particle size distribution is measured using a Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S dry powder dispenser; the particle size distribution of the granules is measured using a dispersion pressure of 1 bar; and the particle size distribution of the fungal biomass particles contained in the granules is measured using a dispersion pressure of 4 bar.

10. The fungal biomass has a D of at least 80 μm ５０ or in the form of a granular composition having a D of at least 80 μm ５０ 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the suspension is provided in the form of a suspension comprising suspended matter having the formula:

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the size reduction treatment comprises crushing or grinding.

12. 12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the size reduction treatment produces a powder comprising particles of the fungal biomass.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the particles of fungal biomass are agglomerated by fluidized bed granulation, compression, extrusion or spray-drying agglomeration.

14. A food product comprising at least 1% by weight, preferably 10 to 95% by weight, of the particulate protein composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, calculated on dry matter basis.

15. 15. A method for preparing the food product of claim 14, comprising combining the particulate protein composition of any one of claims 1 to 8 with one or more other edible ingredients.

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