Apparatus for production of food-grade fibers and methods of operating the same

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for producing food-grade fibers. In some aspects, an apparatus can include a spinneret including a reservoir and an orifice, the spinneret configured to spin and eject a precursor liquid from the reservoir via the orifice, a chamber including an inlet and a bottom opening, the chamber having a curved interior surface and a fixed angular orientation; a conduit configured to deliver a coagulation liquid into the chamber via the inlet and along the curved interior surface of the chamber such that the coagulation liquid falls through the bottom opening while traveling along a curved trajectory; and a strainer positioned beneath the chamber and configured to collect fibrous material while allowing the coagulation liquid to pass through the strainer, wherein the spinneret is positioned such that the ejected precursor liquid interacts with the coagulation liquid as the coagulation liquid travels along the curved trajectory.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF FOOD-GRADE FIBERS AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAMECross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims prior to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 632,166, entitled “Apparatus for Production of Food-Grade Fibers and Methods of Operating the Same,” filed April 10, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments described herein relate to food processing technology, and more specifically to apparatus for producing food-grade fibers that can be incorporated in a wide range of food products.Background

[0003] The maj ority of existing food products consumed in high-income countries includes at least one or more processing steps. These food products, which can be generally referred to as processed foods, are estimated to make up more than 50% of the total dietary calories consumed in high-income countries such as the USA and Canada, and nearly 30% of the total dietary calories consumed in middle-income countries. The popularity of processed foods can be attributed, at least in part, to their convenience (e.g., the need for less preparation steps and / or preparation time compared to fresh and / or whole foods), increased shelf stability and / or shelf-life, flavor enhancement, and / or marketing reasons. Consequently, demand for processed foods products increases steadily with an estimated average sales growth of about 1% per year.

[0004] Some existing methods for fabricating processed foods involve extrusion of a semisolid fluid containing various ingredients including sugar, oils, fats, proteins, and fibers. These methods attempt to recreate the texture, flavor, and other organoleptic properties of unprocessed or minimally processed foods by using various techniques including texturization, fermentation, and / or homogenization, high pressure processing, and / or emulsification. These techniques fail to accurately reproduce the organoleptic properties of unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Furthermore, these techniques typically introduce a large number of additivesand other ingredients including enhancers, colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, rheological modifiers, texturizers, and the like, which result in overcomplicated, overprocessed and expensive products with diluted nutritional value. Consequently, there is a need in the filed for methods and systems for fabricating food products with few and simple raw materials that accurately recreate the organoleptic properties of unprocessed or minimally processed foods.Summary

[0005] Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for producing food-grade fibers. In some aspects, an apparatus can include a spinneret including a reservoir and an orifice. The spinneret can spin and eject a precursor liquid from the reservoir via the orifice. The apparatus includes a chamber including a first inlet and a bottom opening. The chamber has a curved interior surface and a fixed angular orientation. The apparatus includes a first conduit that delivers a coagulation liquid into the chamber via the first inlet and along the curved interior surface of the chamber such that the coagulation liquid falls through the bottom opening while traveling along a curved trajectory and contacts the precursor liquid to form a fibrous material and a strainer positioned beneath the chamber and configured to collect fibrous material while allowing the coagulation liquid to pass through the strainer. The spinneret is positioned such that the ejected precursor liquid interacts with the coagulation liquid as the coagulation liquid travels along the curved trajectory. In some embodiments, the apparatus can further include a second inlet incorporated into the chamber and a second conduit that delivers the coagulation liquid into the chamber via the second inlet. In some embodiments, the first conduit delivers the coagulation liquid into the chamber in a first direction and the second conduit delivers the coagulation liquid into the chamber in a second direction, the second direction offset from the first direction by an angle of about 160 degrees to about 200 degrees.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Optional items in all figures shown in dashed lines.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment.

[0008] FIGS. 2A-2J are illustrations of an apparatus for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of producing food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment.10010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a method of producing food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIGS. 5A-5J are illustrations of an apparatus for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment.Detailed Description

[0012] Processed foods have seen considerable growth in modem times driven by urbanization, globalization and increased global trade. The migration of people to large urban centers and / or cities increased the demand for food products that offer convenience, safety, long shelf stability and ease of transport. In particular, lifestyle changes introduced in the second half of the 20thcentury have resulted in an increased consumption of ready-to-eat food products which require minimal preparation time. Existing methods for fabricating processed foods typically involve preparing a mixture of ingredients and feeding the mixture of ingredients (e.g., a formulation) through a die of an extruder to produce an extruded food product. Extruded food products may include compounds known as binding agents, or “binders,” that hold together other components. Although the use of binders facilitates the fabrication of food products that avoid crumbliness and disintegration, their texture and / other organoleptic properties is far from the texture of their unprocessed or minimally processed counterpart foods. For example, a wide variety of food products can be fabricated via High- moisture extrusion (HME). In HME, the main ingredients, which may include proteins and binders, are mixed and transformed into a semi-solid continuous fluid using heat, shear, pressure, and moisture. The resulting products has a somewhat fibrous / layered texture, where the binder is distributed throughout the product. Although the use of binders facilitates holding the product together, reducing crumbliness and disintegration, the resulting food products fail to accurately replicate the organoleptic properties of their unprocessed or minimally processed counterpart foods.

[0013] Approaches to improve the organoleptic properties of the food products obtained from extrusion processes, such as the HME process, can include techniques such as texturization, and fermentation. Texturization is a technique used to create specific textures in processed food products. This can include high-pressure processing, cooking, and / or othermethods to create a specific texture or mouthfeel. Fermentation is a technique that includes the use of microorganisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria) to break down proteins and create a chewy fibrous texture. Fermentation is used in some fibrous products to create a more realistic texture and flavor. Despite advances made over the years in texturization and fermentation techniques, their overall ability to recreate the consistency, texture, smell, and other organoleptic properties of naturally occurring or minimally processed foods remains limited. Additionally, the implementation of these techniques oftentimes requires incorporating a large number and quantities of additives into the food products including, for example, enhancers, colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, rheological modifiers, and the like. The addition of these additives tends to make the food products overly complicated, overprocessed and expensive. More importantly, addition of a large number of additives dilutes the nutritional value of the resulting product. This is particularly true for food products that require recreating fibrous textures such as some candy bars, snack bars, chips and croutons, pet food, performance bars, plant-based meats, jerky, baby food, and cereals, among others.Alternative approaches for fabricating food products that accurately recreate the organoleptic properties of naturally occurring or minimally processed foods include rotary jet spinning (RJS) and immersion rotary jet spinning (IRJS). These rotary jet spinning methods convert liquid material dispersions into solid fibers by extruding liquids through holes or orifices in a spinning reservoir, then through an air gap into a precipitation / coagulation bath where fiber formation occurs. Existing rotary jet spinning methods have not been tailored for food-grade materials or production scales needed to supply the growing need for processed or minimally processed food products. Additionally, these rotary jet spinning methods tend to have large variability due to their limited control over the conditions in which the fibrous material is produced. For example, in some known rotary jet spinning methods and / or systems, the formation of fibers occurs by exposing a jet of a precursor liquid to a bath containing a reagent that can trigger coagulation and / or gelation reactions that lead to the formation of fibers. The bath (also known and / or referred to as a precipitation bath) is typically a reservoir disposed in a container that is agitated to create a vortex. The RJS systems include a spinneret and / or other rotating component that develops and delivers a jet of the precursor liquid to the vortex of the bath. The contact of the jet of precursor liquid with the vortex of the bath initiates the coagulation and / or gelation reactions to produce a fiber. The lack of control over the formation of the vortex in rotary jet spinning methods results in products whit large variability and lack of control over the orientation and / or structure of the resulting fibers. Existing rotaryjet spinning methods are also difficult to scale-up, particularly for the fabrication of large volumes of fiber-containing products. The use of an agitated reservoir for generating a vortex in which the fibers can be formed restricts most RJS methods to a batch operation.

[0015] The systems and methods described herein overcome the limitations of existing methods for fabricating food products with fibrous materials that realistically mimic the organoleptic properties of naturally occurring or minimally processed foods using formulations that require few ingredients, which result in more healthy and higher nutritional value products. The systems and methods described here also enable high throughput fabrication of fibrous material with high reproducibility owing to a controlled approach for generating a layer of a fluid capable of initiating the fiber formation process. Furthermore, the systems and method described herein enable the continuous and / or semi-continuous fabrication of fiber-containing materials that can be incorporated into a wide range of products including candy bars, snack bars, chips and croutons, pet food, performance bars, plant-based meats, upcycled food, jerky, baby food, and cereals, among others.

[0016] For example, in some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein enable the fabrication of fibrous materials that can be used to produce plant-based meats. Plantbased meats, cultivated meats, and combinations thereof are increasingly sought as alternatives to meats obtained from animal slaughter. Adoption of these meat alternatives is significantly limited by their inability to recreate the texture and mouthfeel (i.e., organoleptic properties) of meats derived from animals. A fundamental aspect of whole-cut meats is their densely packed fibrous structure, which gives rise to their characteristic textures. Fibrous meat substitute products can be produced by interacting a liquid protein-based material (i.e., a precursor liquid) with a fiber-forming fluid to form a solidified fibrous material.

[0017] Several methods exist for texturizing meat alternatives. However, a densely-packed individual fiber structure that mimics animal-based meat structure is difficult to recreate. Fiber spinning is a method that can be employed to create such fiber density. However, in the current state of the art, fiber spinning is more commonly used in the production of synthetic fibers and other materials, rather than food products. Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods of fiber spinning using food-grade materials in a fiber production system that can achieve production scales relevant to the alternative meat food industry.

[0018] Plant-based and cultivated meats (also referred to herein as plant-based meat substitutes) are often produced using a combination of plant proteins, fibers, and otheringredients (e.g., cultured animal cells for cultivated meats) to create products that have a texture and flavor similar to traditional meat. Some common methods used to produce plantbased meat substitutes include extrusion, texturization, and fermentation. These methods are used to create a range of plant-based meat products such as burgers, sausages, and nuggets, and are intended to appeal to consumers looking for more sustainable and ethical food options. Plant-based or cultivated meat is often texturized via a combination of plant-based proteins and fibers. Some methods of texturizing plant-based meat include extrusion, texturization, and fermentation. Plant-based fibers and structuring agents can be used to produce meat substitute products.

[0019] Extrusion is a common method used in the current state of the art to create meatlike products with a variety of textures. Extrusion includes forcing a mixture of ingredients (e.g., plant proteins and fibers) through a shaping die to create a specific shape and texture. By adjusting the pressure, temperature, and other production parameters, meat-like products can be produced with a range of textures, from tender to chewy. Texturization is a process used to create specific textures in plant-based meat products. This can include high-pressure processing, cooking, and / or other methods to create a specific texture or mouthfeel. Fermentation is a process that includes the use of microorganisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria) to break down the proteins and create a meat-like texture. Fermentation is used in some plantbased meat products to create a more realistic texture and flavor.

[0020] Plant-based fibers (e.g., cellulose) can be added to plant-based meat products to create a more fibrous texture. These fibers can be sourced from a variety of plant materials, such as wheat, bamboo, and / or sugar cane. Structuring agents (e.g., plant-based gums or proteins) can be added to plant-based meat products to create a specific texture or mouthfeel. These agents can be used to create a chewy or tender texture, or to mimic the juiciness of traditional meat. Methods used to texturize plant-based and cultivated meats can include: extrusion, texturization, fermentation, high-pressure processing, cooking techniques (e.g., grilling or searing), incorporation of fat or other materials to create texture and mouthfeel, homogenization, freeze-thaw cycling, co-extrusion, cross-linking, emulsion techniques, microfluidics, and / or spray drying. Materials used to create plant-based meat substitutes can include plant-based fibers and / or structuring agents.

[0021] Neither of the aforementioned methods produce individual protein-containing fibers that recreate the true texture of meats. This significantly reduces the quality of alternative meat products when compared with their animal-derived counterparts. Most popularalternative meat products (e.g., burgers, sausages, ground meats) are processed and / or grinded. Current efforts aimed at recreating whole cuts (e.g., chicken breasts, tenderloin, steaks) do not often adequately mimic meat products, thereby limiting adoption by consumers.

[0022] Some plant-based meat substitute production processes employ 3D printing methods to create plant-based meat products with complex structures and textures. However, this technology is still in its early stages and has not been widely adopted in the meat substitute production industry. 3D printing is also difficult to scale up because the rate of fiber production scales inversely with fiber diameter. Muscle fibers often have diameters less than 0.1 mm and recreating this fine structure using 3D printing at scales and costs relevant to alternative meats is challenging.

[0023] Fiber spinning and the resulting fibrous scaffolds are used in some cultivated meat research efforts but have thus far not demonstrated food-grade production at high production rates and low costs to achieve price parity with the animal-based meat industry. Methods of producing scaffolds for cultivated meat products include: 3D printing, electrospinning, phase separation, self-assembly, decellularized tissue production, freeze-drying, supercritical fluid processing, gas foaming, solvent casting and particulate leaching, salt leaching, nanofiber production from electrospinning, injection molding, microfluidics, laser micromachining, robocasting, photolithography, rapid prototyping, and immersion rotary jet spinning (IRJS). Fiber spinning can aid in improving the texture of alternative meat products, but the lack of scalable solutions for food-grade fiber production has thus far precluded its use for alternative meat products. Fiber spinning and the resulting scaffolding is therefore not commonly used in the production of alternative meat products.

[0024] Some embodiments described herein can include RJS methods and apparatus described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0090300 (“the ‘300 publication”), filed January 14, 2020, titled “Focused Rotary Jet Spinning Devices and Methods of Use Thereof,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some embodiments described herein can include IRJS methods and apparatus described in U.S. Patent No. 11,174,571 (“the ‘571 patent”), filed February 13, 2014, titled “Immersed Rotary Jet Spinning (IRJS) Devices and Uses Thereof,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0025] IRJS described in the ‘571 patent is a fiber spinning process that can aid in the production of polymeric fibers that include plant- and cell-based fibers. However, IRJSsystems and methods are not tailored for food-grade materials or production scales needed to supply the growing alternative meat markets. Embodiments described herein relate to scalable food-safe fiber production systems that operate semi-continuously and produce densely packed protein-rich fibers, recreating the texture of meats derived from animals. Like IRJS, these systems convert liquid material dispersions into solid fibers by extruding liquids through holes or orifices in a spinning reservoir, then through an air gap into a precipitation / coagulation bath where fiber formation occurs. Systems described herein are constructed from food-safe materials and can be operated semi-continuously without requiring a circulating vortex precipitation bath. Thus, embodiments described herein can greatly expand the number of food-grade materials that can be used to make meat alternatives at high production rates and low costs for wide adoption in the alternative meat market.

[0026] As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a member” is intended to mean a single member or a combination of members, “a material” is intended to mean one or more materials, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The term “substantially” when used in connection with “cylindrical,” “linear,” and / or other geometric relationships is intended to convey that the structure so defined is nominally cylindrical, linear or the like. As one example, a portion of a support member that is described as being “substantially linear” is intended to convey that, although linearity of the portion is desirable, some non-linearity can occur in a “substantially linear” portion. Such nonlinearity can result from manufacturing tolerances, or other practical considerations (such as, for example, the pressure or force applied to the support member). Thus, a geometric construction modified by the term “substantially” includes such geometric properties within a tolerance of plus or minus 5% of the stated geometric construction. For example, a “substantially linear” portion is a portion that defines an axis or center line that is within plus or minus 5% of being linear.

[0028] As used herein, the term “set” and “plurality” can refer to multiple features or a singular feature with multiple parts. For example, when referring to a set of fibers, the set of fibers can be considered as one fiber with multiple portions, or the set of fibers can be considered as multiple, distinct fibers. Thus, a set of portions or a plurality of portions may include multiple portions that are either continuous or discontinuous from each other. A plurality of particles or a plurality of materials can also be fabricated from multiple items thatare produced separately and are later joined together (e.g., via mixing, an adhesive, or any suitable method).

[0029] As used herein, “plant” or “plant-based” can include any material used for food production that is not animal-based. In other words, “plant” or “plant-based” are not limited to organisms in the plantae kingdom. For example, “plant-based scaffolding” described herein should be understood to include fungal -derived products, such as mycelium or plant-like protists, such as seaweed or algae.

[0030] The term “progenitor cell” is used herein to refer to cells that have a cellular phenotype that is more primitive (e.g., is at an earlier step along a developmental pathway or progression than is a fully differentiated cell) and has a higher degree of potency relative to a cell which it can give rise to by differentiation. Often, progenitor cells also have significant or very high proliferative potential. Progenitor cells can give rise to multiple distinct differentiated cell types or to a single differentiated cell type, depending on the developmental pathway and on the environment in which the cells develop and differentiate.

[0031] The term “stem cell” as used herein, refers to an undifferentiated cell which is capable of proliferation and giving rise to more progenitor cells having the ability to generate a large number of mother cells that can in turn give rise to differentiated, or differentiable daughter cells that are either terminally differentiated or may mature and / or differentiate further. The daughter cells themselves can be induced to proliferate and produce progeny that subsequently differentiate into one or more mature cell types, while also retaining one or more cells with parental developmental potential. The term “stem cell” refers to a subset of progenitors that have the capacity or potential, under particular circumstances, to differentiate to a more specialized or differentiated phenotype, and which retains the capacity, under certain circumstances, to proliferate without substantially differentiating. In one embodiment, the term stem cell refers generally to a naturally occurring mother cell whose descendants (progeny) specialize, often in different directions, by differentiation, e.g., by acquiring completely individual characters, as occurs in progressive diversification of embryonic cells and tissues. Cellular differentiation is a complex process typically occurring through many cell divisions. A differentiated cell may derive from a multipotent cell which itself is derived from a multipotent cell, and so on. While each of these multipotent cells may be considered stem cells, the range of cell types each can give rise to may vary considerably. Some differentiated cells also have the capacity to give rise to cells of greater developmental potential. Such capacity may be natural or may be induced artificially upon treatment with various factors. Inmany biological instances, stem cells are also “multipotent” because they can produce progeny of more than one distinct cell type, but this is not required for “stem-ness.” Self-renewal is the other classical part of the stem cell definition. In theory, self-renewal can occur by either of two major mechanisms. Stem cells may divide asymmetrically, with one daughter retaining the stem state and the other daughter expressing some distinct other specific function and phenotype. Alternatively, some of the stem cells in a population can divide symmetrically into two stems, thus maintaining some stem cells in the population as a whole, while other cells in the population give rise to differentiated progeny only. Formally, it is possible that cells that begin as stem cells might proceed toward a differentiated phenotype, but then “reverse” and re-express the stem cell phenotype, a term often referred to as “dedifferentiation” or “reprogramming” or “retrodifferentiation ”

[0032] The term “embryonic stem cell” is used to refer to the pluripotent stem cells of the inner cell mass of the embryonic blastocyst (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,843,780, 6,200,806, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Such cells can similarly be obtained from the inner cell mass of blastocysts derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,945,577, 5,994,619, 6,235,970, which are incorporated herein by reference). The distinguishing characteristics of an embryonic stem cell define an embryonic stem cell phenotype. Accordingly, a cell has the phenotype of an embryonic stem cell if it possesses one or more of the unique characteristics of an embryonic stem cell such that that cell can be distinguished from other cells. Exemplary distinguishing embryonic stem cell characteristics include, without limitation, gene expression profile, proliferative capacity, differentiation capacity, karyotype, responsiveness to particular culture conditions, and the like.

[0033] The term “adult stem cell” or “ASC” is used to refer to any multipotent stem cell derived from non- embryonic tissue, including fetal, juvenile, and adult tissue. Stem cells have been isolated from a wide variety of adult tissues including blood, bone marrow, brain, olfactory epithelium, skin, pancreas, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle. Each of these stem cells can be characterized based on gene expression, factor responsiveness, and morphology in culture. Exemplary adult stem cells include neural stem cells, neural crest stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and pancreatic stem cells.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus 100 for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 can be configured to generate a layer of a fluid (also referred to herein as a fiber-forming fluid) flowing in a predetermined trajectory,receive a precursor liquid, generate one or more jets of the precursor liquid, contact the one or more jets of the precursor liquid with the layer of the fiber-forming fluid such that the one or more jets of the precursor liquid interact with the fiber-forming fluid to produce food-grade fibers, and deposit the food-grade fibers in a receptacle according to a preferred orientation. As shown, the apparatus 100 includes a spinneret 110 positioned next to a chamber 120, the chamber 120 having a conduit 140 fluidically coupled thereto. A strainer 150 is positioned below the spinneret 110 and the chamber 120. An optional draining basin 160 is placed below the strainer 150 and an optional hub 170 is coupled to the chamber 120.

[0035] In use, a precursor liquid is fed to the spinneret 110. The spinneret 110 spins and ejects the precursor liquid from orifices in the spinneret 110. The ejected jets of the precursor liquid interact with layer of a fiber-forming fluid that flows around a perimeter and spaced apart from the spinneret 110 and moves around a predetermined trajectory along the chamber 120. The combination of the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid causes fibers to form, and the fibers are collected in the strainer 150, as further described herein. The fiber-forming fluid flows into the chamber 120 via the conduit 140. After contact with the precursor liquid, the fiber-forming fluid can be collected in the drainage basin 160 and recirculated back to the chamber 120 via the conduit 140.

[0036] The spinneret 110 can be a structure configured to receive a precursor liquid and eject one or more jets of the precursor liquid directed to a fiber-forming fluid. The spinneret 110 receives a precursor liquid, which is converted into a collection of fibers via contact with a layer of the fiber-forming fluid generated by the apparatus 100, as further disclosed herein. The spinneret 110 includes a reservoir (not shown), which receives the precursor liquid. The spinneret can be any suitable shape and / or form. In some embodiments, the spinneret can be a three-dimensional shape defined by a length or a height, and a suitable cross-sectional area. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area can be any suitable geometrical shape including, for example, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a polygon, a trapezoid, an oval, a circle, an ellipse, a semi-circle, or the like. For example, in some embodiments the spinneret can be cylindrical shape defined by a circular cross-sectional area and a length and / or height. In some embodiments, the spinneret can be cubic structure defined by a square cross- sectional area and length and / or height. In some embodiments, the spinneret can include a bottom portion, and a lateral wall connected and / or attached to the bottom portion. The bottom portion and the lateral wall collectively define the reservoir for receiving the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the bottom portion can be flat. In some embodiments the lateral wallsinclude a plurality of orifices. The plurality of orifices can be sized and configured to allow a jet of the precursor liquid to be ejected when the spinneret is rotated at a preferred rotational speed. The reservoir temporarily houses the precursor liquid until the precursor liquid is ejected from the reservoir via orifices lining the outer edge of the spinneret 110. The precursor liquid is forced toward the orifices in the outer edge of the spinneret 110 via spinning of the spinneret 110.

[0037] In some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can have a rotational speed of at least about 50 rpm, at least about 100 rpm, at least about 200 rpm, at least about 300 rpm, at least about 400 rpm, at least about 500 rpm, at least about 600 rpm, at least about 700 rpm, at least about 800 rpm, at least about 900 rpm, at least about 1,000 rpm, at least about 2,000 rpm, at least about 3,000 rpm, at least about 4,000 rpm, at least about 5,000 rpm, at least about 6,000 rpm, at least about 7,000 rpm, at least about 8,000 rpm, at least about 9,000 rpm, at least about 10,000 rpm, at least about 12,000 rpm, at least about 14,000 rpm, at least about 16,000 rpm, at least about 18,000 rpm, or at least about 20,000 rpm. In some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can have a rotational speed of no more than about 20,000 rpm, no more than about 19,00 rpm, no more than about 18,000 rpm, no more than about 17,000 rpm, no more than about 16,000 rpm, no more than about 15,000 rpm, no more than about 14,000 rpm, no more than about 13,000 rpm, no more than about 12,000 rpm, no more than about 11,000 rpm, no more than about 10,000 rpm, no more than about 9,000 rpm, no more than about 8,000 rpm, no more than about 7,000 rpm, no more than about 6,000 rpm, no more than about 5,000 rpm, no more than about 4,000 rpm, no more than about 3,000 rpm, no more than about 2,000 rpm, no more than about 1,000 rpm, no more than about 900 rpm, no more than about 800 rpm, no more than about 700 rpm, no more than about 600 rpm, no more than about 500 rpm, no more than about 400 rpm, no more than about 300 rpm, no more than about 200 rpm, or no more than about 100 rpm. Combinations of the above-referenced rotational speeds are also possible (e.g., at least about 50 rpm and no more than about 10,000 rpm or at least about 500 rpm and no more than about 5,000 rpm), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can have a rotational speed of about 50 rpm, about 100 rpm, about 200 rpm, about 300 rpm, about 400 rpm, about 500 rpm, about 600 rpm, about 700 rpm, about 800 rpm, about 900 rpm, about 1,000 rpm, about 2,000 rpm, about 3,000 rpm, about 4,000 rpm, about 5,000 rpm, about 6,000 rpm, about 7,000 rpm, about 8,000 rpm, about 9,000 rpm, or about 10,000 rpm.

[0038] In some embodiment, the reservoir of the spinneret 110 can be configured to receive the precursor liquid from a delivery component (not shown in FIG. 1). The delivery component can include a receptacle sized and configured to accommodate the precursor liquid, and coupled to a conduit, tube, pipe, hose, or the like, which can transport a flow of precursor liquid from the receptacle to the reservoir of the spinneret. In some embodiments the receptacle can be and / or include a tank, a bottle, a vessel, a container, a tub, a vat, or the like. In some embodiments the receptacle can be fluidically coupled to the tube, pipe, hose, or the like, to deliver the precursor liquid to the reservoir of the spinneret 110 while the spinneret is being rotated. In some embodiments, the tube can include an ejecting device that generates a stream of precursor liquid and directs the stream of the precursor liquid to the reservoir of the spinneret 110 as the spinneret 110 rotates. In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be a syringe. In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be a nozzle, spout, atomizer, sprinkler, or the like. In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be configured to direct a stream of the precursor liquid such that the precursor liquid is received in the reservoir of the spinneret 110 at a preferred and / or predetermined angle (also referred to herein as a spinneret feed angle) measured with respect to the bottom portion of the spinneret 110, as further disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the spinneret feed angle can be at least about 15 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 25 degrees, at least about 30 degrees, at least about 35 degrees, at least about 40 degrees, at least about 45 degrees, at least about 50 degrees, at least about 55 degrees, at least about 60 degrees, at least about 65 degrees, at least about 70 degrees, at least about 75 degrees, at least about 80 degrees, at least about 85 degrees, or at least about 90 degrees, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the spinneret feed angle can be no more than about 90 degrees, no more than about 80 degrees, no more than about 70 degrees, no more than about 60 degrees, no more than about 50 degrees, no more than about 40 degrees, no more than about 30 degrees, no more than about 20 degrees, or no more than about 10 degrees, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be configured to deliver a stream of the precursor liquid to the reservoir of the spinneret 110 continuously (e.g., at a constant flow rate). In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be configured to deliver a stream of the precursor liquid to the reservoir of the spinneret 110 intermittently. For example, in some embodiments the ejecting device can deliver a stream of the precursor liquid according to pulse intervals. In some embodiments, the ejecting device can be configured to stop and / or suspend the delivery of the precursor liquid for a period of time such that a first strainer 150 can be replaced and / or swapped with a second strainer 150 when the first strainer 150 collects apreferred and / or predetermined amount of food-grade fibers, as further described herein. In some embodiment, the ejecting device can suspend and / or pause the delivery of precursor liquid while the first strainer 150 is replaced with the second strainer 150. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ejecting device can be configured to deliver the precursor liquid according to pulse intervals, with the each pulse interval been followed by a pause period sufficiently long to replace the first strainer 150 (e.g., the strainer 150 containing the preferred and / or predetermined amount of food-grade fibers) with the second strainer 150 (e.g., an empty strainer 150). In that way, the apparatus 100 can produce food-grade fibers continuously and / or semi-continuously, as further described herein.

[0039] In some embodiments, the delivery component can include multiple ejecting devices. In such embodiments, each ejecting device can be configured to direct a stream of the precursor liquid at a preferred and / or predetermined spinneret feed angle. For example, in some embodiments the delivery component can include one receptacle sized and configured to accommodate a precursor liquid, and multiple ejecting devices fluidically coupled the one receptacle, with each ejecting device configured to direct a stream of the precursor liquid at a preferred and / or predetermined spinneret feed angle. In other embodiments, the delivery component can include multiple receptacles, with each receptacle being sized and configured to accommodate a precursor liquid (e.g., each receptacle containing a different precursor liquids). In such embodiments, each receptacle can be fluidically coupled to one or more ejecting devices, with the one or more ejecting devices being configured to direct a stream of the precursor liquid at a preferred and / or predetermined spinneret feed angle.100401 In some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can include one or more components that enable the spinneret 110 to rotate and generate jets of the precursor liquid. For example, in some embodiments the spinneret 110 can include a spindle coupled to the spinneret 110. In use, the spindle can be coupled to a motor to rotate the spinneret 110 and facilitate generating ejected jets of precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the spindle can be removably couplable to the spinneret 110. In some embodiments the spinneret 110 can include a supporting component that facilitates disposing the spinneret within the interior volume of the chamber 120. For example, in some embodiments the spinneret 110 can include a shaft collar, a clamp, a brace, a bracket, or the like, configured to hold the spinneret in place within the interior volume of the chamber 120 allowing the spinneret to rotate and receive the precursor liquid.

[0041] The chamber 120 can be any suitable structure configured to receive a fiber-forming fluid and generate a layer of the fiber-forming fluid which can be contacted with ejected jets ofthe precursor liquid to form food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the chamber 120 can be a three-dimensional structure including a central aperture, opening, passage, and / or cavity that defines an interior volume and a surface that surrounds the interior volume. For example, in some embodiments the chamber 120 can be an annular structure formed by a cylindrical sidewall that encloses an interior volume, space, and / or lumen, and includes an interior surface (e.g., the surface that surrounds the interior volume). In some embodiments, the interior surface of the sidewall (also referred to herein as the inner surface of the chamber 120) can be a flat surface. In some embodiments the inner surface of the chamber 120 can include flat sections and / or portions and curved sections and / or portions. In some embodiments, the chamber 120 can be an annular structure formed by a cylindrical sidewall configured to be disposed vertically on a supporting structure such as a frame, housing, rolling car, or the like. In such embodiments, the chamber 120 can be configured to sit straight up on the supporting structure such that a longitudinal axis of the chamber 120 (e.g., the longitudinal axis of the sidewall) is perpendicular to the floor where the apparatus 100 is disposed.|0042] The chamber 120 can include one or more inlet ports (also referred to herein as chamber inlet ports). The chamber inlet ports can be any suitable openings, and / or orifices configured to receive and / or admit the fiber-forming fluid and direct the fiber-forming fluid towards the interior volume of the chamber 120. The chamber inlet ports can be fluidically coupled to the conduit 140 to receive the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can be disposed on an external surface of the chamber 120. The inlet ports can be configured to communicate and / or connect the external surface of the chamber 120 with the inner surface of the chamber 120. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can be disposed on an external surface of the chamber 120 oriented such that the fiberforming fluid enters the chamber 120 tangentially and flows along the inner surface of the chamber 120. As disclosed above, in some embodiments the chamber 120 can be an annular structure formed by a cylindrical sidewall that can be disposed vertically on a supporting structure. In such embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can be disposed on a top portion of the external surface of the sidewall and be configured to receive the fiber-forming fluid from the conduit 140 and direct the fiber-forming fluid tangentially along the interior surface of the sidewall in a downward circular and / or helicoidal trajectory. The helicoidal trajectory of the fiber-forming fluid along the inner surface of the chamber 120 can result in the formation of a cylindrical layer of fiber-forming fluid (e.g., an annular layer of fiber-forming fluid, a cylindrical fluid curtain, skirt, sheet, and / or waterfall), as further described.

[0043] In some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can include any suitable fitting and / or accessory for coupling the chamber 120 to the conduit 140. For example, in some embodiments the chamber inlet ports can include pipe connectors, threaded fittings, push-in couplings, hose clamps, NPT couplings, quick connectors, or the like, configured to facilitate the coupling and decoupling of the conduit 140 to the chamber 120 for the continuous and / or batch admission of the fluid into an interior volume of the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can be made of materials that prevent and / or minimize contamination of food-grade materials. For example, in some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can be made of and / or include safe food materials such as stainless steel, silicon, ceramic materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or the like. In some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can include one or more pressure gauges, flow meters, or the like configured to adjust a flowrate of the fluid flowing into the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the chamber inlet ports can also include a manifold for mixing the one or more chemical species, reagents, and / or additives to produce the fluid.

[0044] As disclosed above, in some embodiments the chamber 120 guides the flow of the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the chamber 120 can have rounded or curved surfaces for guiding the flow of the fiber-forming fluid. The chamber 120 can have an opening on the bottom, through which the fiber-forming fluid can fall. The fiber-forming fluid falls through the opening at the bottom of the chamber 120 and interacts with the precursor liquid after the precursor liquid has been ejected from the spinneret 110. In some embodiments, the chamber 120 can have a fixed angular orientation.|0045[ The conduit 140 can be and / or include a plurality of tubes, hoses, pipes, and / or other fluid-transporting component configured to direct a fluid (e.g., a fiber-forming fluid) to the chamber 120. In some embodiments the conduit 140 can be configured to deliver a fresh flow of a fiber-forming fluid to the chamber 120. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the conduit 140 can be configured to recirculate a fiber-forming fluid. In such embodiments, the conduit 140 can include one or more tubes, hoses, pipes, or the like, configured to fluidically couple the chamber 120 with the optional drainage basin 160. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can include one or more components configured to direct the flow of the fiberforming fluid. For example, in some embodiments the conduit 140 can include flow fittings such as connectors, volume reducers, unions, splitters, elbows, tees, and the like. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can include one or more pumps configured to flow the fiberforming fluid from the drainage basin 160 to the chamber 120. In some embodiments, theconduit 140 can include one or more flow regulators, pressure gauges, bleeding valves, and / or any other accessory to facilitate flowing the fiber-forming fluid into the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can deliver the fiber-forming fluid to the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can include a pipe or a series of pipes. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can include a tube or a series of tubes. In some embodiments, the conduit 140 can be fluidically coupled to the optional drainage basin 160. In some embodiments, the fiberforming fluid can be pumped from the drainage basin and moved through the conduit 140.

[0046] The fiber-forming fluid can be any suitable fluid configured to induce physicochemical transformations to the precursor liquid that result in the formation of foodgrade fibers. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be and / or include water. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be and / or include ethanol. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be and / or include any suitable solvent such as methanol, propanol, isopropanol, or the like. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be and / or include liquid nitrogen. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include one or more species. For example, in some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can comprise monovalent ions that can include anions, cations, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can comprise divalent ions that can include anions, cations, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include a salt. In some embodiments, the salt can include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate, calcium lactate, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the salt can include protons (or hydronium ions) or hydroxide ions that modulate pH. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include polysaccharides.

[0047] In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include coagulation of the precursor liquid. In such embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can contact the precursor liquid and initiate one or more coagulation reactions. For example, in some embodiments monovalent and / or divalent ions present in the fiber-forming fluid can interact with the precursor liquid to initiate a coagulation reaction that forms food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, hydroxyl groups present in the fiber-forming fluid (e.g., hydroxyl groups from water, or from water with a protonated species such as a salt, a buffer, or the like) can interact with the precursor liquid to initiate one or more coagulation reaction that forms food-grade fibers.

[0048] In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include crosslinking and / or gelation of the precursor liquid. In suchembodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can contact the precursor liquid and initiate one or more gelation reactions. For example, in some embodiments monovalent and / or divalent ions present in the fiber-forming fluid (e.g., calcium or magnesium ions) can interact with the precursor liquid to initiate a coagulation reaction that forms food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be disposed at a preferred temperature (e.g., a temperature higher or lower than the temperature of the precursor liquids) such that contact between the fiber-forming fluid and the precursor liquid results in a heat- or cold- induced gelation that forms food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be disposed at a preferred pH (e.g., a pH different from the pH of the precursor liquids) such that contact between the fiber-forming fluid and the precursor liquid results in a pH-induced gelation that forms food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, polysaccharides present in the precursor liquid can contact ionic species present in the fiber-forming fluid and initiate ionic gelation / crosslinking to produce food-grade fibers.

[0049] In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include a solvent exchange between the precursor liquid and the fiberforming fluid. For example, in some embodiments, a solvent exchange can initiate a coagulation reaction that forms food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be disposed such that ethanol (or any other suitable solvent) can be exchanged between the fiber-forming fluid and the precursor liquid, which results in the formation of foodgrade fibers. In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include freezing of the precursor liquid. For example, in some embodiments the fiber-forming fluid can include liquid nitrogen. Exposure of the precursor liquid to the liquid nitrogen can freeze the precursor liquid and form food-grade fibers.

[0050] The strainer 150 can be any suitable device configured to retain, capture, and / or collect food-grade fibers produce due to the interaction between the fiber-forming fluid and the ejected jets of the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can include a plurality of openings that allow retaining and / or collecting food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100. The strainer 150 can be disposed below the chamber 120 and aligned with the chamber 120 such that the fiber-forming fluid and the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 can be received in the strainer 150. The plurality of openings of the strainer 150 allow the fiber-forming fluid to flow through while the food-grade fibers are retained. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can include multiple components and / or layers that cancollectively accommodate and / or capture food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100. For example, in some embodiments the strainer 150 can include a shelf configured to provide mechanical support to the strainer 150 while the strainer 150 is coupled and aligned with the chamber 150 of the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can include a mesh defining a plurality of openings, with each opening from the plurality of openings having a diameter smaller than the average diameter of the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100. The mesh can facilitate collecting the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 while allowing the fiber-forming fluid to pass through. In some embodiments, the mesh can be disposed within the strainer 150 as a liner and / or layer disposed adjacent to the walls of the strainer 150. In such embodiments, the mesh can facilitate collecting the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 and prevent some of the food-grade fibers to become entangled with the strainer 150.[00511 In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can be configured to be removably coupled with a delivery system. The delivery system can be any suitable structure that facilitate exchanging multiple strainers 150 from the apparatus 100 to enable the operation of the apparatus 100 in continuous and / or semi-continuous mode. For example, in some embodiments, the strainer 150 can include one or more adapters that facilitate coupling the strainer to a rail system. The rail system can include a motorized component that facilitate transporting the strainer 150 coupled to the rail system and place and / or disposed the strainer 150 aligned with the apparatus 100, and more specifically, aligned with the chamber 120. When the strainer 150 is aligned with the chamber 120, the strainer 150 can collect and / or retain the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 while allowing passage of the fiberforming fluid. For example, in some embodiments the rail system can be coupled to a first strainer 150 disposed in alignment with the chamber 120. The first strainer 150 can be used to collect food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 while allowing the fiber-forming fluid to pass through the first strainer 150. The first strainer 150 can be used until a predetermined quantity and / or amount of food-grade fibers (e.g., a predetermined weight or volume of foodgrade fibers) are collected within the first strainer 150. The first strainer 150 can then be moved by the motorized component of the rail system to facilitate unloading the collected food-grade fibers, while simultaneously placing a second strainer 150 (e.g., an empty strainer 150) in alignment with the chamber 120 of the apparatus 100. The second strainer 150 can be used to continue collecting food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100.

[0052] As disclosed above, in some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can be configured to operate while receiving a precursor liquid intermittently and / or according to pulse intervals. In such embodiments, the pulse intervals can be a period of time sufficient for the rail system to exchange a first strainer 150 (e.g., a strainer 150 containing a predetermined amount of foodgrade fibers produced by the apparatus 100) for a second strainer 150 (e.g., an empty strainer 150) with the aid of the motorized component. It is worth noticing that in some embodiments, the spinneret 110 can be configured to rotate uninterrupted (e.g., continuously) when the precursor liquid is not being delivered to the reservoir of the spinneret and the first strainer 150 is being replaced by the second strainer 150. Furthermore, in some embodiments the chamber 120 can be configured to continue generating a layer of the fiber-forming fluid (e.g., an annular layer of fluid, a cylindrical fluid curtain, skirt, sheet, and / or waterfall) while the rail system exchanges the first strainer 150 with the second strainer 150. In some embodiments, the fiberforming fluid can be collected by the optional drainage basin 160. In such embodiments, the drainage basin 160 can be fluidically coupled to the conduit 140 to recirculate the fiber-forming fluid to the chamber 120, as disclosed above. The strainer 150 can have any suitable shape or form configured to facilitate collect and / or retaining the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can be a cylindrical shape defined by a length and / or height and a circular cross-sectional area. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can be shaped to facilitate receiving and / or accommodating the food-grade fibers in a preferred orientation. For example, in some embodiments, the strainer 150 can be a cylindrical shape that includes an interior spindle-like structure that occupies a portion of the interior volume of the strainer 150. The spindle-like structure limits the volume of the strainer 150 that is available for collecting food-grade fibers. More specifically, the spindle-like structure modifies the volume and the shape of the volume available for collecting food-grade fibers to an annular shape, as further disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the spindle-like structure can include a coupler. The coupler can be a feature disposed on the spindle-like structure that allows coupling a motor to the strainer 150 such that the strainer can be rotated while collecting foodgrade fibers, as further disclosed herein.

[0053] As disclosed above, the strainer 150 captures food-grade fibers formed from the interaction between streams of the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the strainer 150 can include a mesh surface. In some embodiments, the drainage basin 160 captures fiber-forming fluid after the fiber-forming fluid has interacted with the precursor liquid. The fiber-forming fluid can then be recirculated through the conduit 140 andsent through the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the drainage basin 160 can be fluidically connected to a pump. The drainage basin can be any suitable container configured to collect the fiber-forming fluid after the fiber-forming fluid has contacted the precursor liquid in the apparatus 100 for forming food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the drainage basin can include a pump, and / or any suitable conduit that enables recirculating the collected fiberforming fluid with the chamber 120, as further disclosed herein.

[0054] The hub 170 is an optional component that can be disposed in or positioned within the outer bounds of the chamber 120. The hub 170 provides additional structure for the flow path of the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the hub 170 can include a rounded or curved surface on the inside of the chamber 120. In some embodiments, the hub 170 and the chamber 120 can together form a rounded or tube-like flow path around the outside edge of the spinneret 110 The hub 170 can be any suitable shape and / or form. In some embodiments, the hub 170 can include a cylindrical hollow portion having an external diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the interior volume of chamber 120. In such embodiments, the cylindrical hollow portion of the hub 170 can be placed within the interior volume of the chamber 170 to define a volume in which the fiber-forming fluid can be flown to generate the annular layer of fluid, cylindrical fluid curtain, skirt, sheet, and / or waterfall disclosed above.10055] FIGS. 2A-2J are illustrations of an apparatus 200 for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment. As shown, the apparatus 200 includes a housing 205, a spinneret 210, a chamber 220, conduits 240a, 240b (collectively referred to as conduits 240), a strainer 250, a drainage basin 260, and a hub 270. In some embodiments, the spinneret 210, the chamber 220, the conduits 240, the strainer 250, the drainage basin 260, and the hub 270 can be the same or substantially similar to the spinneret 110, the chamber 120, the conduit 140, the strainer 150, the drainage basin 160, and the hub 170, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, certain aspects of the spinneret 210, the chamber 220, the conduits 240, the strainer 250, the drainage basin 260, and the hub 270 are not described in greater detail herein. FIG. 2A shows a frontal view of the apparatus 200 placed upon a rolling cart, while FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the apparatus 200. FIG. 2C shows an overhead view of the chamber 220 and the hub 270, and instrumentation positioned inside the outer bounds of the chamber 220 and the hub 270. FIG. 2D shows greater detail of the spinneret 210. FIG. 2E shows a frontal view of a top portion of the apparatus 200, with the chamber 220 shown as transparent. FIG. 2F shows a top perspective view of the chamber 220 with the hub 270 removed to show detail. FIG. 2G shows a first side view of the housing 205, while FIG. 2Hshows a second side view of the housing 205. FIG. 2 J shows a perspective view of only the strainer 250. Axes are shown in each of FIGS. 2A-2J for structural clarity.

[0056] FIGS. 2A and 2B show details of the interactions between the housing 205 and the other components of the apparatus 200. The housing 205 supports the other components of the apparatus 200 and includes a volume therein that serves as the drainage basin 260. As shown in FIG. 2A, the chamber 220 rests on top of the housing 205, with a sanitary adapter 228 placed between the chamber 220 and the housing 205. The sanitary adapter 228 can act as a compliance member to maintain proper spacing between the components and can prevent cross-contamination between the housing 205 and the chamber 220. A pump 262 can move the fiber-forming fluid from the drainage basin 260 up to the chamber 220 via a feeder conduit 245. The feeder conduit 245 splits into the conduits 240a, 240b, and the conduits 240a, 240b feed to the chamber 220. Upon exiting the drainage basin 260, the fiber-forming fluid can be routed to a drainage conduit 264, which drains the fiber-forming fluid. The fiber-forming fluid can be routed between the drainage conduit 264 and the feeder conduit 245 via a valve. As shown, the strainer 250 rests on a strainer adapter and / or shelf 252. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can be coupled directly to the housing 205. In some embodiments, the feeder conduit 245 can proceed to the chamber 220 without splitting. In some embodiments, the feeder conduit 245 can split into about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, or at least about 10 conduits 240.(0057] FIGS. 2C and 2D show the spinneret 210 and associated instrumentation. As shown, a motor 216 is coupled to a spindle 213 of the spinneret 210 and rotates at a selected rotation speed. A tube 218 feeds a precursor liquid to the syringe 219, and the syringe 219 delivers the precursor liquid to a reservoir 211 of the spinneret 210. The tube 218 can be fluidically coupled to a fluid supply and / or receptacle (not shown), which contains an amount of precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the fluid supply and / or receptacle can include a tank, a bottle, a vessel, a container, a tub, a vat, or any combination thereof. The reservoir 211 acts as a receiving volume for the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the syringe 219 can deliver the precursor liquid to the reservoir 211 at constant flow rate. In some embodiments, the syringe 219 can deliver the precursor liquid to the reservoir 211 in pulsed intervals. A shaft collar 217 holds the motor 216 and the syringe 219 in place while the motor 216 spins the spinneret 210.10058] The spinneret 210 includes an orifice 212 disposed along the outside edge of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the spinneret 210 can include multiple orifices 212 1disposed around the outside edge of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the spinneret 210 can include multiple orifices 212 disposed around the outside edge of the spinneret 210 at a distance from the bottom of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the spinneret 210 can include multiple orifices 212 disposed around the outside edge of the spinneret 210 at multiple and / or different distances from the bottom of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the spinneret 210 can include about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, about 80, about 85, about 90, about 100, about 120, about 140, about 160, about 180, or at least about 200 orifices 212, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0059] FIG. 2E shows greater detail of the interaction between the conduits 240 and the chamber 220. The chamber 220 is shown as transparent for greater detail. As shown, the chamber 220 has a bottom surface and an opening in the bottom surface, through which the fiber-forming fluid escapes or falls. Upon falling through the opening in the bottom surface, the fiber-forming fluid can have a rounded or ring shape, influenced by the curved surface of the chamber 220. The spinneret 210 is positioned beneath the bottom surface of the chamber 220. Therefore, the chamber 220 does not act as an impediment to the interaction between the precursor liquid released form the spinneret 210 and the fiber-forming fluid falling from the chamber 220. Also, the precursor liquid does not interact with the hub 270 or the chamber 220.

[0060] FIG. 2F shows an overhead view of the chamber 220 with the hub 270 removed to show greater detail of the interior of the chamber 220. The hub 270 is coupled to the chamber 220 via a clamp 226. As shown, the chamber 220 has a curved surface 222, which creates curvature in the flow path of the fiber-forming fluid. The fiber-forming fluid flows along the curved surface 222 until it falls through the opening at the bottom of the chamber 220 along ridge surface 223 of the chamber 220.

[0061] FIGS. 2G and 2H show opposite sides of the housing 205 and the chamber 220, with chamber inlets 224a, 224b (collectively referred to as chamber inlets 224) shown. The conduits 240a, 240b couple to the chamber 220 along the chamber inlets 224a, 224b, respectively. As shown, two conduits 240 (e.g., conduit 240a and 240b) can be coupled to the chamber 220. In some embodiments, about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, or at least about 10 conduits 240 can feed to the chamber 220, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2F, the entry of the conduit 240a into the chamber 220 is offset from the entry of the conduit 240b into the chamber 220 by about 180 degrees. In other words, the conduit 240a enters the chamber 220 from the opposite side, compared to the conduit 240b. In some embodiments, the offset between entry angles of conduits 240 can be at least about 5 degrees, at least about 10 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 30 degrees, at least about 40 degrees, at least about 50 degrees, at least about 60 degrees, at least about 70 degrees, at least about 80 degrees, at least about 90 degrees, at least about 100 degrees, at least about 110 degrees, at least about 120 degrees, at least about 130 degrees, at least about 140 degrees, at least about 150 degrees, at least about 160 degrees, at least about 170 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, at least about 190 degrees, at least about 200 degrees, at least about 210 degrees, at least about 220 degrees, at least about 230 degrees, at least about 240 degrees, at least about 250 degrees, at least about 260 degrees, at least about 270 degrees, at least about 280 degrees, at least about 290 degrees, at least about 300 degrees, at least about 310 degrees, at least about 320 degrees, at least about 330 degrees, at least about 340 degrees, or at least about 350 degrees. In some embodiments, the offset between entry angles of conduits 240 can be no more than about 360 degrees, no more than about 350 degrees, no more than about 340 degrees, no more than about 330 degrees, no more than about 320 degrees, no more than about 310 degrees, no more than about 300 degrees, no more than about 290 degrees, no more than about 280 degrees, no more than about 270 degrees, no more than about 260 degrees, no more than about 250 degrees, no more than about 240 degrees, no more than about 230 degrees, no more than about 220 degrees, no more than about 210 degrees, no more than about 200 degrees, no more than about 190 degrees, no more than about 180 degrees, no more than about 170 degrees, no more than about 160 degrees, no more than about 150 degrees, no more than about 140 degrees, no more than about 130 degrees, no more than about 120 degrees, no more than about 110 degrees, no more than about 100 degrees, no more than about 90 degrees, no more than about 80 degrees, no more than about 70 degrees, no more than about 60 degrees, no more than about 50 degrees, no more than about 40 degrees, no more than about 30 degrees, no more than about 20 degrees, no more than about 10 degrees. Combinations of the above-referenced angles are also possible (e.g., at least about 5 degrees and no more than about 360 degrees or at least about 30 degrees and no more than about 90 degrees), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the offset between entry angles of conduits 240 can be about 5 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 80 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 190 degrees, about 200 degrees, about 210 degrees, about 220 degrees, about 230 degrees, about 240 degrees, about 250 degrees, about 260 degrees, about 270 degrees, about 280 degrees, about 290 degrees, about 300 degrees, about 310 degrees, about 320 degrees, about 330 degrees, about 340 degrees, about 350 degrees, or about 360 degrees.

[0063] FIG. 21 shows greater detail of the hub 270. The chamber 220 is removed to show greater detail of the hub 270. As shown, the hub 270 includes a curved surface 272 and is coupled to the chamber 220 via the clamp 226. The combination of the curved surface 272 of the hub 270 and the curved surface 222 of the chamber 220 can create a vortex in the movement of the fiber-forming fluid, such that the fiber-forming fluid falls below the hub 270 and the chamber 220 in a rounded or ring shape before interacting with the precursor liquid.

[0064] FIG. 2J shows greater detail of the strainer 250. As shown, the strainer 250 includes openings 254 and a coupler 256. The openings 254 allow the flow of the fiber-forming fluid through the strainer 250, such that the food-grade fibers formed from the interaction between the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid can collect in the strainer 250 and be isolated from the unreacted precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the openings 254 can form a mesh surface on the strainer 250. The openings 254 are sized, such that food-grade fibers solidified from the precursor liquid are captured in the strainer 250 while the fiber-forming fluid passes through the strainer 250. The coupler 256 allows for the coupling of a spindle or a motor for rotation of the strainer 250. As shown, the strainer 250 does not rotate, but rests on the strainer shelf and / or adaptor 252. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can rotate at the same speed or a substantially similar speed to the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can be rotated by the same motor as the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can rotate at a speed greater than the rotation speed of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can rotate at a lower speed than the rotation speed of the spinneret 210. In some embodiments, the strainer 250 can be removable from the apparatus 200.|0065[ FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 10 of producing food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment. As shown, the method 10 includes feeding a precursor liquid to a spinneret at step 11, flowing a first stream of a fiber-forming fluid into a chamber via a first inlet and along a curved interior surface such that the chamber produces a layer of the fiber-forming fluid at step 12, ejecting the precursor liquid from the spinneret, such that the precursor liquid contacts the layer of the fiber-forming fluid producing a food-grade fibrous material at step 13,and collecting the food-grade fibrous material in a strainer at step 14. The method 10 optionally includes flowing a second stream of the fiber-forming fluid into the chamber via a second inlet along the curved interior surface at step 15, collecting the fiber-forming fluid in a drainage basin at step 16, and recirculating the fiber-forming fluid from the drainage basin back to the chamber at step 17.

[0066] Step 11 includes feeding the precursor liquid to the spinneret. The precursor liquid includes materials that can undergo physicochemical transformation such as cross-link and / or gelation upon contact with the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can include plant-based scaffolding in solution. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can include a polysaccharide. The polysaccharide can aid in cross / linking and / or gelation of the precursor liquid resulting in formation of the food-grade fibrous material as disclosed above. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide can include cellulose, curdlan, starch, glycogen, sucrose, dextrin, hemicellulose, polydextrose, inulin, glucans, beta-glucan, pectin, psyllium husk mucilage, galactomannans, gums, beta-mannan, carob, fenugreek, guar gum, tara gum, methylcellulose, glucomannan gum, konjac gum, gum acacia, karaya gum, pullulan, tragacanth gum, arabinoxylan gum, xanthan gum, agar, alginate, carrageenan, chitin, chitosan, trehalose, or any combination thereof.100671 In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding can include plant fibers. In some embodiments, the plant fibers can include bast fibers, leaf fibers, plant polysaccharides, starches, beta-glucans, cellulose, pectic polysaccharides, and / or seed-hair fibers. In some embodiments, the plant fibers can include fibers derived from flax, hemp, Indian hemp, jute, tossa jute, white jute, kenaf, ramie, roselle, sunn, urena, abaca, cantala, henequen, maguey, Mauritus hemp, phormium, sisal, akund floss, bagasse, bamboo, bombax cotton, coir, cotton, floss-silk trees, kapok, milkweed floss, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding can include plant protein. In some embodiments, the plant protein can include proteins derived from rice, peas, soy, barley, barley rice, beans, fava beans, seitan, tempeh, edamame, lentils, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, spelt, teff, seeds, hemp seeds, amaranth, quinoa, spirulina, green peas, oats, Ezekiel bread, wild rice, nuts, chia seeds, mycoprotein, mycelium, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plant protein can include one or more amino acids. In some embodiments, the plant protein can include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding caninclude an oil derived from plants. In some embodiments, the oil can be food safe. In some embodiments, the oil can be organic. In some embodiments, the oil can include coconut oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, almond oil, beech nut oil, Brazil nut oil, cashew oil, hazelnut oil, macadamia oil, mongongo nut oil, pecan oil, pine nut oil, pistachio oil, walnut oil, pumpkin seed oil, or any combination thereof.

[0068] In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding in the precursor liquid can have a concentration of at least about 0.1 M, at least about 0.2 M, at least about 0.3 M, at least about 0.4 M, at least about 0.5 M, at least about 0.6 M, at least about 0.7 M, at least about 0.8 M, at least about 0.9 M, at least about 1 M, at least about 1.5 M, at least about 2 M, at least about 2.5 M, at least about 3 M, at least about 3.5 M, at least about 4 M, at least about 4.5 M, at least about 5 M, at least about 5.5 M, at least about 6 M, at least about 6.5 M, at least about 7 M, at least about 7.5 M, at least about 8 M, at least about 8.5 M, at least about 9 M, or at least about9.5 M. In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding in the precursor liquid can have a concentration of no more than about 10 M, no more than about 9.5 M, no more than about 9 M, no more than about 8.5 M, no more than about 8 M, no more than about 7.5 M, no more than about 7 M, no more than about 6.5 M, no more than about 6 M, no more than about 5.5 M, no more than about 5 M, no more than about 4.5 M, no more than about 4 M, no more than about 3.5 M, no more than about 3 M, no more than about 2.5 M, no more than about 2 M, no more than about 1.5 M, no more than about 1 M, no more than about 0.9 M, no more than about 0.8 M, no more than about 0.7 M, no more than about 0.6 M, no more than about 0.5 M, no more than about 0.4 M, no more than about 0.3 M, or no more than about 0.2 M. Combinations of the above-referenced concentrations are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.1 M and no more than about 10 M or at least about 1 M and no more than about 5 M), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the plant-based scaffolding in the precursor liquid can have a concentration of about 0.1 M, about 0.2 M, about 0.3 M, about 0.4 M, about 0.5 M, about 0.6 M, about 0.7 M, about 0.8 M, about 0.9 M, about 1 M, about 1.5 M, about 2 M, about2.5 M, about 3 M, about 3.5 M, about 4 M, about 4.5 M, about 5 M, about 5.5 M, about 6 M, about 6.5 M, about 7 M, about 7.5 M, about 8 M, about 8.5 M, about 9 M, about 9.5 M, or about 10 M.

[0069] In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a viscosity (at 20 °C) of at least about 0.001 Pa-s, at least about 0.002 Pa-s, at least about 0.003 Pa-s, at least about 0.004 Pa-s, at least about 0.005 Pa-s, at least about 0.006 Pa-s, at least about 0.007 Pa-s, at least about 0.008Pa-s, at least about 0.009 Pa-s, at least about 0.01 Pa-s, at least about 0.02 Pa-s, at least about 0.03 Pa-s, at least about 0.04 Pa-s, at least about 0.05 Pa-s, at least about 0.06 Pa-s, at least about 0.07 Pa-s, at least about 0.08 Pa-s, at least about 0.09 Pa-s, at least about 0.1 Pa-s, at least about 0.2 Pa-s, at least about 0.3 Pa-s, at least about 0.4 Pa-s, at least about 0.5 Pa-s, at least about 0.6 Pa-s, at least about 0.7 Pa-s, at least about 0.8 Pa-s, or at least about 0.9 Pa-s. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a viscosity of no more than about 1 Pa-s, no more than about 0.9 Pa-s, no more than about 0.8 Pa-s, no more than about 0.7 Pa-s, no more than about 0.6 Pa-s, no more than about 0.5 Pa-s, no more than about 0.4 Pa-s, no more than about 0.3 Pa-s, no more than about 0.2 Pa-s, no more than about 0.1 Pa-s, no more than about 0.09 Pa-s, no more than about 0.08 Pa-s, no more than about 0.07 Pa-s, no more than about 0.06 Pa-s, no more than about 0.05 Pa-s, no more than about 0.04 Pa-s, no more than about 0.03 Pa-s, no more than about 0.02 Pa-s, no more than about 0.01 Pa-s, no more than about 0.009 Pa-s, no more than about 0.008 Pa-s, no more than about 0.007 Pa-s, no more than about 0.006 Pa-s, no more than about 0.005 Pa-s, no more than about 0.004 Pa-s, no more than about 0.003 Pa-s, or no more than about 0.002 Pa-s. Combinations of the above-referenced viscosity ranges are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.001 Pa-s and no more than about 1 Pa-s or at least about 0.01 Pa-s and no more than about 0.1 Pa-s.), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a viscosity of about 0.001 Pa-s, about 0.002 Pa-s, about 0.003 Pa-s, about 0.004 Pa-s, about 0.005 Pa-s, about 0.006 Pa-s, about 0.007 Pa-s, about 0.008 Pa-s, about 0.009 Pa-s, about 0.01 Pa-s, about 0.02 Pa-s, about 0.03 Pa-s, about 0.04 Pa-s, about 0.05 Pa-s, about 0.06 Pa-s, about 0.07 Pa-s, about 0.08 Pa-s, about 0.09 Pa-s, about 0.1 Pa-s, about 0.2 Pa-s, about 0.3 Pa-s, about 0.4 Pa-s, about 0.5 Pa-s, about 0.6 Pa-s, about 0.7 Pa-s, about 0.8 Pa-s, about 0.9 Pa-s, or about 1 Pa-s.

[0070] In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a yield stress (at 20 °C) of at least about 0.01 Pa, at least about 0.02 Pa, at least about 0.03 Pa, at least about 0.04 Pa, at least about 0.06 Pa, at least about 0.07 Pa, at least about 0.08 Pa, at least about 0.09 Pa, at least about 0.1 Pa, at least about 0.2 Pa, at least about 0.3 Pa, at least about 0.4 Pa, at least about 0.6 Pa, at least about 0.7 Pa, at least about 0.8 Pa, or at least about 0.9 Pa. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a yield stress of no more than about 1 Pa, no more than about 0.9 Pa, no more than about 0.8 Pa, no more than about 0.7 Pa, no more than about 0.6 Pa, no more than about 0.5 Pa, no more than about 0.4 Pa, no more than about 0.3 Pa, no more than about 0.2 Pa, no more than about 0.1 Pa, no more than about 0.09 Pa, no more than about 0.08 Pa, no more than about 0.07 Pa, no more than about 0.06 Pa, no more than about 0.05 Pa, no morethan about 0.04 Pa, no more than about 0.03 Pa, or no more than about 0.02 Pa. Combinations of the above-referenced yield stress values are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.01 Pa and no more than about 1 Pa or at least about 0.1 Pa and no more than about 0.5 Pa), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can have a yield stress of about 0.01 Pa, about 0.02 Pa, about 0.03 Pa, about 0.04 Pa, about 0.06 Pa, about 0.07 Pa, about 0.08 Pa, about 0.09 Pa, about 0.1 Pa, about 0.2 Pa, about 0.3 Pa, about 0.4 Pa, about 0.6 Pa, about 0.7 Pa, about 0.8 Pa, about 0.9 Pa, or about 1 Pa. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can be a shear thinning liquid.

[0071] In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can be fed to the spinneret at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 0.1 mL / s, at least about 0.5 mL / s, at least about 1 mL / s, at least about 5 mL / s, at least about 10 mL / s, at least about 50 mL / s, at least about 100 mL / s, or at least about 500 mL / s. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can be fed to the spinneret at a volumetric flow rate of no more than about 1 L / s, no more than about 500 mL / s, no more than about 100 mL / s, no more than about 50 mL / s, no more than about 10 mL / s, no more than about 5 mL / s, no more than about 1 mL / s, or no more than about 0.5 mL / s. Combinations of the above-referenced volumetric flow rates are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.1 mL / s and no more than about 1 L / s or at least about 1 mL / s and no more than about 100 mL / s), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can be fed to the spinneret at a volumetric flow rate of about 0.1 mL / s, about 0.5 mL / s, about 1 mL / s, about 5 mL / s, about 10 mL / s, about 50 mL / s, about 100 mL / s, about 500 mL / s, or about 1 L / s.

[0072] Step 12 includes flowing the first stream of a fiber-forming fluid into a chamber via a first inlet and along a curved interior surface such that the chamber produces a layer of the fiber-forming fluid. The fiber-forming fluid enters the chamber, such that its flow path is manipulated ahead of the fiber-forming fluid’ s interaction with the precursor liquid. The fiberforming fluid induces crosslinking and / or curing in the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include water. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include nutrients. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can include a saline solution. The fiber-forming fluid can form a layer of fluid (e.g., an annular layer of fluid, a cylindrical fluid curtain, skirt, sheet, and / or waterfall) and / or a precipitation bath, wherein the precursor liquid crosslinks and / or solidifies. In some embodiments, the layer of fluid and / or the precipitation bath can include water with monovalent ions that can include anions, cations, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the layer of fluid and / or the precipitation bathcan include water with divalent ions that can include anions, cations, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the layer of fluid and / or the precipitation bath can include a salt. In some embodiments, the salt can include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the salt can include protons (or hydronium ions) or hydroxide ions that modulate pH. In some embodiments, the polysaccharides in the precursor liquid and polysaccharides in the fiber-forming fluid can undergo ionic gelation when they meet in the formed layer of fluid and / or the precipitation bath.

[0073] In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be kept at room temperature. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be cooled prior to entering the chamber. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be chilled to a temperature of about 1 °C, about 2 °C, about 3 °C, about 4 °C, about 5 °C, about 6 °C, about 7 °C, about 8 °C, about 9 °C, about 10 °C, about 11 °C, about 12 °C, about 13 °C, about 14 °C, about 15 °C, about 16 °C, about 17 °C, about 18 °C, or about 19 °C, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0074] In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can have a pH of at least about 3, at least about 3.5, at least about 4, at least about 4.5, at least about 5, at least about 5.5, at least about 6, at least about 6.5, at least about 7, at least about 7.5, at least about 8, at least about 8.5, at least about 9, at least about 9.5, at least about 10, at least about 10.5, at least about 11, or at least about 11.5. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can have a pH of no more than about 12, no more than about 11.5, no more than about 11, no more than about 10.5, no more than about 10, no more than about 9.5, no more than about 9, no more than about 8.5, no more than about 8, no more than about 7.5, no more than about 7, no more than about 6.5, no more than about 6, no more than about 5.5, no more than about 5, no more than about 4.5, no more than about 4, or no more than about 3.5. Combinations of the above-referenced pH values are also possible (e.g., at least about 3 and no more than about 12 or at least about 6 and no more than about 8), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the fiberforming fluid can have a pH of about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5, about 10, about 10.5, about 11, about 11.5, or about 12.

[0075] In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be fed to the chamber at a total flow rate (i.e., the first stream plus the second stream, etc.) of at least about 1 mL / s, at least about 5 mL / s, at least about 10 mL / s, at least about 50 mL / s, at least about 100 mL / s, at least about 500 mL / s, at least about 1 L / s, or at least about 5 L / s. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be fed to the chamber at a total flow rate of no more than about 10 L / s, no more than about 5 L / s, no more than about 1 L / s, no more than about 500 mL / s, no more than about 100 mL / s, no more than about 50 mL / s, no more than about 10 mL / s, or no more than about 5 mL / s. Combinations of the above-referenced total flow rates are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 mL / s and no more than about 10 L / s or at least about 10 mL / s and no more than about 1 L / s), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the fiberforming fluid can be fed to the chamber at a total flow rate of about 1 mL / s, about 5 mL / s, about 10 mL / s, about 50 mL / s, about 100 mL / s, about 500 mL / s, about 1 L / s, about 5 L / s, or about 10 L / s.

[0076] Step 13 includes ejecting the precursor liquid from the spinneret, such that the precursor liquid contacts the layer of the fiber-forming fluid producing a food-grade fibrous material. The ejection of the precursor liquid can occur beneath the chamber and / or the hub, such that the chamber and / or the hub do not interfere with the interaction between the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid. The fiber-forming fluid induces crosslinking and solidification of the precursor liquid, such that the precursor liquid forms a food-grade fibrous material (e.g., a series of fibers). The precursor liquid passes a distance through the air before interacting with the fiber-forming fluid (i.e., an “air gap”). The larger the air gap, the more time and distance the precursor liquid has to become thinner, particularly if the precursor liquid is a shear thinning fluid. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can fully crosslink during the contact between the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the precursor liquid can at least partially crosslink cure during the contact between the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid and finish crosslinking and / or curing after contact.

[0077] Step 14 includes collecting the food-grade fibrous material in a strainer. The strainer is positioned beneath the spinneret and the ejection of the precursor liquid. The strainer includes holes or openings, sized such that the fiber-forming fluid drains from the strainer while the fibers from the food-grade fibrous material formed from the precursor liquid are captured. After collecting the fibers from the food-grade fibrous material in the strainer, the strainer can be removed from its apparatus and the fibers can be retrieved for further processing. Further processing can include, for example, adding fat, flavoring, and / or biological cells to the fibers.

[0078] After crosslinking and / or curing, the food-grade fibrous material can have a viscosity (at 20 °C) of at least about 0.1 Pa-s, at least about 0.2 Pa-s, at least about 0.3 Pa-s, at least about 0.4 Pa-s, at least about 0.5 Pa-s, at least about 0.6 Pa-s, at least about 0.7 Pa-s, at least about 0. 8 Pa-s, at least about 0.9 Pa-s, at least about 1 Pa-s, at least about 2 Pa-s, at leastabout 3 Pa-s, at least about 4 Pa-s, at least about 5 Pa-s, at least about 6 Pa-s, at least about 7 Pa-s, at least about 8 Pa-s, at least about 9 Pa-s, at least about 10 Pa-s, at least about 20 Pa-s, at least about 30 Pa-s, at least about 40 Pa-s, at least about 50 Pa-s, at least about 60 Pa-s, at least about 70 Pa-s, at least about 80 Pa-s, or at least about 90 Pa-s. In some embodiments, the foodgrade fibrous material can have a viscosity of no more than about 100 Pa-s, no more than about 90 Pa-s, no more than about 80 Pa-s, no more than about 70 Pa-s, no more than about 60 Pa-s, no more than about 50 Pa-s, no more than about 40 Pa-s, no more than about 30 Pa-s, no more than about 20 Pa-s, no more than about 10 Pa-s, no more than about 9 Pa-s, no more than about8 Pa-s, no more than about 7 Pa-s, no more than about 6 Pa-s, no more than about 5 Pa-s, no more than about 4 Pa-s, no more than about 3 Pa-s, no more than about 2 Pa-s, no more than about 1 Pa-s, no more than about 0.9 Pa-s, no more than about 0.8 Pa-s, no more than about 0.7 Pa-s, no more than about 0.6 Pa-s, no more than about 0.5 Pa-s, no more than about 0.4 Pa-s, no more than about 0.3 Pa-s, or no more than about 0.2 Pa-s. Combinations of the abovereferenced viscosity ranges are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.1 Pa-s and no more than about 10 Pa-s or at least about 1 Pa-s and no more than about 10 Pa-s.), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a viscosity of about 0.1 Pa-s, about 0.2 Pa-s, about 0.3 Pa-s, about 0.4 Pa-s, about 0.5 Pa-s, about 0.6 Pa-s, about 0.7 Pa-s, about 0.8 Pa-s, about 0.9 Pa-s, about 1 Pa-s, about 2 Pa-s, about 3 Pa-s, about 4 Pa-s, about 5 Pa-s, about 6 Pa-s, about 7 Pa-s, about 8 Pa-s, about 9 Pa-s, about 10 Pa-s, about 20 Pa-s, about 30 Pa-s, about 40 Pa-s, about 50 Pa-s, about 60 Pa-s, about 70 Pa-s, about 80 Pa-s, about 90 Pa-s, or about 100 Pa-s.

[0079] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a yield stress (at 20 °C) of at least about 1 kPa, at least about 2 kPa, at least about 3 kPa, at least about 4 kPa, at least about 5 kPa, at least about 6 kPa, at least about 7 kPa, at least about 8 kPa, at least about9 kPa, at least about 10 kPa, at least about 20 kPa, at least about 30 kPa, at least about 40 kPa, at least about 50 kPa, at least about 60 kPa, at least about 70 kPa, at least about 80 kPa, at least about 90 kPa, at least about 100 kPa, at least about 200 kPa, at least about 300 kPa, at least about 400 kPa, at least about 500 kPa, at least about 600 kPa, at least about 700 kPa, at least about 800 kPa, or at least about 900 kPa. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a yield stress of no more than about 1 MPa, no more than about 900 kPa, no more than about 800 kPa, no more than about 700 kPa, no more than about 600 kPa, no more than about 500 kPa, no more than about 400 kPa, no more than about 300 kPa, no more than about 200 kPa, no more than about 100 kPa, no more than about 90 kPa, no more than about80 kPa, no more than about 70 kPa, no more than about 60 kPa, no more than about 50 kPa, no more than about 40 kPa, no more than about 30 kPa, no more than about 20 kPa, no more than about 10 kPa, no more than about 9 kPa, no more than about 8 kPa, no more than about 7 kPa, no more than about 6 kPa, no more than about 5 kPa, no more than about 4 kPa, no more than about 3 kPa, or no more than about 2 kPa. Combinations of the above-referenced yield stresses are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 kPa and no more than about 1 MPa or at least about 10 kPa and no more than about 100 kPa), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a yield stress of about 1 kPa, about 2 kPa, about 3 kPa, about 4 kPa, about 5 kPa, about 6 kPa, about 7 kPa, about 8 kPa, about 9 kPa, about 10 kPa, about 20 kPa, about 30 kPa, about 40 kPa, about 50 kPa, about 60 kPa, about 70 kPa, about 80 kPa, about 90 kPa, about 100 kPa, about 200 kPa, about 300 kPa, about 400 kPa, about 500 kPa, about 600 kPa, about 700 kPa, about 800 kPa, about 900 kPa, or about 1 MPa.[0080| In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a hardness value of at least about 2 N, at least about 2.1 N, at least about 2.2 N, at least about 2.3 N, at least about 2.4 N, at least about 2.5 N, at least about 2.6 N, at least about 2.7 N, at least about 2.8 N, at least about 2.9 N, at least about 3 N, at least about 3.1 N, at least about 3.2 N, at least about3.3 N, at least about 3.4 N, at least about 3.5 N, at least about 3.6 N, at least about 3.7 N, at least about 3.8 N, or at least about 3.9 N on the textural properties of food scale. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a hardness value of no more than about 4 N, no more than about 3.9 N, no more than about 3.8 N, no more than about 3.7 N, no more than about 3.6 N, no more than about 3.5 N, no more than about 3.4 N, no more than about 3.3 N, no more than about 3.2 N, no more than about 3.1 N, no more than about 3 N, no more than about 2.9 N, no more than about 2.8 N, no more than about 2.7 N, no more than about 2.6 N, no more than about 2.5 N, no more than about 2.4 N, no more than about 2.3 N, no more than about 2.2 N, or no more than about 2.1 N. Combinations of the above-referenced hardness values are also possible (e.g., at least about 2 N and no more than about 4 N or at least about2.3 N and no more than about 3.5 N), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a hardness value of about 2 N, about 2.1 N, about 2.2 N, about 2.3 N, about 2.4 N, about 2.5 N, about 2.6 N, about 2.7 N, about 2.8 N, about 2.9 N, about 3 N, about 3.1 N, about 3.2 N, about 3.3 N, about 3.4 N, about 3.5 N, about 3.6 N, about 3.7 N, about 3.8 N, about 3.9 N, or about 4 N.

[0081] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a springiness value of at least about 6 N, at least about 6.1 N, at least about 6.2 N, at least about 6.3 N, at least about 6.4 N, at least about 6.5 N, at least about 6.6 N, at least about 6.7 N, at least about 6.8 N, or at least about 6.9 N on the textural properties of food scale. In some embodiments, the food grade fibrous material can have a springiness value of no more than about 7 N, no more than about 6.9 N, no more than about 6.8 N, no more than about 6.7 N, no more than about 6.6 N, no more than about 6.5 N, no more than about 6.4 N, no more than about 6.3 N, no more than about 6.2 N, or no more than about 6.1 N. Combinations of the above-referenced springiness values are also possible (e.g., at least about 6 N and no more than about 7 N or at least about 6.1 N and no more than about 6.9 N), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a springiness value of about 6 N, about 6.1 N, about 6.2 N, about 6.3 N, about 6.4 N, about 6.5 N, about 6.6 N, about 6.7 N, about 6.8N, about 6.9 N, or about 7 N.

[0082] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a cohesiveness value of at least about 0.4, at least about 0.41, at least about 0.42, at least about 0.43, at least about 0.44, at least about 0.45, at least about 0.46, at least about 0.47, at least about 0.48, at least about 0.49, at least about 0.5, at least about 0.51, at least about 0.52, at least about 0.53, at least about 0.54, at least about 0.55, at least about 0.56, at least about 0.57, at least aboutO.58, or at least about 0.59 on the textural properties food scale. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous food product can have a cohesiveness value of no more than about 0.6, no more than about 0.59, no more than about 0.58, no more than about 0.57, no more than about 0.56, no more than about 0.55, no more than about 0.54, no more than about 0.53, no more than about 0.52, no more than about 0.51, no more than about 0.5, no more than about 0.49, no more than about 0.48, no more than about 0.47, no more than about 0.46, no more than about 0.45, no more than about 0.44, no more than about 0.43, no more than about 0.42, or no more than about 0.41. Combinations of the above-referenced cohesiveness values are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.4 and no more than about 0.6 or at least about 0.45 and no more than about 0.55), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food grade fibrous material can have a cohesiveness value of about 0.4, about 0.41, about 0.42, about 0.43, about 0.44, about 0.45, about 0.46, about 0.47, about 0.48, about 0.49, about 0.5, about 0.51, about 0.52, about 0.53, about 0.54, about 0.55, about 0.56, about 0.57, about 0.58, about 0.59, or about 0.6.

[0083] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a gumminess value of at least about 1, at least about 1.1, at least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, at least about 1.4, at least about 1.5, at least about 1.6, at least about 1.7, at least about 1.8, or at least about 1.9 on the textural properties of food scale. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a gumminess value of no more than about 2, no more than about 1.9, no more than about 1.8, no more than about 1.7, no more than about 1.6, no more than about 1.5, no more than about 1.4, no more than about 1.3, no more than about 1.2, or no more than about 1.1. Combinations of the above-referenced gumminess values are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 and no more than about 2 or at least about 1.1 and no more than about 1.9), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a gumminess value of about 1, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, or about 2.100841 In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a chewiness value of at least about 0.5, at least about 0.6, at least about 0.7, at least about 0.8, at least about 0.9, at least about 1, at least about 1.1, at least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, or at least about 1.4 on the textural properties of food scale. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a chewiness value of no more than about 1.5, no more than about 1.4, no more than about 1.3, no more than about 1.2, no more than about 1.1, no more than about 1, no more than about 0.9, no more than about 0.8, no more than about 0.7, or no more than about 0.6. Combinations of the above-referenced chewiness values are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.5 and no more than about 1.5 or at least about 0.6 and no more than about 1.3), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a chewiness value of about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, or about 1.5.

[0085] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a Wamer-Bratzler shear strength of at least about 0.25 kg, at least about 0.5 kg, at least about 1 kg, at least about1.5 kg, at least about 2 kg, at least about 2.5 kg, at least about 3 kg, at least about 3.5 kg, at least about 4 kg, at least about 4.5 kg, at least about 5 kg, or at least about 5.5 kg. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a Warner-Bratzler shear strength of no more than about 6 kg, no more than about 5.5 kg, no more than about 5 kg, no more than about4.5 kg, no more than about 4 kg, no more than about 3.5 kg, no more than about 3 kg, no more than about 2.5 kg, no more than about 2 kg, no more than about 1.5 kg, no more than about 1 kg, or no more than about 0.5 kg. Combinations of the above-referenced Wamer-Bratzler shearstrengths are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.25 kg and no more than about 6 kg or at least about 0.5 kg and no more than about 5 kg), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can have a Wamer-Bratzler shear strength of about 0.25 kg, about 0.5 kg, about 1 kg, about 1.5 kg, about 2 kg, about 2.5 kg, about 3 kg, about 3.5 kg, about 4 kg, about 4.5 kg, about 5 kg, about 5.5 kg, or about 6 kg.

[0086] In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can be employed in a process to produce a food product. In some embodiments, the food product can be a non-meat product resembling a chicken breast, a rib, a loin, a round, a flank, a brisket, a shank, a filet, a filet mignon, a chuck, a sirloin, a short loin, a fore shank, a short plate, a porterhouse, a nugget, a tender, a chicken finger, a cutlet, or any other suitable product. In some embodiments, the food-grade fibrous material can be free of any cells originating from a living animal. In some embodiments, the food product can be plant-based meats, snack and performance bars, baby food, and baby food snacks, cereals, candy bars, chips and croutons, jerky beef, upcycled food, and / or pet food.

[0087] Step 15 is optional and includes flowing a second stream of the fiber-forming fluid into the chamber via a second inlet along the curved interior surface. In some embodiments, the second stream of fiber-forming fluid can flow into the chamber from the opposite side of the chamber to the first stream of fiber-forming fluid (i.e., the first stream flowed in step 12). In some embodiments, the second stream of fiber-forming fluid can contact the same curved interior surface as the first stream of fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, a third stream of fiber-forming fluid can flow into the chamber. In some embodiments, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, or at least about 10 streams of fiber-forming fluid can flow into the chamber, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. The multiple streams of fiber-forming fluid can effectively merge within the chamber, such that a single stream or a collection of fiber-forming fluid flows out of the bottom of the chamber.

[0088] Step 16 is optional and includes collecting the fiber-forming fluid in a drainage basin. The drainage basin can be positioned beneath the strainer, such that fiber-forming fluid falls through the strainer and collects in the drainage basin. The fiber-forming fluid can be collected for later use. In some embodiments, the drainage basin can have a capacity of about 1 L, about 2 L, about 3 L, about 4 L, about 5 L, about 6 L, about 7 L, about 8 L, about 9 L, about 10 L, about 20 L, about 30 L, about 40 L, about 50 L, about 60 L, about 70 L, about 80 L, about 90 L, about 100 L, about 200 L, about 300 L, about 400 L, about 500 L, about 600 L,about 700 L, about 800 L, about 900 L, about 1,000 L, or at least about 1,000 L, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0089] Step 17 is optional and includes recirculating the fiber-forming fluid from the drainage basin back to the chamber. In some embodiments, the method 10 can include at least partially filling the drainage basin with fiber-forming fluid and then circulating the fiberforming fluid to the chamber to start the flow of the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be recirculated to the chamber at a total flow rate of at least about 1 mL / s, at least about 5 mL / s, at least about 10 mL / s, at least about 50 mL / s, at least about 100 mL / s, at least about 500 mL / s, at least about 1 L / s, or at least about 5 L / s. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be recirculated to the chamber at a total flow rate of no more than about 10 L / s, no more than about 5 L / s, no more than about 1 L / s, no more than about 500 mL / s, no more than about 100 mL / s, no more than about 50 mL / s, no more than about 10 mL / s, or no more than about 5 mL / s. Combinations of the above-referenced total flow rates are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 mL / s and no more than about 10 L / s or at least about 10 mL / s and no more than about 1 L / s), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be recirculated to the chamber at a total flow rate of about 1 mL / s, about 5 mL / s, about 10 mL / s, about 50 mL / s, about 100 mL / s, about 500 mL / s, about 1 L / s, about 5 L / s, or about 10 L / s.

[0090] Upon recirculation, the fiber-forming fluid can contact additional precursor liquid. In other words, the fiber-forming fluid can be reused. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can be tailored to cure and / or cross-link multiple streams of precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the fiber-forming fluid can pass through the chamber about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 20, about 30, about 40, about 50, about 60, about 70, about 80, about 90, about 100, or at least about 100 times, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0091] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a method of producing food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment. An apparatus 300 is shown for producing a fibrous material FM from a precursor liquid PL. As shown, the apparatus 300 includes a spinneret 310, a chamber 320, a strainer 350, and a hub 370. In some embodiments, the spinneret 310, the chamber 320, the strainer 350, and the hub 370 can be the same or substantially similar to the spinneret 110, the chamber 120, the strainer 150, and the hub 170, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, certain aspects of the spinneret 310, the chamber 320, the strainer 350, and the hub 370 are not described in greater detail herein. Axes are shown in FIG. 4 for structural clarity.

[0092] In use, the precursor liquid PL is ejected from the spinneret 310 and interacts with a fiber-forming fluid FFF, before falling down to the strainer 350 to be captured as the fibrous material FM. The ejection point of the precursor liquid PL from the spinneret 310 is separated from the fiber-forming fluid FFF by an air gap AG. In some embodiments, the air gap AG can be at least about 1 mm, at least about 2 mm, at least about 3 mm, at least about 4 mm, at least about 5 mm, at least about 6 mm, at least about 7 mm, at least about 8 mm, at least about9 mm, at least about 1 cm, at least about 2 cm, at least about 3 cm, at least about 4 cm, at least about 5 cm, at least about 6 cm, at least about 7 cm, at least about 8 cm, at least about 9 cm, at least about 10 cm, at least about 20 cm, at least about 30 cm, at least about 40 cm, at least about 50 cm, at least about 60 cm, at least about 70 cm, at least about 80 cm, or at least about 90 cm. In some embodiments, the air gap AG can be no more than about 1 m, no more than about 90 cm, no more than about 80 cm, no more than about 70 cm, no more than about 60 cm, no more than about 50 cm, no more than about 40 cm, no more than about 30 cm, no more than about 20 cm, no more than about 10 cm, no more than about 9 cm, no more than about 8 cm, no more than about 7 cm, no more than about 6 cm, no more than about 5 cm, no more than about 4 cm, no more than about 3 cm, no more than about 2 cm, no more than about 1 cm, no more than about 9 mm, no more than about 8 mm, no more than about 7 mm, no more than about 6 mm, no more than about 5 mm, no more than about 4 mm, no more than about 3 mm, or no more than about 2 mm. Combinations of the above-referenced air gaps AG are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 mm and no more than about 1 m or at least about 1 cm and no more than about10 cm), inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the air gap AG can be about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm, about 2 cm, about 3 cm, about 4 cm, about 5 cm, about 6 cm, about 7 cm, about 8 cm, about 9 cm, about 10 cm, about 20 cm, about 30 cm, about 40 cm, about 50 cm, about 60 cm, about 70 cm, about 80 cm, about 90 cm, or about 1 m.|0093| FIGS. 5A-5J are illustrations of an apparatus 400 for production of food-grade fibers, according to an embodiment. As shown, the apparatus 400 can include a housing 405, a spinneret 410, a chamber 420, a conduit 440, a strainer 450, a drainage basin 460, and a hub 470. In some embodiments, the spinneret 410, the chamber 420, the conduit 440, the strainer 450, the drainage basin 460, and the hub 470 can be the same or substantially similar to the spinneret 110, the chamber 120, the conduit 140, the strainer 150, the drainage basin 160, and the hub 170, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, certain aspects of the spinneret 410, the chamber 420, the conduits 440, the strainer 450, the drainage basin 460, and the hub470 are not described in greater detail herein. FIG. 5A shows a frontal perspective view of the apparatus 400. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the chamber 420 disposed and / or supported on the housing 405. FIG. 5C show a cross-sectional side view of the chamber 420 and the hub 470, displaying various components of the apparatus 400 disposed within the chamber 420. FIG. 5D shows a top view of the chamber 420 with the hub 470 disposed within the chamber 420. FIG. 5E shows a cross-sectional side view of the chamber 420 and the hub 470, displaying various components of the apparatus 400 disposed within the chamber 420. FIG. 5F shows a frontal perspective view of the strainer. FIG. 5H shows a partially exploded perspective view of the strainer 450 and other components coupled to the strainer 450. FIG. 51 shows a cross- sectional perspective view of the strainer 450. FIG. 5J shows an image of a rail system with multiple strainers 450 for operating the apparatus 400 according to a continuous and / or a semi- continuous process.|0094| FIG. 5A shows the apparatus 400 includes a housing 405 which can be used to support components of the apparatus 400. As shown in FIG. 5A, the housing 405 can be a plate, sheet, slab, platform, or the like that can be used to support components of the apparatus 400 such as the chamber 420, the conduit 440, the strainer 450, and the hub 470, among others. FIG 5C shows the spinneret 420 is a three-dimensional shape defined by a length or a height, and a circular cross-sectional area. The spinneret 410 includes an interior volume and / or space that can serve as a reservoir 411 for receiving a precursor liquid. FIGS. 5C and 5E show the spinneret 410 can be disposed within the chamber 420 to receive a precursor liquid and eject one or more jets of the precursor liquid towards a fiber-forming fluid. FIG. 5C shows the spinneret 410 includes a bottom portion a lateral wall, with the lateral wall including one or more orifices 412 sized and configured to allow a jet of the precursor liquid to be ejected when the spinneret is rotated at a preferred rotational speed. FIG. 5E shows the spinneret 410 can be coupled to a spindle 413 and a motor 416 to induce a rotational movement to the spinneret 410. As disclosed above, reservoir 411 can temporarily accommodate the precursor liquid until the precursor liquid is ejected from the reservoir 411 via the one or more orifice 412 lining the outer edge of the spinneret 410. The precursor liquid can be forced toward the orifices 412 located on the outer edge of the spinneret 410; and then be ejected as a jet of precursor liquid when the motor 416 causes rotation of the spinneret 410. FIG 5E shows the reservoir 411 can receive the precursor liquid from a tube 418 fluidically coupled to a receptacle (not shown in FIG. 5E). The tube 418 can be coupled to a syringe 419 configured to direct the precursor liquid to the reservoir 411 in such a manner that the precursor liquid enters the reservoir 411 ata spinneret feed angle a. The spinneret feed angle a can be defined as an angle formed between a horizontal plane parallel to the bottom portion and / or bottom part of the reservoir 411 and a longitudinal axis of the tube 418, as shown in FIG. 5E. In some embodiments, the spinneret feed angle a can be at least about 15 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 25 degrees, at least about 30 degrees, at least about 35 degrees, at least about 40 degrees, at least about 45 degrees, at least about 50 degrees, at least about 55 degrees, at least about 60 degrees, at least about 65 degrees, at least about 70 degrees, at least about 75 degrees, at least about 80 degrees, at least about 85 degrees, or at least about 90 degrees, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the spinneret feed angle a can be no more than about 90 degrees, no more than about 80 degrees, no more than about 70 degrees, no more than about 60 degrees, no more than about 50 degrees, no more than about 40 degrees, no more than about 30 degrees, no more than about 20 degrees, or no more than about 10 degrees, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.

[0095] In some embodiments, the syringe 419 can be configured to deliver a stream of the precursor liquid to the reservoir 411 of the spinneret 410 continuously (e.g., at a constant flow rate). In some embodiments, the syringe 419 can be configured to deliver a stream of the precursor liquid to the reservoir 411 of the spinneret 410 intermittently. For example, in some embodiments the syringe 419 can deliver a stream of the precursor liquid according to pulse intervals. In some embodiments, the syringe 419 can be configured to stop and / or suspend the delivery of the precursor liquid for a period of time such that a first strainer 450 can be replaced an / or swapped with a second strainer 450 after the first strainer 450 collects a preferred and / or predetermined amount and / or quantity of food-grade fibers, as illustrated in FIG. 5J. In some embodiments, the syringe 419 can suspend and / or pause the delivery of precursor liquid while the first strainer 450 is replaced with the second strainer 450. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the syringe 419 can be configured to deliver the precursor liquid according to pulse intervals, with consecutive pulse intervals been separated by a pause period sufficiently long to replace a first strainer 450 (e.g., a strainer 450 containing a preferred and / or predetermined amount of food-grade fibers) with a second strainer 450 (e.g., an empty strainer 450). In that way, the apparatus 400 can configured to produce food-grade fibers continuously and / or semi-continuously. FIG. 5E also shows the syringe 419 can be supported by a shaft collar 417. The shaft collar 417 can be configured to orient the syringe 419 at the spinneret feed angle a, ensuring that the syringe 419 remains at the spinneret feed angle a, while the spinneret 410 rotates.

[0096] FIGS. 5D and 5E show the chamber 420 is a three-dimensional structure including a central aperture, opening, passage, and / or cavity that defines an interior volume in which the hub 470, the motor 416, the tube 418, and the spinneret 410 can be accommodated and / or be disposed. FIG. 5C shows the central aperture of the chamber 420 includes an interior curved surface 422 and an interior flat surface (also referred to as a ridge surface 423). FIG. 5E shows the chamber 420 also includes a chamber inlet port 424a configured to communicate an external surface of the chamber 420 with an interior volume of the chamber 420. The chamber inlet port 424a can be configured to receive and / or admit a fiber-forming fluid and direct the fiber-forming fluid towards the interior volume of the chamber 420. In some embodiments, the chamber 420 can also include a second chamber inlet port (e.g., a chamber inlet port 424b, not shown in FIGS. 5A-5I) that can be used with the chamber inlet port 424a to receive and / or admit the fiber-forming fluid and direct the fiber-forming fluid towards the interior volume of the chamber 420. In some embodiments, the chamber inlet port 424a and 424b can be coupled to the conduit 440a and 440b, as shown in FIG. 5J. The conduit 440a and 440 b can be configured to direct a fiber-forming fluid to the chamber 420. In some embodiments the conduit 440a and 440b can be configured to deliver a fresh flow of a fiber-forming fluid to the chamber 420. Although not shown in FIG. 5J, in some embodiments, the conduit 440a and 440b can be configured to recirculate a fiber-forming fluid. In such embodiments, the conduit 440a and 44b can include one or more tubes, hoses, pipes, or the like, configured to fluidically couple the chamber 420 with the drainage basin 460. The drainage basin 460 can be any suitable container configured to collect the fiber-forming fluid after the fiber-forming fluid has contacted the precursor liquid in the apparatus 400 for forming food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the drainage basin 460 can include a pump, and / or any suitable conduit(s) (conduit 440a and 440b) that can enables recirculating the collected fiber-forming fluid with the chamber 420, as further disclosed herein.10097] FIGS. 5D and 5E shows the chamber inlet port 424a can be disposed on an external surface of the chamber 420 oriented such that the fiber-forming fluid enters the central aperture and / or opening of the chamber 420 tangentially and flows along the interior curved surface 422 of the chamber 420. FIG. 5D shows the hub 470 can also include a central aperture that allows accommodating the motor 416, the tube 418, the spinneret 410 and other components of the apparatus 400. FIG. 5C shows the hub 470 includes a surface 472. The hub 470 can be disposed in the central aperture of the chamber 420 and be secured to the chamber 420 using the clamp 426, as shown in FIG. 5D. When the hub 470 is disposed within the chamber 420,the surface 472 and the interior curved surface 422 collectively define a path (e.g., a volume) for receiving and flowing the fiber-forming fluid. In use, the fiber-forming fluid enters chamber 420 tangentially and flows along the interior curved surface 422 filling the volume defined between the interior curved surface 422 and the surface 472 of the hub 470. FIG 5C also shows the diameter of the hub 470 is smaller than a diameter of the central aperture of the chamber 420 such that a gap and / or a narrow passage G is formed between the ridged surface 423 of the chamber 420 and the hub 470. The fiber-forming fluid can be received in the chamber 420 and flow filling the volume defined between the interior curved surface 422 and the surface 472 of the hub 470 following a circular trajectory. The gap and / or narrow passage G, shown in FIG. 5C, allows the fiber-forming fluid to fall by gravity while flowing along the interior curved surface 422, forming and / or producing a cylindrical layer of fluid (e.g., an annular layer of fiber-forming fluid, a cylindrical fluid curtain, skirt, sheet and / or waterfall), similar to and / or the same as described above with reference to the apparatus 100, 200, and 300.|0098] The trajectory of the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid within the chamber 420 can be described as a helicoidal trajectory and / or a vortex-like trajectory that comprises a rotational component and linear component. The rotational component of the helicoidal trajectory of the fiber-forming fluid corresponds to the movement of the fiber-forming fluid around a perimeter defined by the interior curved surface 422. The linear component of the helicoidal trajectory of the fiber-forming fluid corresponds to the movement of the fiberforming fluid falling through the gap and / or narrow passage G. In some embodiments, the rotational component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid (e.g., the rotational velocity component of the fiber-forming fluid) can be at least about 0.2 rpm, at least about 0.3 rpm, at least about 0.5 rpm, at least about 0.7 rpm, at least about 0.9 rpm, at least about 1 rpm, at least about 1.5 rpm, at least about 2 rpm, at least about 5 rpm, at least about 10 rpm, at least about 20 rpm, at least about 30 rpm, at least about 40 rpm, at least about 50 rpm, at least about 60 rpm, at least about 70 rpm, at least about 80 rpm, at least about 90 rpm, at least about 100 rpm, at least about 120 rpm, at least about 140 rpm, at least about 160 rpm, at least about 180 rpm, or at least about 200 rpm, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the rotational component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid can be no more than about 200 rpm, no more than about 190 rpm, no more than about 170 rpm, no more than about 150 rpm, no more than about 130 rpm, no more than about 110 rpm, no more than about 90 rpm, no more than about 70 rpm, no more than about 50 rpm, no more than about 30rpm no more than about 20 rpm, no more than about 18 rpm, no more than about 16 rpm, no more than about 14 rpm, no more than about 12 rpm, no more than about 10 rpm, no more than about 8 rpm, no more than about 6 rpm, no more than about 2 rpm, no more than about 1 rpm, no more than about 0.5 rpm, or no more than about 0.2 rpm, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges for the rotational component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.2 rpm and no more than about 150 rpm or at least about 0.5 rpm and no more than about 200 rpm). In some embodiments, the linear component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid can be at least about 0.2 meters per second (m / sec), at least about 0.3 m / s, at least about 0.4 m / s, at least about 0.5 m / s, at least about 0.6 m / s, at least about 0.7 m / s, at least about 0.8 m / s, at least about 0.9 m / s, at least about 1 m / s, at least about 1.2 m / s, at least about 1.4 m / s, at least about 1.6 m / s, at least about 1.8 m / s, at least about 2 m / s, at least about 3 m / s, at least about 4 m / s, at least about 5 m / s, at least about 6 m / s, at least about 7 m / s, at least about 8 m / s, at least about 9 m / s, or at least about 10 m / s, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the linear component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid can be no more than about 10 m / s, no more than about 9.5 m / s, no more than about 8.5 m / s, no more than about 7.5 m / s, no more than about 6.5 m / s, no more than about 5.5 m / s, no more than about 4.5 m / s, no more than about 3.5 m / s, no more than about 2.5 m / s, no more than about 2.0 m / s, no more than about 1.7 m / s, no more than about 1.5 m / s, no more than about 1.3 m / s, no more than about 0.9 m / s, no more than about 0.7 m / s, no more than about 0.5 m / s, no more than about 0.3 m / s, or no more than about 0.2 m / s, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges for the linear component of the movement of the fiber-forming fluid are also possible (e.g., at least about 0.2 m / s and no more than about 10 m / s or at least about 0.5 m / s and no more than about 8 m / s).

[0099] In some embodiments, the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid can have a thickness similar to and / or the same as the gap and / or narrow passage G. Said in other words, the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid can have a thickness defined by a difference in diameter of the central aperture of the chamber 420 and the diameter of the hub 470 at the point where the gap and / or narrow passage is formed. In some embodiments, the thickness of the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid can be at least about 1 cm, at least about 1.5 cm, at least about 2 cm, at least about 3 cm, at least about 4 cm, at least about 5 cm, at least about 6 cm, at least about 7 cm, at least about 8 cm, at least about 9 cm, at least about 10 cm, at least about 12 cm, or at least about 15 cm, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the thicknessof the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid can be no more than about 15 cm, no more than about 13 cm, no more than about 9 cm, no more than about 7 cm, no more than about 5 cm, no more than about 3 cm, no more than about 1.8 cm, no more than about 1.5 cm, no more than about 1.3 cm, or no more than about 1 cm, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges for the thickness of the annular layer of fluid are also possible (e.g., at least about 1 cm and no more than about 15 cm or at least about 1.5 cm and no more than about 9 cm).10100] As described above, the contact between the fiber-forming fluid and the ej ected j ets of precursor liquid from the spinneret 410 can initiate physicochemical transformations that form food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include coagulation of the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include crosslinking and / or gelation of the precursor liquid. In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include a solvent exchange between the precursor liquid and the fiber-forming fluid. In some embodiments, the physicochemical transformations that induce formation of food-grade fibers can include freezing of the precursor liquid.10101] FIG 5 A shows the strainer 450 can be disposed below the chamber 420 and aligned with the chamber 420 such that the fiber-forming fluid and the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400 can be received in the strainer 450. The strainer 450 includes a plurality of openings that allow retaining and / or collecting food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400. The plurality of openings of the strainer 450 allow the fiber-forming fluid to flow through while the food-grade fibers are retained. FIG 5F shows the strainer 450 has a cylindrical shape with an opening 454 that can be used to receive and collect the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400. FIG 5G shows the strainer 450 includes an interior spindle-like structure 455 that occupies a portion of the interior volume of the strainer 450. The spindle-like structure 455, which can also be described as an inverted conical shape, occupies a portion of the interior volume defined by the cylindrical shape of the strainer 450. FIG 51 shows the spindle-like structure 455 limits the volume of the strainer 450 that is available for collecting food-grade fibers. More specifically, the spindle-like structure 455 modifies volume available for collecting food-grade fibers, facilitating the collection of food-grade fibers in a preferred orientation corresponding to an annular (ring-like shape).

[0102] FIG. 5H shows the strainer 450 can include multiple components and / or layers that can collectively accommodate and / or capture food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400. More specifically, FIG 5H shows a strainer adapter 452, a mesh 453, and a centrifuge insert 459. The centrifuge insert 459 can be any suitable container, receptacle, vessel, canister, or the like, sized and configured to receive and accommodate the strainer 450 to facilitate centrifuging food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5F-5I in some embodiments the centrifuge insert 459 can be a cylindrical container that can accommodate the strainer 450, the mesh 453, the strainer adapter 452, and the sanitary adapter 428 after the strainer 450 has been used to collect food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400 in a preferred orientation such as, for example a ring-like and / or an annular shape. In use, the strainer 450 with the collected ring-like food-grade fibers can be inserted into the centrifuge insert 459 and then be accommodated in a centrifuge for centrifuging the collected food-grade fibers. Centrifugation of the food-grade fibers facilitates removing excess precursor liquid present with the food-grade fibers and producing dry food-grade fibers. The mesh 453 defines a plurality of openings, with each opening from the plurality of openings having a diameter smaller than the average diameter of the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400. The mesh 453 can facilitate collecting the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 400 while allowing the fiber-forming fluid to pass through. In some embodiments, the mesh 453 can be disposed within the strainer 450 as a liner and / or layer disposed adjacent to the walls of the strainer 450, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 5H. The mesh 453 can facilitate collecting the food-grade fibers produced by the apparatus 100 and prevent some of the food-grade fibers to become entangled with the strainer 450. FIGS 5H and 5J show a strainer adaptor 452. The strainer adaptor 452 can be coupled to strainer 450 using any suitable coupling mechanism such as clips, tabs, claps, or any other suitable coupling mechanism. In use, the strainer adaptor 452 can be used to support the weight of the strainer 450, the mesh 453, and the potential weight of food-grade fibers fabricated with the apparatus 400.

[0103] FIG 5J shows the strainer adaptor 452 can be used to couple the strainer 450 to a rail system 458. In use, the rail system 458 can facilitate exchanging a first strainer 450 (e.g., a strainer 450 containing food-grade fibers collected from the apparatus 400, as previously disclosed), with a second strainer 450 (e.g., an empty strainer 450). As disclosed above, in some instances the syringe 419 can be configured to stop and / or suspend the delivery of the precursor liquid for a period of time such that the first strainer 450 can be replaced an / or swapped with the second strainer 450 after the first strainer 450 collects a preferred and / orpredetermined amount and / or quantity of food-grade fibers. In some embodiments, the syringe 419 can suspend and / or pause the delivery of precursor liquid while the first strainer 450 is replaced with the second strainer 450. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the syringe 419 can be configured to deliver the precursor liquid according to pulse intervals, with consecutive pulse intervals been separated by a pause period sufficiently long to replace a first strainer 450 (e.g., a strainer 450 containing a preferred and / or predetermined amount of food-grade fibers) with a second strainer 450 (e.g., an empty strainer 450). In that way, the apparatus 400 can configured to produce food-grade fibers continuously and / or semi-continuously.

[0104] Various concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Put differently, it is to be understood that such features may not necessarily be limited to a particular order of execution, but rather, any number of threads, processes, services, servers, and / or the like that may executed serially, asynchronously, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, synchronously, and / or the like in a manner consistent with the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others.

[0105] In addition, the disclosure may include other innovations not presently described. Applicant reserves all rights in such innovations, including the right to embodiment such innovations, file additional applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, and / or the like thereof. As such, it should be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functional, features, logical, operational, organizational, structural, topological, and / or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the embodiments or limitations on equivalents to the embodiments. Depending on the particular desires and / or characteristics of an individual and / or enterprise user, database configuration and / or relational model, data type, data transmission and / or network framework, syntax structure, and / or the like, various embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be implemented in a manner that enables a great deal of flexibility and customization as described herein.

[0106] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0107] As used herein, in particular embodiments, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 10%. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosure. That the upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges can independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

[0108] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0109] As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the embodiments, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “onlyone of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the embodiments, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0110] As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0111] In the embodiments, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0112] While specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been outlined above, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in a certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified, and such modification are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process, when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. Theembodiments have been particularly shown and described, but it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made.ExamplesExample 1. Method for fabricating a food-grade pectin / oat fiber with whey protein that can be incorporated into products such as plant-based meats, snacks, performance bars, baby food snacks and / or cereals.

[0113] A food-grade fiber was produced according to the following procedure: (1) a precursor liquid comprising of 4% of pectin, 2% of oat fiber, 5% of whey protein isolate, and 89% of water was prepared and disposed in a reservoir of a 3x4 mm orifices stainless steel spinneret. The spinneret was disposed inside a chamber of an apparatus similar to and or the same as the apparatus disclosed herein, (2) the spinneret was operated at a rotational speed of about 10,000 rpm and about 6.4 grams / second of the precursor liquid was ejected from the spinneret via 1 or more orifices of the spinneret. The ejected precursor liquid was directed towards a layer of a fiber-forming fluid comprising of 2% of calcium lactate and 98% of water that was flowing at 15 gallons / minute along the inner surface of the chamber. The fiberforming fluid is configured to flow as an annular layer of fluid in a downward helicoidal trajectory, as disclosed herein. (3) The ejected precursor liquid interacted with the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid to produce food-grade fibers that were accumulated and / or collected on a strainer disposed at the bottom of the chamber forming a fiber cake, with the food-grade fibers in the fiber cake being deposited according to a ring-like orientation. (4) At the end of the accumulation / collection, the strainer, with the fiber cake disposed within the strainer, was removed from the apparatus, and introduced in a centrifuge insert. The centrifuge insert was then centrifuged to dry the fiber cake.Example 2. Method for fabricating a food-grade pectin / gelatin fiber that can be incorporated into products such as scaffolds for cell-based meats, candy bars, snacks and performance bars, chips and croutons, jerky and / or pet food.101141 A food-grade fiber was produced according to the following procedure: (1) a precursor liquid comprising of 33.3% of bovine gelatin, and 67.7% of water was prepared and disposed in a reservoir of a 3x4 mm orifice, stainless steel spinneret. The spinneret was disposed inside a chamber of an apparatus similar to and or the same as the apparatus disclosedherein, (2) the spinneret was operated at a rotational speed of about 10,000 rpm and about 5.0 grams / second of the precursor liquid were ejected from the spinneret via 1 or more orifices of the spinneret. The ejected precursor liquid was directed towards a layer of a fiber-forming fluid comprising of water that was flowing at 15 gallons / minute along the inner surface of the chamber at a temperature between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius. The fiber-forming fluid is configured to flow as an annular layer of fluid in a downward helicoidal trajectory, as disclosed herein. (3) The ejected precursor liquid interacted with the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid to produce food-grade fibers that that were accumulated and / or collected on a strainer disposed at the bottom of the chamber forming a fiber cake, with the food-grade fibers in the fiber cake being deposited according to a ring-like orientation. (4) At the end of the accumulation / collection, the strainer, with the fiber cake disposed within the strainer, was removed from the apparatus, and introduced in a centrifuge insert. The centrifuge insert was then centrifuged to dry the fiber cake.Example 3. Method for fabricating a food-grade gelatin fiber that can be incorporated into products such as scaffolds for cell-based meats, candy bars, snack bars, chips and croutons, and / or pet food.

[0115] A food-grade fiber was produced according to the following procedure: (1) a precursor liquid comprising of 4% of pectin, 20 % of bovine gelatin, and 76% of water was prepared and disposed in a reservoir of a 3x4 mm orifices, stainless steel spinneret. The spinneret was disposed inside a chamber of an apparatus similar to and or the same as the apparatus disclosed herein, (2) the spinneret was operated at a rotational speed of about 10,000 rpm and about 10.0 grams / second of the precursor liquid was ejected from the spinneret via 1 or more orifices of the spinneret. The ejected precursor liquid was directed towards a layer of a fiber-forming fluid comprising of water that was flowing at 10 gallons / minute along the inner surface of the chamber at a temperature between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius. The fiber-forming fluid is configured to flow as an annular layer of fluid in a downward helicoidal trajectory, as disclosed herein. (3) The ejected precursor liquid interacted with the annular layer of fiberforming fluid to produce food-grade fibers that were accumulated and / or collected on a strainer disposed at the bottom of the chamber, forming a fiber cake, with the food-grade fibers in the fiber cake being deposited according to a ring-like orientation. (4) At the end of the accumulation, the fiber cake is removed from the chamber and dried by a centrifugation apparatus disclosed hereinExample 4. Method for fabricating a food-grade fruit leather fiber that can be incorporated into products such as confectionary (e.g., candies and snacks), baby food (snacks) and / or cereal.10116] A food-grade fiber was produced according to the following procedure: (1) a precursor liquid comprising of 3.7% of pectin, 1.85% of oat fiber, 11.1% of raspberry powder, 1.96% of confectioner’s sugar, 0.12% of cranberry red color, and 81.27% of water was prepared and disposed in a reservoir of a 3x4 mm orifice, stainless steel spinneret. The spinneret was disposed inside a chamber of an apparatus similar to and or the same as the apparatus disclosed herein, (2) the spinneret was operated at a rotational speed of about 10,000 rpm and about 10.0 grams / second of the precursor liquid was ejected from the spinneret via 1 or more orifices of the spinneret. The ejected precursor liquid was directed towards a layer of a fiber-forming fluid comprising of 0.15% of citric acid, 0.5% of salt, 2% of calcium lactate, and 97.35% of water that was flowing at 10 gallons / minute along the inner surface of the chamber at a temperature between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius. The fiber-forming fluid is configured to flow as an annular layer of fluid in a downward helicoidal trajectory, as disclosed herein. (3) The ejected precursor liquid interacted with the annular layer of fiber-forming fluid to produce food-grade fibers that that were accumulated and / or collected on a strainer disposed at the bottom of the chamber forming a fiber cake, with the food-grade fibers in the fiber cake being deposited according to a ring-like orientation. (4) At the end of the accumulation / collection, the strainer, with the fiber cake disposed within the strainer, was removed from the apparatus, and introduced in a centrifuge insert. The centrifuge insert was then centrifuged to dry the fiber cake.

Claims

Claims1. An apparatus, comprising: a chamber including: an inlet; an aperture; and a curved surface surrounding the aperture; a hub including a portion configured to be disposed within the aperture; the portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the aperture such that a gap is formed when the hub is disposed in the aperture of the chamber; and a strainer disposed below the chamber and aligned with the chamber; wherein the inlet is configured to receive a fluid and flow the fluid along the curved surface, the fluid falling through the gap to produce an annular layer of fluid; and wherein the annular layer of fluid is configured to contact an ejected jet of a precursor liquid to produce fibers, the fibers being collected by the strainer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid in the annular layer of fluid flows according to a helicoidal trajectory.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the helicoidal trajectory causes the fibers to be collected by the strainer in a ring-like shape.

4. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-3, wherein the fluid is configured to produce the fibers by coagulation of the precursor liquid.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fluid includes at least one of a monovalent ions or divalent ions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the divalent ions include Ca+2or Mg+27. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-6, wherein the fluid is configured to produce the fibers by gelation of the precursor liquid.

8. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-7, wherein the strainer includes a mesh.

9. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the strainer is a first strainer, and the apparatus further comprises a rail system, the rail system configured to exchange the first strainer when the first strainer collects a predetermined amount of fibers, with a second strainer, the second strainer being an empty strainer.

10. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-9, wherein the ejected jet of a precursor liquid is produced by a spinneret, the spinneret being disposed within the chamber.

11. An apparatus, comprising: a spinneret including a reservoir and an orifice, the spinneret configured to spin and eject a precursor liquid from the reservoir via the orifice; a chamber including an inlet, the chamber having a curved interior surface, the inlet configured to receive and direct a fluid along the curved interior surface of the chamber such that the fluid flows along a curved trajectory toward a strainer creating an annular layer of fluid, the annular layer of fluid configured to receive the precursor liquid and form a fibrous material; and a collection vessel disposed below the chamber and configured to collect the fibrous material while allowing the fluid to pass therethrough.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the reservoir includes a plurality of orifices, each orifice from the plurality of orifices configured to ej ect the precursor liquid and form the fibrous material.

13. The apparatus of anyone of claims 11 or 12, wherein the fluid forms the fibrous material via coagulation of the precursor liquid.

14. The apparatus of anyone of claims 11-13, wherein the fluid forms the fibrous material via gelation of the precursor liquid.

15. The apparatus of anyone of claims 11-14, wherein the collection vessel is a strainer, the strainer including a mesh.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the strainer is a first strainer, the first strainer coupled to a rail system, the rail system configured to exchange the first strainer when the firststrainer collects a predetermined amount of fibrous material, with a second strainer, the second strainer being an empty strainer.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate continuously.

18. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-17, wherein the spinneret is configured to receive the precursor liquid from an ejection device disposed within the chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ejection device includes a syringe, the syringe configured to direct a stream of the precursor liquid at a predetermined feeding angle.

20. An apparatus, comprising: a spinneret including a reservoir and an orifice, the spinneret configured to spin and eject a precursor liquid from the reservoir via the orifice; a chamber including an inlet and a bottom opening, the chamber having a curved interior surface and a fixed angular orientation; a conduit configured to deliver a coagulation liquid into the chamber via the inlet and along the curved interior surface of the chamber such that the coagulation liquid falls through the bottom opening while traveling along a curved trajectory and contacts the precursor liquid to form a fibrous material; and a strainer positioned beneath the chamber and configured to collect the fibrous material while allowing the coagulation liquid to pass through the strainer, wherein the spinneret is positioned such that the ejected precursor liquid interacts with the coagulation liquid as the coagulation liquid travels along the curved trajectory.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the conduit is a first conduit and the inlet is a first inlet, the apparatus further comprising: a second inlet incorporated into the chamber; and a second conduit configured to deliver the coagulation liquid into the chamber via the second inlet.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first conduit is configured to deliver the coagulation liquid into the chamber in a first direction and the second conduit is configured todeliver the coagulation liquid into the chamber in a second direction, the second direction offset from the first direction by an angle of about 160 degrees to about 200 degrees.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a feeder conduit that splits to form the first conduit and the second conduit.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: a drainage basin configured to collect the coagulation liquid that passes through the strainer.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a recirculating pump configured to pump the coagulation liquid from the drainage basin to the feeder conduit.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a hub positioned inside the chamber and having a curved exterior surface, the curved exterior surface configured to provide additional guidance for the trajectory of the coagulation liquid.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the spinneret is positioned beneath a bottom surface of the hub such that the precursor liquid ejected from the spinneret does not contact the hub.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a tube; and a syringe coupled to the tube and configured to transport the precursor liquid from the tube to the reservoir of the spinneret.

29. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a motor coupled to the spinneret and the strainer and configured to spin the spinneret.

30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the chamber surrounds the spinneret.

31. A method, comprising: feeding a precursor liquid to a spinneret, the spinneret including a reservoir and an orifice;flowing a stream of coagulation liquid into a chamber via an inlet and along a curved interior surface of the chamber, the chamber including a bottom opening such that the coagulation liquid flows downward out of the chamber, the chamber having a fixed angular orientation; ejecting the precursor liquid from the spinneret via the orifice, such that the precursor liquid contacts the liquid and at least partially cures to form a fibrous material; and collecting the cured fibrous material in a strainer.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the stream of coagulation liquid is a first stream of coagulation liquid and the inlet is a first inlet, the method further comprising: flowing a second stream of coagulation liquid into the chamber via a second inlet and along the curved interior surface.

33. The method of anyone of claims 31 or 32, further comprising: collecting the coagulation liquid in a drainage basin; and recirculating the coagulation liquid from the drainage basin back to the inlet via a pump.

34. The method of anyone of claims 31-33, wherein the coagulation liquid includes a solution configured to induce crosslinking in the precursor liquid.

35. The method of anyone of claims 31-34, wherein the fibrous material is free of any cells originating from a living animal.

36. The method of anyone of claims 31-35, wherein the precursor liquid includes biological cells.

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