Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrolysate obtainable by hydrolysing a substrate comprising at least one animal protein by a food-grade bacterium in an environment of less than 2 wt % salt content. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a hydrolysate, comprising the steps of a) mixing a substrate with a food-grade bacterium, and b) incubating the mixture of step a) under conditions of less than 2 wt % salt content, wherein the substrate comprises at least one animal protein. The hydrolysate or the hydrolysate obtainable from the process in accordance with the present invention is superior in flavour, aroma, texture and nutritional value, and may be used or further processed to obtain a food product.

Abstract: A process of preparing a hydrolysate of an edible solid substrate is provided. The edible solid substrate may be of animal or plant origin including edible animal meat, fish meat, shellfish meat or an edible plant or a combination thereof. The process includes preparing a fermented koji from a protein containing material and a carbohydrate, mixing the fermented koji with a selected edible solid substrate to form a mixture and hydrolysing the mixture in an environment with less than 2% salt content, preferably in a substantially salt-free condition. In another embodiment, the fermented koji may be prepared from an edible solid substrate itself. The hydrolysate may be further subjected to a moromi fermentation stage to obtain a food composition. Alternatively, a culture of a lactic acid bacteria may be inoculated to the mixture prior to the hydrolysis, which therefore eliminates the moromi fermentation and accelerated the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing a hydrolysate of an edible solid substrate. The edible solid substrate may be of animal or plant origin comprising edible animal meat, fish meat, shellfish meat or an edible plant or a combination thereof. The process comprises preparing a fermented koji from a protein containing material and a carbohydrate, mixing the fermented koji with a selected edible solid substrate to form a mixture and hydrolysing the mixture in an environment with less than 2% salt content, preferably in a substantially salt-free condition. In another embodiment of the present invention, the fermented koji may be prepared from an edible solid substrate itself. The hydrolysate prepared according to the present invention may be further subjected to a moromi fermentation stage to obtain a food composition.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrolysate seasoning by hydrolyzing a protein containing material with enzymes that have proteolytic activity and fiber hydrolyzing activity. The hydrolysate may be used as a liquid sauce, a paste, or as a dried powder. The hydrolysate may be used as a base for an aromatisation agent in culinary products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrolysate and a process for the production of the hydrolysate. The process includes a fermenting step wherein a Koji substrate of a protein containing material and a carbohydrate that has been injected with a culture of a lactic acid bacteria that is capable of imparting a specific characteristic note to the hydrolysate is fermented to produce a fermented Koji and a hydrolysis step wherein the fermented Koji is hydrolyzed at a temperature of between about 2° C. and 50° C. and a pH of from about 5.6 to 7.0 for a period of from about 1 to 20 days to produce a hydrolysate. The characteristic note of the hydrolysate is stronger than if the inoculation with the lactic acid bacteria occurred after the fermentation stage.

Abstract: A process for the production of a fermenting material which includes the steps of forming a dough by adding water to a dried gluten in an amount of from at least 19% to 60% by weight, pelletizing the dough to form pellets, and sterilizing the pellets by steam treatment. The gluten may be rice gluten, corn gluten, wheat gluten or combinations thereof. Also, a fermenting material obtained by this process. This fermenting material can be inoculated with a microorganism and fermented to form a fermention product that can be used as a food sauce, flavoring or seasoning additive.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrolysate seasoning by hydrolyzing a protein containing material with enzymes that have proteolytic activity and fiber hydrolyzing activity. The hydrolysate may be used as a liquid sauce, a paste, or as a dried powder. The hydrolysate may be used as a base for an aromatization agent in culinary products.

Abstract: A seasoning composition is prepared by preparing a koji and in the absence of added salt, hydrolyzing the koji in the presence of a culture of lactic acid bacteria at a temperature between 15.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. and at a pH of from 4.5 to 10 for a period of from 6 hours to 28 days, and the seasoning composition is obtained without preparing a moromi. Inoculation with the lactic acid bacteria culture is carried out either in the hydrolysis stage or in the koji preparation stage, and the hydrolysis may be carried out in two stages with the culture present during the first stage and so that the temperature of the first stage hydrolysis is between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. and particularly between 25.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. and so that the second stage temperature is from 2.degree. C. up to 20.degree. C., and the second stage hydrolysis is carried out for at from 12 hours to 25 days and the first and second stage hydrolysis are carried out for a combined time of from 18 hours to 28 days.

Abstract: A process of treating a fermented protein koji prepared from a protein containing material and a carbohydrate, for the production of a seasoning, by hydrolyzing a mixture of the fermented protein koji together with a yeast at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 25.degree. C. and a pH of from about 4.5 to 10 for a period of from about 6 hours to 28 days. The production time is reduced by at least one week compared to conventional methods.