Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods and systems for processing a high-concentration protein product from a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and compositions thereof. According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of processing a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g., Lemna), where the method may include: blanching a first portion of the biomass in a blanching solution to form a wet protein concentrate; separating the first wet protein concentrate from a separated solution (e.g., using a screw press, using a vibratory screen); and drying the first wet protein concentrate to form at least one of a first protein concentrate flake and a first protein concentrate granule. In some embodiments at least one of the first protein concentrate flake and the first protein concentrate granule may comprise at least 45% protein and a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCASS) value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, according to some embodiments, methods for continuously blanching a microcrop and high-concentration protein products derived therefrom. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of continuously blanching a biomass, the method comprising: contacting a first portion of the biomass with a blanching solution to generate a first blanched biomass; dewatering the first blanched biomass to generate a separated solution; collecting the separated solution; contacting a second portion of the biomass with the separated solution to generate a second blanched biomass; dewatering the second portion of the biomass to generate the separated solution; and drying at least one of the first blanched biomass and the second blanched biomass to generate at least one of a protein concentrate flake and a protein concentrate granule, with the protein concentrate flake or granule having at least 45% DMB protein and with the protein having a PDCAAS value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods and systems for processing a high-concentration protein product from a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and compositions thereof. According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of processing a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g., Lemna), where the method may include: blanching a first portion of the biomass in a blanching solution to form a wet protein concentrate; separating the first wet protein concentrate from a separated solution (e.g., using a screw press, using a vibratory screen); and drying the first wet protein concentrate to form at least one of a first protein concentrate flake and a first protein concentrate granule. In some embodiments at least one of the first protein concentrate flake and the first protein concentrate granule may comprise at least 45% protein and a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods for continuously blanching a microcrop and high-concentration protein products derived therefrom. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of continuously blanching a biomass, the method comprising: contacting a first portion of the biomass with a blanching solution to generate a first blanched biomass; dewatering the first blanched biomass to generate a separated solution; collecting the separated solution; contacting a second portion of the biomass with the separated solution to generate a second blanched biomass; dewatering the second portion of the biomass to generate the separated solution; and drying at least one of the first blanched biomass and the second blanched biomass to generate at least one of a protein concentrate flake and a protein concentrate granule, with the protein concentrate flake or granule having at least 45% DMB protein and with the protein having a PDCASS value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to methods for blanching a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and a high-concentration protein product derived therefrom. The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a biomass to generate a protein product, where the method may include: contacting a first portion of the biomass with a first volume of blanching solution to generate a first blanched biomass, dewatering the first portion of the blanched biomass to generate a separated solution; and drying the first blanched biomass to generate at least one of a first protein concentrate flake and a first protein concentrate granule. According to some embodiments, at least one of the first protein concentrate flake and the first protein concentrate granule may comprise at least 45% protein with the protein PDCASS value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatuses and methods for blanching (e.g., continuously) a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and a high-concentration protein product derived therefrom. The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to an apparatus for blanching a microcrop (e.g., Lemna, Wolffia) where the apparatus may include: a conveyance mechanism operable to transport a biomass to a blanching tray; an applicator operable to dispense a blanching solution onto at least one surface of the biomass within the blanching tray; the blanching tray oriented to receive a volume of the blanching solution from the applicator; and a vibratory mechanism capable of vibrating the blanching tray to generate a net motion of the received volume of the blanching solution within blanching tray such that a wave of blanching solution is formed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods and systems for processing a high-concentration protein product from a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and compositions thereof. According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of processing a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g., Lemna), where the method may include: blanching a first portion of the biomass in a blanching solution to form a wet protein concentrate; separating the first wet protein concentrate from a separated solution (e.g., using a screw press, using a vibratory screen); and drying the first wet protein concentrate to form at least one of a first protein concentrate flake and a first protein concentrate granule. In some embodiments at least one of the first protein concentrate flake and the first protein concentrate granule may comprise at least 45% protein and a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCASS) value of at least 0.88.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatuses and methods for blanching (e.g., continuously) a microcrop (e.g., aquatic species, Lemna) and a high-concentration protein product derived therefrom. The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to an apparatus for blanching a microcrop (e.g., Lemna, Wolffia) where the apparatus may include: a conveyance mechanism operable to transport a biomass to a blanching tray; an applicator operable to dispense a blanching solution onto at least one surface of the biomass within the blanching tray; the blanching tray oriented to receive a volume of the blanching solution from the applicator; and a vibratory mechanism capable of vibrating the blanching tray to generate a net motion of the received volume of the blanching solution within blanching tray such that a wave of blanching solution is formed.