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 to a method of culturing a floating aquatic species, the method including introducing the aquatic species into a receptacle having (a) a culture medium, (b) at least one raceway configured to allow the culture medium to flow in a continuous loop, and (c) a sufficient quantity of the culture medium to flow in the continuous loop; cultivating the aquatic species to generate a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium; generating a fluid current of sufficient force to propel the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and varying a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a relatively uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems for purifying proteins and carbohydrate rich products from photosynthetic aquatic species and compositions thereof. In some embodiments, a system for recovering a highly soluble protein product from a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for cultivating a microcrop involving a floating coupling device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments to apparatuses and methods for cultivating Lemna for extracting proteins and/or carbohydrate rich products. In some embodiments, a bioreactor system for culturing a microcrop may comprise: a bioreactor container configured to contain the aquatic species in sufficient growth medium to permit normal growth of the microcrop, at least one coupling device comprising a star, and a propulsion mechanism configured to apply sufficient force to the at least one coupling device to cause motion thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems for purifying proteins and carbohydrate rich products from photosynthetic aquatic species and compositions thereof. In some embodiments, a system for recovering a highly soluble protein product from a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods and systems for purifying proteins and carbohydrate rich products from photosynthetic aquatic species and compositions thereof. For example, one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for purifying proteins the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments to methods and systems for extracting proteins, dry biocrude, and carbohydrate-rich meal from Lemna. In some embodiments, a method of treating a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of culturing a floating aquatic species, the method including introducing the aquatic species into a receptacle having (a) a culture medium, (b) at least one raceway configured to allow the culture medium to flow in a continuous loop, and (c) a sufficient quantity of the culture medium to flow in the continuous loop; cultivating the aquatic species to generate a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium; generating a fluid current of sufficient force to propel the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and varying a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a relatively uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a fluid conveyance apparatus, the apparatus comprising a receptacle comprising at least one raceway configured to allow a culture medium to flow in a continuous loop; a propulsion mechanism configured: to generate a fluid current of sufficient force to propel a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium, and to vary a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a substantially uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and a control mechanism operatively linked to the propulsion mechanism and configured to regulate the velocity of the fluid current.

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 a fluid conveyance apparatus, the apparatus comprising a receptacle comprising at least one raceway configured to allow a culture medium to flow in a continuous loop; a propulsion mechanism configured: to generate a fluid current of sufficient force to propel a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium, and to vary a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a substantially uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and a control mechanism operatively linked to the propulsion mechanism and configured to regulate the velocity of the fluid current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species with high growth rates. Also disclosed is a method of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species using such a system.

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 purifying proteins and carbohydrate rich products from photosynthetic aquatic species and compositions thereof. For example, one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for purifying proteins the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments to methods and systems for extracting proteins, dry biocrude, and carbohydrate-rich meal from Lemna. In some embodiments, a method of treating a biomass comprising a microcrop (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for cultivating a microcrop involving a floating coupling device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments to apparatuses and methods for cultivating Lemna for extracting proteins and/or carbohydrate rich products. In some embodiments, a bioreactor system for culturing a microcrop may comprise: a bioreactor container configured to contain the aquatic species in sufficient growth medium to permit normal growth of the microcrop, at least one coupling device comprising a star, and a propulsion mechanism configured to apply sufficient force to the at least one coupling device to cause motion thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species with high growth rates. Also disclosed is a method of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species using such a system.