Abstract: For saving the heat energy required for alcohol production, processes are provided for subjecting rootstocks (Rhizomes) to enzymatic hydrolysis without conventional cooking with steam in order to obtain a high concentration saccharified material which is then subjected to alcohol fermentation.The first process comprises dipping raw rootstocks in a dilute acid for the purpose of sterilization, then crushing the sterilized rootstocks, macerating the crushed rootstocks, dextrinizing the macerated material by the action of bacterial .alpha.-amylase and adding to the dextrinized material glucoamylase and yeast for alcohol fermentation to effect saccharification thereof and subsequent alcohol fermentation.The second process comprises sterilizing rootstocks with a dilute acid and then crushing it, followed by adding blended maceration enzymes to effect maceration amd saccharification with subsequent alcohol fermentation by yeast.

Abstract: A process for the production of microbial protein and lipid from vegetable carbohydrates including starch by culture of a microbe, which comprises a combination of the steps of liquefying starch with a dextrinogenic enzyme in a liquefaction tank, effecting simultaneous saccharification and culture of the microbe in a fermentation tank by aseptically adding a saccharogenic amylase to the culture medium produced in the liquefying step, and separating the cultured microbial cells and lipid from the culture medium.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contact apparatus for contacting gas with liquid by dispersing air to form fine air bubbles in the liquid power with minimum consumption of power which comprises: a vessel in which liquid held; a perforated pipe with a plurality of apertures through which gas is ejected into the liquid; and a rotor with blades radially attached thereto within the vessel, each blade of which is positioned in parallel to the axis of the perforated pipe and passes in proximity to the apertures so that gas is sheared by said rotating blades immediately after it is ejected from the apertures.