| abstract |
In the continuous microbiological production of proteins, an aqeous substrate containing straight chain hydrocarbons and inorganic nutrient substances is continuously fermented under aerobic conditions with micro-organisms capable of growth upon straight chain hydrocarbons, a fermented hydrocarbon phase is separated from the aqueous phase as by centrifuging or flotation, the aqueous phase is subjected to plasmolysis and the plasmolysed aqueous phase is returned to the mass which is being continuously fermented. Aqueous phase separated from the fermented hydrocarbon phase under such conditions that it still contains 0.05-0.1 g/l of yeast, may be plasmolysed by heating to a temperature of 45-80 DEG C. for 2-4 hours, sufficient to autolyse the yeast, or by adjusting the pH to 7.5-8.5 by addition of ammonia and then heating. |