Vertical plug-flow process for bio-conversion employing microorganisms

A method for producing a solid transformation product of a biomass substrate, wherein the solid transformation product is a product of the transformation of one or more of proteinaceous matter and carbohydrates originating from a biomass substrate, the method comprising:

• (a) preparing a substrate of a biomass comprising carbohydrates and proteinaceous matter that originate from soya bean seed, rape seed, or mixtures thereof, wherein at least 20% by weight of said biomass comprises carbohydrates and proteinaceous matter originating from soya bean seeds, rape seeds, or mixtures thereof, optionally in further mixture with carbohydrates and proteinaceous matter originating from one or more of seeds of fava beans, seeds of peas, sunflower seeds, seeds of lupine, cereals, and grasses;
• (b) mixing said substrate with a live microorganism or a combination of live microorganisms, which live microorganism or combination of live microorganisms is not, and does not comprise, live yeast, and adding water in an amount which provides an initial incubation mixture having a water content from 30% to 70% by weight, and a ratio of wet bulk density to dry bulk density from 0.60 to 1.45;
• (c) incubating said initial incubation mixture for 1-240 hours at a temperature of 15-70° C., and
• (d) recovering solid transformation product from the incubated mixture;
• wherein the incubating step is performed as a continuous plug-flow process in a vertical, non-agitated incubation tank with an inlet for said mixture and additives and an outlet for said solid transformation product, and
• wherein transport of the biomass is mediated by gravitational force.