Flexible processing apparatus for isolating and purifying viruses, soluble proteins and peptides from plant sources

A computer for controlling an automated processing apparatus for processing bio-matter, the computer comprising:

• a monitor for displaying information;
• memory for storing collected data;
• means for inputting data;
• and
• means for outputting data;
• wherein said computer is connected to, for control and operation of the following:
• motors within a means for homogenizing bio-matter;
• means for adjusting pH of juice of homogenized bio-matter;
• means for heating the juice of homogenized bio-matter to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time;
• and
• means for centrifuging the heat treated juice of homogenized bio-matter to separate pellet from supernatant.

An automated computer controlled method for obtaining a virus from a plant comprising the sequential steps of:

• (a) having a computer control homogenization of a plant to produce a green juice homogenate;
• (b) having the computer control monitoring and adjustment of pH of the green juice homogenate to a first predetermined pH level;
• (c) having the computer control heating of the green juice homogenate to a predetermined temperature;
• (d) having the computer control centrifuging of the green juice homogenate to produce a pellet;
• (e) having the computer control re-suspension of the pellet in a liquid solution;
• (f) having the computer adjust the pH of the liquid solution containing the re-suspended pellet to a predetermined second pH level;
• (g) having the computer control centrifuging the liquid solution of step (f) containing the re-suspended pellet to produce a supernatant;
• and
• (h) having a computer control an ultrafiltration apparatus for purifying the virus from the supernatant.

An automated computer controlled method for obtaining a virus from a plant comprising the sequential steps of:

• (a) having a computer control homogenization of a plant to produce a green juice homogenate;
• (b) having the computer control adjustment of pH of the green juice homogenate to a predetermined pH level;
• (c) having the computer control heating of the green juice homogenate to a predetermined temperature;
• (d) having the computer control centrifuging of the green juice homogenate to produce a supernatant;
• and
• (e) having the computer control an ultrafiltration apparatus for purifying the virus from the supernatant.

A plant processing apparatus comprising:

• a first grinder adapted to grind plant material;
• a second grinder adapted to further grind the plant material;
• and
• a press for separating solids and liquid from the ground plant material.

An automated plant processing apparatus comprising:

• a first grinder for grinding plant material;
• a second grinder for further grinding of the plant material;
• a press for separating solids and liquid from the ground plant material;
• and
• a computer connected to said first grinder, said second grinder and said press for control of each.

An automated bio-matter processing apparatus, comprising:

• a grinder adapted to receive the bio-matter and to extract juice from the bio-matter;
• a juice pH monitoring and adjustment system located downstream of the grinder to receive the juice from the grinder and to monitor and adjust pH of the juice;
• a heater located downstream of the juice pH monitoring and adjustment system to receive pH adjusted juice and to heat the pH adjusted juice to a first temperature for a first length of time;
• a centrifuge located downstream of the heater to receive heated pH adjusted juice and to separate the heated pH adjusted juice into a pellet stream and a supernatant stream;
• and
• a computerized control system communicated with the grinder, the juice pH monitorizing and adjustment system, the heater and the centrifuge, so that the control system monitors and controls the automated processing apparatus.