Hybrid fermentation process

2:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 1, further comprising
• a′) combining a liquefied or partially liquefied mash and a saccharification enzyme in a pre-saccharification step thereby producing said multi-saccharide-rich slurry;

3:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said saccharification enzyme is a set of glycoside hydrolases which may include, but is not limited to any one or a combination of, amylase, lactase, chitinase, sucrase, maltase, neuraminidase, invertase, hyaluronidase lysozyme, xylanase or cellulobiase

4:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said liquefied or partially liquefied mash has a solids concentration of less than or greater than about 30% by weight.

5:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said liquefied or partially liquefied mash has a solids concentration of between about 30% and about 40% by weight.

6:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said liquefied or partially liquefied mash has a solids concentration more preferably between 32% and 35% by weight.

7:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said pre-saccarification results in a breakdown to between 30 and 70 dextrose equivalent.

8:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 7, wherein said pre-saccarification results in a breakdown to between 40 and 60 dextrose equivalent.

9:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 7, wherein said pre-saccarification results in a breakdown to 50 dextrose equivalent.

10:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a pH of between 2 and 6.

11:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 10, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a pH of between 3 and 5.

12:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 10, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a pH of between 4 and 4.5.

13:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 2, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a temperature of between 120 F and 200 F.

14:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 13, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a temperature of between 130 F and 160 F.

15:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 13, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a temperature of between 135 F and 145 F.

16:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 13, wherein said pre-saccarification operates at a temperature of 140 F.

17:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 1, wherein said fermentation organism is yeast and the nutrient is urea.

18:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 1, wherein said batch fermentation step further comprises the sequential introduction of said partially fermented product stream into at least two batch fermentation tanks.

19:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 1, wherein antimicrobials can be reduced or eliminated.

20:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 1, wherein said continuous process completes between 30% and 70% of the overall fermentation.

21:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 16, wherein said continuous process completes between 40% and 60% % of the overall fermentation

22:

• The hybrid fermentation process of claim 16, wherein said continuous process completes more than 50% of the overall fermentation