Process and equipment for effecting lysis of cells

A two-stage high fluid pressure compression device for effecting lysis of cells of plant material, the device comprising:

• a first stage for subjecting the plant material to a first pressure;
• and
• a second stage for subjecting the plant material to a second pressure that is substantially lower than the first pressure,
• wherein the pressure differential between the first and second stages causes cavitation of water inside the cell wall of the plant material, leading to cell wall rupture.

A food product comprising plant material processed by a method comprising:

• obtaining the plant material at a target particle size;
• combining the plant material in a fluid medium in a vessel;
• subjecting the plant material to a set of predetermined processing conditions;
• deaerating the plant material to substantially reduce or remove entrained gases;
• and
• introducing the plant material into a two-stage compression device, within which it is subjected to a first pressure in a high fluid pressure compression first stage, and subsequently to a second pressure in a rapid decompression second stage, wherein the first pressure is substantially higher than the second pressure thereby subjecting the plant material to cavitation of water inside the cell wall causing cell wall rupture.