Fermentation with thermophilic mixed cultures

A process for the production of microbial cells which comprises aerobically culturing under thermophilic fermentation conditions at a fermentation temperature in the range of about 45.degree. to 65.degree. C. a strain of mixed thermophilic bacteria derived from a mixed culture deposited as NRRL B-8158 in a culture medium containing at least one oxygenated hydrocarbon as a primary carbon and energy source, nutrients, and a nitrogen source.

The protein material prepared by the process which comprises culturing a mixed culture of bacterial microorganisms species NRRL B-8158 in an aqueous medium employing an oxygenated hydrocarbon as carbon and energy source under aerobic fermentation conditions at a fermentation temperature of at least about 45.degree. C. and recovering from the resulting single cell microorganisms a protein material.

The protein material prepared by the process which comprises aerobically culturing, under thermophilic aerobic fermentation conditions in fermentation means at a fermentation temperature in the range of about 45.degree. C. to 65.degree. C., a strain of mixed bacteria derived from NRRL B-8158 in an aqueous culture medium containing at least one oxygenated hydrocarbon as a primary carbon and energy source, mineral nutrients, and an assimilable nitrogen source, thereby preparing single cell microbial cells, and recovering therefrom a protein material.