Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

The Molson Companies Limited

Phillip M Townsley

James P Kutney

Robert L Weaver

T Lionel Coulthard

Hugh S Saben

Peter J Townsley

Phillip J Salisbury

William T Chalmers

Brian R Worth

Kenneth L Stuart

Processes are provided for the thermophilic digestion (55.degree. C. to 65.degree. C.) of chitinous wastes to produce a solubilized form of chitin that may be applied to plants to stimulate their resistance to disease and attack by insects and fungi. Also provided are processes for treating a combined waste, including a waste containing chitin and an organic waste, to produce a substantially human and plant pathogen-fee product that may be used not only to stimulate plant resistance, but also to act as a fertilizer. The thermophilic digestion processes may be carried out with ubiquitous organisms, under at least marginally aerobic conditions, and preferably at a near-neutral pH.

Thermophilic digestion of chitin-containing waste

Nutrients for supporting fungi growth, and particularly mushroom growth, are provided by a liquid nutrient comprising the product of a thermophilic digestion process. The liquid nutrient is contacted with and absorbed in a support medium to form a growing bed. The liquid nutrient is inoculated with spawn of the particular fungi to be grown. The inoculated product is then maintained under temperature and humidity conditions that promote mycelia growth. Once mycelia appear, the growing bed can be cased to promote the growth of fruiting bodies. The growing bed can be replaced on a batch basis. Alternatively, the bed can be irrigated on an intermittent or continuous basis to replenish the nutrient supply.

Method for producing fungi

A process for the production of tripdiolide, triptolide and celastrol comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a cellular inoculum from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F; (b) inoculating a nutrient growth medium with the cellular inoculum and incubating the inoculated growth medium at 20.degree.-30.degree. C. for up to 8 weeks to produce a cellular product; (c) harvesting the cellular product from the inoculated growth medium; and (d) isolating tripdiolide, triptolide and celastrol from the cellular product and supernatant inoculated growth medium.

Method for producing tripdiolide, triptolide and celastrol

Trub obtained from the wort kettle of a brewing system is rich in protein and thus can be used in human foods. The trub is processed to yield a trub flour by extraction with an azeotropic mixture of isopropanol and water, and drying to remove the solvent in a roller drum drier, the latter yielding the trub flour in dry flake form.

Process for preparing protein flour from brewery waste

Growing community of inventors

Surrey, Canada

Phillip M Townsley