Grain Processing Corporation

Steven L Ramsden

Albert J Pollmeier

Zachary J Halloran

Roger E McPherson

Jeff Underwood

Leona E Bishop

Frank J Gute

Gage A Kent

Sarjit Johal

Donald L Johnson

Jeff M Underwood

Disclosed is a method for preparing a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides. Generally, a dry-milled corn fraction, such as a corn flour from which germ and fiber have been removed, is subjected to hydrolysis, typically catalyzed with acid or an enzyme such as an &#x3b1;-amylase enzyme, under conditions suitable to form a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides. A gluten fraction is removed and the enzyme is inactivated, such as with heat. The mixture of malto-oligosaccharides then may be recovered from remaining solids and purified.

Preparation of malto-oligosaccharides

Disclosed are a method of hydrolysis of wet fiber and a method for preparing ethanol. Generally, an agricultural plant material, such as corn hulls, distiller's dried grains, or spent germ, is treated to at least partially hydrolyze the fiber. The process may include a maceration step followed by a shearing operation in the presence of steam to yield a treated product, in which, in many embodiments, saccharides will be released and unbound from fibrous portions of the agricultural product. In some embodiments, the process includes macerating the material to provide a slurry having a solids content of at least 10 percent and jet cooking the slurry. A mixture of saccharides prepared in this fashion may be fermented to yield ethanol and/or biochemicals.

Process for hydrolysis of wet fiber and method for producing fermentation products from wet fiber

A grain-based animal litter comprising discrete plural particles of a grain-based substrate, which particles tend to agglomerate into clumps when wetted. The litter of the invention absorbs liquids such as animal excretions, and substantially reduces the odor thereof. Preferably, the-substrate is a grain germ; more preferably, the substrate is a corn germ; most preferably, the substrate is washed, spent grain germ. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grain germ is provided in the form of discrete plural granules, each of which granules includes a cohesiveness agent in an amount sufficient to enhance the cohesiveness of the granule.

Animal litter, process for preparing animal litter, and method for removal of animal waste

A grain-based animal litter is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, the animal litter comprises discrete plural particles of a grain-based substrate, which particles tend to agglomerate into clumps when wetted. The litter of the invention absorbs liquids such as animal excretions, and substantially reduces the odor thereof. Preferably, the substrate is a grain germ; more preferably, the substrate is a corn germ; most preferably, the substrate is washed, spent grain germ. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grain germ is provided in the form of discrete plural granules, each of which granules includes a cohesiveness agent in an amount sufficient to enhance the cohesiveness of the granule.

Animal litter, process for preparing animal litter, and method for

A process for decolorizing an aqueous solution of methyl glucoside, the solution containing at least one color component and at least one sugar component, is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of providing the aqueous solution of MeG; adding to said solution an amount of yeast or other sugar-converting microorganism sufficient to reduce the level of said sugar component; preferably further adding to the solution an amount of activated carbon sufficient to assist the color component in the solution; and recovering the solution to yield a decolorized, low-sugar solution of MeG. Also disclosed is a process comprising the steps of providing a solution containing MeG and dextrose; and adding to the solution an amount of a sugar-converting microorganism sufficient to reduce the level of the dextrose in the solution. Decolorized MeG solutions prepared by the foregoing processes also are disclosed.

Process for the manufacture of methyl glucoside having low color and low

Fermentation reactions are conducted by introducing into a fermentation vessel a flocculating microorganism and a fermentable medium and continually withdrawing fermented broth from the vessel through a conduit which is disposed at an angle of at least 60.degree. but less than 90.degree. from the horizontal.

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Muscatine, IA, United States of America

Steven L Ramsden