Method for Dissociation of Cells

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for the dissociation of cells. Cells are processed under conditions of pH, temperature, and shear to thereby yield a mixture of cell wall ghosts and cytoplasm. Preferably, the cells are jet cooked at an alkaline pH to form an intermediate mixture, and the intermediate mixture is subsequently jet cooked. Generally, the cells become dissociated, whereby at least one separate cell wall component is substantially separate from the dissociated cell walls.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mixture of cell wall ghost and cytoplasm prepared by steps comprising:
 providing a plurality of cells; and   subjecting said cells to heat, pH, and shear under conditions sufficient to rupture the walls of at least some of said plurality of cells to allow cytoplasm to be released therefrom to thereby form a mixture of ghosts and cytoplasm, said cells being cooked in a jet cooking apparatus.   
     
     
         22 . A mixture according to  claim 21 , said pH ranging from 8.5 to 10.5. 
     
     
         23 . A mixture according to  claim 21 , said cells being subjected to a temperature ranging from 140 to 160° C. 
     
     
         24 . A mixture according to  claim 21 , said steps including:
 jet-cooking said mixture of cells in a jet-cooking apparatus to form an intermediate mixture; and   jet-cooking said intermediate mixture to form said mixture of cell walls and cytoplasm.   
     
     
         25 . A mixture according to  claim 21 , said cells comprising yeast cells. 
     
     
         26 . A mixture according to  claim 25 , said cells comprising  S. cereviasiae  cells. 
     
     
         27 . A cytoplasm mixture formed by at least substantially separating cell wall ghosts from the mixture of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         28 . A cell wall ghost mixture formed by at least substantially separating cytoplasm from the mixture of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         29 . A product formed by spray-drying the mixture of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         30 . An animal feed compromising:
 A mixture of cell wall ghosts and cytoplasm, said mixture having been prepared by providing a plurality of cells; and   subjecting said cells to heat, pH, and shear under conditions sufficient to rupture the walls of at least some of said plurality of cells to allow cytoplasm to be released therefrom thereby forming said mixture of ghosts and cytoplasm, said cells being cooked in a jet cooking apparatus, and   at least one other animal nutritive source.   
     
     
         31 . An animal feed according to  claim 30 , said pH ranging from 8.5 to 10.5. 
     
     
         32 . An animal feed according to  claim 30 , said cells being subjected to a temperature ranging from 140 to 160° C. 
     
     
         33 . An animal feed according to  claim 30 , said steps including:
 jet-cooking said mixture of cells in a jet-cooking apparatus to form an intermediate mixture; and   jet-cooking said intermediate mixture to form said mixture of cell walls and cytoplasm.   
     
     
         34 . An animal feed according to  claim 30 , said cells comprising yeast cells. 
     
     
         35 . An animal feed according to  claim 34 , said cells comprising  S. cereviasiae  cells.