Now, the first module for extracting protein hydrolysate from spent grains and yeast has been put into operation. “Some of the equipment installed for this process – the colloid mill and the membrane filter for the mash – were new to us from a brewing perspective. So, we first had to get a handle on the technology. And after a series of trials, we were able to do just that,” says Dr. Ralph Schneid, who is in charge of product development at Steinecker.

Excellent quality hydrolysate

The Steinecker team didn’t just meet the target metrics – in many cases they exceeded them. “The quality of the hydrolysate is very good – 55 percent of the amino acids we are obtaining are essential amino acids,” says Schneid. That is an important outcome for Steinecker since plant-based proteins are in high demand in the food industry right now. “We’re already in touch with companies interested in further processing the hydrolysate,” says Schneid.

Now that the first module is up and running, the next big task already awaits the Steinecker team in Ustersbach. As Dr. Ralph Schneid reports, “Installation of Module 2 in Ustersbach is already beginning. This module uses acid fermentation to release the remaining nitrogen and an ion exchanger to separate it from the biomass.”