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A simple and efficient process for the production of a ruminant feed supplement, rich in crude protein (defined as total N x 6.25), by bacterial fermentation of cheese whey has been developed. The lactose in unpasteurized whey is fermented to lactic acid by Lactobacillus bulgaricus at a temperature of 43°C and pH 5.5. The lactic acid produced is continually neutralized with ammonia to form ammonium lactate. The fermented product is concentrated by evaporation to a solids content of about 70% and adjusted to pH 6.8 with additional ammonia. The concentrated product contains about 55% crude protein. Approximately 6 to 8% of the crude protein is derived from bacterial cells, 17% from whey proteins, and 75 to 77% from ammonium lactate. The efficiency of conversion of lactose to lactic acid usually exceeds 95%. The fermentation time is greatly reduced upon the addition of 0.2% yeast extract or 0.1% corn steep liquor as a source of growth factors. Whey containing lactose at concentrations up to 7% can be fermented

The amino acid profiles, modified essential amino acid (MEAA) indexes, and in vitro pepsin digestibilities were determined for single-cell protein (SCP) from certain industrially important lactobacilli. For the three parameters examined, substantial differences were seen between different Lactobacillus species and between strains within a given species. SCP from all of the lactobacilli examined appeared relatively high in MEAA indexes and pepsin digestibility. SCP from L. acidophilus 3205 and L. fermenti 3954 had the highest MEAA indexes, whereas L. bulgaricus 2217 and L. thermophilus 3863 had the highest percentage of digestible crude protein. SCP from L. plantarum strains had the lowest MEAA indexes. The essential amino acid compositions of SCP from different lactobacilli appear comparable to that of Food and Agriculture Organization reference protein and SCP from other sources.

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