This invention relates to processing biomass particularly cellulose, hemicellulose or starch, with electron beam irradiation of not greater than 10 Mrad, followed by treatment with an enzyme and/or microorganism to produce a edible material. The enzyme may be cellulase, and the biomass may be selected from paper, paper products, paper waste, wood, particle board, sawdust, agricultural waste, sewage, silage, grasses, rice hulls, bagasse, cotton, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, straw, corn cobs, corn stover, switchgrass, alfalfa, hay, coconut hair, seaweed, algae, and mixtures thereof. The edible material is selected from the group consisting of proteins, fats, vitamins, oils, fiber and minerals.
