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.