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Related Concept Videos

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
Bioreactor Design and Operational System01:29

Bioreactor Design and Operational System

Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...
Bioreactor Controls-II01:18

Bioreactor Controls-II

In aerobic fermentations, oxygen is vital for microbial growth and metabolite production. Since air comprises only about 20% oxygen and the gas is poorly soluble in water—just 9 ppm at 20°C—supplying sufficient oxygen becomes a critical challenge, especially in high-demand processes like yeast growth or citric acid production. Even a fully saturated broth may offer only a few seconds of oxygen availability.To address this, sterile or scrubbed air is introduced into the fermentor via a sparger...
Scale-Up Processes01:14

Scale-Up Processes

The scale-up of microbial fermentation processes is essential in industrial biotechnology, allowing the transition from laboratory-scale experiments to commercial-scale production while aiming to maintain product yield and quality. This process requires meticulous adjustment of equipment design, process parameters, and contamination control strategies to accommodate increasing culture volumes.At the laboratory scale, cultures are typically maintained in 1 to 10-liter glass or autoclavable...
Production of Organic Acids01:25

Production of Organic Acids

Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics01:28

Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...

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The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis
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Continuous lactic acid fermentation using a plastic composite support biofilm reactor.

J C Cotton1, A L Pometto, J Gvozdenovic-Jeremic

  • 1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Center for Crops Utilization Research, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|January 10, 2002
PubMed
Summary

A novel plastic composite support (PCS) enhanced lactic acid production by Lactobacillus casei in a biofilm reactor. This material significantly boosted fermentation rates compared to a polypropylene control, demonstrating its potential for industrial applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Microbial Fermentation
  • Bioreactor Engineering

Background:

  • Continuous lactic acid production is crucial for various industries.
  • Immobilized-cell biofilm reactors offer advantages for microbial fermentation.
  • Development of effective support materials is key to enhancing biofilm formation and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate a novel plastic composite support (PCS) for enhanced lactic acid production using Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus.
  • To investigate the impact of PCS on biofilm formation, nutrient supply, and lactic acid yield in a continuous fermentation system.
  • To compare the performance of the PCS biofilm reactor with a standard polypropylene control reactor.

Main Methods:

  • A unique plastic composite support (PCS) blend was optimized for Lactobacillus, incorporating agricultural products and polypropylene.
  • PCS tubes were fabricated and integrated into a New Brunswick Bioflo 3000 fermentor.
  • An immobilized-cell biofilm reactor system was operated for continuous lactic acid production.
  • Biofilm thickness was controlled by adjusting agitation speed, and fermentation parameters were optimized.

Main Results:

  • The PCS material effectively stimulated biofilm formation and provided nutrients to both attached and suspended cells.
  • The PCS biofilm reactor achieved an optimal average lactic acid production rate of 9.0 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹, significantly higher than the PP control reactor (5.8 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹).
  • Lactic acid yields reached approximately 70% in the PCS reactor under optimized conditions (0.4 h⁻¹ dilution rate, 125 rpm agitation).

Conclusions:

  • The developed PCS is a highly effective material for enhancing lactic acid production in immobilized-cell biofilm reactors.
  • PCS offers a significant improvement over conventional polypropylene supports for Lactobacillus fermentation.
  • This technology holds promise for more efficient and cost-effective industrial lactic acid manufacturing.