FERMENTOR

FERMENTOR / BIO-REACTOR

               

Fermantor is a large metallic vessel which has mechanism to adjust optimal temperature, pH, sterility and other growth conditions of specific microorganisms. Large scale industrial production of biological products is done with the help of fermenter. The basic design of fermentor includes a closed vessel with air inlets, agitator and some other required features.

1.    Air inlet / sparger:- some microbes require air(oxygen) for their healthy growth, so sterile air is sent in through sparger. It is placed at the bottom of fermentor.

2.    Agitator / Impeller :- Impeller is a paddle like structure that is connected to a motor. It spins in the broth to maintain a uniform mixture of nutrients and microbes in the broth.

3.    Baffles :-  Baffles are rectangular strips of metal attached to the walls of the fermentor. These help in aeration of the broth and to increase turbulence.

4.    Anti foam :- Continuous aeration and agitation can cause formation of foam.  Foam hinders in proper aeration of microbial broth. Foam can be controlled adding anti foam agents like silica, mustard oil and etc.

5.    pH control :- Every organism need an ideal pH for its survival. Metabolism of microbes can change the pH of the broth, which in turn is harmful for the growth of microbes. Hence a pH meter is used to probe the pH value and buffers are added to stabilize pH .

6.     Temperature control :- Every organism can survive only under certain temperature. Microbes produce heat during their metabolic processes which can be harmful for their growth. Hence the temp of broth is maintained by passing cold water through the water jacket around the fermentor.

7.    Addition port :-This port is a provision made for the addition of inoculum  (the initial mass of microbes added to the broth is called inoculum).

8.    Aseptic conditions:- Fermentation can only be successful if the fermentor and apparatus are sterile. Before fermentation all the apparatus including the nutrient medium are sterilized using steam.

9.    Steam inlet:- Steam is sent into the fermentor to sterilize it. 

10.  Harvest port :- The product of fermentation is retrieved through harvest port.

11.  Nutrient media :- Microorganism require proper nutrition for their proper growth and development. A typical nutrient media must contain a carbon source , nitrogen source and sources of other vital nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, vitamins and etc.

APPLICATIONS OF FERMENTOR

-       Used for the production of beverages.

-        Used for the production of organic compounds like ethanol, citric acid and acetic acid.

-       Used for the production of various intra-cellular and extra-cellular proteins.