industrial fermenters Flashcards
5.8 (28 cards)
what are fermenters?
containers used to grow microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in large amounts
what can fermenters be used to make?
beer, yoghurt, microprotein
what non-food related things can fermenters be used to make?
the fungus penicillium to produce the antibiotic penicillin
genetically modified bacteria e.g. to make human insulin
what is the advantage of using a fermenter?
the conditions can be carefully controlled to produce large amounts of exactly the right type of microorganism
what does the pressure vent do?
prevents any gas build-up
what does the air inlet do?
sterile air provides oxygen in aerobic fermenters
what does the water inlet jacket allow?
allows circulation of water around the fermenter to regulate temperature
what does the outlet tap do?
drains the fermenter
what does the motor do?
rotates the blades to mix the culture evenly
what does the inlet allow the addition of?
nutrients
what do the electronic probes do?
they measure oxygen, pH and temperature levels
what are all inlets and outlet fitted with?
filters to prevent contamination
what does the cooling jacket do?
removes heat energy, stopping the fermenter from overheating and the enzymes denaturing
what does the air filter do?
filters air coming in, maintaining sterile conditions
what do the stirrers do?
keep the broth well stirred to oxygenate all parts of the fermenter and prevent micro-organisms from settling
what does the growth medium contain?
contains all necessary glucose and amino acids for micro-organism growth
when is the super- heated steam applied?
before the fermenter is used, killing unwanted micro-organisms
what does the super-heated steam leave?
only water with no other residue
what are the aseptic precautions?
the fermenter is cleaned by steam to kill microorganisms and prevent chemical contamination, which ensures only the desired microorganism will grow
what are the nutrients needed for?
needed for use in respiration to release energy for growth and to ensure the microorganisms are able to reproduce
what is the temperature monitored by?
probes
what is temperature maintained by?
the water jacket
why is optimum temperature required?
to ensure an optimum temperature for enzymes- to increase enzyme activity- enzymes will denature if the temperature is too slow or they will work too slowly if it is too low
what is pH inside the fermenter measured by?
measured by a probe
