industrial fermenters

Question 1

what are fermenters?

Answer 1

containers used to grow microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in large amounts

Question 2

what can fermenters be used to make?

Answer 2

beer, yoghurt, microprotein

Question 3

what non-food related things can fermenters be used to make?

Answer 3

the fungus penicillium to produce the antibiotic penicillin
genetically modified bacteria e.g. to make human insulin

Question 4

what is the advantage of using a fermenter?

Answer 4

the conditions can be carefully controlled to produce large amounts of exactly the right type of microorganism

Question 5

what does the pressure vent do?

Answer 5

prevents any gas build-up

Question 6

what does the air inlet do?

Answer 6

sterile air provides oxygen in aerobic fermenters

Question 7

what does the water inlet jacket allow?

Answer 7

allows circulation of water around the fermenter to regulate temperature

Question 8

what does the outlet tap do?

Answer 8

drains the fermenter

Question 9

what does the motor do?

Answer 9

rotates the blades to mix the culture evenly

Question 10

what does the inlet allow the addition of?

Answer 10

nutrients

Question 11

what do the electronic probes do?

Answer 11

they measure oxygen, pH and temperature levels

Question 12

what are all inlets and outlet fitted with?

Answer 12

filters to prevent contamination

Question 13

what does the cooling jacket do?

Answer 13

removes heat energy, stopping the fermenter from overheating and the enzymes denaturing

Question 14

what does the air filter do?

Answer 14

filters air coming in, maintaining sterile conditions

Question 15

what do the stirrers do?

Answer 15

keep the broth well stirred to oxygenate all parts of the fermenter and prevent micro-organisms from settling

Question 16

what does the growth medium contain?

Answer 16

contains all necessary glucose and amino acids for micro-organism growth

Question 17

when is the super- heated steam applied?

Answer 17

before the fermenter is used, killing unwanted micro-organisms

Question 18

what does the super-heated steam leave?

Answer 18

only water with no other residue

Question 19

what are the aseptic precautions?

Answer 19

the fermenter is cleaned by steam to kill microorganisms and prevent chemical contamination, which ensures only the desired microorganism will grow

Question 20

what are the nutrients needed for?

Answer 20

needed for use in respiration to release energy for growth and to ensure the microorganisms are able to reproduce

Question 21

what is the temperature monitored by?

Answer 21

probes

Question 22

what is temperature maintained by?

Answer 22

the water jacket

Question 23

why is optimum temperature required?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

what is pH inside the fermenter measured by?

Answer 24

measured by a probe

Question 25

how can the pH be adjusted?

Answer 25

by using acids or alkalis

Question 26

why is oxygen required?

Answer 26

so that aerobic respiration can take place

Question 27

what ensures that the microorganisms, nutrients, oxygen, temperature and pH are evenly distributed throughout the fermenter?

Answer 27

stirring paddles

Question 28

what is the name for the stirring paddles making sure the microorganisms, nutrients etc are evenly distributed throughout the fermenter?

Answer 28

agitation