Amino Acid Fermentor

Basic Elements

Basic components are necessary for the construction of fermentor, which involves:

Top-plate: It is the cover that is generally made of stainless steel.
Inoculation pipe: It helps to port the inoculum inside the fermentor.
Drive motor: It drives the impeller shaft.
Impeller shaft: Holds the agitator centrally.
Impeller: Acts as an agitating device for mixing up the nutrients and microorganisms uniformly.
Agitator: Mixes the gas bubbles throughout the liquid culture medium.
Baffle: Prevents the counterflow or vortex formation by breaking down the gas bubbles to improve aeration efficiency.
Sparger: It supplies oxygen into the culture medium through the perforated tubes.
Drain point: Withdraws cells or medium for the continuous fermentation.
Cooling jacket: It is fitted externally to the fermentation vessel which allows the passage of steam or cold water to balance the heat generated during the process.
 

Properties of a Fermentor

• It should be reliable for long-term operation.
• A fermentor should be capable of being operated aseptically or should provide sterile conditions.
• The bioreactor provides adequate aeration and agitation for uniform mixing of the contents in the vessel.
• It should consume less power.
• A fermentor must be equipped with controlling probes that can maintain the temperature, pH, oxygen level etc.
• It facilitates the passage of inoculum and media into the vessel.
• A bioreactor does not allow excessive evaporation loss.
• It minimizes the labour input for the operation, harvesting, cleaning and maintenance.