Fermentation for Food Applications

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Learn how to develop, refine and scale-up processes for brewing, yoghurt and cheese making, probiotic products; or even to gain value from waste

This module is aimed at anyone interested in developing or refining processes for brewing, yoghurt and cheese making, making probiotic products; or waste valorisation. It begins with an introduction to fermentation processes before looking in detail at the equipment, processes and parameters for successful production. It will  help you to:

• Outline and specify a controlled operating space;
• Understand the key process parameters for successful bioreactor operation;
• Design, optimise and scale-up a bioreactor for a given duty;
• Identify opportunities within your business which could benefit from the use of bioreactors by comparison with case studies.

If there are sufficient students, the module will also contain a workshop.

This module is delivered by Swansea University's College of Engineering and does involve the use of maths, however, one-to-one maths help sessions are available if needed.

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Qualifications which this Module may be Used Towards

MRes Agrifood Innovation	Option
Professional Doctorate in BioInnovation	Option

List of Units

Fermentation Technology: an overview	Basic concepts and definitions; Existing technologies; Brief intro to bioreactors – overview, functions, types, etc.; Examples and applications; Fermented food products.
Fermentation cultures	Types of fermentative micro-organisms; Micro-organism isolation; Micro-organism preservation; Optimal intrinsic parameters (pH, T, O2, incubation period, etc.).
Upstream operations	The upstream line; Types of fermentation (solid-state, submerged, etc.); Media selection, preparation and sterilisation; Fermentation conditions; Industrial instrumentation and control.
Key process concepts	Sterilisation systems Kinetic calculations (MO growth phases) Aeration systems
Bioreactors: batch mode	General principles; Components; General operation, cycle times and batch times. Sterilisation; Reaction kinetics; Equations and modelling; Common applications.
Bioreactors: the CSTR	General principles; Components; General operation, cycle times and batch times. Sterilisation; Reaction kinetics; Equations and modelling; Common applications.
Bioreactors: Other types	Tower; Airlift; Bubble column; Fluidised bed; Membrane, etc.
Industrial processes and downstream operations	Recovery and purification of biomolecules; Purification strategies: types, applications; Sedimentation, coagulation and flocculation; Filtration and Membrane separations; Evaporation, distillation and drying.
Case Studies	Alcoholic beverages; Dairy products; Probiotic products; Biorefinery for waste valorisation

Tutors

Tutors Name
Jose Gayo Pelaez
Meirion Roberts
Prof Darren Oatley Radcliffe