The 10-liter (Sartorius Biostat Cplus) and 200-liter (Infors Techfors) bioreactors are used for culturing microorganisms (yeasts, bacteria, molds) at pilot or production scale. They feature a fully stainless steel vessel, sterilizable in-situ at 121 °C. Several peripherals (probes, addition flasks, etc.) are connected to the bioreactor and allow for the control of culture conditions. These systems are suitable for aerobic or anaerobic cultures. Oxygen enrichment is also possible. Temperature regulation is achieved using a double jacket. Propagation can be performed in batch or fed-batch mode. The fermentation units are connected to an acquisition system that allows for the collection of fermentation parameters (T°, pH, PO2, additions, etc.).
Specific Equipment
10L and 200L Bioreactors
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These units allow for the optimization of biomass production conditions (probiotics, starters, biofungicides, etc.), metabolites (organic acids, ethanol, etc.), or proteins of interest (enzymes, recombinant proteins) at a pilot or production scale. The 10-liter bioreactors can also be used for inoculating the 200-liter bioreactor.
Spray Dryers
The two available spray dryer models, Niro Mobile Minor and Niro Production Minor, can process capacities from 2 kg/h to 20 kg/h. The inlet air temperature of the system ranges from 50 to 250 °C. The atomization head is a pneumatic-driven turbine for the small spray dryer or a variable-speed mechanical one for the large spray dryer. Powder recovery is achieved using a cyclone or by gravity followed by a cyclone, depending on the model.
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The spray dryers are manually controlled. These systems can be used for drying microorganisms resistant to operating temperatures (70 to 80 °C at the outlet), such as bacterial spores or various heat-resistant extracts. They can also be used for drying non-biological material, provided it does not pose a health hazard (a safety data sheet is required before any operation).
Fluidized Bed Dryer
The GPCG 1.1 dryer (Glatt Powder Coater Granulator) has a drying capacity of 200 g to 1.5 kg. Several vessels are available, offering different configurations: Top Spray (5 L) or Bottom Spray/Wurster (3.6 L). The vessels are equipped with 4 perforated plates of varying diameters. Tangential spraying is possible for coating, encapsulation, or granulation applications.
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It also features spheronization discs. The drying temperatures, using pre-dried air, range from 15 to 80 °C at the inlet. This technique is applied to the drying of immobilized microorganisms or those in extruded paste form (yeast). It is also possible to coat an inert matrix with a microorganism solution, which also allows for an immobilization operation.
Freeze Dryer
The Martin Christ Epsilon 2-8D freeze dryer allows for the drying of heat-sensitive products. The trap volume is 8 kg (with a capacity of 6 kg/24h). The minimum trap temperature is -90 °C, and the shelf temperature can vary from -50 to 80 °C, thus allowing for freezing of the product to be freeze-dried. The dimensions of the 4 shelves are 275 x 365 mm. The spacing between the shelves is 55 mm (4 shelves) or 110 mm (2 shelves).
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Temperature or pressure ramps can be applied. Parameter recording (including product resistivity) is possible via the control software. Freeze-drying is possible in bulk or in vials of varying volumes. Vial sealing under vacuum is achieved using a hydraulic cylinder that presses the shelves together. Product packaging under modified atmosphere is also possible.
Jet Cutter
The Genialab jet cutter allows for the encapsulation of microorganisms or active ingredients. An alginate solution is extruded as a jet through a nozzle towards a gelling solution. Before reaching the solution, this jet is cut into segments which, upon contact with the gelling solution, will transform into spherical beads due to surface tension.
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Optimizing fluid flow rates and cutting speed allows for a very narrow bead size distribution. Bead sizes can range from 100 µm to 3 mm, depending on the nozzle diameter used. This device allows for the rapid immobilization of several liters of solution.