Further Biology - Microorganisms in Industry

Microoganisms are grown in huge vats called fermenters  to make antibiotics, fuels and proteins. Conditions are carefully controlled to grow the products as fast as possible

MICROORGANISMS are grown in FERMENTERS on a LARGE SCALE

A fermenter is a big container full of liquid culture medium which microorganisms can grow and reproduce in

The fermenter need to give the microorganisms the conditions they need to grow and produce their useful product

• Food is provided in the liquid culture medium
• More can be pumped in if needed
• Air is piped in to supply oxygen to microbes
• Microorganisms need to be kept at right temp.
• Microorganisms produce heat by resp. so
• Fermenter must be cooled
• Usually done with water in water-cool jacket
• Temperature monitored by instruments
• Right pH needed for microbes to thrive
• Instruments will monitor this
• Sterile conditions needed
• Prevents contamination from other microbes
• Microbes need to be kept from sinking to bottom
• …