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The secret behind solid-state fermentation: How to turn agricultural waste into valuable biomolecules?
Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is an advanced process for manufacturing biomolecules and is widely used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fuels and textiles. This technology selects suitable solid supports to cultivate microorganisms and convert agricultural waste into valuable metabolites, bringing considerable economic benefits to various industries.
The process of solid state fermentation
The steps of solid-state fermentation are relatively simple. First, place a solid culture medium, such as rice bran or wheat bran, on a flat bed, then seed it with microorganisms and leave it in a temperature-controlled room for several days. Compared with liquid fermentation, solid-state fermentation does not need to be carried out in a large-capacity inspection tank. Instead, a solid medium with low water activity is used to make the environment closer to the natural habitat of microorganisms.
Solid-state fermentation can provide rich nutrients to microorganisms, allowing them to release required metabolites in a low-moisture environment.
Solid-state culture is suitable for the growth of filamentous fungi because it promotes the expansion of mycelium on solid substrates. Such an environment reduces oxygen dissolution problems common in liquid fermentations and reduces the risk of cell death from the heat of the ties.
Application of solid state fermentation
Traditional food production
In Asian countries, solid-state fermentation technology is widely used in the production of traditional foods. For example, koji mushrooms made from rice can be used to brew sake or make soy sauce. At the same time, in Western countries, SSF is also used in many traditional food production processes, such as fermented bread and mature cheese.
Enzyme manufacturing
Solid-state fermentation is particularly suitable for producing a variety of enzymes that break down difficult-to-convert macromolecules such as cellulose, hemicellulose and proteins. Applications for these enzymes span industries from fruit and vegetable conversion to animal feed, and also have a place in biofuel manufacturing processes.
Enzymes produced in solid-state fermentation processes can be used in a wide range of industries to meet digestibility, solubility and viscosity needs.
Prospects
Solid-state fermentation, liquid fermentation and submersible fermentation are ancient food preservation and manufacturing technologies. In the mid-twentieth century, liquid fermentation was developed on an industrial scale to produce metabolites necessary for life such as antibiotics. However, with the economic changes and the improvement of environmental awareness, solid-state fermentation has gradually attracted attention because of its high efficiency in resource utilization and water conservation, which shows superior prospects.
Today, engineering companies from Asia continue to inject new vitality into the innovation of solid-state fermentation technology and equipment. Fujihua, for example, produces equipment that enables conversion of substrate areas of up to 400 m2, while France's Lyven has been producing pectinases and hemicellulases on sugar cane and wheat bran since 1980 for global R&D initiatives Make a contribution.
In the process of valuing agricultural waste, solid-state fermentation may become a part of future sustainable development, which makes people think: how can we further promote the application of this technology to achieve the optimal allocation of resources and the environment? Harmonious symbiosis?
