Fermentation Process Control and Optimization

Abstract

Process control and optimization is important in ensuring a process in sustaining profitable income while maintaining the required quality. The fermentation process has attracted attention from food processing, pharmaceutical energy, and waste treatment industries due to its lower impact on the environment and lower operating cost than the conventional chemical process. However, its control and monitoring are relatively complex as living cell activity is not easily comprehended and highly nonlinear. Various control techniques applied in the fermentation process are reviewed, including a summary of the control objective, manipulated and controlled variables chosen, and their strengths and limitations in determining the optimal fermentation process.

Enhancing Bacillus licheniformis sporulation with automatic nitrogen feeding based on online detection of exhaust CO2

“…Its advantages include operational simplicity and cost‐effectiveness. However, it lacks the capacity to adapt to the dynamics of the controlled system, thus hindering the attainment of optimal control outcomes 12 . In the context of our study, during the initial growth phase of B. licheniformis BF‐002, characterized by low cell density and a sluggish nitrogen consumption rate, a pre‐determined feeding rate could lead to nitrogen accumulation due to excess.…”

“…However, it lacks the capacity to adapt to the dynamics of the controlled system, thus hindering the attainment of optimal control outcomes. 12 In the context of our study, during the initial growth phase of B. licheniformis BF-002, characterized by low cell density and a sluggish nitrogen consumption rate, a pre-determined feeding rate could lead to nitrogen accumulation due to excess. Conversely, during the later stages of cultivation, when cell density is high and nitrogen consumption accelerates, a preset feeding rate might prove insufficient, leading to nitrogen deficiency.…”

“…10 Das utilized genetic algorithms to optimize the temperature, agitation speed, and air flow rate in the cultivation process of B. coagulans RK-02, ultimately achieving synchronized high production of lipase, biomass, and spores. 11 Although the use of online-measured fermentation parameters closely related to cellular metabolism as feedback indicators to automatically adjust key operational variables has been proven effective in enhancing fermentation performance, 12 such studies have not been reported specifically for B. licheniformis.…”

Local staples, and global solutions: optimizing the effect of traditional fermentation on heavy metals and mineral nutrients

“…Furthermore, improper handling of environmental waste contributes to this issue. Regardless of the source, however, these exceedances foreground the need to mitigate the persistent heavy metals in gari by adopting and adapting cost-effective but straightforward measures such as fermentation optimization to support good manufacturing practices (Chai et al , 2022).…”

Enhanced sporulation of B. licheniformis BF‐002 through automatic co‐feeding of carbon and nitrogen sources

“…Similarly, Das et al (2010) used a genetic algorithm to optimize temperature, stirring speed, and aeration rate during B. coagulans RK‐02 cultivation, achieving high production of lipase, biomass, and spores through segmented control of these parameters. Utilizing process parameters that can be measured online and that are closely related to intracellular metabolism as feedback indicators to automatically adjust key operating variables during cultivation is an effective method for improving fermentation performance (Chai et al, 2022). This method also enhanced B. licheniformis spore formation.…”