THE OXFORD COLLEGE OF

SCIENCE
STERILIZATION OF FERMENTERS

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF KARTHIK S N

PRAJEESH MSc IV SEM
DEPT OF MICROBIOLOGY
 CONTENTS

• STERILIZATION
• FERMENTER
• OBEJECTIVES OF FERMENTER
• STERILIZATION OF FERMENTER
• REFERENCES
 STERILIZATION OF FERMENTER
STERILIZATION
• Complete removal of micro-organisms both vegetative and spore forms
from the surface or an objects.
• Sterilization is done to avoid growth of micro-organisms.
FERMENTER
• Device that is used to carry out fermentation process utilizing micro-
organisms.
• Also known as bioreactor.
OBJECTIVES OF FERMENTER
STERILIZATION OF FERMENTER

• Steam is a physical agent universally employed for sterilization of

fermenter and production medium.
• It exists a linear relationship between time and temperature.
• Fermenter are sterilized either in charged condition or they may be
sterilized empty.
1. STERILIZATION OF FERMENTER AND MEDIUM AS A UNIT

• Steam sterilization of fermenter and production medium together is a

simple operation.
• A jacket or coil is filled to the fermenter and supplied with pressure
steam.
• Water is required to provide temperature for a period of at least 20
minutes and after subsequent cooling back to fermentation
temperature.
• Head space above the medium is filled with steam.
• The presence of vacuum in a sterile system is always a hazard to
sterility it is due to danger of drawing non-sterile air or liquid into the
sterile system through seals on agitator.
Ancillary equipment includes many extra-connections they are;
i. Agitator shaft passing through the lid of the vessels: There should be
adequate seal for maintaining pressure to prevent the entry of microbes.
ii. Sparger: A pipe for expelling exhausted air from fermenter.
iii. Connection between defoamer tank and fermenter.
iv. Connection for introducing the inoculum.
v. Connection for drawing samples during fermentation.
vi. Connection for unloading the fermenter after the fermentation.
2. STERILIZATION OF FERMENTER AND MEDIUM SEPARATELY
• Sterilization of empty fermers is same as described above the
fermenter and production medium together.
• There are several other methods for sterilizing the medium separately
from the fermenter.
• Certain points which are important while sterilizing and maintaining
sterile conditions of fermentation equipment they are:
i. No connections should be made permanently between the sterile
and non-sterile parts the system.
ii. Welded construction should be used.
iii. Using of high quality value and rubber.
iv. Joints and service lines should be carefully selected
v. All sterilized parts should be kept under positive pressure.
vi. Each part should be capable of independently sterilization without
interfering with the operations of rest of the plant.
REFERENCES

Industrial microbiology- A.H Patel

https://byjus.com
https://www.slideshare.net/RjatSngh/fermentor-75732789