Device and method for culturing microorganisms and transforming their products.

Abstract

A process for cultivating microorganisms and transforming their products, characterized in that it comprises an initial phase (A) consisting of at least one microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) and a bacterial fermentation step (A.II.1) in aqueous phase, arranged in series or in parallel, offering different culture media, allowing the obtaining of at least one raw material, an intermediate phase (B) consisting of at least one drying step (B.1) allowing the obtaining of at least one semi-finished product and a final phase (C) consisting of a conditioning step (C.1) allowing the obtaining, simultaneously or not, of at least one finished product in solid form such as flakes or pellets, liquid such as biostimulants or drinks or in emulsion such as creams or jellies.

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products. GENERAL SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Value creation using aqueous microorganisms is a rapidly developing sector. Applications are numerous and constantly increasing in the fields of medicine, human and animal food, biofuels, and bioplastics. These cultures allow for the valorization of waste such as food industry effluents, as well as the capture and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, current production is highly segmented, with each player focusing on the agricultural development of a specific type of product, such as solid spirulina for human consumption or the production of liquid chlorella for biofuel. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is possible to compare two cultivation models:

[0003] On the one hand, current production methods inspired by the agricultural sector induce a certain seasonality because they are driven by rigorous management of production costs. Production is therefore unpredictable in both quality and quantity, and products may have rapid expiration dates or require strict storage conditions.

[0004] On the other hand, current production systems inspired by biotechnology laboratories require expensive products with long expiry dates but available in small quantities.

[0005] These two production models are opposed without offering an intermediate solution allowing production to be adapted to the market while offering storage solutions for a semi-finished product.

[0006] Moreover, although present in the academic literature, the production of PLA-type polymer on the basis of algal biomass is not industrialized, even though it allows for an increase in the occupancy rate of processing lines.

[0007] Finally, since current production processes are segmented, it is impossible for one production process to benefit another from an energy standpoint or through the sharing of materials. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The market for products derived from microorganism biomass is emerging. The present invention offers a solution for diversifying the production of final products in different forms by using a semi-finished product with good storage properties. The present invention provides a device and a method flexible, allowing products to be tailored to market needs by adjusting the production mix.

[0009] The products targeted by this document are primarily biostimulants, PLA-type polymers, and cosmetic products, as they offer innovative alternatives to sectors of activity undergoing significant ecological transition. However, other products may be developed subsequently.

[0010] The process is separated into three major production phases: an initial phase to obtain a raw material, a secondary phase to obtain an intermediate product and finally a final phase to create the finished product and package it.

[0011] Initial phase:

[0012] Reused food-grade water provides a rich culture medium source, with consistent quality and quantity, allowing the process to be fed continuously. Water from breweries, distilleries, wineries, or other food processing facilities offers good nutritional qualities. This water, transported to the production site, fills the controlled-environment culture chambers. These chambers maintain food-grade quality while guaranteeing the biomass yield of the culture system throughout the year. The chambers are inoculated with two different types of microorganisms:

[0013] - microalgae or cyanobacteria for the purpose of producing biomass,

[0014] - bacteria in order to obtain PLA polymer via polymerization of lactic acids obtained.

[0015] At the end of the culture, the biomass or PLA is separated from the culture medium by foaming, centrifugation, filtration, or sedimentation. For convenience, the concentrates can then be temporarily stored.

[0016] After obtaining the biomass, the process of obtaining the semi-finished product can begin. To obtain the biostimulant, the biomass is sent directly to the conditioning phase.

[0017] Intermediate phase:

[0018] During the intermediate phase, the shaping and drying steps are carried out by the biomass or PLA and form the semi-finished products in the form of pellets. These pellets have a low moisture content and good density allowing for efficient storage.

[0019] Final phase:

[0020] In the final stage, the PLA polymer can be processed or directly packaged. The biomass pellets can be crushed, added to an emulsified base, and then mixed before being packaged into a cosmetic product. The biomass pellets can be directly packaged for use as human or animal food.

[0021] To limit energy requirements, it is necessary to utilize the heating capacity of bacterial fermentation and the cooling capacity of microalgae culture within the same heating system. Furthermore, microalgae culture consumes carbon dioxide and generates oxygen, the exact opposite of bacterial fermentation, thus allowing for a certain equilibrium when the two systems share an aeration system.

[0022] It is also noted that the fermentation culture medium can be filtered by microalgae culture and that algal biomass can serve as a substrate for bacterial fermentation.

[0023] Finally, it is possible to add to the different culture media the different waste generated during the different phases of transformation of the raw material.

[0024] The process for culturing microorganisms and transforming their products comprises an initial phase (A) consisting of at least one microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) and a bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) in aqueous phase, arranged in series or in parallel, offering different culture media, allowing the obtaining of at least one raw material, an intermediate phase (B) consisting of at least one drying step (Bl) allowing the obtaining of at least one semi-finished product and a final phase (C) consisting of a conditioning step (Cl) allowing the obtaining, simultaneously or not, of at least one finished product in solid form such as flakes or pellets, liquid such as biostimulants or drinks or in emulsion such as creams or jellies.

[0025] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products, of which said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) of said initial phase (A) precedes a separation step (AI2) of the culture medium and biomass.

[0026] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products, of which said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) of said initial phase (A) is fed with biomass and culture medium from said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) or vice versa, or alternatively with reused water.

[0027] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products, the bacterial fermentation step (A.II.1) of the initial phase (A) being preceded by at least one of the steps of separation (A.II.2), purification (A.II.3), polymerization (A.II.4), and isolation (A.II.5) of at least one product of said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.1).

[0028] The process for cultivating microorganisms and transforming their products, of which said drying step (B1) of said intermediate phase (B) is preceded of at least one of the concentration (B.2) and shaping (B.3) steps of said raw material.

[0029] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products, of which said conditioning step (Cl) of the final phase (C) is preceded by at least one incorporation step (C.2) of solid, liquid or aqueous phase elements in said semi-finished product.

[0030] The process for culturing microorganisms and processing their products, including said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) or said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) of said initial phase (A), may be fed with reused water from the food industry and contain at least one soluble or miscible additive.

[0031] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products implements a device for capturing, transforming and redirecting energy or material waste from said intermediate phase (B) and final phase (C) to said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (A1l) or said bacterial fermentation step (A1l) of said initial phase (A).

[0032] The process of culturing microorganisms and transforming their products, of which the microorganisms of said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) are of the genus Nannochloropsis, Nitzschia, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Chlamydomonas, Crypthecodinium, Chlorella or Spirulina and of which the microorganisms of said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) are of the genus Lactobacillus. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] [Fig. 1] represents a simplified diagram of the device and method for culturing microorganisms and transforming their products.

Claims

Demands

1. A process for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products characterized in that it comprises an initial phase (A) consisting of at least one microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (A1l) and a bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) in aqueous phase, arranged in series or in parallel, offering different culture media, allowing the obtaining of at least one raw material, an intermediate phase (B) consisting of at least one drying step (B1) allowing the obtaining of at least one semi-finished product and a final phase (C) consisting of a conditioning step (C1) allowing the obtaining, simultaneously or not, of at least one finished product in solid form such as flakes or pellets, liquid such as biostimulants or drinks or in emulsion such as creams or jellies.

2. A method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to claim 1 characterized in that said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) of said initial phase (A) precedes a separation step (AI2) of the culture medium and biomass.

3. A method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.l) of said initial phase (A) is fed with biomass and culture medium from said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AIl) or vice versa, or alternatively with reused water.

4. A method for culturing microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the bacterial fermentation step (A.II.1) of the initial phase (A) precedes at least one of the steps of separation (A.II.2), purification (A.II.3), polymerization (A.II.4), and isolation (A.II.5) of at least one product of said bacterial fermentation step (A.II.1).

5. A method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said drying step (B1) of said intermediate phase (B) is preceded by at least one of the concentration (B.2) and shaping (B.3) steps of said raw material.

6. A method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said conditioning step (C.1) of the final phase (C) is preceded by at least one incorporation step (C.2) of solid, liquid or aqueous phase elements in said semi-finished product.

7. A process for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) or said bacterial fermentation step (AI1) of said initial phase (A) can be fed with reused water from the food industry and contain at least one soluble or miscible additive.

8. A method for cultivating microorganisms and transforming their products according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that it implements a device for capturing, transforming and redirecting energy or material waste from said intermediate phase (B) and final phase (C) to said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (A1l) or said bacterial fermentation step (A1l) of said initial phase (A).

9. A method for cultivating microorganisms and processing their products according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the microorganisms of said microalgae or cyanobacteria culture step (AI1) are of the genera Nannochloropsis, Nitzschia, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Chlamydomonas, Crypthecodinium, Chlorella or Spirulina and in that the microorganisms of said bacterial fermentation step (AI1) are of the genera Lactobacillus.

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