Fermentation Control for Uniform Metabolite Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fermentation process of plant and seaweed materials often results in non-uniform products due to variations in material quality, making it challenging to consistently produce desired metabolites, especially on an industrial scale.

Innovation Solution

A controlled fermentation process is developed by selecting specific plant and seaweed materials and fermenting organisms to produce predetermined metabolites, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and bioactive phenols, under optimized conditions, ensuring uniformity and desired product characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional fermentation process is used with varied plant and seaweed materials, then productivity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to non-uniform product quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of fermented productVSAvoidmaterial variation tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing and controlling fermentation conditions including temperature, pH, aeration rate, and agitation speed to compensate for material variations. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the process maintains uniform metabolite production despite variations in plant and seaweed materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through monitoring metabolite concentrations and fermentation parameters in real-time. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts fermentation conditions to maintain target metabolite levels, ensuring uniform product quality across different material batches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If material selection is optimized for predetermined metabolites, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple selection criteria

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetabolite composition controlVSAvoidprocess control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting and characterizing plant and seaweed materials based on their potential to produce predetermined metabolites before fermentation. This advance preparation includes analyzing material composition and selecting strains pre-adapted to specific substrates, simplifying the overall control process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the fermentation process into distinct phases with specific control parameters for each stage. By dividing the process into inoculation, exponential growth, and stationary phases, each with optimized conditions, the system achieves precise metabolite control without requiring complex continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If fermentation conditions are optimized for specific metabolites, then manufacturing precision improves, but productivity decreases due to extended fermentation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetabolite concentrationVSAvoidfermentation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing pulsed addition of substrates or inducers during fermentation. This periodic supplementation maintains high metabolite production rates throughout the fermentation process, preventing depletion and extending the productive phase without requiring excessively long fermentation times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting fermentation parameters such as aeration rate and agitation speed based on the growth phase and metabolite production rate. This dynamic optimization maintains maximum productivity while ensuring target metabolite concentrations are achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process enables the consistent production of uniform fermented products with targeted metabolites, improving product quality and adaptability, and enhancing functional features like antimicrobial activity and digestibility.

Implementation Method 1

Fermentation is a metabolic process where a fermenting organism consumes a carbohydrate source and produces various metabolites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS20210371886A1Process for controlling a fermentation process

Publication Date: 2021.12.02 FERMENTATIONEXPERTS AS

AI summary

A process controlling development of at least two predetermined metabolites in a fermented product comprising at least one plant material and/or at least one seaweed material, the process comprising the steps of: (i) Determining the at least 2 predetermined metabolites to be developed in the fermented product; (ii) Based on the predetermined metabolites determined in step (i) selecting at least one plant material and/or the at least one seaweed material; (iii) Based on the predetermined metabolites determined in step (i) selecting at least one fermenting organism; (iv) Mixing the at least one plant material and/or the at least one seaweed material selected in step (ii) with the at least one fermenting organism selected in step (iii) in a fermentation reactor providing a fermentation mixture; (v) Allowing the fermentation mixture to ferment under fermentation conditions favoring development of the at least two predetermined metabolites; whereby the fermented product is provided.