S140: Solid state fermentation: bridging between academia and industry

Solid state fermentation (SSF) is fermentation in water-free environment where microorganisms grow on the water film covering the particles. Traditional SSF technology has been used for many centuries; however, the more advance form of this technology still faces challenges. One of the main challenges to move toward more advanced and less restricted SSF technology is restriction in scaling up. While small scale reactors might work in laboratories, concerns still remain with pilot and large scale. Furthermore, most of the lab scale tests are academic research with a clear disconnect between the research and production. Therefore, not all the successful performances and technologies in small scale are being transferred to pilot and large scale for compatibility. At UC-Davis, we have used small scale SSF reactors to grow a thermophilic- acidophilic bacterium, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, on switchgrass for enzyme production. Our knowledge and background gleaned from that research was used toward development and optimization of the SSF process to grow Metarhizium anisopliae in Novozymes Biologicals. Inc. Bridging between academia and industry was a successful approach to move faster toward optimization of Metarhizium anisopliae and proved the necessity of close collaboration of these two sectors.