Beverage fermentation refers to the process by which a microbiological agent, typically fungi (e.g. Saccharomyces spp.) or bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus spp.), convert a sugar-containing liquid into one which contains alcohol and acid products. Humans have been producing fermented beverages for millennia to prevent spoilage and enhance nutritional quality and flavor. At present, there is a huge diversity of fermented beverages available to consumers globally including mainstream beer, wines and spirits, and lower alcohol products like kombucha and kefir. Other ancient fermented beverages such as chicha, busa, and palm wine are more localized. Despite the ancient origins of fermented beverages, modern-day production relies heavily on science, engineering, and technological know-how.
An expert in beverage fermentation should have sound knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, fermenter design and operation, bioprocessing, and analytical chemistry.
Large-scale producers can afford the expensive quality programs required to ensure batch-to-batch consistency, but this can be a challenge for smaller operations. Therefore, an expert can help with developing quality analysis programs and microbiology, analytical chemistry, and packaging material testing regimes. Assistance can also be offered with fermentation modeling, lab-scale assays, and new analytical method development.
Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in the more common areas of biofuels, renewable fuels, biomaterials, biomass, biochemicals, and biotechnologies. But, they also have expertise in a wide variety of specialty services like alternative proteins, techno-economic analysis, due diligence, feasibility studies, budgeting, project management, technology assessment, insurance, due diligence, risk management, benchmarking, intellectual property, HAZOP, financial modeling, competitor analysis, and assistance with RIN and Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) matters, and should be able to assist in things like should also be able to assist with other things like Aspen plus, logistics, bioreactor design, municipal solid waste remediation, syngas and bio-based product development, carbon credits, climate change analysis, environmental permitting, equipment sales, experimental validations, grant writing, IP strategy, life cycle analysis (LCA), plant operations, plant sales, and auctions, and risk analysis (FMEA). Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group, with over 150 highly qualified experts serving in all these areas. Take a look at our experts and the services we provide. Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.