Solid state fermentation (SSF) is a biomolecule manufacturing process that is used in the food, pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetic, and fuel industries. These molecules are mostly generated by microorganisms grown on a solid support selected for this purpose. This technology, in culturing microorganisms, is an alternative to liquid or submerged fermentation, a method of manufacturing the biomolecules in which the enzymes and other reactive compounds are submerged in some liquid like alcohol or oil. Liquid state fermentation is used for many purposes, most often in some industrial manufacturing.
Solid state fermentation appears more cost-effective than liquid state fermentation as it uses smaller vessels, has a lower water and energy consumption, and reduced wastewater treatment costs. Both solid state fermentation and submerged fermentation are processes that are used in food manufacturing and have been around for quite some time. More recently, liquid state fermentation has developed on an industrial scale in the manufacturing of things like antibiotics.
It appears that growing environmental awareness and better economics are now generating new interest in solid state fermentation in things like insoluble agricultural byproducts.
Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in fermentation technologies, as well as the more common areas like biofuels, biomass and biomass power, feedstocks, biomaterials, and biochemicals. These larger groups will also have expertise in other technologies like agitation systems, anaerobic digestion, bio-oil extraction, bioreactors, carbon capture, carbon storage, carbonization, catalysis, cellulosic ethanol, cleantech, combined heat and power, direct combustion, enzyme technologies, Fischer-Tropsch, gasification, genetic engineering, hydrothermal, power generation, pyrolysis, renewable technology due diligence, synthetic biology, thermochemical conversion, torrefaction, water treatment, and waste management.
Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group, with over 100 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. For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.
