PROPHYTA has developed a unique solid state fermentation technology for contract production and bioprocess development of filamentous fungi. The facilities are designed to produce up to 500 kg fungal biomass per day under sterile conditions.
The Technology, patented under PCT-Number PCT/DE99/01271 (International Publication-number: WO99/57239), enables even the production of slow growing fungi, as the princip of the construction does not allow a contamination.

The fermenters can be produced in any size. PROPHYTA offers licenses for its technology and its expertise in solid-state fermentation.


The research fermenter PROPHYTA^®-L

A newelty in the production line of PROPHYTA is the research fermenter PROPHYTA^®-L.
The PROPHYTA^®-L, a full equipped mobile fermentation system for research purposes, can be purchased from PROPHYTA. The research fermenter PROPHYTA^®-L increases the potential of research projects in many respects. The necessary peripheral equipment is integrated to the self running system including computer controlled

• temperature management
• O₂ / CO₂ control management
• humidity control management

As the principle of the PROPHYTA^®-L and the fermenters of industrial size are the same, a scale up of an optimised bioprocess is always possible.

Operation of the PROPHYTA^®-L

The research fermenter is provided as a complete fermentation system. Only requirements for running the PROPHYTA^®-L are an oilfree and dry air supply and a way of sterilising the fermenter. A vacuum autoclave is recommended but not a necessity.
Samples of the fungus culture can be taken during the fermenter run.

Control screen of the PROPHYTA®-L Temperature and amounts of O2 and CO2 can be controlled with a simple mouse click on the screen.

High emphasis has been put on easy handling. The complex system and its peripheral equipment fit on a small mobile desk and can easily be moved from one place to another. The computer controlled management of the system is easy to operate. The PROPHYTA®-L provides high flexibility for any laboratory scale operations.

The process of solid-state fermentation with the PROPHYTA^®-L

The PROPHYTA^®-L consists of trays in which natural solid materials like cereal grins serve as the main source of nutrients for the development of the fungi. The trays filled with the solid material are piled up and the fermenter is closed.

left: PROPHYTA®-L right: Open frementer tray Phases:    1. Solid phase    2. Liquid phase    3. Gas phase

Controlled conditions in the fermenter ensure that sufficient humidity prevents the substrate from drying out. The necessary liquid phase (2) is bound to the solid phase (1), which itself is surounded by the gas phase (3). Steady and optimised growth conditions adapted to the specific micro-organism assures a high yield.

After inoculation the micro-organism will develop releasing enzymes for breaking down the solid material. An inert solid material can be specifically supplemented with nutrients for microbial growth. When the fermentation process is completed either the substrate, serving as a source of enzymes etc. or the fungal biomass or spores (conidia) can be harvested, depending on the aim of the fermentation.

The PROPHYTA^®-L has a wide range of applications in the laboratory. After a successful research phase a scale up to commercial scale is possible.

Advantages of the PROPHYTA^®-L

• Complex and fully equipped system
• Axenic culture system
• Easy to operate
• Automatic data collection
• Sampling possible in the running process

The PROPHYTA employees are experienced in process development, production scale-up and technology transfer and can adapt the process to meet the requirements according to the fungus.
In case you prefer to take advantage of the bioprocess development service of PROPHYTA, please see "Commissioned Production & Services" and order more information using the contact form.