L2 - The Fermenter

• The fungus Penicillium grows within the fermenter and secretes the antibiotic into the surrounding medium. The medium is then filtered upon completion and penicillin is extracted.
• Advantages of using a fermenter:

  • Predictable product
  • Control and monitor conditions
  • Efficient
• The fermenter must be kept at certain conditions to ensure maximum growth of Penicillium. The factors that must remain constant are:

  • Temperature - maintained by the cooling water jacket
  • pH - monitored using a probe and adding acid/alkali
  • Sterile air - oxygen for respiration
  • Sterile nutrients - glucose for respiration (also amino acids and minerals)
• The fermenter must be kept at certain conditions to ensure maximum growth of Penicillium. The factors that must remain constant are:

  Temperature - maintained by the cooling water jacket

  pH - monitored using a probe and adding acid/alkali

  Sterile air - oxygen for respiration

  Sterile nutrients - glucose for respiration (also amino acids and minerals)

  Temperature and pH are maintained as respiration is controlled by enzymes.