Center for Crops Utilization Research

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Fermentation Facility

Overview

The goal of the ISU Fermentation Facility is to provide pilot-scale and bench-top-scale fermentation equipment for on- and off-campus users at a resonable cost. The program allows researchers access to state-of the-art equipment and expertise in the areas of microbial fermentation and product recovery. The facility is a partnership between the ISU Biotechnology Council, the Center for Crops Utilization Research, and the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.

On-campus programs that use the facility include, but are not limited to, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Immunology & Preventative Medicine, Agronomy, and Food Science & Human Nutrition.

A number of off-campus users have found that the ISU Fermentation Facility fullfills an important need for Iowa businesses. These have included protein, animal feed and inoculum manufacturers, and bioremediators.

Expert assistance is available for biotechnology courses or workshops. Additionally, training of graduate students or technicians in the operation of batch and continuous fermentation fermentors, and microbial culture maintenance and preservation is available. Inquiries regarding contract research or user-fee basis equipment rental are encouraged.

Services

Services offered by the Fermentation Facility include the production of microbial cells and their metabolites. Additional equipment designed for the cultivation of plant and animal cells is planned. The facility is rated for biohazard-2 (BL2) containment.

Equipment

The equipment housed in the facility includes numerous computer-controlled sterilizable in-place and benchtop fermentors, and non-computer-controlled benchtop fermentors. These include two 100-liter, one 50-liter, and one 15-liter (working volume) steralizable-in-place fermentors. Benchtop fermentors with working volumes of 1, 2, 5, and 10-liters. All fermentors have pH, temperature, agitation, and antifoam cointrollers, and almost all fermentors have dissolved oxygen controllers. Downstream processing equipment includes an Amicaon hollow-fiber filtration unit, SLM "French" pressure cell press, Cepa Z41 continuous centrifuge and swinging-bucket 4-liter centrifuge.

Additional equipment includes an 8-shelf freeze-dryer which can be used for bulk drying, and a pure-culture production system (harvest and freeze drying in vacuum-sealed vials). Culture medium-steralization and 100-liter volume aseptic dispensing systems also are available.

Off-campus users (non-university clients) A signed memorandum of understanding, outlining all charges and activities, is required prior to initiating a project.

Off-campus users will be charged a billing and scheduling fee and additional hourly fees for services or activities that require the manager's attention. Additional expertise is available for a moderate consulting fee.

If required, all cultures will be shipped over-night mail at the customer's expense.

Block users Users have the opportunity to run simultaneous benchtop fermentations. In this way, experimental designs that would take months to complete with one fermentor can be completed in weeks by using a multiple-unit array.

Long-Term Fermentations Some continuous- and batch-fermentations require as much as 6- to 10-month use of one or more fermentors. Every attempt will be made to assist researchers with the scheduling and execution of these projects.

User Requirements

All personnel who work in the the facility must be trained on the applicable equipment and instructed in all relevant safety proceedures. This training is logged for record. Independent operation of any equipment in the facility must be approved by the manager. Additionally, access to the premises after regular working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F) must be approved by the manager.