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Solid-state fermentation technology and microreactor technology - Opposites that attract each other

Solid-state fermentation can be considered as a robust technology as being a complex system of chemically heterogeneous substrate(s) and microorganism with the difficulties to assure homogeneity of the system, with oxygen transfer limitation, heat accumulation, etc. However, higher production yield and lower economic aspect in comparison to submerge fermentation are the main force for the work on its technical enhancement, especially in the work on scale-up of the process for broader industrial purpose. Everything the opposite presents microreactor technology. In this paper, interaction and complementarity of solid-state fermentation and microreactor technology have been presented. This technologies have been synergistically performing in the last decade, via several national and EU- funded projects, in the laboratories of the two groups from the J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, and University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology. In the first part, the origin and the chemical structure of the substrates used for solid-state fermentation and the main aspects of solid-state fermentation for different applications are presented. In the second part, the basic aspects of solid-state fermentation and basic principles of solid- state bioreactors are given. The third part is dedicated to the presentation of microreactors technology as a supportive and effective tool before, during and after performing solid-state fermentation. The last chapter is our vision of the future work in the development of the sustainable and effective processes of production of the valuable products from the waste materials.

microreactors ; solid-state fermentation ; lignocellulose

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