BioMatNet Item: Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme - AGRE-0038: Valorisation of sugar beet pulp by solid state fermentation

Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0038: Valorisation of sugar beet pulp by solid state fermentation

Contacts

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FAIR-CT98-4822 Commercial Success of the ECLAIR Programme

This Item is taken from a report produced by CPL Scientific on the Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme 1999 under contract FAIR-CT98-4822. The Project Summary, Links to Individual Project Reports and Preface and Overview are available in separate items.

AGRE-0038: Valorisation of sugar beet pulp by solid state fermentation

Science Background

Most commercial fermentation products are produced in liquid culture conventional stirred tanks. However, microorganisms may also be grown on solid substrates, such as sugar beet pulp, cereal residues and similar agricultural by-products. Such solid state fermentations (SSF) are used in the production of fermented foods and in the preservation of forage in the ensiling process (see AGRE-0041). The advantages of SSF, under suitable conditions, are high volumetric productivities, reflecting the high concentration of substrate, the lower capital investment and ease of recovering products with less effluent production.

Objectives

The objectives were to extend the use of SFF in production of higher value products from agroindustrial residues such as sugar beet pulp, exploring the most promising products through research covering microbiology, fermentation process optimization, engineering and product testing. There would be an emphasis on hydrolytic enzymes and improvements in feed composition for monogastric and ruminant animals.

Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR

At the time the ECLAIR project started the method had been shown to be effective in production of pectinase by Aspergillus niger grown on sugar beet pulp. This work was extended to the production of other enzymes as the project developed following transfer to the AIR programme as indicated below.

Results

At end of project

The direct results of the ECLAIR project were transferred to AIR1-CT92-0001: Valorisation of sugar beet pulp by solid state fermentation - proteins and probiotics and developed further along the same lines.

Current position

In particular this enabled one of the industrial partners (Lyven, a subsidiary of the coordinator, Generale Sucriere), to develop an increased range of commercial enzymes, while other commercial partners changed objectives, were acquired by other interests or ceased trading.

Impact

Commercial

Lyven is now producing a range of commercial enzymes (including pectinases, amylases, xylanases, proteases, beta-glucanases) on a wider range of substrates using SSF methods. Products are used in the fruit juice, oenology, breadmaking, textile and animal feed industries.

Associated

This project started late (end of 1990) in the ECLAIR programme, running for one year and then was continued as AIR1-CT92-0001, with further development of the enzymes and other activities.

Contacts

Author

LYVEN

Frank NALIN / LYVEN FRANCE