AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic knowledge of industrial, environmental, pharmaceutical and food processes involving fermentation steps. Acquisition of fundamental contents of microbiology and bacterial biochemistry related to industrial fermentation processes. Explanation of techniques and plants usually employed in the main industrial fermentation processes.    

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The course aims to develop the student's ability to relate the theoretical notions on industrials microbiology and fermentation plants with the experimental data to formulate general criteria for their application use. To pursue this regard, the lectures are always accompanied by concrete examples related to daily life and industrial practice.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures, sometimes accompanied with specific exercises by the teacher.

Lectures on fermentation plants (4 hours corresponding to 0.5 CFU) are held by Prof. Maila Castellano.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Recalls on fundamentals on industrial fermentation processes.

Microbial groups of industrial interest: classification, metabolism, growth and preservation of cultures.

Examples of industrial fermentation: methane fermentation, fermentation of linear and aromatic hydrocarbons, fermentation of nitrogen compounds; production of ethanol, yeast, organic acids; production of enzymes and single-cell proteins; production of aminoacids, antibiotics, polyesters and bacterial polysaccharides.

Bioconversions: general principles and applications (production of aminoacids, conversion of steroids).

Biological treatment of wastewater.

Examples of fermentation and bioconversion plants: production of ethanol, yeast, citric acid, penicillin, single-cell proteins; enzymatic reactors; reactors for biological treatment of wastewater).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

M. Marzona, “Chimica delle fermentazioni e microbiologia industriale”, Piccin Ed., Padova, 1996.

C. Ratledge, B. Kristiansen, “Biotecnologie di base”, Zanichelli Ed., Bologna, 2004.

S. Aiba, A.E. Humphrey, N.F. Mills, “Biochemical engineering”, New York: Academic Press, Inc., 1973.

K. Schugerl, “Bioreaction engineering”, Chichester, Sussex, UK; John Wiley & Sons, 1987.

O. Levenspiel, “Ingegneria delle reazioni chimiche”, edizione italiana a cura di E. Sebastiani, Milano: Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 1978.

H.S. Fogler, “Elements of chemical reaction engineering”, 4a editizione, Upper saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2006.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARINA ALLOISIO (President)

MAILA CASTELLANO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See information on the official website of the course.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Goal of the assessment is to verify the mastery and understanding of the topics of the course by the student, as well as its ability to apply theoretical concepts to real situations.

The assessment always includes the description of an industrial fermentation plant.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The course is held for 3.5 CFU (28 hours of traditional lectures) by prof. Marina Alloisio and for 0.5 CFU (4 hours of traditional lectures) by prof. Maila Castellano.