A New Laboratory Fermenter for Yeast Production Investigations

Abstract

An improved laboratory fermenter for the culturing of yeast, employing mechanical agitation for the dispersion of air, with an operating capacity of 500-2,000 ml., is described. The results obtained in propagating Torulopsis utilis were markedly superior to those obtained with a previously described fermenter employing a porous disc for air dispersion. Cell concs. of T. utilis approx. twice as high as those previously reported were obtained in the new fermenter without diminishing the average propagation rate. The more nearly optimum culturing conditions provided by the new fermenter, which makes possible the attainment of high cell concs. and the maintenance of the normal propagation rate for prolonged periods of culturing, is ascribed to improved dispersion of air. The new fermenter is recommended for use in yeast propagation investigations, and may be found suitable in such fermentations as the submerged culture production of antibiotics by bacteria and molds.