Process for Improved Fermentation of a Microorganism

Abstract

A method for improving biomass production and/or growth rate of a microorganism in a fermentation process is shown, and includes: (i) providing one or more microorganisms; (ii) providing a fermentation substrate suitable for fermenting the one or more microorganisms; (iii) mixing the one or more microorganisms and the fermentation substrate providing a fermentation broth; (iv) adding the fermentation broth to a fermentation tank; (v) injecting at least one gaseous substrate into the fermentation broth; (vi) running the fermentation process for a fermentation period of at least 1 hour; wherein the at least one gaseous substrate comprises one or more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method comprising:
 (i) Adding a fermentation broth to a fermentation tank;   (ii) Continuously injecting at least one gaseous substrate into the fermentation broth; and   (iii) Running a fermentation process for a fermentation period of at least 1 hour;   
       wherein the at least one gaseous substrate comprises carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and wherein the amount of CO 2  injected into the fermentation broth is at least 0.001 L/min/L fermentation broth. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the fermentation broth comprises one or more bacteria strain mixed with a fermentation substrate. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the fermentation broth comprises one or more fungal cell strain mixed with a fermentation substrate. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the fermentation broth comprises one or more algae cell strain mixed with a fermentation substrate. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 38 , further comprising mixing of one or more microorganism and a fermentation substrate to providing the fermentation broth, wherein the mixing is done in the fermentation tank. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the fermentation process is conducted in an airlift reactor, a loop-reactor, a U-shape reactor, or a stirred tank reactor. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the fermentation process is a batch fermentation, a batch fed, or a continuous fermentation process. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the continuous fermentation process is conducted as a chemostat, pH-stat, productstat or other continuous fermentation process modes. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the gaseous substrate further comprises at least one nitrogen source. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein the at least one nitrogen source is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrate, molecular nitrogen, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the gaseous substrate further comprises oxygen. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the oxygen is provided as atmospheric air, pure oxygen, or air enriched with oxygen. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein a microbial growth rate during the fermentation process is at least 0.04 h −1 . 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein a biomass production of at least 2.5 g/l on a dry matter basis is provided. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the biomass production is obtained in less than 5 days. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein a biomass production of at least 3.5 g/l on a dry-matter basis is provided with in less than 24 hours. 
     
     
         54 . A method for improving biomass production; growth rate or both of a microorganism in a fermentation process, said method comprising:
 (i) Providing one or more microorganism, wherein the microorganism comprises a bacterial cell;   (ii) Providing a fermentation substrate suitable for fermenting the one or more microorganism;   (iii) Mixing the one or more microorganism and the fermentation substrate providing a fermentation broth;   (iv) Adding the fermentation broth to a fermentation tank;   (v) injecting at least one gaseous substrate into the fermentation broth; and   (vi) Running the fermentation process for a fermentation period of at least 1 hour;   
       wherein the at least one gaseous substrate comprises carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), wherein the amount of CO 2  injected into the fermentation broth is at least 0.001 L/min/L fermentation broth. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the fermentation process is conducted in an airlift reactor, a loop-reactor, or a U-shape reactor. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the fermentation process is a batch fermentation, a batch fed, or a continuous fermentation process. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the gaseous substrate further comprises at least one nitrogen source.