Low-temperature brewing by freeze-dried immobilized cells on gluten pellets.

A biocatalyst, prepared by the immobilization of a cryotolerant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on gluten pellets, was freeze-dried without any protecting medium and used for repeated batch fermentations of wort for each of the temperatures 15, 10, 5, and 0 degrees C. The fermentation time for freeze-dried immobilized cells was about 2-fold that of the corresponding time for wet immobilized cells on gluten pellets, and lower than the corresponding time for freeze-dried free cells, especially at 5 and 0 degrees C. Beers produced by freeze-dried immobilized cells contained alcohol levels in the range of 5.0-5.5% v/v, diacetyl concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/L, polyphenol concentrations lower than 145.5 mg/L, and free cell concentrations lower than 3 g/L. As a result, they had a very good clarity after the end of primary fermentation. The amounts of amyl alcohols were lower than 129.1 mg/L and reduced as the temperature was decreased. Ethyl acetate concentrations were found in the range of 22.1-29.2 mg/L, giving a very good aroma and taste in the produced beers.

Delignified cellulosic material supported biocatalyst as freeze-dried product in alcoholic fermentation.

Freeze-dried delignified cellulosic (DC) material supported biocatalyst is proposed as a suitable form of biocatalyst to be preserved. The alcoholic fermentation of glucose using freeze-dried immobilized cells is reported. Freeze-dried immobilized baker's yeast cells on DC material do not need any protective medium during freeze-drying. The effect of initial glucose concentration and temperature on the alcoholic fermentation kinetic parameters is reported in the present study. It was found that the freeze-dried immobilized cells ferment more quickly than free freeze-dried cells and have a lower fermentation rate as compared with wet immobilized cells. However, repeated batch fermentations showed freeze-dried immobilized cells to ferment at about the same fermentation rate as wet immobilized cells. The results indicate that the freeze-dried immobilized cells must be further studied to establish a process for the preservation of immobilized cells.

Composting process control based on interaction between microbial heat output and temperature.

Rational composting process control involves the interrelated factors of heat output, temperature, ventilation, and water removal. The heat is released microbially at the expense of organic material; temperature is an effect and, because it is a determinant of microbial activity, it is also a cause of heat output; ventilation supplies oxygen and removes heat, mainly through the vaporization of water; water removal results from heat removal. These relationships were implemented in a field-scale process of static-pile configuration, using a mixture of sewage sludge and wood chips. Heat removal was matched to heat output through a temperature feedback control system, thereby maintaining biologically favorable temperatures. The observations indicate that fundamentally there are two kinds of composting systems: those that are and those that are not temperature self-limiting. The self-limiting system reaches inhibitive temperatures (>60 degrees C) which debilitate the microbial community, suppressing decomposition, heat output, and water removal. In contrast, non-self-limiting temperatures (<60 degrees C) support a robust community, promoting decomposition, heat output, and water removal.