News
The characteristics and applications of actinomycetes strains and the requirements for fermentation tanks
Actinobacteria are an important type of microorganism in the bacterial kingdom, renowned for their complex metabolic capacity, abundant secondary metabolites and wide range of application fields. As an important industrial microorganism, actinomycetes not only play a key role in fields such as agriculture, medicine and environmental protection, but also have significant applications in biological fermentation. This article will explore the characteristics of actinomycetes strains, their application fields, and the requirements for fermenters in actinomycetes production.
I. Characteristics of Actinomycetes Strains
Actinomycetes are a type of bacteria with branched or filamentous cellular structures, usually presenting a mycelial morphology similar to that of fungi. Most of them can grow in poor nutrient environments, have strong biodegradability and can produce a variety of secondary metabolites. The uniqueness of these strains makes them widely used in multiple fields.
1. Morphological characteristics
The morphology of actinomycetes shows a high degree of branching, and its mycelial structure is usually similar to that of fungi. Their cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, similar to those of Gram-positive bacteria, but the special components in their walls (such as fatty acids, sugars and alcohols) are different from those of other bacteria. The growth of actinomycetes is usually achieved through the formation of branched hyphae, and the spores formed have strong stress resistance, which also provides conditions for their wide distribution in nature.
2. Metabolic characteristics
The metabolic mode of actinomycetes is mainly aerobic respiration, and some species can undergo anaerobic fermentation. Their metabolites not only include common basic substances such as carbohydrates and amino acids, but also a variety of secondary metabolites, such as antibiotics, enzymes, hormones and other bioactive substances. These secondary metabolites are often the key for actinomycetes species to survive in harsh environments.
MIKEBIO 2 sets 3000L biofertilizer bioreaction system
3. Diversity of secondary metabolites
Actinomycetes are a rich source of secondary metabolites, and many compounds with wide biological activities are synthesized by actinomycetes. For instance, antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin and gentamicin are all produced through the fermentation of actinomycetes. In addition, some actinomycetes can also synthesize natural products with functions such as anti-tumor, immune regulation and antioxidation. Therefore, actinomycetes have huge application potential in fields such as medicine, agriculture and environmental protection.
II. Application of Actinomycetes
Actinomycetes have significant application value in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection. Particularly in the bio-fermentation industry, actinomycetes have become the core microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, enzymes, and other products.
- The production of antibiotics
Actinomycetes play a crucial role in the production of antibiotics. Antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin and erythromycin are all produced by the fermentation of actinomycetes. Through genetic engineering and fermentation optimization, the ability of actinomycetes to produce antibiotics has been significantly enhanced. For example, streptomycin is produced by Streptomyces griseus and is widely used in the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. The process of actinomycetes producing antibiotics relies on specific fermentation conditions to ensure the quality and yield of the products.
2. Enzyme production
Actinomycetes also play an important role in the production of industrial enzymes. Actinomycetes can synthesize a variety of enzymes, such as cellulase, protease, lipase, etc. These enzymes are widely used in food processing, textile, detergent and other industries. For instance, the enzymatic catalytic effects of Rhizopus and Streptomyces in the textile industry have made cellulose degradation a feasible process, reducing reliance on chemicals and minimizing environmental pollution.
3. Environmental protection
Actinomycetes also have important applications in the field of environmental protection. For example, some actinomycetes can degrade organic pollutants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides and dyes, etc. They help purify the environment by secreting exogenous enzymes to break down these pollutants into harmless substances. Through genetic engineering modification, the degradation capacity of actinomycetes has also been further enhanced, providing effective solutions for water treatment, soil remediation and other fields.
4. Biological pesticides
Actinomycetes are also widely used in agriculture, especially as biopesticides. Some actinomycetes can produce secondary metabolites with insecticidal and bactericidal effects, becoming effective biopesticides. For example, the secondary metabolites produced by Streptomyces lydicus can effectively control soil diseases and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. Through reasonable fermentation conditions and application, actinomycetes have huge market potential in agriculture.
III. Requirements for Actinomycetes Production in Fermentation Tanks
The application of actinomycetes is often inseparable from the biological fermentation process. To enhance the production efficiency and product quality of actinomycetes, the design and operating conditions of the fermentation tank are of vital importance. The requirements of the fermentation tank not only affect the growth of the strain, but also directly determine the synthesis of secondary metabolites.
1. Medium and nutritional requirements
The fermentation culture of actinomycetes requires specific culture media, in which the ratio of carbon source, nitrogen source and trace elements needs to be precisely controlled. Generally speaking, the culture medium for actinomycetes contains carbon sources (such as glucose and starch), nitrogen sources (such as amino acids and ammonium salts), as well as minerals, vitamins, etc. The formula of the culture medium varies according to different types of actinomycetes. Optimizing the composition of the culture medium can increase the growth rate of actinomycetes and the efficiency of product synthesis.
2. Temperature and pH control
Temperature and pH are the key factors affecting the growth of actinomycetes and the production of their secondary metabolites. Most actinomycetes grow best within the temperature range of 30-37 ℃. Both excessively high and low temperatures can inhibit the metabolic activities of the strains. The control of pH value is also very important. Generally, a range between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal because actinomycetes have a relatively weak adaptability to acidic or alkaline environments. Extreme pH can lead to the stagnation of metabolic activities.
3. Oxygen supply
The metabolism of actinomycetes requires an adequate supply of oxygen. Since actinomycetes are mostly aerobic bacteria, during the fermentation process, the supply of oxygen is directly related to their growth rate and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Therefore, the fermentation tank needs to be equipped with an efficient ventilation system to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen. In large-scale fermentation, the solubility of oxygen often becomes a limiting factor. Therefore, it is very necessary to adjust parameters such as gas flow rate and stirring speed to increase the dissolved oxygen level.
4. Stirring and mass transfer
Stirring is a very important step in the fermentation tank. It not only affects the uniformity of the liquid but also promotes the dissolution of oxygen and the mixing of the culture medium. Appropriate stirring can prevent the formation of sediment, maintain the dispersion of mycelium, thereby enhancing the growth of the bacteria and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. However, stirring too fast may cause the mycelium to break, so adjustments need to be made according to different strains and fermentation stages.
5. Fermentation time and product separation
The fermentation process of actinomycetes is generally slow, and the accumulation of products usually occurs in the later stage of cultivation. The operating time of the fermentation tank needs to be adjusted according to the characteristics of different actinomycetes to avoid insufficient product yield due to premature harvesting or adverse effects caused by excessive fermentation. In addition, the separation of the products after fermentation is also a crucial step. Common separation methods include centrifugation, filtration, extraction, etc.
MIKEBIO fermentation bioreactor for Pharmaceutical intermediates
Conclusion
Actinomycetes, as a highly potential microbial community, have broad application prospects in industries such as industry, agriculture, and medicine. By optimizing the fermentation conditions, the advantages of actinomycetes can be maximized, thereby enhancing production efficiency and product quality. In the future, with the continuous advancement of genetic engineering technology and fermentation processes, the application of actinomycetes will become more extensive and in-depth, exerting a more profound impact on the development of modern industries.
On the other hand, when choosing a bioreactor fermenter, it is necessary to find a regular manufacturer with good reputation and strength, so as to ensure the quality of the product. Jiangsu Mike Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in 2008, is a focus on biological fermentation equipment research and development, production and sales of high-tech enterprises. Our company has a pilot fermentation platform, which is integrated with intelligence and automation, and has built a mature fermentation system, which can realize the optimization of pilot fermentation process, commissioning development of all process processes from pilot fermentation production to fermentation product separation and purification, and set up a doctor workstation and a modern laboratory.
Our company has a standardized production plant, with complete sets of equipment and tools required for installation, mainly including a variety of machine tools, automatic argon arc welding machine, automatic polishing machine, automatic cutting machine and flaw detection machine and other more than 60 sets of production and testing equipment, the production process all realize modern standard operation, to provide customers with more professional quality and technical support.