Due to limited visibility of substrates and microorganisms, lack of agitation, and the absence of non-destructive monitoring approaches, scaling up solid-state fermentation (SSF) is challenging, especially in achieving homogeneous fermentation conditions and consistent product quality. To date, the success of large-scale SSF has been limited to specific substrates and microorganisms, with fermentation conditions and setups determined empirically and not fully applicable to new process development with variations in the composition of the substrate and fungal physiology.
Myco4food aims to develop innovative platform technology to address these challenges in large-scale SSF. Our technology comprises two major components:
1. Novel Bioreactor Design: This includes advanced sensors and control units to achieve comprehensive acquisition of fermentation data, homogeneous fermentation conditions, and effective microclimate control.
2. Backend System: This system processes data collected during SSF to predict fungal physiological variables and adjust operational parameters through AI-assisted control system in a real-time manner to optimize fermentation performance and minimize production of unwanted metabolites or sporulation.
Our modular design allows customization to meet the requirements of different processes, providing enhanced compatibility and scalability.
GUDP project – Demonstration
Myco4food has joined a Danish green technology and demonstration project focused on developing mycoprotein-based food ingredients from the solid-state fermentation of brewer’s spent grain. In this project, Myco4food is responsible for scaling up the solid-state fermentation process and optimizing fermentation conditions for downstream processing. Our customized solution overcomes the barriers in upcycling brewer’s spent grain and ensures good operational safety and compliance with food production standards.