Laboratory completed full research cycle

As part of cooperation with one of the Russian plants for advanced grain processing, specialists from our laboratory conducted a comprehensive study of the possibility of using β-starch hydrolysates as a substrate for the industrial production of amino acids.

Within the framework of the project the following were completed:

1. Incoming control of raw materials:
   A comprehensive analytical assessment of the incoming raw materials was carried out: the composition of dry matter, the content of starch, protein and related components was determined. This made it possible to accurately predict the potential of the substrate for biotechnological processing.
2. During the work, hydrolysis modes were tested, enzyme preparations were selected, the composition of the nutrient medium was optimized, and various strategies for conducting the process were investigated.
3. Research on fermentation processes:
   • Fermentation experiments in flasks - for the initial assessment of substrate bioconversion and selection of optimal cultivation conditions.
   • Fermentations in pilot bioreactors - to scale up the process and obtain data applicable to industrial conditions.
4. Calculation of material balance and economic assessment
   Based on the results of the experiments, a detailed material balance of production was calculated. Based on the obtained technological data, financial modeling of the investment project was carried out with the determination of key economic indicators:
   • CAPEX— volume of capital investments (equipment, construction and installation work, infrastructure);
   • OPEX— structure of operating costs (raw materials, chemicals, energy resources, payroll);
   • IRR— internal rate of return;
   • NPV— net present value of the project;
   • Payback period.

   The data obtained allowed us to form an objective picture of the investment attractiveness of the project and prepare well-founded recommendations for the customer.

The study confirmed that β-starch hydrolysates can serve as a source of carbohydrates for fermentation processes - the producing strain effectively assimilates the resulting glucose.

At the same time, it was found that the compositional features of this substrate impose certain restrictions on the characteristics of the final product. These data formed the basis for recommendations to the customer regarding the advisability of further development of the technology and preparation of a feasibility study.

This project demonstrates the full range of services that our laboratory is ready to offer to enterprises in the biotechnology and processing industries:

• Incoming control and analytical assessment of raw materials
• Laboratory fermentations
• Calculation of material balances
• Technical and economic assessment of projects
• Financial modeling and calculation of investment indicators
• Preparation of recommendations for making investment decisions

We are open to cooperation and ready to conduct similar research for your organization. Based on the results of laboratory tests, you will receive detailed technological data and consumption rates for all production components, which will allow you to calculate the economics of the project taking into account the conditions of your enterprise.