Fermentation Cooling: A Vital Element in Industrial Processes

Cooling is an essential part of the fermentation process, particularly when it comes to industrial processes to make various fermented foods and drinks and to make fermented products such as ethanol, citric acid, and acetic acid. Learn what industrial fermentation is and how the cooling process is important to fermentation in industrial processes below.

What is Industrial Fermentation?

Industrial fermentation refers to the intentional use of fermentation when it comes to industrial or manufacturing processes. Industrial fermentation is key to making noted fermented foods (such as cheese) and drinks (such as beer). It is also key to making key commodity chemicals in the chemical industry, including citric acid, acetic acid, and ethanol. Additionally, industrial fermentation is key to the successful production of chemically produced industrial enzymes and biomass (including starter cultures for lactic acid bacteria that are needed in cheesemaking, as well as baker’s yeast).

How is Cooling Important in Industrial Fermentation?

Cooling is important in the industrial fermentation process because fermentation is an exothermic process; this means that the process produces heat. Too much heat over time during this process can lead to less-than-ideal conditions for the microorganisms and the relevant enzymes. If this occurs, protein denaturation and cell death will result, leading to either fewer enzymes usable for the aforementioned industrial processes or none at all, thereby sabotaging the entire industrial process.

Therefore, cooling is important in the industrial fermentation due to the fact that the microorganisms must be in ideal conditions for as long as possible in order to produce the required enzymes needed to manufacture foods such as cheese, drinks such as beer, and chemicals such as citric acid, acetic acid, and ethanol. Without the proper cooling, the fermentation process would lead to the destruction of the enzymes that are needed for the production of these vital foods, drinks, and chemicals.

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