Differences between Batch, fed batch and continuous fermentation:-

Points Batch Fed batch Continuous

Definition Closed system where In fed-batch systems fresh In fed-batch systems fresh
all nutrients are present medium or medium medium or medium
at the start of the components are fed components are fed
fermentation continuously, continuously,
intermittently or are added intermittently or are added
as a single supplement as a single supplement
Volume Decreases with time as The volume of the batch the volume remains
substrate gets utilized increases with time. constant as spent medium
and The only further and cells are removed at
additions may be acids the same rate
or bases for pH
control, or gases (e.g.
aeration, if required).

Substrate Slow substrate Concentrated substrate Faster substrate utilization

utilization utilization rate utilization
application may be used to Can be used in the used for the production of
s produce biomass, production of amino single-cell protein, organic
primary metabolites acids,antibiotics, enzymes, solvents, starter cultures,
and secondary vitamins like Vit. B12, etc. used in the production
metabolites under Riboflavin , citric acid etc. of beer, fodder yeast,
cultural conditions vinegar, baker’s yeast, etc.
supporting the fastest In the industrial production
growth rate and of secondary metabolites
maximum growth (such as antibiotics from
would be used for a Penicillium or
biomass production. a Streptomyces sp.)

Advantage The advantages of The continuous fermenter There is an increased

s batch systems are that has its maximum use that production of bio-products
initial capital take long time to reach in fed-batch fermentations
expenditure is lower high productivity, reduces since the exponential and
and, if contamination down time and lowers the stationary phase of growth
occurs, it is relatively operating costs. is usually lengthened. A
simple to terminate fed-batch fermentation is
and restart a new useful in achieving high
fermentation cycle. concentration of products
 as a result of high
concentration of cells for a
relative large span of time
Disadvanta charging of the A cyclic fed-batch culture In the long-term
ges fermenter with fresh should be designed with cultivation process,
medium; • sterilization care to ensure that toxins sterility maintenance can
of the fermenter and are not accumulated to be tricky, and downstream
medium; • inoculation inhibitory levels and that processing can prove
of the fermenter; • nutrients other than those challenging.
production of incorporated into the fed Controlling the production
microbial products; • medium are not limited if of some non-growth-
harvesting of biomass many cycles are run. related products is not easy
and spent fermentation Higher costs in labor Because of this,
broth; • 6 cleaning of and/or dynamic process continuous culture often
the vessel control for the process. requires fed-batch
The quantities of culturing as well as
components to control continuous nutrient supply.
must be above the As a result of the viscosity
detection limits of the and heterogeneous nature
available measuring of the mixture, it may be
equipment. challenging to maintain
filamentous organisms.
If a faster-growing strain
overtakes the original
product strain, it may be
lost over time.