Fermentation Pilot Plant Laboratory

Group Leader: Áron Németh PhD 

Website: https://f-labor.mkt.bme.hu/

Instagram: here

Competence map: here

Adress: Hungary 1111. Budafoki út 6-8. F. building FE. Ground floor.1.

Short introduction:

The “F” perfectly characterizes the group’s activities: The F-building (Protein) Fermentation, Processing, Pilot-Scale and Process Simulation Laboratory. Our main professional focus areas include industrial microbiology, enzymatic bioconversions, biochemical engineering, bioprocess technology, process optimization, process modeling and simulation, technology development based on process design, scale-up, and technology transfer. We are active in all three branches of biotechnology—red, white, and green—ranging from antibiotic fermentation and recombinant protein production to the de novo fermentation and bioconversion of platform chemicals, as well as the development of prebiotics, probiotics, and soil inoculants. Our equipment infrastructure supports upstream, midstream, and downstream development from 0.1 mL to 100 L scale, and we operate our own microbiology and analytical laboratories.

Our educational activities focus on: Biochemical Engineering Operations and Processes (lecture + lab), Industrial Microbiology (lecture + lab), Bioreactors and Engineering Practice (lecture + lab), Pharmaceutical Microbiology Laboratory, Biochemical Engineering Calculations and Design (practical course), Bioproduct Technology I and II (lecture)

Members: Miklós Pécs Phd, Bernadett Kiss PhD, Edina Eszterbauer, Pál Tóth, Jesse Sakiyo

Main research topics: 

We conduct a wide range of research across the fields of Red, White, and Green Biotechnology—from recombinant proteins and enzymes, through antibiotics and probiotics, to small molecules (such as organic acids and alcohols) and large molecules (e.g., ergosterol). We extensively study applied microbiology and develop production techniques and technologies. In some cases, we have developed enzyme-based bioconversion processes (e.g., 1,3-propanediol). Our group is primarily upstream-focused (from 0.1 mL to 300 L), but we are continuously expanding our downstream equipment portfolio as well (e.g., 10 L/h spray dryer, 200 L microfiltration unit, five types of centrifuges, etc.). We also participate in product development, ranging from cosmetics and probiotic beet juice to sweeteners and dietary supplements.