In the pharmaceutical industry, bacteria are used to produce antibiotics, vaccines and medically useful enzymes. The biotechnology industry uses bacterial cells for the production of biological substances that are useful to human existence, including fuels, foods, medicines, hormones, enzymes, proteins and nucleic acids, resulting in the development of human hormones such as insulin, enzymes such as streptokinase, and human proteins such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor. These products are used for the treatment of a various medical conditions and diseases, including diabetes, heart attack, tuberculosis, AIDS and SLE (lupus).
Cultivation, Processing, Harvesting
Starter cultures are derived from undefined, empirically produced species to attain an end-product with predictable and reproducible quality and quantity characteristics. The production of starter cultures can be divided into two sections.
After fermentation, the bacteria must be processed and separated from the fermentation solution, comprising the cultured micro-organisms and the remainder of the nutrient solution. First, the bacteria are separated from the liquid phase and concentrated: nozzle and self-cleaning steam-sterilizable disc separators are available for this step of the process.
The concentrated culture is then transferred to a freeze dryer (lyophilizer) and dried. Finally, the cultures are packaged under airtight conditions and stored at low temperatures.
Aseptic Processing
The careful treatment of the active culture, sterility and high separation efficiencies are prerequisites for the economical, reliable and efficient processing of bacterial starter cultures. As such, separators from GEA are equipped with hydrohermetic product feed systems that minimize the shear forces experienced when the product enters the bowl, which maintains the viability of the cells.
Products & Technologies
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Aseptic valves & components
Aseptic valves face exceptionally high demands within UltraClean and Aseptic processes. You can be assured that they all provide highest quality in terms of hygienic design and sustainability.
Centrifugal Separator
GEA separators are designed for liquid-based applications. Using centrifugal force, they are used for separating suspensions consisting of two or more phases of different densities, i.e. they can be used for liquid-liquid separation, for liquid-liquid-solid separation or for liquid-solid separation. They are equally as effective at separating liq...
CIP/SIP Solutions
Innovative CIP concepts of GEA meet comprehensive high standards. Our experts guarantee product safety at every point of the process. Every upgrade is adapted to individual local conditions and customer requirements and leads to noticeable savings.
Homogenizer Compression Block
GEA compression heads are the homogenizer pulsing core since they activate the homogenization process pumping the product at high pressure until it flows inside the homogenizing valve.
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GEA Insights
The breakthrough that changed spray drying
In 1976, NIRO engineers responded to a competitive challenge by rethinking what spray drying could do. Their idea became the multi-stage dryer MSD. Fifty years later, the same fundamental principle helps turn liquids into the powders used in essential nutrition products and important medicines around the world. Refined through decades of engineering expertise, customer insight and continuous development, MSD is a story of innovation with lasting impact.
Beyond the machine: unlocking better plant performance
An efficient machine does not automatically make an efficient factory. Real improvement often starts by looking beyond individual equipment and understanding how processes, energy systems and operating decisions affect one another. It’s a holistic approach designed to uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
How a valve reshapes the way food and drinks are made
In food and beverage plants, valves are commonly operated using compressed air. GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology moves valves with water instead, in a closed, digitally controlled circuit. The result is a valve that can be held exactly in place and steered in fine-tuned steps. This results in lower energy use and greater control.
