Precision Fermentation

Overview

Modern industrial biotechnology relies heavily on fermentation for applications in food, medicine, water, the environment, energy, and building. The chemical change of any organic matter by microbial metabolism, mediated by a variety of enzymes, is known as fermentation.

Recently, the term "precision fermentation" has become popular to describe fermentation processes that are optimized using specifically engineered microbial hosts as "cell factories" to produce high-value functional food ingredients with high yields and purity, such as vitamins, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, and antioxidants. “Precision” describes the capacity to manage the process with accuracy, ranging from genetically modifying microbes to optimizing fermentation conditions. 

Prioritizing sustainability, Esco Aster supports the development of eco-friendly alternatives that meet market demands while significantly reducing ecological footprints. We take pride in developing precision fermentation services that represents a game-changing paradigm in manufacturing, utilizing microorganisms to craft an array of products– medications, vaccines, plant-based food substitutes and more!

Precision Fermentation of Dairy Proteins

One way of producing animal-free milk especially casein or whey proteins is through precision fermentation. It involves a five-step process: (1) genetic engineering, (2) cell growth, (3) protein production by the cells, (4) purification (downstream processing), and finally the food product.

Through precision fermentation, we create an avenue for creating sustainable and ethical alternatives to conventional dairy farming. Esco Aster’s cutting edge facility is now enhanced to an impressive 8,000L capacity enabling the production of diverse range of complementary proteins, one of which is milk protein.

Pheromones as Natural Pest Control: A Product of Precision Fermentation

Some of the most aggressive pests of agriculture are insect larvae. According to statistics, farmers worldwide use more than 400,000 tons of insecticide annually. These pesticides can harm farm workers and may cause collateral damage to pollinators and other wildlife. Meanwhile, insects have already evolved resistance to many pesticides, forcing our farmers to apply even more.

However, there is a growing trend of regulating these pesticides due to public concerns about insecticide residues in food and potential adverse effects on biodiversity. With a non-toxic target mode of action, utilization of pheromones are a unique way of an effective pest and resistance management. Their application in agriculture equips farmers with a radically different and highly sustainable form of insect control, helping optimize crop yield. These in turn preserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem balance.

 Pheromone Production Workflow