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A complete system for developing emerging foods

| By Mary Page Bailey and Gerald Ondrey

Unveiled at Anuga FeedTec trade fair (Cologne, Germany; April 26–29), the Mobile Test Center (photo) for new food applications is now available for rent, purchase or for use on this company’s premises. This fully equipped, pilot-scale process line for cell cultivation or fermentation can be individually configured to bridge the gap between laboratory work and demonstration plants. Using the test center, users are able to not only determine parameters ranging from cell viability through mass balance to yield, but also to efficiently design processes and develop a future-proof business model for subsequent commercial production. The MTC provides a new way of delivering proof-of-concept for cellular agriculture, without the need to invest in a full pilot plant to facilitate the process of scaling up to commercial cell-based manufacturing. Instead, users can apply the MTC to study cell cultures and microbes, as well as improve fermentation strategy, modify formulas, alter growth media and ingredients, plus tweak process parameters to increase yield and repeatability. The MTC comprises eight industry-approved, food-grade technologies, including multifunctional fermenters or bioreactors, as well as equipment for mixing, heat treatment, homogenization, separation and filtration. — GEA AG, Düsseldorf, Germany

www.gea.com