F-Labor Research Group
Research keywords:
· Applied microbiology
· fermentation
· bioprocess development
· scale up
· process simulation
· techno-economic assessment
Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science
Introduction of the Research Group
The name of the group relies on the Hungarian name of our activities all starting with F, but also we are located in building F as well as our focus is on Fermentation, as we are Fermentation Pilot Plant. We make many different types of research both on Red-, White-, and Green biotechnology, starting from recombinant protein/enzymes through antibiotics and probiotics including small molecules (like organic acids, alcohols) as well as large ones (like ergosterol). Our focus is on applied microbiology and manufacturing techniques/processes are developed. In some cases enzymatic bioconversion based processes are also investigated (like 1,3-propanediol). The research group is basically upstream focused (from 0.1ml up to 300L), but our downstream capacities are continuously expanded (like having a 10L/h spray drier, microfilter for 200L,
Watch our 3-minute introductory video:
Achievements
- Establishing a coenzyme regenerating glycerol bioconversion into 1,3-propanediol and 1,3dihydroxyaceton simultaneously with disproportion- Elaborating large scale wheat and sweet sorghum based lactic acid bioprocess
- Utilization of heterotrophic fermented algae cultures in agriculture
- Development of fermented cosmetic ingredients
- Production of biodetergents
- Biotechnological production of sweeteners (erythritol, steviol-glycosides)
Publications
Réka Czinkóczky, Áron Németh: Techno-economic assessment of Bacillus fermentation to produce surfactin and lichenysin, BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL online first: p. 107719. (DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107719) Gréta Sztancs, Lilla Juhász, József Balázs Nagy, Áron Németh, Selim Asmaa, André Anita, József András Tóth, Péter Mizsey, Dániel Fózer: Co-Hydrothermal gasification of Chlorella vulgaris and hydrochar: The effects of waste-to-solid biofuel production and blending concentration on biogas generation, BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 302: p. 122793. (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122793) Balázs József Nagy, Réka Czinkóczky, Áron Németh: Screening for the Heterotrophic Cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana Using an Indirect Impedance Microbiological Technique, PERIODICA POLYTECHNICA-CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (online first) (https: //doi.org/10.3311/PPch.12864)Kata Hetényi, Kinga Gál, Áron Németh, Béla Sevella: Use of sweet sorghum juice for lactic acid fermentation: preliminary steps in a process optimization, JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 85: (6) pp. 872-877. (https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.2381)
Nemeth A, Sevella B: Development of a new bioprocess for production of 1,3-propanediol I. Modeling of glycerol bioconversion to 1,3-propanediol with Klebsiella pneumoniae enzymes , APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 144: (1) pp. 47-58. (DOI: 10.1007/s12010-007-0040-5)
Patents
Dr. Balogh, István ; Dr. Németh, Áron; Nagy, Balázs József Mainly heterotrophic microalgae biostimulator foliar fertilizer and bioeffector soil conditioner and process for its production, P1700327, Submission: 2017, acceptance: 2021.Awards
2002. "Young Biotechnologists Level Award" of the Bioengineering Working Committee of the Hungarian Biochemical Association and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; 2005. "Best young speaker" award for the lecture given at the 2004 general assembly of the Hungarian Microbiological Society; 2020. Lajos Fodor awardJournals
Day of Chemical engineering, Annual meeting of Hungarian Microbiology Association, Central European Forum for Microbiology, Periodica Polytechnica, Acta AlimentariaInfrastructure
Lab and pilot scale fermentors (0.15L-0.3L-1L-2L-10L-25L-250L), microfilter for 200L, 10L/h spray dryer, lyophilisator equipment, chromatographs (HPLC, GC, FPLC), autoclaves (10L -80L-200L)Projects
1) Pilot-scale remediation of a sample contaminated with mineral oil (Corax, 2016)2) Completion of industrial research related to the GINOP 2.1.1-15-033 tender: Sub-task 3 - Research establishing the development of fermentation products ( Corax, 2017)
3) Completion of the experimental development related to the GINOP 2.1.1-15-04 application: Sub-task 4 - Development of production and application technology for fermentation products (Corax, 2017)
4) Recombinant E.coli flask and 20L test fermentations, production optimization (Diagon, 2017)
5) "Development of an integrated agricultural production, storage, processing and logistics system for sugar sorghum" (NKTH-TTIJM08).