FHM-21806 Food Fermentation

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

FHM-20306 Food Microbiology, FPE-20306 Food Process Engineering.

Continuation courses:

FHM-30806 Advanced Fermentation Science.

Contents:

This course provides theory and application of micro-organisms and enzymes during the preparation of fermented foods. Theoretical background aspects of functional micro-organisms (lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds), their behavior as fermentation starters, process engineering aspects of the formation of biomass and products, and of modern biotechnology in food fermentation will be dealt with. In addition, applied aspects (commodity technologies) and skills (laboratory fermentations, interaction between theory and practice) are part of the course. The practical class consists of modules dealing with beer fermentation, dairy (yoghurt) fermentation, and computer aided simulations giving insight into important parameters and orders of magnitude.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to:
- understand the role of fermentation microorganisms in major food fermentations;
- understand the (bio)chemical activities and conversions that take place during fermentations, and their impact on quality and safety;
- be able to carry out and understand simple calculations on stoichiometry, microbial growth & transfer processes during food fermentations;
- able to carry out food fermentation processes and monitor their progress by measurements and analyses.

Activities:

The activities consist of :
- formal lectures;
- laboratory classes:
- computer simulations;
- written and oral presentations on three thematic subjects: lactic acid fermentation, alcoholic fermentation and fungal solid state fermentation.

Examination:

The final grade is based on:
- performance during the laboratory-class and report (40%);
- a written open-book theory examination (60%) to be passed with at least 5.5.

Literature:

Combined hand-outs covering the lectures and a guide book for laboratory classwork will be available at the WUR-shop.
Background information will be made available via Blackboard.