Bioprocessing and Nano-Enzyme Formulation Facility (BANEFF)

Université du Québec - Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Québec, Québec
What the facility does

Bioprocessing and nanoformulations to produce high-value and safe bioproducts

Areas of expertise

The Bioprocessing and Nano-Enzyme Formulation Facility (BANEFF) works in close collaboration with universities and the industrial sector for the testing and commercialization of different technologies of bioproduction, such as enzymes, biohydrogen, butanol, citric acid and fumaric acid. In addition to the regular laboratory equipment for specific uses and with supportive analytical facilities, BANEFF comprises principally three phases: fermentation, extraction and formulation. The facilities are accessible to universities, industries and government laboratories. The three-phase installations comprise a liquid-state fermenter, two solid-state fermenters, lyophilizer, incubator shaker, ultrafiltration system and nanospray dryer, along with spectrophotometer, autoclave, nanosizer and allied equipment. The installations comprise a platform for upstream bioprocessing, downstream bioprocessing and peripheral analytical equipment. There are different ways in which clients can use the BANEFF infrastructure: (1) getting complete training on the equipment and using it themselves in the laboratory; (2) through research contracts with INRS-ETE; and (3) enhancing the research and testing potential by collaborating with the professor through different research-grant mechanisms or direct research contracts.

To date, BANEFF has carried out the diverse activities through direct training and industry-university research collaborations. BANEFF has also worked in partnership to produce enzymes for the brewery industry, biopesticides, value addition of pomace into diverse enzymes, antioxidants and animal feed, enzymes for lipid extraction and green-food alternatives.

Research services

Fermentation: solid and liquid state, pre-treatment of wastes, screening of strains for high-performance production of bioproducts, extraction and purification of bioproducts, microformulation and nanoformulation of bioproducts, analysis of unknown metabolites, degradation by-products of organic compounds in the environment for complex matrices such as wastes, waste water, sludge and soils

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Energy (renewable and fossil)
  • Environmental technologies and related services

Specialized lab

Equipment

Function

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Liquid-state fermenter, including hydrogen and CO2 sensor and mechanical foam breaker and chiller units

For fermentation of different substrates coupled with the measurement of gases during aerobic and anaerobic fermentation

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Solid-state fermenter (rotating drum type), including in situ sterilization, measurement of moisture, pH and CO2

For fermentation of solid and semi-solid substrates with total solids concentration exceeding 80 g/L

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Autoclave for dry and liquid samples

Sterilization of dry and wet media for pure-strain fermentation and decontamination of petris/wastes

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Portable benchtop laminar-flow chamber

For strain isolation, plating and all microbiological assays

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Ultrasonication equipment

For pretreatment and breakdown of complex organic matter

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Phase contrast microscope

To assess contamination during fermentation and for general observation of microbial growth on petris

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Peristaltic pumps

For transfer of different substrates and fluids into the fermenter

Bioprocessing Laboratory

Nitrogen evaporator

To concentrate and dry precious bioproduct samples under nitrogen

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

Ultrafiltration equipment

For extraction and concentration of different components of fermentation broths

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

Ultrasonication

For extraction of intracellular material

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

Lyophilization

Freeze-drying of liquid samples for pre-formulations, analysis and storage

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

SDS-PAGE

For data profiling of different protein components in the extracted fermentation broths

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

Microfiltration

For filtration of different fermented broths for analysis

Downstream Bioprocessing Laboratory

Nanospray dryer

For nanoformulation of different types, such as encapsulation, powder and emulsion

Peripheral Analytical Laboratory

UV-Vis spectrophotometer, including microplate reader

For analysis of microbial growth, enzymes and chemicals

Peripheral Analytical Laboratory

Nanosizer, including autotitration and zeta potential measurements

For analysis of particle size in the nanometer range

Peripheral Analytical Laboratory

Water bath for incubation experiments during analysis

To facilitate reactions during analysis

Peripheral Analytical Laboratory

Accelerated extraction system, including high pressure

For extraction of organic compounds from complex matrices, such as waste water, wastes and soils

Peripheral Analytical Laboratory

Microwave extraction

For extraction of organic compounds in small volumes from solid and liquid media
  • La Barberie Inc.
  • Lallemand Inc.
  • Magnus Inc.
  • Aliments Breton Inc.

Title

URL
Satinder Kaur Brar http://www.ete.inrs.ca/satinder-kaur-brar

The fabulous destiny of waste

http://www.planete.inrs.ca/biovalorisation

Revolution in the charcuterie industry: spices such as cumin replace nitrites

http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/bien_dans_son_assiette/2012-2013/chronique.asp?idChronique=290…

Spices to replace nitrites in deli meats, what a great idea!

http://www.ete.inrs.ca/actualites/des-epices-pour-remplacer-les-nitrites-dans-les-charcuteries-quel…