Final answer:
Growing microbial cultures in a fermentor is advantageous as it allows control over pH, temperature, and aeration to optimize conditions for microbial growth. Parameters in a fermentor can be adjusted for microbial mass production or secondary metabolite production. This control is vital for successful fermentation processes in various industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is advantageous to grow microbial cultures in a fermentor because you can control the pH, the temperature, and the aeration; essentially, you can control all of the above features. In a fermentor, various parameters such as pH, temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels can be closely monitored and adjusted to optimize the conditions for microbial growth. This is crucial because microorganisms have specific environmental conditions that favor their growth. For instance, sustaining microbes in the logarithmic phase is preferred for microbial mass production, while the stationary phase is preferred for producing secondary metabolites like antibiotics.
Maintaining the optimal environment is crucial as it can influence the microbial growth rate, the yield of desired metabolites, and the overall success of fermentation processes, such as those employed in the production of pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and other bio-products. Control systems found in fermentors make it possible to carry out batch fermentation or fed-batch fermentation, achieving the desired growth phase for the specific product being produced.