Establish batch or fed-batch fermentations for S. thermophilus, optimizing pH control, temperature, carbohydrate feed, and dissolved oxygen to balance acidification rate, viable counts, and EPS output. We parameterize lactose flux, growth kinetics, and post-acidification behavior to deliver a robust, transferable bioprocess suitable for diverse matrices and downstream formulation.
Translate S. thermophilus from shake flasks into 5–20 L reactors with seed-train design, inoculation strategy, and scale-down controls. We deliver frozen or lyophilized pilot lots with full batch records and release testing, enabling realistic stability, co-culture, and application studies ahead of tech transfer to larger assets.
Engineer protective systems for S. thermophilus—carbohydrate carriers, amino acids, and buffered salt blends—to maximize viability through processing, storage, and gastric/bile stress simulations. We match excipient profiles to target use conditions and intended dose forms (powders, capsules, fermented foods), enabling consistent function after rehydration and mixing.
Screen lyophilization and spray-drying parameters for S. thermophilus, control moisture/aw to minimize post-process viability loss, and compare cryo/lyoprotectant combinations for fidelity to starting populations. Build accelerated and real-time stability protocols, model decay kinetics, and establish label-ready shelf-life claims for RUO materials.
Implement standardized QC for S. thermophilus: viable counts, purity and contaminant monitoring, strain ID by 16S/WGS, lactose hydrolysis and acidification kinetics, and EPS quantification. We author fit-for-purpose specifications, in-process controls, and release criteria to lock in batch-to-batch reproducibility and traceability across your program.
Map S. thermophilus utilization of lactose, galactose, and select oligosaccharides, recording acidification curves, endpoints, and metabolic signatures. We resolve strain-level galactose phenotypes, lac operon behavior, and substrate preferences to guide media design, synbiotic pairing, and co-culture ratios with companion starters.
Profile S. thermophilus for EPS generation, bacteriocin-like activity (e.g., thermophilin family), acid/bile tolerance, and stress resilience. For dairy-use cases, we include co-fermentation readouts with L. bulgaricus to capture real-world performance, viscosity contributions, and post-acidification tendencies that impact product quality.
Use in-vitro epithelial models to assess S. thermophilus adhesion, mucin binding, barrier-related metrics (e.g., TEER), and secreted-metabolite impacts. Results contextualize safety/function studies and help prioritize strains for further evaluation in integrated gut-model systems. Optional co-culture designs explore community-level effects with lactobacilli or bifidobacteria.
