Objective
The primary goal of this internship assignment is to develop a suitable bacterial starter culture aimed at promoting the fermentation of plant material. The focus is on releasing more active compounds during the fermentation process.
Background
The Valorization Lab VARTA is committed to the valorization of green waste streams from the horticulture and greenhouse sectors. These waste streams usually end up in compost bins, where they quickly decay, significantly reducing the quality of potential products derived from them. To upgrade these green waste streams, it is essential to preserve them. Fermentation offers an energy-efficient approach to achieve this.
Task Description
- Starter Culture Development: Identify and develop various bacterial starter cultures that can achieve specific goals during the fermentation process. These goals include breaking down unwanted substances and promoting the production of desired compounds.
- Starter Culture Cultivation: Once the composition of the starter culture has been determined, you are expected to develop a suitable method to cultivate it. Sustainability and efficiency should be considered in this process.
- Development of a Marketable Product: Develop a method to package the developed starter culture as a marketable product in powder form in a convenient jar. The product should be practical and easy to use for growers.
Expected Results
- Documented development of various starter cultures.
- Efficient method for cultivating the selected starter culture.
- Marketable packaging of the starter culture, suitable for use in nurseries.
Who Are We Looking For?
We are looking for an enthusiastic intern who fits well into our dynamic team. As an intern, it is important that you are skilled in working under sterile conditions and have experience with microbiology. Being able to work independently with a flexible approach is essential in our team. Experience with fermentation and working with bioreactors is a plus, but not a requirement. This internship offers you the opportunity to be involved in our research on the valorization of waste streams from horticulture and agriculture, especially if you are interested in the green sector and contributing to sustainable solutions. We are looking for a motivated intern who wants to work with us on innovative solutions and further develop their knowledge. Internship period: February 2025 – July 2025.