# Bioreactors: Applications and Innovations for a Sustainable and Healthy Future--A Critical Review
## 6 Recent Advances in Bioreactor Applications
### Food Production
Anticipated trends point towards the increasingly sophisticated integration of sensors and automation, ushering in an era of real-time monitoring and \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l} \hline \hline
**Bioreactor** & **Capacity** & **Characteristics** \\ \hline \multirow{7}{*}{Static flat table type (also known as tent type, ventilated box type, and “Castan” type)} & \multirow{7}{*}{100–1500 kg} & Interior ventilation/Forced aeration; \\  & & Tray-type bioreactor; \\  & & Substrate layer thickness (Koji bed depth): 5–7 cm; \\  & & This type of bioreactor provides better substrate aeration and heat \\  & & transference/regulation throughout the thick substrate mass; \\  & & Tray-type bioreactor with multistage system; \\  & & Substrate layer thickness (Koji bed depth): 15 cm (stage 1), 3–6 cm (stage 2); \\  & & Due to the multistage system, this bioreactor can perform the fermentation \\  & & Process in a static bed in the first 24 h, because the growth of the inoculum \\  & & does not require high aeration; \\  & & There is no excessive heat emission during the process; after the growth of the \\  & & inoculum on the substrate, it is distributed in a thin layer through a conveyor system that operates intermittently to mix and redistribute it; \\  & & Currently, few industries use this system due to the greater possibility of \\  & & contamination and its more sophisticated configuration that increases costs; \\  & & Application: Sake and Ginjo/Daiginjo. \\  & & Non-ventilated; \\  & & Tray-type bioreactor; \\  & & Substrate layer thickness (Koji bed depth): 3–6 cm; \\  & & In this type of bioreactor, there is a homogeneous distribution of the heat \\  & & generated in the system during the fermentation process; \\  & & Easy-to-clean bioreactor; \\  & & Application: Sake and Ginjo/Daiginjo. \\  & & Interior ventilation/Forced aeration; \\  & & Drum-type bioreactor; \\  & & The configuration allows for on-site substrate sterilization; temperature \\  & & regulation for substrate cooking; substrate agitation during the fermentation \\  & & process, improving aeration and homogenization; \\  & & This type of bioreactor has been less used in recent years; \\  & & Application: Miso. \\  & & Interior ventilation/Forced aeration; \\  & & Substrate layer thickness (Koji bed depth): 15–60 cm; \\  & & Facilitates loading and distribution of Koji; \\  & & Distribution of Koji in a uniform layer; \\  & & Features its own air treatment unit; \\  & & Bioreactor for the Koji process most commonly used on an industrial scale; \\  & & Application: Shochu, Shoyu, Miso, and Sake. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 5: Some types of industrial bioreactors used in the Koji process and their main characteristics. control. These advancements promise heightened precision and efficiency, not only in the production of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, bolstering global healthcare capabilities, but also for other biotechnological products, such as biofuels and food. Moreover, sustainability is poised to drive innovation in bioreactor design, with a growing emphasis on eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient processes. The advent of disposable bioreactors, designed for minimal environmental impact and recyclability, underscores a shift towards greener biotechnological practices. This aligns with broader societal demands for sustainable solutions across industrial sectors. Looking beyond industry impacts, the democratization of biotechnology is foreseen as barriers to entry lower, facilitating broader participation from startups and small enterprises. This democratization fosters a diverse ecosystem of innovation, potentially unlocking novel applications and solutions that cater to a wide array of societal needs. In essence, the future trajectory of bioreactor systems envisions a transformative role in global biotechnology, characterized by sustainability, precision, and accessibility.