Multi-sample fermentor and method of using same

A fermentor head for multiple sample fermentation, the fermentor head comprising:

• (a) a dispensing plate that comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion and the top portion are joined together such that a hollow space exists between the top portion and the bottom portion;
• (b) an array of sample vessel areas located in a bottom surface of the bottom portion, which sample vessel areas each comprise a recess and are positioned to correspond to an array of sample vessels;
• (c) an array of cannulas that are in fluid communication with the hollow space and protrude from a bottom surface of the dispensing plate through the sample vessel areas;
• and
• (e) a gas inlet in fluid communication with the hollow space for delivering gas into a plurality of sample vessels via the cannulas during fermentation.

A method of fermenting a plurality of samples, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a plurality of sample vessels into a transportable container frame, which container frame maintains the sample vessels in an array;
• (b) placing the plurality of samples into the plurality of sample vessels;
• (c) attaching a fermentor head to the container frame, which fermentor head comprises an array of cannulas, wherein the array of cannulas corresponds to the array of sample vessels and is inserted into the sample vessels;
• (d) fermenting the samples in the sample vessels, which fermenting comprising simultaneously delivering a gas to the samples via the array of cannulas.

A method of processing a plurality of fermentation samples, the method comprising:

• (a) fermenting a plurality of fermentation samples in a plurality of sample vessels, resulting in a plurality of fermented samples;
• (b) robotically transporting the sample vessels containing the fermented samples to a centrifuge head;
• and
• (c) centrifuging the fermented samples in the same sample vessels in which the fermentation was performed.