What is bioreactors
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| Bioreactor |
They are closed vessels or tanks that provide a controlled environment for the cultivation of living cells or organisms.
Bioreactors are used in industrial and research applications for the production of a wide range of products, including enzymes, antibiotics, antibodies, recombinant proteins, and vaccines.
They allow for precise control of environmental parameters such as temperature, gas composition, pH, and nutrient concentrations, which are critical for optimizing the growth and productivity of cells or organisms.
Types of bioreactors
Bioreactors are devices that are used to cultivate, grow and maintain biological cultures. There are different types of bioreactors available that can be used for various applications such as fermentation, cell culture, and enzymatic reactions. The following are the main types of bioreactors and their applications:
1. Batch Bioreactors:
- In these bioreactors, the cultivation is done in a single batch mode, and the reaction is controlled by adding nutrients, pH, and other vital factors.
- Once the batch is completed, the culture is harvested, and the bioreactor is cleaned for the next batch.
- This type of bioreactor is the most common and can be used for various applications like vaccine production, antibiotic production, and protein expression.
2. Continuous Bioreactors:
- In these bioreactors, the cultivation is done in a continuous mode, and the output is continuously removed, making room for the new growth of the bacteria.
- The continuous process results in a high yield of the product and saves time as well as resources.
- Continuous bioreactors are used for bioprocessing of large-scale applications such as biofuels, enzyme bioprocessing, and biochemically engineered products.
3. Perfusion Bioreactors:
- It is a type of continuous bioreactor in which fresh media is continuously supplied to the bioreactor, and the waste product is removed continuously.
- In this type of bioreactor, the culture grows in a steady-state, making it an ideal setup for cell and tissue culture research and applications.
4. Membrane Bioreactors:
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| A flow diagram of Membrane Bioreactor |
- These bioreactors use a semi-permeable membrane to separate the culture from the growth media.
- This type of bioreactor offers excellent mass transfer and eliminates the need for filtration, making it useful in various applications like wastewater treatment, membrane protein expression, and bioremediation.
5. Photobioreactors:
- These bioreactors use light as the primary energy source for photosynthetic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria.
- This type of bioreactor is used for the production of biofuels, chemicals, and nutritional supplements and can also be used for wastewater treatment.
How bioreactors work?
Bioreactors are devices that are used for the cultivation of living cells or microorganisms in a controlled environment. These devices are used in a wide range of applications, including the production of enzymes, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
The basic principle behind the functioning of a bioreactor is the provision of a suitable environment for the growth and proliferation of the target organism. This involves the provision of nutrients, oxygen, and other essential components necessary for the organism's survival and growth.
The bioreactor is typically a closed-container system that allows for the precise control of various environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration. The container is usually made of stainless steel or glass and equipped with sensors and probes for monitoring the various conditions inside the reactor.
The process of bioreactor operation typically involves several stages, including inoculation, growth, and harvesting. Initially, a small amount of the target organism is introduced into the bioreactor, along with a nutrient-rich medium. The organism is allowed to grow and divide until it reaches a sufficient density.
Bioreactors parts
1. Vessel or reactor chamber: This is the main body of the bioreactor where the biological reaction occurs. It is generally made of glass or stainless steel and contains a working volume of liquid or gas.
2. Agitation system: This is a component that aids in mixing the culture medium to ensure uniform distribution of nutrients and oxygen. It typically comprises a motor, impeller, and a shaft.
3. Aeration system: This is a system that delivers and regulates the supply of oxygen to the organisms during the fermentation process. It usually consists of a sparger , an air compressor, and a control system.
4. Temperature control system: This system regulates the temperature of the culture medium, which is important for the growth and survival of microorganisms. It is typically controlled using a heating and cooling system that maintains the desired temperature range.
5. pH control system: This system regulates the acidity of the culture medium using acid or base dosing pumps to maintain optimal growth conditions for the microorganisms.
6. Sensors and monitoring systems: These include various sensors that monitor the bioreactor environment, such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and pressure levels. Control systems are calibrated to adjust the parameters based on these readings.
7. Harvesting system: This is the mechanism for the removal of cells or products from the culture medium. It includes valves, pipes, and filters.
8. Sterilization system: This component sterilizes the bioreactor and the culture medium to eliminate or reduce the risk of contamination. It could be through an autoclave, filtration, or chemical sterilization process.
9. Media preparation system: This system prepares the culture medium, which is a mixture of nutrients necessary for the growth of microorganisms, for use in the bioreactor. It includes mixing and sterilization of materials.
10. Control and data acquisition system: This system regulates and monitors the operation of the various bioreactor systems and collects data for analysis and optimization. It comprises computer software, hardware, and controllers that integrate the different components of the bioreactor into a single unit.
Use of bioreactors
1. Biopharmaceutical production: Bioreactors are commonly used in the biopharmaceutical industry for the large-scale production of therapeutic proteins, antibodies, vaccines, and other biologics.
2. Environmental applications: Bioreactors can aid in the treatment of wastewater and contaminated soil by providing an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms that break down pollutants.
3. Food production: Bioreactors can be used in the production of food additives, enzymes, and flavorings.
4. Biofuels and biochemicals: Bioreactors play an essential role in the production of biofuels and biochemicals such as ethanol, biodiesel, and bioplastics.
5. Agricultural applications: Bioreactors can be used to produce high-quality plant and animal feeds, as well as to improve the efficiency of fermentation in the production of fermented food and beverages.
6. Medical research: Bioreactors can be used in medical research to culture cells and tissues for transplantation, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine applications.
7. Bioremediation: Bioreactors assist in the removal of toxic waste materials and hazardous pollutants from the environment through the use of specialized microorganisms.
8. Industrial biotechnology: Bioreactors can be used to enhance industrial fermentation processes used in the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biochemicals.
Overall, bioreactors offer a highly controlled and efficient means of producing a wide range of biologically-derived products, with applications in fields ranging from biotechnology to food and pharmaceutical production.
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