Understanding and controlling detrimental bioreactor biofilms.
Unintentional biofilm formation within a bioreactor can have serious detrimental effects on bioreactor performance. These range from the obvious (reduced heat-transfer efficiency, increased frictional resistances, and fouling of internal diagnostic probes) to the more subtle (atypical econiches, species- or strain-specific adhesion, and inaccurate estimates of culture stoichiometric and kinetic parameters). Detection and control of unwanted biofilm formation in bioreactors are also considered.
Center for Biochemical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27706.
J D
JD
Bryers
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured