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.
Bryers
J D
JD
Center for Biochemical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27706.
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured