Streptomyces coelicolor biofilm growth kinetics and oxygen mass transfer within a membrane gradostat bioreactor

Abstract

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009The main purpose of this study was to quantify the growth and oxygen mass transfer kinetic parameters of the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, immobilised on the external surface of a ceramic membrane in a continuously operated pressurised Membrane Gradostat Bioreactor (MGR). One of the most important and critical parameters required when studying biofilms, are the growth kinetics, as they can be utilised to model both the mass transfer and biological reactions occurring within the biofilm. Single fibre MGR's (SFMGR) were operated using a pneumatic system to supply humidified pressurised air to the extra capillary space (ECS) and pressurised growth medium to the lumen of the ceramic membrane. Two growth media; a complex growth medium, ISP2, and a defined growth medium, were tested and supplied to the lumen of the ceramic membrane in the dead-end mod