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A simple rotating annular reactor for replicated biofilm studies.

J R Lawrence1, G D Swerhone, T R Neu

  • 1National Water Research Institute, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, S7N 3H5, Saskatchewan, Canada. John.Lawrence@ec.gc.ca

Journal of Microbiological Methods
|October 25, 2000
PubMed
Summary

A new, inexpensive lab-made rotating annular reactor cultivates river biofilms comparably to commercial systems. This cost-effective design enhances biofilm research by enabling more replicated studies.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Rotating annular reactors are crucial for studying river biofilm development.
  • Comparing commercial and custom-built reactors is essential for optimizing research methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the performance of a commercial rotating annular reactor with a custom-built laboratory system for river biofilm cultivation.
  • To evaluate biofilm characteristics including development, biomass, and exopolymer production.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized confocal laser scanning microscopy for microscale biofilm analysis.
  • Employed fluorescent nucleic acid staining, fluor conjugated lectins, and autofluorescence imaging.
  • Quantitatively and qualitatively assessed biofilm parameters.

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Main Results:

  • Both reactor types exhibited similar biofilm development patterns, thickness, bacterial biomass, and exopolymer production.
  • The non-commercial reactor showed significantly higher photosynthetic biomass due to its glass body compared to the commercial system's opaque polycarbonate cylinder.
  • The custom-built reactor proved to be a cost-effective alternative to the commercial system.

Conclusions:

  • A simple, inexpensive, custom-built rotating annular reactor can effectively cultivate river biofilms.
  • The developed reactor offers a viable, lower-cost alternative for biofilm research, facilitating replicated studies.
  • The findings support the wider adoption of accessible reactor designs in biofilm research.