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Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
Comparative testing of tangential microfiltration for microbial cultures.
Ghinwa Naja1, Bohumil Volesky, Andre Schnell
1Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, Canada H3A 2B2.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|September 8, 2006
Summary
A novel self-cleaning tangential filtration device enhances bioprocesses by improving cell retention for bacteria and yeast. This filtration system boosts cell concentrations but faces challenges with filamentous fungi.
Area of Science:
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Separation Technology
Background:
- Extending and intensifying bioprocess productivity is crucial for industrial applications.
- Continuous-flow bioprocesses require efficient cell retention strategies.
- Tangential filtration offers potential for cell immobilization and enhanced bioprocess performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a self-cleaning tangential filtration device for cell retention in continuous-flow bioprocesses.
- To assess the performance of the filtration device with bacteria (Escherichia coli), yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and filamentous fungi (Aspergillus niger).
- To determine optimal operating parameters for maximizing filtration rates and cell accumulation.
Main Methods:
- A specialized bioreactor integrated with a self-cleaning tangential filtration device was utilized.
- Cell retention was evaluated under continuous-flow conditions for E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and A. niger.
- Performance metrics including filtration rates and cell accumulation were measured.
- The influence of filter rotational speed, operating pressure, cultivation time, and microfilter type (0.45-micron membrane vs. porous metallic) was investigated.
Main Results:
- The 0.45-micron membrane microfilter yielded the highest flux of cell-free filtrate for all tested cultures.
- Yeast (S. cerevisiae) and bacterial (E. coli) cell concentrations increased by 16-fold and 8-fold, respectively.
- Filamentous fungi (A. niger) cultivation showed declining filtration rates due to resistant microbial surface growth.
- Maximum steady-state flux was independent of operating pressure but improved up to 800 rpm rotational speed.
- Maximum attainable stabilized fluxes ranged from 26-40 L/m(2) x h.
Conclusions:
- The self-cleaning tangential filtration device is effective for enhancing cell retention and concentration in continuous-flow cultures of bacteria and yeast.
- Challenges remain in managing microbial surface growth for filamentous fungi, impacting filtration rates.
- The attainable flux limits the overall fermentation process, restricting feed and dilution rates.
- Further optimization is needed to overcome limitations for filamentous fungal cultivations and maximize bioprocess efficiency.
