Design of a novel Couette flow bioreactor to study the growth of fungal microorganism

Cultivations using Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 were performed in a 5-l Couette flow bioreactor (CFB) which was designed and built to perform experiments in batch and continuous modes. Process parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature were measured and controlled without disturbing the shear profile inside the bioreactor. Effect of shear on the growth, protein production and morphology was studied by performing runs at 100, 200, 300 and 400 rpm. At higher shear rates, lower protein production rate and activity, and higher rate of fragmentation were observed. Also, the cell thickness decreased with increasing speed, going from 8.3 μm for the experiment at 100 rpm to 4.3 μm at 400 rpm. The effect of substrate, lactose (an inducer) or glucose, was investigated by switching the feed medium during the two runs performed at 300 and 400 rpm. The novel design of the CFB used in the present study includes a large volume that allows growing larger size microorganisms (e.g. fungi) and permits larger sampling volumes without affecting the cultivation. It also has the ability to carry out experiments for long periods of time, both in batch and continuous modes.