Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4997537 Bioresource Technology 2017 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

•Microfluidic perfusion bioreactor is designed for secondary metabolite production.•Continuous supply of low concentration of nutrient permits microbes to grow at a minimum rate.•Low nutrient allows same level of metabolite production compared to depleted condition.•Stable feed of low level of nutrient is an effective way to enhance total TAG yield.

Nutrient deprivation in a batch process induces microbes to produce secondary metabolites while drastically constraining cellular growth. A microfluidic continuous perfusion system was designed and tested to culture microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, under constant nutrient concentration slightly lower than normal condition. When cultured in 7.5%/7.5% of NH4+/PO42−, C. reinhardtii showed a 2.4-fold increase in TAG production with a 3.5-fold increase in biomass compared to level obtained under an only NH4+ depleted condition. The microfluidic continuous perfusion bioreactor with steady continuous nutrient flow can be used to optimize conditions for enhancing secondary metabolite production and increasing microbial biomass.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology
Authors
, , ,