Immobilisation and biofilm development of Phanerochaete chrysosporium on polysulphone and ceramic membranes

The highest attachment and immobilisation of spores were observed on the capillary membranes with less on the tubular ceramic membranes. On average biofilm thicknesses of 1140 μm were developed on the 3 μm capillary ceramic membrane, 830 μm on the capillary polysulphone membrane, 400 μm on the 3 μm tubular ceramic membrane with only 40 μm on the 0.2 μm tubular ceramic membrane. Continuous LiP and MnP enzyme production was achieved with both the polysulphone and capillary ceramic membrane reactors and no activity was detected with the tubular ceramic membrane reactors. However, for day-to-day operation of the reactor, the ceramic membranes were more rigid, mechanically stable and could be chemically and steam cleaned for re-use.