A solid-state bioreactor coupled with forced aeration and pressure oscillation

A novel design of a solid-state bioreactor, operated with periodic pressure oscillation coupled with forced aeration through the medium, gave efficient control of temperature. The evaluation of the bioreactor assembly with respect to temperature and cellulase production by Penicillium decumbens JUA10 showed that, at 4 atm and the bed depth of 6 cm, the maximal temperature variation in the reactor was +1.5 degreesC at a set value of 30 degreesC compared with +6.8 degreesC in a static tray system. The highest cellulase and beta-glucosidase activities were 15 IU g(-1) and 51 IU g(-1) substrate dry matter at 96 h, respectively, while only 10 IU g(-1) and 24 IU g(-1) were obtained in the static tray culture system.