A rotating bioreactor for the production of biofilms at the solid-air interface

Conventional bioreactors are typically developed for the production of planktonic bacteria or submerged biofilms. In contrast, reactors for the continuous production of biofilms at the solid-air interface are scarce, and they require specific conditions since the bacteria need to attach firmly to the surface and require a permanent supply of moisture and nutrients from below. Recently, research from the field of civil engineering has pinpointed an increased need for the production of terrestrial biofilms: several variants of Bacillus subtilis biofilms have been shown to be useful additives to mortar that increase the water repellency, and, thus, the lifetime of the cementitious material. The bioreactor introduced here allows for the continuous production of such bacterial biofilms at the solid-air interface, and they have virtually identical properties as biofilms cultivated via classical microbiological techniques. This is made possible by equipping a rotating cylinder with a porous membrane that acts as a solid growth substrate the bacterial biomass can form on. In this configuration, nutrient supply is enabled via diffusive transport of a suitable growth medium from the core volume of the cylindrical reactor to the membrane surface. In addition to cultivating bacterial biofilms, the versatile and adaptable set up introduced here also enables the growth of other microbial organisms including the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum.

Automated summary

Conventional bioreactors are often used for planktonic bacteria or submerged biofilms, while reactors for biofilm production at the solid-air interface are rare. However, recent research in civil engineering has highlighted the increased demand for terrestrial biofilm production due to their ability to enhance water repellency and the lifespan of cementitious materials. This article introduces a new type of bioreactor that enables continuous production of bacterial biofilms at the solid-air interface, which have nearly identical properties to biofilms cultivated using classical microbiological techniques. Furthermore, this versatile setup also allows for the growth of other microbial organisms, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and Penicillium chrysogenum fungus.