We may start a new project in the lab using bioreactors for growing bacteria. We have never worked with such instruments before and we are wondering about what are some interesting choices for entry-level equipment that you know / have worked with?
The following specs would be much appreciated:
- Volume of operation: around 1L
- Continuous and discontinuous operation (batch, fed-batch & continuous)
- Reusable, autoclavable
- Measurements: Temp, Optical Density or metabolic rate, pH
- Any kind of mixing that works really
(BONUS QUESTION: do you know of any piston flux, small scale [1L], bioreactor?)
I would suggest you get vendors in and have them present the equipment. You may also find that surplus lab equipment may fit your needs.
I am working with BIOSTAT A plus (SARTORIUS)http://www.sartorius.es/es/productos/bioprocesos/biorreactores-fermentadores
As per my experience, NEW BRUNSWICK are cheap one and of medium quality
APPLIKON fermenters are medium range price with good quality and BIO ENGINNERING are costly with good quality. All three are good depending on your cost and service available there. NB service was bad in India.
Thanks guys for your suggestions, I'm piling up companies that might be interesting to check up! I think I'll just go ahead and simply ask for brochures & pricings to every single one of them.
Another interesting issue that I didn't bring up before is "What is your experience with after sales services of those companies?" Are you ok with the manteinance / warranties policies of your particular supplier?
Thanks again in advance for taking the time to answer this question, any bit of experience is invaluable! Salva
I use NewBrunswick, they are now part of Eppendorf. Technical assistance is good in Italy.
Dear colleague,
Your suggestion was my first approach to the problem, yet what I got were tabulated specs and prices. User experience is much more relevant since, I think, everybody wants to make their product look better and more adequate than the competition. Besides, you might know some unconventional approach I never considered...
Anyway, thank you for taking the time to answer. Salva
We use standard 1-liter three necked bottles with pressure transducers OxiTop® Control AN6/AN12 from WTW http://www.wtw.de/en/products/lab/bodrespiration/depletionrespiration.html equipped with self-constructed ports for gas and liquid sampling. The growth curve can be taken from pressure change, reflecting either oxygen depletion (aerobic growth) or methane, CO2 and H2 generation (anaerobic growth). The bottles are placed into thermostated laboratory shakers instead of using magnetic stirrers recommended by WTW . Quite cost effective and simple method for batch experiments.
Even these days you can go for mini bioreactors (250 ml up to 1000 ml) system, but cost might be the issue. In case of autoclvable, you had wide variety such as NBS, CelliGen, Sartorius, Applikon etc.
Hi Salva,
we had the small laboratory fermenter KLF (Bioengineering, Switzerland) and were very satisfied with this system for cultivating Bacteria in Liter scale. It can do everything you asked for and much more depending on configuration (and price). A big plus for us was that you can sterilize it in place and don't block autoclave space.
If you guys are more adventurous and perhaps into DIY, check out the Bioreaktor from Open Biolabs Graz Austria (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CBj74Dhp58A/WfvDJfDRn6I/AAAAAAAACuE/KGqdCwXtd0A7Mu3atTI37oew7GwFoTG9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Bioreaktor.jpg).
Much more affordable and potentially customizable. It currently offers controllers for pH and Temp, stirring and air pumping into the vessel.
we use BioEngineering AG ( Switzerland ) http://bioengineering.ch/engineering-design/
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